Makthar

Mountain town in central Tunisia built over Mactaris, with extensive Numidian and Roman ruins.

Makthar is a small town in the mountains of central Tunisia, built on the ruins of the ancient Numidian and Roman city of Mactaris. The Roman site is one of the best-preserved in Tunisia yet sees a fraction of the visitors that flock to Dougga or El Jem — you are likely to have the triumphal arch, forum, and amphitheatre largely to yourself.

The town sits at around 900 metres elevation, making it noticeably cooler than the coast. In winter it can even see snow, which comes as a surprise to travellers who picture Tunisia as nothing but desert and beach resorts.

The archaeological remains cover several square kilometres and span more than a thousand years of history, from Punic-era temples and a Numidian public square to Roman baths and Byzantine basilicas. The Makthar Museum at the site entrance houses the best of the finds and is a good first stop. Allow two to three hours to do the ruins justice.

Guide

Getting There

Makthar is about 140 kilometres southwest of Tunis and 60 kilometres southeast of El Kef. There is no direct bus service from Tunis; the most practical approach from the capital is to take a bus to El Kef and connect from there, or to hire a car.

By car from Tunis the drive takes around two hours on the GP5 through Siliana. From El Kef, Makthar is an hour south on the MC70. The mountain road is scenic and the high plateau setting is noticeably cooler than the coastal lowlands.

Most independent travellers combine Makthar with a loop through El Kef and Dougga. All three sites are well off the main tourist trail and the roads connecting them are straightforward to drive.

Guide

Things to Do

Makthar's main appeal is the Roman archaeological site that spreads across the hillside on the edge of town. The site is large, well-preserved, and almost entirely free of other tourists — a striking contrast to Dougga or El Jem. The Makthar Museum at the site entrance provides context for what you're about to see.

The town itself is small and has little else to detain you, but the setting in the high Tunisian mountains is pleasant, particularly in spring when the fields around are green and the air is clear.