Safety in Tunisia: what overland travellers should know

Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 6 September 2026.

Safety

Libyan and Algerian borders — Instability in Libya causes trouble at the Ras Jedir crossing and nearby Ben Gardane, and the ministry advises against going near the Libyan border crossings at all. Travel is also discouraged near the Algerian border, especially the mountain, desert and hill country around Ghardimaou and Ain Soltane, and along both borders in the governorates of Tozeur, Kebili, Tataouine and Medenine.
Military operations zones — Several isolated mountain areas in the El Kef, Kasserine and Sidi Bouzid governorates are military operations zones and you are told not to approach them: Bir Lahfay, Sidi Ali Ben Aoun, Sidi Ich, Jebel Oudada, Jebel Ghardek, Jebel Kemayem and Jebel Rakhmet.
Desert only in groups — The desert is isolated and has no patrolled roads, so the ministry asks for maximum prudence and says excursions should be made as organised trips. Because common crime in those areas is rising, it advises against going unless you are in a substantial group organised by a reputable local tour operator.
Checkpoints and terrorism — The state of emergency declared in 2015 has been extended ever since. Main roads in the country and in the capital are heavily watched, including checkpoints manned by uniformed and plain-clothes officers, and you are expected to cooperate fully. Police operations to break up cells and seize weapons are frequent.
Crime and no-go districts — Theft and pickpocketing are increasing, above all in the outskirts and run-down neighbourhoods of the main cities, so keep phones and valuables out of sight, especially after dark. The ministry also advises against the Etthadamen and El Intilaka areas of Tunis and parts of Kasserine, where economic hardship has produced protests with episodes of violence. Avoid crossing isolated areas or the Tunis Medina at night, and the areas around bus and rail stations and the ports.

Before you rely on this

This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 6 September 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Tunisia before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.

Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 6 September 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.