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Mahdia

Mahdia travel guide

City in Mahdia Governorate, Tunisia

Things to do13 experiences
Best time to visitMarch to May and November
Nearest airportMIR · 25 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+1
Population79,545

About Mahdia

Mahdia is a Tunisian coastal city with 76,513 inhabitants, south of Monastir and southeast of Sousse.

Places to visit in Mahdia

  1. Skifa Kahla

    Skifa Kahla

    Historic

    The massive dark gate of the old Fatimid city walls, which leads into the narrow streets of the medina. Climb to the top of the gate for a view over the old town toward the sea.

  2. Great Mosque of Mahdia

    Great Mosque of Mahdia

    Religious

    A tenth-century mosque on the peninsula, rebuilt in its original austere style, with a monumental entrance facing the old harbor. Non-Muslims can usually view the courtyard, so dress modestly and avoid prayer times.

  3. Borj el Kebir

    Historic

    A sixteenth-century fortress at the high point of the Mahdia peninsula, with thick walls and rooftop views across the sea. Combine it with a walk to the lighthouse and the seaside cemetery at the cape.

  4. Mahdia Museum

    Museum

    A small museum near the medina gate covering local history from Punic and Roman times through the Fatimid era, plus traditional costume and jewelry. It is compact, so plan about an hour.

  5. Amphitheatre of El Jem

    Amphitheatre of El Jem

    Historic · 25 mi from centre

    A huge and remarkably intact Roman amphitheater rising above the small inland town of El Jem. Walk the upper tiers for the best sense of its scale, and go early to avoid the midday heat.

  6. El Djem Archaeological Museum

    El Djem Archaeological Museum

    Museum · 25 mi from centre

    A museum a short walk from the amphitheater, displaying fine Roman mosaics found in the area alongside the excavated remains of Roman villas. Your amphitheater ticket typically includes entry, so keep it.

  7. Ribat of Monastir

    Ribat of Monastir

    Historic · 23 mi from centre

    A large early Islamic fortress on the seafront in Monastir, with towers, courtyards, and a small museum. Climb the main watchtower for views of the coast, and see the nearby Bourguiba mausoleum too.

  8. Medina of Sousse

    Medina of Sousse

    Historic · 33 mi from centre

    A walled old town filled with souks, mosques, and fortifications, about an hour up the coast. Enter from the harbor side near the Great Mosque and wander inward to explore the covered markets.

Things to do in Mahdia by type

13 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • Over 6 hours 5
  • 3-6 hours 4
Browse all things to do in Mahdia

Top experiences in Mahdia

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 13 available.

See all things to do in Mahdia

Where to stay in Mahdia

Popular hotels in Mahdia, out of 17 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Mahdia

Best time to visit Mahdia

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Mahdia is March to May and November, when average daytime highs are around 71–78°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 50° – 66° 5
Feb 50° – 65° 9
Mar 55° – 71° 5
Apr 56° – 71° 6
May 62° – 78° 4
Jun 69° – 86° 1
Jul 74° – 93° 0
Aug 74° – 91° 1
Sep 72° – 87° 6
Oct 67° – 81° 7
Nov 56° – 73° 3
Dec 51° – 65° 9

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Mahdia weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 79° 71° 3%
  • Thu 22 Oct 76° 68° 3%
  • Fri 23 Oct 76° 67° 9%
  • Sat 24 Oct 76° 65° 20%
  • Sun 25 Oct 76° 60° 14%
  • Mon 26 Oct 79° 66° 23%

Know before you go

Currency
Tunisian dinar (TND)1 US dollar ≈ د.ت3.00
Language
Arabic
Calling code
+216
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Africa/TunisUTC+1
Capital
Tunis

Upcoming public holidays in Tunisia

  • Revolution Dayعيد الثورة
  • New Year's Dayرأس السنة الميلادية
  • Independence Dayعيد الاستقلال
  • Martyrs' Dayعيد الشهداء
  • Labour Dayعيد الشغل
  • Republic Dayعيد الجمهورية

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Mahdia

These are the airports closest to central Mahdia. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • MIR Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport25 mi (40 km) from the city centre
  • NBE Enfidha–Hammamet International Airport53 mi (85 km) from the city centre
  • SFA Sfax–Thyna International Airport58 mi (94 km) from the city centre
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Mahdia travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Mahdia?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Mahdia is March to May and November, when average daytime highs are around 71–78°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

What is the weather like in Mahdia?

July is usually the warmest month in Mahdia, with average highs of 93°F (34°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 51°F (11°C). The wettest month is typically October, with about 76 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Mahdia?

Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport (MIR) is the closest airport, about 25 miles (40 km) from the centre of Mahdia. Other nearby airports include Enfidha–Hammamet International Airport (NBE, 53 mi) and Sfax–Thyna International Airport (SFA, 58 mi).

What currency is used in Mahdia?

Mahdia uses the Tunisian dinar (TND). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ د.ت3.00.

What time zone is Mahdia in?

Mahdia uses the Africa/Tunis time zone (currently UTC+1). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

What are the best places to visit in Mahdia?

Top sights in Mahdia include Skifa Kahla, Great Mosque of Mahdia, Borj el Kebir and Mahdia Museum. The massive dark gate of the old Fatimid city walls, which leads into the narrow streets of the medina. Climb to the top of the gate for a view over the old town toward the sea.

What are the top things to do in Mahdia?

Popular experiences you can book in Mahdia include Northern Tunis: Carthage and Sidi Bousaid - Full-Day Tour, Kairouan, El Jem and Monastir - Full-Day Tour and Caravane Experience - Hal-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 13 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Mahdia?

The most popular types of experiences in Mahdia are day trips & excursions (7), art & culture (6), outdoor activities & adventure (3) and cruise & water tours (3). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Mahdia?

Popular areas for hotels in Mahdia include Mahdia. Well-reviewed options include Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour and Mahdia Beach & Aquapark.

How many hotels can I book in Mahdia?

Destina Holidays currently lists 17 properties in and around Mahdia, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.