Experience a pinnacle of Tunisian culture with a Mahdia holiday

Those looking for a dose of history with their relaxing, sunny getaway will find it in spades with a Mahdia holiday. The town has two distinct sides, one being the so-called 'tourist zone' with luxury hotels and sandy beach as far as the eye can see, the other being the resort's old town, or medina. Mahdia has much in the way of historical attraction; the Grand Mosque, Punic Ruins and the 'Big' Fort are just a few of the town's larger than life attractions, some of which date back to the 17th century. Nightlife is very simple and low-key, meaning that families with teenage children may find themselves stuck for entertainment after sundown. However, if taking in some authentic Tunisian history in the glorious Mediterranean sun is your idea of entertainment, you will certainly not feel at a loss with a Mahdia holiday.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND), divided into 1,000 millimes.  Travellers cheques are widely accepted.  ATMs are found in most towns and at all the tourist resorts, almost all will accept Visa cards and many will also accept Maestro debit cards. Visa, Diners Club, American Express and MasterCard are accepted for payment in souvenir shops, upmarket hotels and restaurants, although Visa encounters the least problems.  All Tunisian currency must be exchanged before departure.

Time

Local time is GMT +1
(GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Language

The overwhelming majority speak Arabic and French.  English is taught in all schools and is increasingly spoken especially by younger people.  Some German and Italian is also spoken.

Electricty

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz.  
Round European-style, two-pin plugs are used.

Mahdia Climate

Holidays in Mahdia enjoy a Mediterranean type climate with virtually guaranteed sunshine.  Anyone looking to relax and soak up the sun is unlikely to be disappointed, especially in mid-summer when there is unlikely to be any rain at all.  April to October is the season for beach holidays, although those who prefer activities such as golf or tennis might be advised to miss late July and August when the temperature is often in excess of 30ºC and it can be a little humid.  There is normally a sea breeze to help make the days feel more comfortable, however, and the sea itself is clear and inviting.

Tipping

Tipping is not a requirement but appreciated for good service in local establishments. Most people performing a useful service will wait to be tipped. Waiters in resort and hotel restaurants expect a tip of around 10%.

Communications

The international dialling code for Tunisia is +216.  The outgoing international code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom).