Destination showdown: Morocco or Tunisia?

Morocco and Tunisia both rank in the top 5 African countries for tourist arrivals each year, and their proximity to each other and to Europe puts them in direct competition. Which destination should you choose for a sunny getaway? It’s a tough call when bargain prices abound on both sides, the services on offer compete for creativity, and both countries deliver equally impressive cultural immersion. Here are some key points to help you make up your mind.

Natural Appeal

The Landscapes

The geographical proximity of these two countries inevitably creates similarities in their landscapes: deserts, palm groves, oases, ochre or white-washed city walls, and the bustling atmosphere of souks. Yet each has its own distinctive features: Morocco’s mountains tower far higher than their Tunisian counterparts, opening up possibilities for high-altitude trekking and even skiing – for instance at Oukaïmeden in the High Atlas, at 2,700 metres altitude with exceptional sunshine. Tunisia, on the other hand, boasts an island like Djerba, offering gorgeous beaches, varied activities, a thalassotherapy centre – essentially the whole country in miniature.

Activities

Whether in Morocco or Tunisia, desert enthusiasts can satisfy their craving for sand and oases, discovering the majesty of dunes by 4×4, camel trek, or on foot. The same goes for swimming and water sports, which you can enjoy along Tunisia’s 1,300km of coastline just as much as on Moroccan beaches – though the Atlantic side is better suited to surfing or windsurfing than lounging about, for which you’d want to stick to the Mediterranean coast up north. Golfers will find delightful courses in both countries, particularly along Tunisia’s coastline and around Marrakech in Morocco. For mountain pursuits, Morocco has the edge for hiking or cycling excursions, as well as skiing and rock climbing.

Cultural Interest

Heritage

Both Morocco and Tunisia boast rich historical and cultural heritage, with both countries offering remarkable architectural sites, several of which are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. For Tunisia, notable examples include Tunis Medina, the archaeological site of Carthage, the amphitheatre of El Jem, Kairouan, Sousse, Hammamet, and the ancient city of Dougga. Morocco’s highlights include Fès and its medina, Rabat’s Hassan Tower, Marrakech’s Koutoubia along with Jemaa el Fna square and the Menara, the ksours of the Drâa Valley, Zagora and Ouarzazate, plus Essaouira. To be perfectly honest, Morocco seems to take the crown here, truly brimming with wonders through its imperial cities, kasbahs, and souks with their magical atmosphere.

Gastronomy

On the surface, nothing distinguishes Moroccan cuisine from Tunisian for the uninitiated – both are aromatic, delicious, and colourful. Couscous holds pride of place in both countries, and spices feature prominently in numerous dishes. However, some differences emerge: Morocco favours spices like saffron, cumin, chilli, cinnamon, and ginger, while Tunisia prefers harissa, prepared with garlic, coriander, caraway, plus chilli and cumin. Additionally, Tunisian gastronomy gives seafood a prominent role, which is less notable in Morocco. Worth mentioning though – Moroccan cuisine has been crowned “second best cuisine in the world” on several occasions…

Nightlife

Even if partying isn’t the primary goal for visitors to Morocco or Tunisia, some will factor this into their destination choice. So what about nightlife in these countries? In Morocco, Marrakech undoubtedly stands out with its trendy clubs, dinner shows, and shisha bars, though you can also have great fun in Casablanca or Rabat, which offer numerous beachfront outdoor venues for dancing all night. Tunisia holds its own – Tunisian youth love to dance, whether on the beach or in the desert, under a big tent or in a lounge bar. Tunis particularly buzzes with jazzy or electronic bars plus nightclubs, but you’ll find plenty in seaside resorts like Hammamet, Sousse, or Djerba too. Tunisia also hosts various music festivals – the Tabarka Jazz Festival and Carthage International Festival being two fine examples.

Budget

Budget probably won’t help settle the choice between these two countries! While accommodation costs run slightly higher in Morocco than Tunisia, flights work out considerably cheaper to Morocco, which ends up balancing overall expenses. The same goes for accessibility, as flights are equally frequent to both destinations, with similar journey times (3 hours) almost to the minute…

So ? Where to go ?

Hard to choose, isn’t it? Morocco and Tunisia indeed share more similarities than differences. If you need a gentle nudge to decide, let’s highlight what seems most apparent: Morocco displays immediate appeal, bold character, and breathtaking natural or cultural treasures… but Tunisia, more discreet and sensitive, offers warm hospitality that’s sure to touch your heart.