National Bardo Museum (Musée National du Bardo)
Route Nationale 7, Tunis, Tunisia
Home to one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world, Bardo National Museum traces the history of Tunisia from prehistoric times to the present day— it’s an indispensable stop on any Tunisian itinerary. The 15th-century Hafsid palace that houses the museum is just as impressive as the artifacts. Highlights include bronze and marble sculptures from a Roman shipwreck and ancient Punic jewels.
The basics
The Bardo is packed with treasures recovered from Tunisian UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Carthage, Dougga, El Djem, and Sousse. It gives an overview of the country’s diverse regions—from Mediterranean coasts to Saharan dunes—and covers 40,000 years of history. While you can easily visit the museum independently, a private or small-group tour puts the vast collections into context. The museum is included on most tours of Tunis, from full-day, city-wide itineraries to half-day focused visits of the collection.
Things to know before you go
The Bardo is one of the largest museums in Africa, after the Egyptian Museum. Plan at least 2-3 hours visiting the collections.
If you’re looking for a souvenir, you’ll find several on-site boutiques selling Tunisian handicrafts, jewelry, traditional clothing, and other artisanal items.
Digital guides are available in English, French, and Arabic.
The official Bardo National Museum website has a section dedicated to the museum’s “101 Masterpieces” with photos and descriptions in English and French, and also offers a virtual tour.
How to get there
From the Medina of Tunis, the Bardo is just a 10-minute drive toward the western part of the city. Rideshare apps are easily available, or else your accommodation can provide a reliable taxi service. If coming by car from the main commercial thoroughfare of Avenue Habib Bourguiba, count on a 20-minute drive depending on traffic.
When to get there
During the summer months (June until mid-September), the Bardo National Museum is open every day from morning until early evening. From mid-September through the end of May, it opens 30 minutes later and closes 30 minutes earlier. The museum is closed every Monday. Check the schedule ahead of your visit to see if the Bardo is hosting any special events.
Visiting the ruins of ancient Carthage
Easily reachable by train, taxi, bus, or louage (shared minibus) from Tunis, neighboring Carthage is a popular day trip destination that’s usually combined with the blue-and-white hilltop town of Sidi Bou Said. Once the prosperous capital of the Punic Empire under the Phoenicians, and later invaded by the Romans, Carthage still boasts traces of the glory of bygone eras. You can see the ruins of villas, an amphitheater, a bathhouse, and much more.
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