Bab Souika, City gate in Medina of Tunis, Tunisia.
Bab Souika is a city gate serving as the northern entrance to the Medina of Tunis and part of the UNESCO-protected old city. It displays traditional Islamic architecture with prominent arches and intricate stone carvings that decorate its imposing walls.
This gate was built during the medieval period as a crucial defense point and checkpoint for merchants entering the Medina. It evolved to become a key location within a network of trade routes connecting Tunis to different regions across North Africa.
The gate remains a gathering place where local craftspeople display their wares and people meet to trade and talk. The atmosphere reflects centuries-old market practices and the way life flows through this corner of the Medina.
The gate is centrally located in the Medina and easily reached on foot, especially if you follow the main streets of the old city. It is accessible at any time, though visiting in the morning or early afternoon works best as the streets are less crowded then.
The gate sits at the intersection of four historical trade routes that once connected Tunis to distant parts of North Africa. These routes enabled not only the exchange of goods but also the movement of ideas and cultural practices over centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.