The Hidden Nature Walks Locals Love but Tourists Miss in Tunis

Before sunrise, a trickle of locals in trainers slip past the old front gates of Parc El Menzah IX, moving lightly beneath pine branches still wet with morning dew. These city residents are in on a secret: Tunis’s parklands offer walks that rarely appear on tourist maps but have become treasured sanctuaries for those seeking space and peace away from the city’s tour bus crowds.

As record temperatures and noise push more Tunisians to discover pockets of green near home, the city’s lesser-known nature trails are enjoying renewed attention. Local health advocates cite rising demand for calming outdoor spaces. With an active wellness culture and soaring participation in community running clubs, the hidden parks and informal nature paths now see regular foot traffic—albeit mostly from those who know just where to look.

From El Menzah IX to Lac du Tunis: Quiet Urban Escapes

One such gem sits tucked behind the housing blocks in El Menzah IX. The pine woods here were planted in the 1970s, originally envisioned as a buffer against urban sprawl. Today, residents use an unofficial loop—about 2.8 km—that winds between Aleppo pines and carob trees. "If you’re out early or after sunset, you’ll spot neighbours pacing the trail or stretching beneath the oldest trees," says one regular walker who lives on Avenue Khaled Ibn El Walid.

Further east, along the edge of Lac du Tunis, an unmarked gravel path skirts the saltwater edge from Le Passage to the kite surfers’ docks south of Gammarth. This waterside walk draws cyclists, small groups of yogis from Amphi Club, and solo runners dodging wetland puddles as flamingos feed nearby. On weekdays, it’s common to count fewer than a dozen people along the 3 km stretch. While the city has invested heavily in accessible promenades along Avenue de la République, these overlooked lagoons and urban forests attract those seeking quiet rather than spectacle.

Numbers Tell the Story

A 2025 survey by Tunis Municipal Parks Authority found fewer than 7% of international visitors reported visiting any parks beyond Parc du Belvédère, the flagship city green space. In contrast, among residents polled in Tunis’s city centre and Soukra, nearly two-thirds said they walked or ran weekly at “hidden” informal sites—a notable jump since data from 2019, when the rate was closer to 40%.

Local fitness clubs have responded by launching guided discovery walks: El Menzah Runners offer a Sunday outing for 10 dinars, introducing new members to trails without signposts but known by heart to locals. Organised events are rare in these spots, with most gatherings remaining small and word-of-mouth—keeping the trails remarkably trash-free compared to central city parks.

For those eager to join the city’s wellness wave, the best approach is simple: head for a neighbourhood you haven’t explored and ask at the nearest café about popular walks and quiet corners. Early mornings tend to be coolest—and you’re likely to discover just why so many locals cherish these hidden slices of nature. Tunis’s greenest sanctuaries remain free for all, if you know where to find them.