Special purchases include
copper and
brassware (engraved trays, ashtrays and other utensils), articles sculpted in
olive wood, leather goods (wallets, purses, handbags),
clothing (kaftans, jelabas),
perfume oils, vibrantly painted
pottery and ceramics, silver and enamelled
jewelry and
sheeshas (water pipes).
Rugs and
carpets are a good buy. The two major types are woven (non-pile) and knotted (pile). Look out for traditional Berber pieces, called
alloucha. The quality of all carpets is strictly controlled by the
National Handicrafts
Office, and a label attached to the carpet shows its quality seal and grading.
The medinas of Tunisia’s larger towns, such as Tunis, Sousse and Sfax, are great places to buy Tunisian crafts, with an amazing range, but you will have to haggle. If you prefer not to enter the fray, there are
Société de Commercialization des Produits de l’Artisinat (
SOCOPA; website:
www.socopa.com.tn) workshops and stores throughout the country where visitors can buy items at fixed prices.
Shopping hours Mon-Fri 0730-1300 and 1700-2000, Sat 0800-1200 (summer); Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1430-1800, Sat 0800-1200 (winter).
Currency Information:CurrencyTunisian Dinar (TND) = 1,000 millimes. Notes are in denominations of TND30, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of TND5 and 1, and 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 millimes.
Currency ExchangeAll banks change money. They may require your receipt for traveller's cheques and will want to see your passport. Post offices change cash only.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsCredit cards (mainly MasterCard and Visa) are accepted in a few places in major resorts and towns. American Express and Diners Club are accepted in few places in tourist areas. There are ATMs in most towns and every tourist resort.
Traveller's ChequesReadily cashed in banks and the usual authorized establishments; the most convenient currencies are Euros or US Dollars.
Currency RestrictionsRestrictions apply.
Banking HoursMon-Fri 0800-1600 (winter); Mon-Fri 0730-1300 (summer).
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Jan 09 |
| £1.00= | TND2.01 |
| $1.00= | TND1.33 |
| €1.00= | TND1.81 |
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