TUNISIA
Your quick and simple guide to visiting El Jem
t’s so wonderfully surreal when a bucket list goal in a tricky destination becomes reality. This is exactly what happened with the Amphitheatre of El Jem in Tunisia. Standing in at the top of the seats in the amphitheatre feels a bit like stumbling onto a movie set—except it’s real, massive, and surprisingly uncrowded.
Visiting the Amphitheatre of El Jem is one of those travel moments that stays with you long after you’ve left.
My trip to Tunisia lasted for eight days, more or less. The reason behind this trip was to see this amphitheatre and our visit to El Jem was on the second to last day, so you understand my excitement had reached its peak. It’s always weird when you realize something so grand and epic is right in the middle of a modern city.
Stepping inside, there was an overwhelming sense of fulfilment. This ancient Roman arena, one of the largest in the world, rises out of the quiet Tunisian town of El Jem almost out of nowhere. Built in the 3rd century, it once hosted roaring crowds and gladiator battles, but today it’s an atmospheric place to wander at your own pace. Whether you’re into history, photography, or just love exploring dramatic ruins, El Jem is one of those spots that instantly makes your Tunisia trip feel bigger and more memorable.
If you are a movie fan, you should know that parts of the movie Gladiator were filmed here, even though some sources mention El Jem was used for CGI or that interior scenes were elsewhere.
Unlike Rome’s Colosseum, this amphitheatre is often quieter and easier to explore at your own pace. Its three tiers once separated different classes of spectators, and beneath the arena floor lie underground passages (still accessible to visitors) where gladiators and wild animals awaited their turn in the spotlight.
The closest big city to El Jem is Sousse, which is about 60 km. Tunis is about 200km away and we visited before our final stop at Hammamet which is about 120–150 km apart, depending on the exact route you take. The entrance fee is approximately 12 TND (or €3.60) when purchased at the ticket booth on site.
Also, if you’re up for souvenir shopping, you should know that there are plenty of stores and workshops around the amphitheatre, with surprisingly low prices. The area is also beautiful, take a moment to walk around, if you have time.
Visiting the Amphitheatre of El Jem is one of those travel moments that stays with you long after you’ve left. It’s not just the sheer size of the arena or the ancient stonework glowing in the afternoon sun — it’s the sense that this quiet town was once the backdrop for roaring crowds, gladiators, and Roman grandeur.