The Mediterranean is one of the most sought-after vacation spots out there.
With its host of ancient civilizations, distinct cultures, and of course, gorgeous sandy beaches bounded by turquoise-colored waters, it draws in tens of millions of visitors every year, but it is getting cripplingly expensive.
As those who have been to Southern Europe following the grand reopening already know, the economic crisis has hit countries hard, from the Western Mediterranean coast of Spain all the way to Greece’s Easternmost island.
Fluctuating prices are now the norm, and the cost of living has risen significantly.
Luckily for Medi lovers, there is one country in particular where their wallets will not be hit as hard, and that has been experiencing record growth in tourism – except it’s not in Europe:
Is Tunisia The Most Budget-Friendly Mediterranean Country?
Although many Americans often associate the Mediterranean almost exclusively with Europe, it is a far wider warm-water basin that knows no continental borders.
In fact, it is enclosed by three continents: besides the European South, it lines the coast of North Africa and stretches as far as Western Asia.
Interestingly, while countries on the European side, like Spain, France, and Italy, all struggle with mass tourism, others in North Africa or the Asian subgroup remain are yet to be overrun by Western visitors.
That is the case with Tunisia, the northernmost country in Africa.
Tunisia is home to beautiful beaches of the softest white sand, historic forts and medieval castles, Roman ruins, a multicultural metropolitan capital with a burgeoning nightlife, and an up-and-coming resort scene.
It has also been named the most budget-friendly spot in the Mediterranean.
According to new data published by British online travel agency loveholidays, a 7-night vacation package to Tunisia costs on average USD $697.77 per person, leaving from Britain.
This includes not only hotels but also flights – departing from the U.K. – and transfers to and from the airport in Tunis.
Other data gathered by Expatistan, which is not entirely accurate, as they state themselves, but instead provide a rough estimate, places monthly costs for a single person in Tunisia at TND 2,316 dinar, or $687.93, based on the currency exchange rate of March 15, 2023.
The average monthly expenses are effectively the same as the starting price for a one-week vacation package, though it is worth noting it is a reflection of the cost of living and purchasing power of the local populace, as opposed to foreign tourists, who are often guests in beachfront, five-star hotels.
Either way, whether you’re visiting Tunisia for a seven-day do-nothing beach vacation or you’re a digital nomad lingering a while longer, you will find excellent deals.
Americans Have To Pay More Traveling To Tunisia
It may be true that American tourists will never get it as cheap, seeing that the United States is much farther away and low-cost flights are not an existing option.
To be more exact, there are no flights between the U.S. and Tunisia*, but that’s not to say it is impossible to get there.
*Tunisair offers direct flights from Tunis-Carthage to Montreal, Canada
Transatlantic travel between the U.S. and Europe has never been as accessible as it is now, with some one-way flights costing as cheap as USD $200.
Once they get to Europe, cheap flights to Tunisia are plentiful, especially from the departure points in Paris, Rome, Athens, and Frankfurt.
Last year, 6 million foreigners landed in Tunisia, proving it is growing at a record rate compared to its Mediterranean peers, including the closest competitor Morocco.
Already, it has surpassed its own pre-pandemic levels by 69%, and it could grow further in 2023.
Between 2019 and 2020, a majority of tourists hailed from neighboring North African countries, such as Algeria and Libya, and European nations, with France, Germany, and Italy taking the lead.
Americans are nowhere to be seen on the top 15 published by Statistica.
If you’re dreaming of a truly unspoiled corner of the Mediterranean, especially now that Europe’s own lesser-known hidden gems are not that hidden anymore, restriction-free Tunisia is the place to be.
Bulgaria And Morocco Round Out The Top Three
Besides Tunisia, loveholidays research lists the Balkan state of Bulgaria and Morocco as the second and third most affordable vacation packages. Bulgaria is a tried-and-true nomad haven, offering a sandy Black Sea coastline and a plethora of unique city breaks.
Morocco, on the other hand, keeps surging in popularity among Americans who are more adventurous and who may have an interest in desert glamping and other outdoor experiences.
Both of these destinations will cost, on average, USD $767.55 and USD $846.11 to book for the week.
The Home Of Ancient Carthage
Tunisia boasts a rather impressive Mediterranean coastline, running for 713 miles of white-sand beaches and scenic rugged patches, sandwiched between the much-bigger Algeria and Libya.
Historically, its strategic position has made it one of the most important trading hubs in the Mediterranean. It houses the ruins of ancient Carthage, a powerful Phoenician city-state established in the 9th century B.C. that would eventually come under Roman rule.
Throughout its History, Tunisia as a whole existed under several different empires, having last declared independence from the French.
Now, it is a fast-developing tourist destination with competitive prices that will probably not stay under the radar for much longer.
