Les Berges du Lac — literally “the shores of the lake” — is Tunis’s newest district by any real measure, built from the 1990s onward on land reclaimed from the Lake of Tunis between the city centre and the airport. Glass office towers, international hotel chains, shopping malls and wide multi-lane roads define it, and it has almost nothing in common architecturally or atmospherically with the medina a few kilometres away. For some visitors that’s a reason to skip it entirely; for others, particularly on business or with limited time, it’s the most practical part of the city to be based in.
| Where | Reclaimed lakeside land between central Tunis and the airport |
| Cost | Higher than the centre — international hotel and restaurant pricing throughout |
| Time needed | Half a day if visiting; longer as a base |
| Getting there | 10-15 minutes by taxi from the airport; a longer taxi ride from the medina |
| Best time | Evening, for the waterfront and restaurant scene |
Two lakes, one built from nothing
Les Berges du Lac is split into two zones, generally called Lac 1 and Lac 2, developed in successive phases as reclaimed land was built out further into the lake. Lac 1, closer to the city centre, is the more established of the two, with the bulk of the district’s hotels, embassies and office towers. Lac 2, further out toward the airport, is newer again, still filling in with development and generally quieter. Neither zone existed in any recognisable form before large-scale land reclamation began, which is worth remembering when the district feels architecturally disconnected from the rest of Tunis — it simply wasn’t there for the centuries that shaped the medina or Belvédère.
Hotels and business travel
For visitors coming to Tunis for conferences, business meetings or work tied to the government and international organisations increasingly based here, Les Berges du Lac is the obvious choice: modern international-standard hotels, meeting facilities, and a short transfer from Tunis-Carthage airport that avoids the city’s more congested central streets. Where to stay in Tunis covers how the district compares with more central options for different kinds of trips, and for most business travellers, the trade-off — convenience and modern comfort over walkability to the historic sights — is a reasonable one.
For leisure travellers on a first visit built around the medina and the Bardo, though, the calculation looks different. Every trip into the old city from here means a taxi, typically 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic, which adds up over several days and works against the kind of spontaneous wandering that makes a medina visit worthwhile.
Shopping malls and modern dining
Les Berges du Lac is also home to some of Tunis’s largest shopping centres, offering international and regional retail brands, cinemas and food courts in a format closer to shopping malls anywhere else in the world than to the souks across town. For visitors who’ve had their fill of bargaining and want a straightforward, fixed-price shopping trip, or who simply need something practical — electronics, standard clothing sizes, a pharmacy chain — the malls here are more reliable than hunting through the medina for the same items.
The restaurant scene along the district’s main strips leans international and upscale: sushi, Italian, contemporary Tunisian fine dining, alongside international coffee chains. It’s a useful contrast to the medina’s small, family-run kitchens, though it comes at a noticeably higher price point, closer to European restaurant pricing than the rest of the city.
| What you’ll find | Les Berges du Lac | Medina, for comparison |
| Price level | Higher, international standard | Lower, more variable |
| Shopping style | Fixed-price malls | Bargaining, souks |
| Architecture | Modern glass and steel | Historic, dense, low-rise |
| Best for | Business, convenience | History, atmosphere |
The waterfront itself
Despite the district’s name, direct public access to the lakeshore is more limited than the name suggests, with much of the waterfront fronted by hotel grounds, private developments or roads rather than an open public promenade. Where walkable stretches do exist, particularly around the newer developments in Lac 2, an evening walk along the water offers a genuinely different view of Tunis — modern skyline reflected in still water, a version of the city that has nothing to do with Roman ruins or Ottoman-era mosques.
An iconic medina and city centre cultural tour is a useful way to spend a day away from Les Berges du Lac if you’re based here for business but want at least one dedicated day in the historic centre — arranged transport removes the friction of getting to and from the medina independently.
Getting between Les Berges du Lac and the rest of Tunis
Taxis are the default way to move between Les Berges du Lac and central Tunis, and they’re inexpensive enough that the cost isn’t the main issue — the time is. Budget 20 to 30 minutes each way depending on traffic, more at peak hours, which meaningfully shapes how many separate trips into the medina or to the Bardo are realistic in a short stay. Getting around Tunis covers the wider transport network, though it’s worth noting the metro léger and tram system don’t reach as directly into Les Berges du Lac as they do the older parts of the city.
For visitors whose Tunis stay is really a stepping stone to somewhere else — a few final nights before flying out, or a base close to a work commitment — Les Berges du Lac’s proximity to the airport is a genuine practical advantage. A multi-day culinary and desert adventure tour from Tunis is one option for visitors using Les Berges du Lac as a comfortable base before or after a longer trip south, picking up directly from hotels in the district without the complication of relocating first.
Who this district actually suits
Les Berges du Lac makes the most sense for business travellers, for anyone attending a conference or event based here, for late-trip comfort before an early flight, or for visitors who simply prioritise modern amenities and don’t mind taxi transfers to see the historic sights. It makes the least sense as a base for a short, sightseeing-focused first visit, where the distance to the medina and the Bardo works directly against the trip’s purpose.
A beginner pottery workshop on a farm near Tunis is worth mentioning here as an example of the kind of half-day activity that works well for visitors based in Les Berges du Lac with a car or arranged transport — an experience away from both the malls and the medina, closer to the agricultural land just outside the city.
Practical notes
Restaurant and hotel pricing in Les Berges du Lac runs noticeably higher than central Tunis, closer to what you’d expect in a European business district, which is worth factoring into a budget if you’re basing yourself here for several nights. The district is well lit and generally considered safe at all hours, reflecting its newer infrastructure and lower foot-traffic density compared with the older parts of the city.
Mistakes to avoid
Frequently asked questions about Les Berges du Lac
Is Les Berges du Lac a good place to stay for a first visit to Tunis?
Not usually, if the trip is centred on the medina, the Bardo and Carthage — the distance adds taxi time to every outing. It suits business travellers, conference attendees, or the final nights of a longer trip before an early flight far better.
How far is Les Berges du Lac from Tunis-Carthage airport?
About 10 to 15 minutes by taxi in normal traffic, making it the closest major hotel district to the airport, which is the main practical advantage for business travellers or short stopovers.
Is there anything to actually see in Les Berges du Lac, or is it purely functional?
It’s largely functional — hotels, offices, malls — though the waterfront in the newer Lac 2 section offers a pleasant evening walk and a striking, very different view of Tunis from the historic centre.
Are restaurants in Les Berges du Lac expensive?
Yes, noticeably more so than central Tunis or the medina, with pricing closer to European business-district standards. It’s a reasonable spot for a treat meal but not representative of everyday Tunis food prices.
Can I walk from Les Berges du Lac to the medina?
Not practically — the distance and the road layout, built for cars rather than pedestrians, make it a taxi trip rather than a walk, unlike the short stroll between the medina and Avenue Habib Bourguiba.
Is Les Berges du Lac safe?
Yes, generally considered one of the safer, better-lit parts of the city, reflecting its newer infrastructure, lower density and business-district character.
Does Les Berges du Lac have its own public transport connections?
Connections are more limited than the older city; taxis are the standard way to reach and leave the district, since the metro léger and tram network extend less directly here than into central Tunis or Belvédère.
