Mahdia lies in a sheltered situation on a small rocky peninsula, 1.5km (1 mile) long and barely 500m (550yds) wide, which is linked with the mainland only by a narrow strip of land.
Mahdia lies in a
sheltered situation on a small rocky peninsula, 1.5km (1 mile) long and barely
500m (550yds) wide, which is linked with the mainland only by a narrow strip of
land.
It lies like a jewel
between Sousse and Sfax with its picturesque Medina and stunning sandy beach to
the north of the town. It was proclaimed the capital of Tunisia in 921 and
became the headquarters for the pirates of Dargouth.
One of the greatest
thrills for any traveller visiting Mahdia is actually entering the town.
Passing through the 10 metre thick wall, which acts as the ‘gate to the city’,
you instantly feel surrounded by history. Mehdia’s narrow streets twist and
turn and unlike many other places in Tunisia, there are no large squares here,
just small ones dotted here and there.
However it is these narrow streets that give Mahdia
its charm. Lined with cafés and trees, the only truly open part of the town is
in front of the Great Mosque.
Mahdia is Tunisia’s
largest fishing port where about a third of the countries total catch is
landed. Along the shore line you’ll see fishermen mending their nest whilst a
few kilometres from the town, modern upmarket hotels offer visitors one of the
finest beaches in Tunisia.
With low rainfall and
plenty of sunshine, Madhia is a wonderful place to holiday. During the summer
months the temperature often exceeds 30°C with high humidity. Spring and autumn
are often more comfortable months in which to visit.
The average monthly
temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
16 |
17 |
19 |
21 |
24 |
28 |
31 |
32 |
29 |
25 |
21 |
18 |
|
Night |
8 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
15 |
19 |
22 |
23 |
21 |
18 |
13 |
10 |
People don’t come to
Madhia for its shopping. There are no glitzy malls or department stores here.
The town's main
attraction is its fascinating old Medina. Its streets are lined with numerous
shops, stalls, cafés and people. You will find everything from birdcages and
carpets to hand crafted, traditional products. Haggling is definitely the name
of the game here so enjoy it, it is expected.
There is no nightlife
as such in Mahdia. There are no bars or discos in the main town but you will be
able to find them within the hotels.
Once you have sampled
all the pleasures of the Medina and the beach you may want to look further
afield to see what else this part of Tunisia has to offer. Here are just a few
suggestions you may like to consider.
You are advised not to
drink the tap water in Mahdia and you should always ensure you have
comprehensive medical cover in place before travelling.
Although crime isn’t a
huge problem, you should take care when carrying around valuables especially in
crowded areas.
