Is Tunis Safe in January 2026?

Taxis from Tunis-Carthage Airport routinely refuse the meter and quote flat rates of 30–50 TND for a journey that should cost 10–15 TND by meter. This is one of the most consistently reported scams in Tunisia.

How to avoid: Insist politely but firmly on the meter before the car moves — say "al-adad, min fadlak." Use InDrive or Yassir apps for upfront pricing. The journey from the airport to central Tunis should take about 15–20 minutes and cost under 20 TND with a meter.

Scammers send convincing-looking hotel confirmation emails with incorrect details or non-existent properties. They request payment via bank transfer or cryptocurrency before arrival, claiming a payment error. The booking does not exist when you arrive. This is particularly common for budget accommodations in Tunis medina.

How to avoid: Always book directly through official hotel websites or established platforms like Booking.com or Expedia. Verify the hotel phone number independently before responding to any confirmation email. Call the hotel directly to confirm your reservation before paying any additional amounts.

In the medina's carpet and ceramics district, friendly locals invite tourists in for "free mint tea with no obligation." After the tea ceremony, high-pressure sales for overpriced rugs, pottery, or spices follow. A rug worth 200 TND is pushed at 1,000 TND. Leaving without buying creates social pressure and sometimes hostility.

How to avoid: Politely decline all invitations for free tea from shopkeepers in the medina. If you want tea, order it independently at a cafe. If you do enter a shop, state clearly at the start that you are only looking and will not be buying. Leave calmly if pressure escalates.

Vendors in the medina target tourists with asking prices 5–10x the real value for olive wood carvings, ceramic tiles, spices, and clothing. Aggressive path-blocking tactics are used to prevent tourists from leaving without engaging.

How to avoid: Research fair market prices before entering the medina. Start any counter-offer at 20–30% of the asking price. Walk away if the vendor will not come close to a reasonable price — there are dozens of similar shops. Prices on the outer medina streets are generally more honest.

Men near Place de la Victoire and the entrance to the Medina approach tourists and place jasmine flower garlands around their necks or press sprigs into their hands while declaring them a "welcome gift." Once accepted, they immediately demand payment of several dinars and become aggressive or follow the visitor if refused. The exchange is framed as a cultural gesture but is a deliberate pressure tactic targeting unfamiliar visitors who do not want to cause offence.

How to avoid: Keep both hands occupied or wave off the garland firmly before it makes contact — once it is around your neck, social pressure intensifies significantly. Say "la shukran" (no thank you) assertively and keep walking. Do not accept anything handed to you on the street near tourist entry points.