Dougga
Dougga is often called the best preserved small Roman town in North Africa. It stands on a hillside in northern Tunisia and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Known as the city of temples, it has a Capitol, a theatre, a forum and baths.
- Time on our journeys
- Half a day
- Region
- The Roman Heartland
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Inscribed in 1997 as Dougga / Thugga.
- On our journeys
- Six of our six private journeys
Visiting Dougga
Dougga began as a Berber settlement, a Numidian city, before it became Punic and then Roman, and its existence is thought to date back to the 4th century BC. It was known as the city of temples. The Roman town is built on a hillside in the countryside of northern Tunisia, and walking through it gives a comprehensive view of ancient urban planning: streets, residential areas and public spaces.
The Capitol is a temple dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, and one of the best preserved Roman temples in North Africa. The theatre is built into the hillside and is still used for performances. The forum was the public square, surrounded by the civic buildings. Among the other monuments are the Licinian Baths, the House of the Trifolium, the Decumanus Maximus and triumphal arches. Mosaics decorated the floors of public buildings and private houses and show mythological scenes and daily life.
Our sheets call Dougga Tunisia's largest and most impressive Roman site. On the seven and eight day journeys it is the first main destination of the third day, reached on scenic rural roads, before the drive on to Kairouan. On the ten day journey it follows Bulla Regia, after lunch. On the archaeological journey it opens the fourth day, with Sbeitla to follow.
What to see
- The Capitol, a temple to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva
- The theatre, built into the hillside
- The forum
- The Licinian Baths
- The House of the Trifolium
- The Decumanus Maximus
- The triumphal arches
- The mosaics
Journeys that include Dougga
Six of our seven journeys visit Dougga. The day by day, the hotels and the price are on each journey's own page.
- Carthage, Kairouan and the Coast7 days, 6 nights. Reached on day 3.$1,950 a person, double occupancy
- From Carthage to Kairouan7 days, 6 nights. Reached on day 4.$2,190 a person, double occupancy
- The Splendors of Tunisia8 days, 7 nights. Reached on day 3.$2,190 a person, double occupancy
- Tunisia's Marvels10 days, 9 nights. Reached on day 4.$2,550 a person, double occupancy
- The Wonders of Tunisia11 days, 10 nights. Reached on day 4.$3,150 a person, double occupancy
- Tunisia's Mediterranean Treasures12 days, 11 nights. Reached on day 4.$3,690 a person, double occupancy
Along the way in the Roman Heartland
Dougga, Bulla Regia and the inland cities that made Roman Africa rich.
Start with Dougga.
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