Manouba Palace
A 19th-century beylical residence with painted ceilings, marble courtyards and a quiet garden — partly used by the university and partly open to visitors with prior arrangement.
North · Tunisia
Manouba
Tunis's western edge — the historic palace and the Borj el Amri plain.
Manouba sits immediately west of Tunis, where the city gradually gives way to the agricultural plain of the Mejerda valley.
Its symbol is the Manouba Palace, a beylical residence from the 19th century, today housing part of the university. The governorate also hosts the National Library's modern annex and a major university campus.
Beyond the suburbs, the countryside flattens into wheat fields, market gardens and the small town of Borj el Amri — a quiet stretch of rural Tunisia minutes from the capital.
What to see in Manouba
Saadi Palace and Borj el Amri
A second royal residence further west, plus the small market town of Borj el Amri at the edge of the wheat plain — a window into rural Tunisia minutes from the capital.
Oudna Roman site
An underrated Roman city with a forum, baths, an aqueduct linked to Zaghouan, and a small museum. Often empty on weekdays.
Tebourba and the Mejerda valley
The river Mejerda is the longest in the Maghreb; Tebourba was a major wartime crossing in 1942–43, and the British and French war cemeteries here are moving and well kept.
Getting there
Suburban SNCFT trains link Tunis to Manouba and continue west to Tebourba and Mejez el Bab. By car, the A3 motorway runs through the governorate. Louages from Tunis Moncef Bey serve every town in the Mejerda valley.
Where to stay
Manouba is a day-trip area rather than an overnight base. Stay in central Tunis or in one of the new ecolodges in the Mejerda hills (a handful of family-run guesthouses have opened around Tebourba).
Food & culture
The Mejerda is grain country — bsissa, brik and country breads dominate. Look for asida zgougou (pine-nut pudding) around Mouled. Tebourba's Friday market is one of the busiest weekly souks west of Tunis.
Practical tips
Roads are good but rural; refill fuel in Tunis or Tebourba before heading toward the hills. The British war cemetery at Mejez el Bab is open daily 8:00–17:00 and free.
Frequently asked questions about Manouba
Why visit Manouba?+
Mainly for the Roman site of Oudna, the wartime memorials around Mejez el Bab, and a calm rural drive through wheat country an hour from Tunis.
Is Manouba safe?+
Yes. It's a quiet residential and agricultural area with no particular safety concerns for visitors.
Can I visit Manouba Palace?+
Yes, but access depends on the university calendar. Email ahead via the local tourism office to confirm opening.