Dougga Bulla Regia excursion: Roman Tunisia above and below ground
Our Dougga Bulla Regia excursion pairs a Roman town on a hilltop, its Capitol and theatre still standing, with the villas of Bulla Regia, built underground to escape the summer heat. Pickup is at 08:00, the driver waits at both sites, and you are back at your hotel by 18:00 at the latest.
- Duration
- Full day, 9 h 45 min
- Price
- from €120 per car
- Pickup
- At your hotel, 08:00 to 18:00
- Stops
- Dougga, Bulla Regia
Why the Dougga Bulla Regia excursion is worth the drive
The Dougga Bulla Regia excursion is our longest day, and for many travellers the most memorable. Dougga was never built over by a modern town, so its streets, temples, baths and theatre survive almost whole on a hillside of olive trees. Bulla Regia, about an hour further west, is unique: rich families lived on an underground floor in summer, and the mosaics are still on the floors.
- Dougga, World Heritage since 1997
- UNESCO
- seats in the Roman theatre of Dougga
- 3,500
- the year the Capitol of Dougga was dedicated
- 166 AD
- door to door from Hammamet
- 9 h 45 min
How the day runs
Dougga comes first, while the site is quiet and the light still low, then lunch around Teboursouk before Bulla Regia. The usual pace takes 9 h 45 min door to door from Hammamet, with pickup at 08:00. Both sites are large, so walk at your own pace: the driver waits, and the price stays the same as long as you are back at your hotel by 18:00.
08:00
Pickup at your hotel in Hammamet
2 h 30 min drive to Dougga
Arrival around 10:30
Dougga
Roman town, UNESCO, about 2 h 30
Walk up the paved streets to the Capitol, built in 166 AD, its columns still holding up the pediment. Sit in the theatre, which still hosts a summer festival, then find the Libyco-Punic mausoleum below the town, one of the rare monuments of the Numidian kingdom.
- The Capitol and its Corinthian columns
- The theatre on the hillside
- The Libyco-Punic mausoleum
Bulla Regia
The underground villas, about 1 h 30
Go down the steps into the cool lower floors of the House of the Hunt and the House of Amphitrite, where the mosaics are still in place on the floors. Above ground, the forum, baths and theatre complete the picture of a prosperous Roman town.
- Underground rooms built for the summer
- Mosaics still on their original floors
- The forum, baths and theatre
18:00
Back at your hotel in Hammamet, at the latest
The usual pace takes about 9 h 45 min, so you have time to stay longer at any site
The route on the map
Dougga sits in the hills of northwestern Tunisia, Bulla Regia near Jendouba. Choose your pickup city to see the full drive, or a stop to see it up close.
Driving times on the map are Google estimates. Your driver knows the quicker roads.
Before you choose this day
This is a big day out, and it suits travellers who love history more than beaches. Three things are worth knowing before you book.
- It is our longest day
- Allow about 9 h 45 min door to door from Hammamet, with pickup at 08:00 and back by 18:00 at the latest. From Tunis the drive is shorter and the day easier.
- Testour on the way
- The Andalusian town of Testour, with its unusual minaret and clock, is right on the road. If you want a stop there, tell us when you book; it adds about thirty minutes and costs nothing extra.
- Why Dougga is so complete
- Unlike Carthage, Dougga was never destroyed and built over. Its Roman street plan has survived whole, from the forum to the houses.
Dougga Bulla Regia excursion prices per car
From Hammamet the day costs €120 for up to four people, from Tunis €140 and from Sousse or Port El Kantaoui €150. That fixed price covers the car, the driver, fuel, tolls and parking, with no deposit. Entrance tickets for the two sites are paid on the spot.
| Travellers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 people | €120 | €150 | €150 | €140 |
| 4–6 people | €150 | €180 | €180 | €170 |
| 5–8 people | €160 | €190 | €190 | €180 |
| 8–12 people | €200 | €230 | €230 | €220 |
Prices are per car, in euros, for the whole day, and they do not change with the season. Tap a city to update the timetable and the booking card.
What’s included
The price is per car, so a group of four pays no more than a couple. You pay the driver at the end of the day, and there are no hidden fees.
Included
- Private air-conditioned car, never shared
- English and French-speaking driver all day
- Fuel, motorway tolls and parking
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or address
- Stops along the road whenever you ask
Not included
- Entrance tickets for Dougga and Bulla Regia (around 12 dinars each)
- Lunch and drinks
- Personal spending
Good to know
Both sites are open-air and spread out, with uneven ground. Dress for walking and for the sun.
Closed shoes are a must
The Roman paving at Dougga is uneven and the steps at Bulla Regia are narrow. Leave the sandals at the hotel.
Almost no shade
Dougga spreads across a sunny hillside. In summer, bring at least a litre and a half of water per person and a hat.
Best in spring
From March to May the hills are green and covered in wild flowers, and the temperatures are perfect for walking. Autumn is a close second.
Dougga Bulla Regia excursion: frequent questions
These are the questions travellers ask most about this day. They cover time, cost and how much walking to expect.
How long is the day?
The usual pace takes about 9 h 45 min door to door from Hammamet, our longest day, with pickup at 08:00. From Tunis allow 8 h 45 min. You can stay longer anywhere you like, and the price does not change as long as you are back at your hotel by 18:00.
How much does the Dougga Bulla Regia excursion cost?
€120 per car from Hammamet for one to four people, €140 from Tunis and €150 from Sousse or Port El Kantaoui. Entrance tickets are paid on the spot.
How far is Dougga from Tunis?
About two hours by road, against two and a half from Hammamet. That is why it is one of the trips we run most from Tunis.
Is Dougga worth visiting?
Yes. It is often called the best-preserved Roman town in North Africa, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Because it gets far fewer visitors than Carthage, you often have whole streets to yourself.
How much time do you need at Dougga?
About two and a half hours covers the Capitol, the theatre, the forum and the mausoleum at a relaxed pace. Keen walkers can spend longer, and the driver simply waits.
What are the underground villas of Bulla Regia?
To escape the summer heat, the town’s wealthy families built a floor below ground around a cool courtyard. Those rooms stay fresh in August, and their mosaics are still on the floors.
Can we stop in Testour?
Yes, at no extra cost. Tell us when you book so the driver plans the time, as it adds about thirty minutes.
Is it suitable for older travellers?
Yes, at an easy pace. The paths are uneven and on a slope, so good shoes matter. You can see a great deal of Dougga without climbing to the top.
Plan your trip
Before you book, read our guides: the best time to visit Tunisia and what excursions in Tunisia really cost. They answer the questions most travellers ask about a day like this.
Best time to visit Tunisia: a month-by-month guide to the coastThe best time to visit Tunisia for most people is late May to June or September to October. The sea off Hammamet and Sousse is around 22–26 °C in…Read the guide
How much are excursions in Tunisia? An open price comparison for 2026How much are excursions in Tunisia? As of October 2026, a shared day trip to Carthage or El Jem costs about €32 to €85 per person depending on where…Read the guide
Book your Dougga Bulla Regia excursion
Send us your hotel, your date and the number of travellers. You get written confirmation within two hours, with a fixed price per car and nothing to pay until the end of the day. Write to us today and we will set up your Dougga Bulla Regia excursion.