Tunisia is one of the most colourful countries I know. It is full of vibrancy and life and the whole place is buzzing from the spice sellers in the souks to the artisans pushing a new trend of Tunisian art to the forefront of the world stage. Shopping in Tunisia is always fun and there are some amazing products you can pick up, some for pennies in the markets and others in the high-end designer shops commanding some serious cash. I have rounded up my favourite 10 of the best souvenirs to buy in Tunisia with a whole mix of prices. There’s plenty here if you’re travelling with kids that they will love too.
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Table of Contents
1. Beautiful glass to keep forever – one of the best souvenirs to buy in Tunisia
Master glassmaker Sadika Keskes studied her craft in Murano, Venice and has dedicated her life to bringing back blown glass to Tunisia. Somewhere that hadn’t been seen there since the 14th century.
Her pieces are incredibly varied but all beautiful with glass that sparkles and with a depth that seems to tell its own stories.
In Gammarth on the outskirts of Tunis city you can visit her workshop and gallery and a cafe.
You can pick up anything from jewellery to bigger pieces of art, lamps and vases.
It is the most inspiring place and if you happen to meet Sadika you will find one of the most positive people on the planet. Full of drive to make a difference and with a passion for glassmaking.
These are not cheap souvenirs but if you are looking to go to Tunis shopping for something special then this is perfect. They are pieces that you will want to keep and pass on for generations to come.
Read more about Sadika here.
2. Sandals and slippers – great shopping in Tunisia
Some of my favourite Tunisian souvenirs are sandals and slippers.
There are some really beautiful, colourful Tunisian sandals, my favourite are those decorated with the Hand of Fatima or Hamsa Hand which is a symbol that I love.
They also have some lovely slippers which come in a variety of bright colours and with lovely detail including tassels and pompoms.
They’re the perfect gift to bring home and to brighten up any gloomy British winter.
3. Taste the history with Tunisia’s olive oil
Olive oil has been produced in Tunisia for thousands of years.
Good olive oil is like nothing else. Strong and delicious it’s perfect for cooking or simply drizzling over grilled vegetables or for dipping chunks of fresh bread in.
Riviere D’Or is a Tunisian olive oil producer that not only makes delicious olive oil but also works with local artisans to create the most beautiful bottles and accessories.
They believe in making olive oil something that is perfect to give or receive as a gift in the same way you would a bottle of wine. If you call in to their shop you can try some for yourself before you buy.
4. Floral perfumes for the scent of Tunisia
It’s funny how scents change according to the country you visit.
For me the scent of Tunisia is undoubtedly jasmine, the sweet floral perfume is found all over the country.
You can walk through alleys and find the flower overhanging and the fragrance lingering in the air. You can buy necklaces of white flowers to enjoy it all day long and in the souk you can find little glass bottles filled with the smell.
Buying the actual flowers is lovely and something I did on my first ever visit to Tunisia but obviously they don’t last very long (it was just nice to have that beautiful scent with me all day).
A better option is to buy some of the perfume which comes in a concentrated form so should last a while.
5. Pretty patterns from Tunisian pottery – perfect souvenir from Tunisia
Tunisian pottery is absolutely gorgeous. Like everything in the country, it’s really colourful and full of character.
One to put in your hand luggage, a couple of smaller dishes or a big couscous bowl is a really lovely souvenir to bring home and remember sunnier days with.
If you have a chance to visit Nabeul, a short day trip from Tunis, this is the place to buy ceramics.
Head for Avenue Farhat Hached and if you’re around on a Friday check out the market here which is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs of all kinds, including beautiful pottery.
Wherever you are in Tunisia though, there are plenty of places to find decorative plates and dishes.
6. Jewellery with a difference – ideal shopping in Tunisia
The jewellery in Tunisia is beautiful and really different to pieces you can get at home.
Wander the souks for costume jewellery which kids will adore or head to the gold and silver areas of the medinas to pick up items with more quality.
My favourites are the Hamsa hands and also those depicting the evil eye which are wonderful souvenirs to bring home and remember the country by.
7. Spice up your life
As you wander through the medinas in Tunisia the smell of spices is so evocative.
The pungent aroma of the various colourful towers of spices fill the air and call out to be cooked with.
It’s really simple to get a scoopful and perfect for some adventurous cooking when you get home.
The other thing that’s great to pick up are jars of harissa (made from chillies and garlic). This is a really lovely treat to have at home with chunks of bread dipped in for a tasty starter, or use it on vegetables for a spicy kick.
8. Striped fun with Hammam towels
A colourful and practical souvenir is to take home one of the hammam towels you can find in the medinas all across Tunisia.
Hammams are the spas which are used by residents, and guests, to bathe in, have massages and relax and chat with friends.
Hammam towels are really lightweight and dry quickly so they work just as well as great beach towels, or even bed spreads, or to drape over a sofa.
They come in so many colours and are an easy gift to transport home.
9. Beautiful Baskets
Another item found in towns across Tunisia is basket wear and they come in all shapes and sizes.
They are lovely to have to fill with treats while you’re in Tunisia but then just as useful back home to use on shopping trips or keep in the corner of the room filled with cosy blankets (or maybe hammam towels for a burst of colour).
Like so many items in Tunisia you can also get them with Hand of Fatima design embroidered on.
10. A taste of Tunisia in a bottle of wine – great shopping in Tunisia
40 million bottles of wine are produced in Tunisia every year and they are a wonderful souvenir and taste of the country.
If you fancy looking in to this production further you can even visit the vineyards such as those at Domaine Neferis about 40 minutes outside of Tunis.
Here, with prior arrangement, you can try the different wines and find out more about the process that goes in to producing them.
The vineyards are a beautiful area with the mountains as a backdrop and rows of plants stretching out in to the distance. It’s a great place to go to get a different view of beautiful Tunisia.
If you’re considering travelling to Tunisia then check out our post on the top places to visit in Tunisia and when you’re ready to start souvenir shopping then have a look at Gretta at Mum’s Do Travel’s post on shopping in the Tunisian souks for tips on what to do.
The best things to do in Tunisia
I don’t think I’ve managed a single trip to Tunisia without buying a few souvenirs – so many lovely things to pick up, and the glass looks gorgeous.
There are so many beautiful things to buy in the souks in Tunisia! It’s definitely a place where it’s good to take a checked-in suitcase rather than just hand luggage, because you’re bound to want to buy something there.