Dog-friendly parks become social fitness hubs in Tunis

On a recent Saturday morning at Parc du Belvédère, the heart of Tunis thrummed with the combined energy of joggers, yoga enthusiasts, and dozens of dogs tugging their owners along shaded paths. Once just a weekend destination for families, the city’s key parks are now pulling double duty as essential fitness and social hubs—welcoming both humans and their four-legged companions.

Part of the shift comes down to changing lifestyles in Tunis. After years of urbanisation and a spike in apartment living, more residents are seeking open spaces for exercise and social connection. With dog ownership up and a growing emphasis on outdoor wellness, dog-friendly parks are evolving into neighbourhood gathering spaces where fitness, friendship and fresh air blur seamlessly together.

Where dogs and fitness meet

The transformation is particularly visible in two hotspots: Parc du Belvédère in Bab Saadoun and Parc de Mégrine just south of the city centre. At Belvédère, early risers can spot the local group, Chiens Actifs Tunis, hosting weekly canine circuit training at the park’s northern field (near Avenue Habib Bourguiba entrance). This amateur-run organisation started with just a handful of dog owners last year. Now it boasts over 150 active members, with newcomers drawn by themed workouts and social events.

Meanwhile, Parc de Mégrine has carved out a fenced dog exercise area beside its lakeside jogging trail. Here, fitness instructors often organise boot camp sessions that explicitly welcome participants with dogs. Tarifa Mhiri, a local fitness coach, estimates that in 2025, at least 30% of her open-air fitness class attendees brought their pets, up from just 10% before the pandemic. For residents like Ahmed from La Goulette, attending the park’s Sunday morning HIIT class "means I exercise while letting my husky burn off energy—and I meet neighbours I wouldn’t talk to otherwise."

Local numbers show demand

The city council’s 2025 Parks and Leisure report noted a 27% rise in park attendance between 2022 and 2025, with the majority of that growth attributed to dog owners and fitness groups. Entry is free to both major parks, but specialised sessions—like those coordinated by Chiens Actifs Tunis or outdoor Zumba at Parc de Mégrine—typically charge 5 to 10 dinars per session. The spike in demand has prompted local authorities to expand waste disposal points and trial off-leash hours in certain park sections. The council’s environment division confirmed plans to add 10 new dog-friendly water stations by December 2026.

As summer temperatures rise, many of these outdoor fitness sessions are now shifting to earlier hours, with some groups moving start times to 7am to beat the heat. Organisers advise dog owners to bring extra water and ensure vaccinations are up to date, as well as to observe any new leash guidance while city rules are updated. For those eager to get involved, both Parc du Belvédère and Parc de Mégrine offer posted schedules or WhatsApp groups—with activity schedules updated weekly at their main entrances and on the Associations Tunisiennes d’Amis des Animaux Facebook page.

With more Tunisians embracing active lifestyles alongside their animals, local parks are set to play an even bigger role in the city’s wellbeing—one leash and one yoga mat at a time.