Is Tunisia safe right now? Areas to avoid and official travel advice

Is Tunisia safe right now? Yes, in the regions most travelers visit. Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir and Djerba are under "increased vigilance" (vigilance renforcée) according to France Diplomatie, the French foreign ministry's travel advice. That matches Level 2 of 4 for the United States and a "high degree of caution" for Canada. However, the areas near the Algerian and Libyan borders, the west-central mountains around Chaambi and the far southern desert are advised against by every government we checked on November 1, 2026.

The terrorist threat remains present across the country, and a state of emergency has been in force since November 2015. For a stay on the coast or in Tunis, the everyday risks are more ordinary: theft, scams, the roads and the sea.

What each government says

Each government publishes its own travel advice: France Diplomatie, the UK's FCDO, the US Department of State, the Government of Canada and Belgium's foreign ministry. They agree on the essentials, but the boundaries of the areas differ. Here is what we found on November 1, 2026, with each page's update date.

Source	Updated	Overall level	Areas to avoid
France Diplomatie	September 15, 2026 (map of March 13, 2026)	Increased vigilance	Far Saharan south, west-central mountains, Ben Guerdane
United Kingdom (FCDO)	July 24, 2026	No single level	Chaambi park, Mounts Salloum, Sammamma and Mghila, south of El Borma and Dhehiba, Ben Guerdane
United States	October 23, 2024	Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution	16 km from the Algerian and Libyan borders, west-central mountains, desert south of Remada
Canada	May 26, 2026	Exercise a high degree of caution	20 km from the Algerian border, 30 km from the Libyan border, Kasserine governorate
Belgium	October 2, 2026	Travel possible with vigilance	Border areas with Algeria and Libya, mountains of Kasserine and Le Kef

France Diplomatie is one source among others. Also check your own government's travel advice. It may be stricter, and your insurer often relies on it.

Areas advised against, in detail

Is Tunisia safe everywhere? No: the risk is concentrated in specific areas. This is the most important part of this article. When two sources disagree, we keep the more cautious one.

The south, near Libya and in the desert

For France, the Saharan region near both borders is a military zone. Any travel there requires prior authorization. The desert south and east of the line Bir Rjim Maatoug, Borj Bourguiba, Ben Guerdane is advised against unless essential. Ben Guerdane itself is strongly advised against.

The UK advises against all travel to the militarized zone south of El Borma and Dhehiba, within 20 km of the rest of the Libyan border, and to Ben Guerdane. It advises against all but essential travel within 75 km of the Libyan border, including Remada and El Borma. Zarzis, the C118 road and the parts of Medenine governorate north of that road are excluded.

The other governments draw their own lines:

Source	Along the Libyan border
United States	Do not travel within 16 km, or to the desert south of Remada (military zone)
Canada	Avoid all travel within 30 km, and to the military zone south of Remada
Belgium	Strongly advised against south of the line Rjim Maatoug, Bir Ellouza, Bir Aouine, Borj Bourguiba, Remada, Ben Guerdane
Spain	High risk in the desert south of the line El Borma, Borj Bourguiba, Ben Guerdane

Spain also reports that the Ras Jedir border crossing is subject to temporary interruptions and closures.

The west-central region and the Algerian border

The mountains near Algeria are the second danger zone. France Diplomatie reports possible terrorist activity, militarized or mined areas, and regular counterterrorism operations there. On January 22, 2026, according to Tunisia's Interior Ministry as reported by Xinhua, security forces killed four members of a cell it called "terrorist" near Majel Bel Abbes, in Kasserine governorate.

The boundaries vary by country:

• France: advised against unless essential (orange), the areas around the mountains, rural areas between Kasserine, Sbeitla, Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa off the main roads, and a 5 km strip along the Algerian border in the governorates of Jendouba and Le Kef.
• United Kingdom: all but essential travel, the whole Kasserine governorate including Sbeitla, a 20 km strip in Le Kef and Jendouba governorates south of the town of Jendouba, and the areas north and west of Ghardimaou.
• United States: do not travel within 16 km of the Algerian border, except for the cities of Tabarka and Ain Draham.
• Canada: avoid all travel within 20 km of the border, except on highway P7 to the Malloula crossing and in the tourist towns of Tabarka, Ain Draham, Chebika, Mides and Tamerza.
• Belgium: travel strongly advised against west of the line Jendouba, Le Kef, Kasserine, Feriana, Tameghza, and in the mountain areas of Kasserine and Le Kef.

The case of Sbeitla and Tamerza

The Roman site of Sbeitla is therefore a special case. France accepts it via the main roads, but the UK and Canada advise against it. If your tour goes there, or to the mountain oases near Tamerza, check your own country's advice before booking.

Is Tunisia safe in Tunis, on the coast and in Djerba?

The main tourist areas are not advised against. For France Diplomatie, the whole country outside the areas listed above is under increased vigilance. That includes Tunis, Carthage, Cap Bon, the Sahel coast (Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia) and Djerba. The other governments set no area restrictions there, but they point to a nationwide terrorist threat.

