Carthage
Tunisia · Tunis · 30 m
Description
Carthage (قرطاج) was founded by Phoenicians from Tyre around 814 before Christ, ran the western Mediterranean for five centuries, fought Rome three times and was razed at the end of the third war in 146. Rome then rebuilt it as the second city of its western empire, which is why almost everything standing is Roman on top of Punic foundations. The Antonine Baths on the shore were the largest outside Rome itself. The site is spread across several separate enclosures through a modern suburb, so it takes half a day and a taxi between them.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 day
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – June or September – October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Antonine Baths on the shore (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Byrsa Hill and the Punic quarter
- Carthage National Museum
- Punic ports and the circular naval harbour
- Tophet sanctuary and its stelae
- Roman theatre and the summer festival (approx. July - August)
- Roman villas and the aviary mosaic
- Acropolium cathedral on Byrsa
- Malga cisterns and the aqueduct
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Carthage Hannibal