Mahdia: A Coastal City with a Vibrant History
The coastal city of Mahdia, Tunisia, which is bordered by the towns of Sousse and Monastir, doubles as the capital of Mahdia Governorate. It is home to over 62,000 residents whose primary source of living is fishing, weaving, and occasional tourism. Mahdia served an essential role during World War II when the Nazis occupied the country. It was the hiding place of over 20 persecuted Jews saved by Khaled Abdelwahhab. Today, the city stands as an occasional tourist destination, with plenty of resorts and hotels dotting its coastline.
Best Time to Visit
While Mahdia celebrates a handful of festivities throughout the year, the biggest one is the International Festival of symphonic music of El Jem. The annual celebration happens in months of July or August, right in the middle of the summer season in Mahdia. The festival attracts around 30,000 spectators, so expect the prices of most Mahdia, Tunisia hotels to skyrocket by this time of year. Meanwhile, you can always visit the city in November, during which the tourist population drastically decreases.
What to Do & Area Attractions
If you’re staying overnight in Mahdia, the five-star accommodations of Mahdia Palace Thalasso and Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour are easily the best places to stay at. Guests at these hotels can enjoy a relaxing view of the seascape as they indulge themselves in the hotels’ free buffet breakfast. If you’re looking for somewhere near the Grand Mosque and Borjed-Kebir, you should check out Houria House Sable d'Or, which is right in front of Mahdia Beach.