# Customs in Tunisia: dress, alcohol, tipping, photos and mosques

In Tunisia, beachwear is fine in the resorts, but cover up in towns, in the countryside and at places of worship; topless sunbathing is not acceptable. Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants, never in the street. Tipping is not compulsory, around 5 dinars in a restaurant and 50 dinars a day for a guide. Ask before photographing people, and never photograph soldiers or official buildings.

Source : https://sabaro-travel.com/en/guides/usages-tunisie/

Customs in Tunisia vary a great deal from place to place: you can wander in swimwear on a hotel beach in Hammamet, but not through the lanes of Kairouan's medina. A few rules are enough to avoid giving offence, and a few laws, stricter than in Europe, are worth knowing before you go.

## Dressing for the place

- **On the beach and in resorts**: beachwear is acceptable. Topless sunbathing should be avoided.
- **In towns and the countryside**: local custom is to dress modestly, especially in remote areas.
- **At places of worship**: dress modestly; women cover their arms and hair. A chèche, the long cotton scarf, does the job and also helps against the evening chill and air conditioning.
- **During Ramadan**: particular decency is expected. See the guide [Ramadan and public holidays 2027](/en/guides/ramadan-feries-tunisie-2027/).

Harassment of women is also reported, especially in summer.

## Alcohol: where and when

Drinking alcohol is legal in Tunisia; drunkenness is punished when it disturbs public order.

| Where | What is allowed |
|---|---|
| Licensed hotels, bars and restaurants | you can order and drink alcohol |
| Shops | some sell alcohol; supermarket sales are banned on Fridays |
| Streets and public places | drinking is forbidden |
| During Ramadan | sales banned, drinking limited to a few bars and restaurants, except in beach resorts |

For drivers, the limit is 0.3 g per litre of blood, and zero for new drivers.

## Tipping and haggling

Tipping is not compulsory. In cafés and restaurants, Tunisians usually leave some small change. Some guidelines for visitors:

| Service | Custom |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | about 5 dinars (€1.50) on top of the bill |
| Taxi | round up the fare, which the driver often does himself |
| Guide | about 50 dinars a day (€15) |
| Driver | about 50 dinars a day (€15) |

Don't haggle when prices are displayed. In the craft souks, bargaining is still the custom. Dinars cannot be taken out of the country: the guide [Money in Tunisia](/en/guides/argent-tunisie/) explains how to change and convert back.

## Taking photographs

- **People**: always ask before photographing someone.
- **Forbidden subjects**: photographing or filming military sites, public buildings, especially the presidential palace in Carthage, security forces and official motorcades is forbidden. You risk arrest for espionage. Follow any no-photography signs.
- **Equipment**: drones, professional audiovisual equipment, walkie-talkies, even toys, and smart glasses need prior authorisation from the Tunisian authorities; without it they are confiscated.
- **Sites and museums**: professional photography and filming there require authorisation from the AMVPPC (the agency for heritage promotion and cultural development), which runs the public sites. The guide [Tunisia's sites and museums](/en/guides/sites-et-musees-tunisie/) covers tickets.

## Visiting mosques and places of worship

Non-Muslims may not enter mosques during prayers, and many mosques remain closed to them. A few places welcome visitors:

- **Great Mosque of Kairouan**: non-Muslims are admitted to the courtyard, with a view of the prayer hall. Mornings only: 8 am to 2 pm in winter, 7:30 am to 2 pm in summer, until noon on Fridays (local time). See the [Kairouan](/en/tunisia/kairouan/) page.
- **Zitouna Mosque, Tunis**: the prayer hall is closed to non-Muslims, and access to the courtyard varies with the day and prayer times; modest dress is required. See the [Tunis](/en/tunisia/tunis/) page.
- **Fadhloun Mosque, Djerba**: this mosque of Ibadi origin, from around the 14th century, is open from 7 am (8 am in winter) to noon, except Fridays, for 5 dinars (€1.50).
- **El Ghriba synagogue, Djerba**: open daily except Saturday, usually closed on Friday afternoons; head and shoulders covered, security check at the entrance. See the [Djerba](/en/tunisia/djerba/) page.

## Behaviour in public and laws to know

Public displays of affection are best avoided. Several laws, stricter than in Europe, also apply to visitors:

- **ID**: always carry ID or a copy of your passport photo page; security officials may ask for it at any time.
- **Drugs**: a few grams mean at least one year in prison, even for personal use.
- **Private life**: homosexuality is an offence (article 230 of the penal code), as is adultery. Sex outside marriage may be prosecuted, and some hotels refuse a room to unmarried couples.
- **Antiquities**: taking them out of the country is forbidden without prior authorisation.
- **Wild camping**: it can lead to prosecution and expulsion.

The guide [Safety in Tunisia](/en/guides/securite-tunisie/) completes these rules, and the [Tunisia](/en/tunisia/) page presents the destination.

## Frequently asked questions

### What should I wear in Tunisia?

Beachwear in the resorts; covering clothes in towns, the countryside and at places of worship, where women also cover their arms and hair. Topless sunbathing is not acceptable.

### Can you drink alcohol in Tunisia?

Yes, in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants. Drinking in the street is forbidden, supermarkets do not sell alcohol on Fridays and, during Ramadan, sales are banned outside the beach resorts.

### How much should I tip in Tunisia?

Tipping is not compulsory. The custom is about 5 dinars in a restaurant, rounding up taxi fares, and about 50 dinars a day for a guide or driver.

### Can tourists visit mosques in Tunisia?

A few: the courtyard of Kairouan's Great Mosque in the morning, or the Fadhloun Mosque in Djerba. Non-Muslims may not enter during prayers, and many mosques remain closed to them.

### Can I take photos freely in Tunisia?

Landscapes and monuments, yes. Ask people before photographing them, and never photograph soldiers, police, public buildings or the presidential palace in Carthage. Drones need prior authorisation.