The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage. Tunisia accepted the convention on 10 March 1975, making its sites eligible for inclusion on the list.
Tunisia has ten sites on the list, nine of which are listed for their cultural significance and one, the Ichkeul National Park, for natural significance. This site was listed endangered between 1996 and 2006 because of the construction of dams that threatened the hydrological regime of the lake and resulted in a reduction of vegetation and a drop in bird numbers. By 2006 the situation had improved so the site was removed from the endangered list. The first three sites were listed in 1979 and the most recent, the Village of Sidi Bou Saïd, in 2026. In addition, Tunisia has 15 sites on the tentative list. The country has served on the World Heritage Committee four times.
World Heritage Sites UNESCO lists sites under ten criteria; each entry must meet at least one of the criteria. Criteria i through vi are cultural, and vii through x are natural.
+ Site Image Location (governorate) Year listed Description Medina of Tunis Tunis 1979 36bis; ii, iii, v (cultural) Tunis was founded in 698 as one of the first Arab cities in the Maghreb. It reached its peak between the 12th and 16th centuries, under the Almohads and Hafsids, when it was one of the wealthiest cities of the Islamic world. Due to its location, it was a linking point between the Maghreb, Europe, and the East. Numerous monuments in the medina have been preserved, including several city gates, the Kasbah Mosque (pictured), noble houses, souks, and a cemetery. A minor boundary modification of the site took place in 2010. Archaeological Site of Carthage Tunis 1979 37; ii, iii, vi (cultural) Founded in the 9th century BCE by the Phoenicians, Carthage developed into a trading empire spanning the Mediterranean. It was a major rival to the Roman Republic which resulted in a series of wars, until the city was ultimately destroyed in 146 BCE. It was later reestablished as Roman Carthage. Remains of buildings from different periods have been preserved, including temples, a theater, public baths, necropolises, cisterns, and residential buildings. Amphitheatre of El Jem Mahdia 1979 38bis; iv, vi (cultural) The 3rd century amphitheatre of Thysdrus, today known as El Jem, is North Africa's largest amphitheatre. It was modeled after the Colosseum in Rome. It is estimated it had a capacity of 35,000 spectators. The fact that such an imposing building was constructed in a rather remote province is a sign of Roman imperial propaganda. A minor boundary modification of the site took place in 2010. Ichkeul National Park Bizerte 1980 8; x (natural) The freshwater lake and the surrounding wetlands are the remains of a much larger chain of lakes. It is an important wintering habitat for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, especially geese, coots, and ducks, such as the white-headed duck, ferruginous duck, and the marbled duck. Other birds include storks and flamingos. The site was listed as endangered between 1996 and 2006 because of the construction of dams that threatened the hydrological regime of the lake and resulted in a reduction of vegetation and a drop in bird numbers. By 2006, the situation had improved so the site was removed from the endangered list. Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis Nabeul 1985 332bis; iii (cultural) The Phoenicio–Punic town of Kerkouane was abandoned around 250 BCE during the First Punic War. Unlike other Phoenician cities, such as Carthage, Byblos, or Tyre, it was not rebuilt under the Romans. The ruins, which date to the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE were discovered in 1952, and provide an important insight into Punic urban planning. The nearby necropolis that provides insight into the Punic funerary practices was added to the site in 1986. Medina of Sousse Sousse 1988 498bis; iii, iv, v (cultural) The coastal town of Sousse became important in the 9th century under the Aghlabids, as a part of the defense system to protect against piracy and other attacks from the sea. The medina has been well preserved. Monuments including the Ribat, which is both a fortification and a religious building, the Great Mosque (pictured), the kasbah, the Bou Ftata Mosque, and fortifications. A minor boundary modification of the site took place in 2010. Kairouan Kairouan 1988 499bis; i, ii, iii, v, vi (cultural) Kairouan was founded in 670 as one of the first Arabo-Muslim cities in the Maghreb. It served as the capital of Ifriqiya for five centuries and flourished under the Aghlabids in the 9th century. There are numerous monuments in the city, including the Great Mosque (pictured) the Mosque of the Three Doors, the medina, walls, and gates. Kairouan is one of the holiest cities of Islam. A minor boundary modification of the site took place in 2010. Dougga / Thugga Béja 1997 794; ii, iii (cultural) Dougga encompasses the ruins of a small Roman town, with most buildings dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. The Roman town was founded on a site of an important Libyan–Punic settlement, which was probably the first capital of the Numidian Kingdom. The town declined in the Byzantine and Islamic periods. Monuments include the Roman theatre (pictured) and the Libyco-Punic Mausoleum. Numerous inscriptions in several regional languages were found on site and provide an insight into the daily life on the fringes of the Roman Empire. Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory Medenine 2023 1640; v (cultural) The island of Djerba has a semi-dry climate and water is scarce. This resulted in a specific settlement pattern that developed around the 9th century, with a series of low-density neighborhoods connected with roads. An old well is pictured. Village of Sidi Bou Saïd Tunis 2026 1769; iii (cultural) The village, located on the coast of the Gulf of Tunis, started developing in the 18th century when the wealthy citizens of Tunis started building their holiday residences there. There are numerous palaces, religious sites, public spaces, and fountains, in a mixture of architectural styles that have been changing through time. The village is a hub for artists and is a spiritual centre, with the tomb of a Sufi scholar Sidi Bou Said, after whom the village takes its name.
Tentative list In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage List are only accepted if the site was previously listed on the tentative list. Tunisia maintains 15 properties on its tentative list.