If you are visiting Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, for a day there are some sights which should not be missed, even on a whirlwind tour. 

Head for the Medina, the old city, and enter the gates from the Place de la Victoire. The Rue Jemaa Zitouna leads up to the main Zitouna Mosque, meaning ‘olive tree’.

It refers to the founder teaching the Koran to his students beneath an old olive tree. Most other cities have a Great Mosque; only Tunis has the Zitouna Mosque. It is worth stepping inside briefly as it is not the most elaborate Mosque in the city but it is the most important. 

Follow along, keeping the mosque to your right. A short detour into Rue des Librairies  will reward you with some interesting local student houses which have brightly painted doors. You will pass through the Perfume Souk, (Souk El Attarine) with its stoppered bottles and jars, absorbing all the sights, sounds ands smells along the way. Explore Souk el Leffa and you will eventually reach Mrabet Restaurant. After all those experiences, this is a good place to take a break and enjoy a strong Turkish coffee or a mint tea. Continue on your way through the Gold Souk and the many souvenir shops until you reach the Place du Gouvernement. 

The fine city buildings here are worth admiring and include the City Hall, Sadiki College and the Law Courts. Retrace your footsteps to the Zitouna mosque and have lunch at any restaurant which may have caught your eye. The Mehedawi Street Restaurant is just down the hill from the Mosque. 

After lunch, head south to see the Dar Ben Abdallah, a palatial townhouse and museum. The Tourbet el Bey Mausoleum with its green domes is crammed with marble tombs from the 18^th century Husaynid dynasty. Across the medina, near to the northern wall take time to view the Sidi Mehrez mosque and the Place Bab Souika. Your final walk along Rue du Pacha will pass Dar Lasram and Club Tahar Haddad. Finish the afternoon with a freshly squeezed orange juice and a sweet honey-soaked pastry before heading back to your hotel with your inevitable shopping bags.