France lists past attacks: the Bardo and Sousse in 2015, Tunis in 2019 and March 2020, Sousse in September 2020 and Djerba in May 2023. It notes that security forces are the main target. The UK is the most direct:

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia.

The US says terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks. Canada adds that terrorist acts could occur at any time, and urges vigilance at sporting events, religious holidays and major political events. That is not a reason to cancel your trip, but it is a reason to follow the basic precautions.

State of emergency and protests

The state of emergency was declared on November 24, 2015, after the attack on a presidential guard bus in Tunis. It is extended regularly. According to the Tunisian outlet African Manager, Decree No. 15 of January 30, 2026 extended it to December 31, 2026. Canada explains that it gives security forces expanded powers: searches, seizures, detentions and curfews.

For travelers, it mostly means more frequent checks. France notes that travel bans or curfews may be imposed, especially in central Tunis and around the presidential palace in Carthage. Keep your ID on you.

Protests often start spontaneously. The UK says they rarely turn violent, but they can. The advice is the same everywhere: move away and follow police instructions.

Everyday risks

This is what you are most likely to encounter. Nothing exceptional, but worth knowing.

Theft and scams

France considers street crime "relatively under control". Theft is still the most common crime, according to the UK. Belgium mentions markets, medinas, hotels and beaches, as well as occasional break-ins in hotel rooms. Canada reports a rise in opportunistic petty crime, particularly in Tunis.

As for scams, the UK describes thieves who use confidence tricks as a distraction. Belgium warns of "seduction maneuvers" in clubs and hotels aimed at getting money. Canada mentions online shopping fraud and marriage proposals from strangers.

For cash, read our guides on how to exchange euros for dinars in Tunisia and whether to pay in euros or by card. The less cash you carry, the less you risk.

Women, harassment and discrimination

France Diplomatie says European women, alone or accompanied, may receive insistent attention that can amount to harassment. The UK notes that reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault increase in the summer months. Canada and Belgium say the same about women traveling alone.

France also reports several recent racist attacks in Greater Tunis, Sfax and Gabès. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Tunisia, the UK points out, adding that LGBT+ people have been targeted by criminals.

Roads, sea and heat

Canada reports that road accidents are rising despite awareness campaigns. France asks drivers to watch out for pedestrians and two-wheelers. The UK considers night driving outside towns hazardous: unlit roads, vehicles without lights, livestock on the road. Spain advises caution at intersections and roundabouts.

At sea, Belgium warns that the Mediterranean can be very dangerous and that several people drown every year. Choose a beach with lifeguards and follow the flags. Always supervise children, even if they can swim. In summer, the UK reports heatwaves and power cuts that can stop air conditioning.

What is forbidden

Prison sentences for drugs are severe, even for a very small amount, according to France. Do not photograph government buildings or military sites. Spain specifies that a civilian drone requires prior authorization, otherwise it may be confiscated.

Before you go: registration, insurance and paperwork

Register with your own country. Each government has its own alert service: Ariane for French nationals, Travellers Online for Belgians, STEP for Americans, Registration of Canadians Abroad for Canada, the Registro de Viajeros for Spaniards. You will receive alerts and your embassy will be able to reach you.

Get travel insurance. It must cover medical costs and repatriation, because your embassy will not pay them. Read the exclusions: many policies do not cover an area your government advises against.

Check your documents. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. See our Tunisia entry requirements page. According to France Diplomatie, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from your date of entry. If you need to apply for anything, do it one to two weeks before departure.

Emergency numbers in Tunisia

Write them down before you arrive. They are listed by the British, Canadian and Spanish governments.

Service	Number
Police (in towns)	197
National Guard (rural areas and small villages)	193
SAMU (ambulance)	190
Civil protection (fire, accidents)	198

For French travelers, the French embassy in Tunis can be reached at +216 31 315 000. Other travelers will find their embassy's number on their foreign ministry's website.

When to go, and what else to read

The rest of our guide is on the Tunisia page. The Tunisia festival calendar helps you spot large gatherings, which call for more vigilance but are also highlights of a trip.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tunisia safe for a woman traveling alone?

Governments do not advise against the trip, but all of them report harassment, more frequent in summer according to the UK. Stay in busy places in the evening and avoid deserted beaches and parks at night, as France advises.

Can I go to the desert, to Douz or Tozeur?

These towns are not among the areas advised against in the sources we checked. Further south, the desert beyond the line Bir Rjim Maatoug, Borj Bourguiba, Ben Guerdane is advised against by France, and the military zone requires authorization. For trips away from the coast, Belgium recommends going with a tour operator.

Is Djerba safe?

Djerba is under increased vigilance for France, like Tunis and the coast. An attack took place there in May 2023, according to France Diplomatie. The general precautions apply: keep your distance from security forces and crowds.

Is Tunisia safe despite the state of emergency?

In daily life, it does not get in the way. It mainly allows checks, and sometimes travel bans or local curfews. It runs until December 31, 2026, and can then be extended, as it is every year.