Mahdia Things To Do

Exploring Ancient Medinas
Mahdia, this charming little fishing port was once the capital of Tunisia and a formidable fortress. The medina (or old town) stretches out along a peninsula and is entered by a reconstruction of the huge 16th century gate. Inside the walls, the ‘dark passage’ was built in sections that could be closed off in the event of attack. Today, however, this area feels relaxed despite being full of welcoming merchants selling leatherware, silverware and carpets and other crafts – Mahdia is famed for its weaving. Take a look at the Great Mosque, carefully rebuild from the original plans in the 1960’s, having been almost totally destroyed by the Spaniards in 1554. Nearby Sousse has a medina that is listed as a World Heritage site and there is a museum with extremely well preserved Roman mosaics.

Beaches, Watersports And Diving
Mahdia has glorious white sandy beaches with every kind of water sport available, from jet skiing to parascending, scuba diving to banana boating, and the sparkling turquoise sea makes it all the more enjoyable. There is also a professional diving school offering the chance for beginners to take the plunge or experienced divers to enjoy the colourful marine life or explore one of the WWII wrecks that lie off the coast.

El Jem Amphitheatre
North Africa’s largest colosseum, this incredible amphitheatre is extremely well preserved. Built in the 3rd-century to hold up to 35,000 spectators, performances are still held here, although today they tend to be concerts rather than gladiatorial contests. Visitors can look round the underground passageways which once held fighters, slaves and wild animals. The town also has a museum with an excellent collection of mosaics.

Golf
Monastir may be a little over twenty-five miles away, but the Flamingo Golf Course is in a magnificent setting, with lakes, valleys, ancient olive trees and lush greens set off against the sparkling blue sea. The Palm Links Golf Course is a real links course with sandy terrain and wild grasses, again beside the sea, and includes practice bunkers and greens, a driving range and golf school.

Tunis And Ancient Carthage
Although around 125 miles north, Tunis has much to see. The French ville nouvelle, with its elegant boulevards and cafes, contrasts with the medina, a World Heritage site that is a maze of tunnels and alleyways. The Bardo, Tunisia’s greatest museum, should also make the journey worthwhile. Unfortunately, little of ancient Carthage is still above ground but the Carthage Museum has a model of what this incredible city looked like before and after the Romans, as well as ruins, artefacts and a wonderful view of the Gulf of Tunis.