Beautiful Mahdia

[pej]

Mahdia is a beautiful seaside town, not far from Monastir (to the south). It was built by Obeid Allah El Mahdia, and was consequently named after him. After it was finished in 921 it became the new capital. In those days the town was of course much smaller, and the thick walls protecting it surround the old medina to this day. The medina was where people would retreat whenever they were attacked from the sea. Getting past the thick walls with the only entrance being Skiffa El Kahla (the dark passage) was however not an easy task.

Mahdia has a musueum with beatiful mosaics and statues, like so many other places in Tunisia. Silk weaving and fishing are important to the area, as are of course tourists. Many beautiful hotels with private beaches can be found here and it's easy to take trips to other parts of Tunisia, maybe for just a few hours to see El Jem, Sousse or Kairouan, or maybe an overnight trip to experience the Sahara and see Chott El Jerid, the great salt lake, among other things.

I really recommend Mahdia! If you want to see something outside of the biggest cities, but still have easy access to all that Tunisia has to offer, this is the place to try!



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[ninikins]

Are there many public transportation options for this place? How about the connectivity with airports?

[pej]

Yes, I've gone by car, train and of course airport buses.

[tater03]

This sounds like a great place to visit. I am one of the people that likes to visit the more smaller communities with lots of history. Thanks for sharing this information.

[pej]

Glad to do it!

[Grace 111]

Well I have to say that I love traveling by car, train, and bus. Flying is something I love to do too. When I was a girl my Dad took us places all the time. He loved to drive to other states, and even went to Canada one summer.

[ammulu]

Originally Posted by pej

Mahdia is a beautiful seaside town, not far from Monastir (to the south). It was built by Obeid Allah El Mahdia, and was consequently named after him. After it was finished in 921 it became the new capital. In those days the town was of course much smaller, and the thick walls protecting it surround the old medina to this day. The medina was where people would retreat whenever they were attacked from the sea. Getting past the thick walls with the only entrance being Skiffa El Kahla (the dark passage) was however not an easy task.

Mahdia has a musueum with beatiful mosaics and statues, like so many other places in Tunisia. Silk weaving and fishing are important to the area, as are of course tourists. Many beautiful hotels with private beaches can be found here and it's easy to take trips to other parts of Tunisia, maybe for just a few hours to see El Jem, Sousse or Kairouan, or maybe an overnight trip to experience the Sahara and see Chott El Jerid, the great salt lake, among other things.

I really recommend Mahdia! If you want to see something outside of the biggest cities, but still have easy access to all that Tunisia has to offer, this is the place to try!



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It would be good and memorable time to visit places which are not big cities. I am the one to love such places and I can enjoy the most at such places. Thanks for sharing. I could just imagine the way it might seem to look like just by the way you briefly described the place.

[Grace 111]

What a description you did, I could almost picture it in my mind. I would love to visit it. I also came from a smaller city. It isn't the capital any more?

[Essem]

HI, I very often drive down to Mahdia - it is so picturesque. Was there over Christmas & New Year the time of the Tsunami and stayed in the Vincci Hotel. Mahdia itself was closed - nothing apart from a patisserie opened but enjoyed all the facilites in the hotel during our stay.

[sparkle]

whats the best hotels in mahdia as i want to visit when im in tunisia in october thinking of staying for the night