Is it safe to visit Tunisia? Latest travel advice
Thousands of British holidaymakers will be preparing for an autumnal or early winter holiday to Tunisia. But after Israel’s ground incursion of Lebanon and wider tensions in the Middle East, some will be wondering whether it is safe to do so.
Tunisia is not directly involved in the Middle East crisis. However, there has been a rise in political demonstrations in Tunisia following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The country remains in an ongoing state of emergency, in place since 2015 following a suicide attack on a police bus.
How far is Tunisia from the conflict zone?
Sousse, the most popular beach holiday destination in Tunisia, is more than 1,400 miles away from the conflict zone. Rome is a similar distance away from the Israel-Lebanon border, so the geographical position of Tunisia should not put you off travelling there.
What is the FCDO advice?
There are no advisories against visiting the popular holiday resorts of Tunisia, such as Sousse and Hammamet, or the capital city of Tunis.
However, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does warn against travel to various parts of Tunisia (not usually visited by tourists) as listed on its advice page here.
Something tourists may encounter is public demonstrations. On this, the FCDO warns: “In response to the current situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, peaceful demonstrations have occurred in some Tunisian cities, including outside some western embassies. Demonstrations and protests are common and may start with little or no warning. They can sometimes become violent. Demonstrations and protests tend to be at weekends and on prominent national dates (which may include 14 January and 17 December). They usually take place in central areas of Tunis and other major cities, and may focus on government buildings.”
Regarding Lebanon and the Middle East, the FCDO updated its advice to read: “Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region.”
Is there a risk of terrorist attacks in Tunisia?
In June 2015, 38 foreign tourists (including 30 British nationals) were killed in a devastating terrorist attack at Port El Kantaoui, near Sousse. The country has experienced a number of terrorist attacks since.
The FCDO says: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia.
“A formal state of emergency has been in place since a terrorist attack against a police bus took place in 2015. The security forces are visibly present in many parts of the country, including at the entry points to some towns and cities.”
The FCDO lists crowded areas, government installations, transportation networks, businesses with Western interests, and areas where foreign nationals and tourists are known to gather, as places at high risk of an attack.
Are flights still running to Tunisia?
Yes. Flights from the UK to Tunisia do not pass into the vicinity of the Middle East.
What if I want to cancel my holiday?
If you have booked a package holiday to Tunisia and want to cancel your trip for any reason, contact your tour operator and they might offer flexibility with alternative dates.
But bear in mind that, because the Foreign Office has only issued formal advice against travel to some parts of Tunisia, there is no guarantee you will receive a refund, nor will you be able to claim money back with your travel insurance company.
If you have booked flights and accommodation independently, and wish to cancel your holiday, contact your travel providers as soon as possible to see if you can rearrange your plans. Note, however, that given the circumstances, it is unlikely you will receive a full refund.
This article was first published in October 2023, and has been revised and updated.
