Bulla Regia: Your guide to Tunisia’s Roman ruins surrounded by greenery

If you’re even a little bit obsessed with Roman history, Bulla Regia deserves a spot on your travel map. Tucked just outside Jendouba in northwest Tunisia, this place holds some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy and is a reminder that the Roman Empire was basically everywhere.

Bulla Regia hangs out with other Roman ruins in Tunisia, including but not limited to El Jem, Dougga, Sbeitla, Haidra, Utica and more. That said, it has its own unique quirks. Read on to find out more!

Why is the town called Bulla Regia?

The word Bulla is believed to come from either Amazigh (Berber) or Latin roots, possibly meaning “citadel” or “fortified town.” The term Regia is Latin for “royal.” Put together, Bulla Regia likely means “The Royal City,” which is fitting, as you will continue learning more about below.

What is unique about Bulla Regia?

The first thing you’ll notice in Bulla Regia is that it is surrounded by green. So much green.

During the Roman times, this area was grain and olive oil central and was essentially an agricultural jackpot. The region around Jendouba, Tunisia offered green and fertile land compared to other parts of North Africa and could produce highly valuable commodities across the Roman Empire. Basically, the landowners and merchants of Bulla Regia fed Rome and got rich doing it. Roman roads linked Bulla Regia with Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, which expanded access to wealth and drove development.

Who lived in the land around Bulla Regia prior to the Romans?

Bulla Regia was a Numidian city prior to the Roman invasion. Numidia was an ancient Amazigh (Berber) kingdom that covered much of what is now Algeria and northwest Tunisia. The Numidians were skilled horsemen and warriors, and they had established urban centers with their own culture, social structures, and traditions. When Rome expanded into North Africa during the Punic Wars (starting in the 3rd century BCE), they gradually absorbed Numidian territories.

Sadly, few traces of Numidian influence remain visible today. Most of what you see in Bulla Regia comes from the Roman era.

What should I see when I visit Bulla Regia?

Bulla Regia offers a sprawling (and I mean truly sprawling) site with plenty to explore.

The Roman city's biggest claim to fame is its underground homes, which stand out for their unique design that suited the wealthy Romans living in a place far from the Mediterranean coast.

Summers in this part of Tunisia can get brutally hot, so Roman residents designed their homes with two levels. They used the ground floor during cooler seasons and for entertaining guests, while the family lived underground in day-to-day life. These lower rooms wrapped around an open-air courtyard that brought in sunlight and fresh air. Keep this in mind when you visit, because you can actually walk down, pretend you’re a rich Roman, and see what the homes looked like for yourself.

Beyond the houses, you’ll find the remains of Bulla Regia’s public buildings. Similar to many Roman-era cities, Bulla Regia has familiar structures: an amphitheatre, a central forum, and a set of public baths.

The Bulla Regia Museum is currently temporarily closed, but when it opens back up, expect to see artifacts from the site that additional context. Still, you're not missing out too much. Exploring the ruins (either by yourself or with a local guide) can let you imagine daily life in Bulla Regia when the city was at its prime.

SIDE NOTE: Speaking of brutal heat, I actually started feeling sick and dizzy during our visit to Bulla Regia, and I'm pretty sure the heat was the culprit. We visited in February and it was quite hot during that off-season month, so just imagine it in the summertime. Also, due to me feeling under the weather, I wasn't able to take as many photos as I would have otherwise preferred.

2025 Travel Guide: Know before you go to the Bulla Regia archaeological site in Tunisia

How to get to Bulla Regia: Bulla Regia is in northwest Tunisia, a short drive from the city of Jendouba. You can easily visit it on a day trip from Tunis, where it might take around two hours depending on traffic.

The easiest way to get to Bulla Regia is with a private car (self-driven or with driver) or a louage (Tunisia's shared van system) from a major city such as Tunis and then a taxi from Jendouba.

What to wear in Bulla Regia: Remember earlier when I mentioned that the Romans built underground houses to beat the heat, and that I got quite dizzy in the otherwise cooler month of February? Needless to say, it can get very hot in this region, especially in the summertime. It's no exaggeration that Bulla Regia bakes under a relentless sun.

Therefore, it's recommend that you pack lightweight, breathable fabrics such as linen or loose cotton. You may also wonder if you should bring long or short sleeves in order to respect local customs. In fact, longer sleeves actually protect your skin and help keep you cooler by blocking direct sunlight. Closed-toe shoes with a decent grip are also wise to pack, as the pathways are uneven.

Want a local guide in Bulla Regia? Consider supporting the local economy by booking a guided tour with a local expert. You'll find some guides at the entrance, or you can plan in advance. Booking a guide gives you authentic insight into Bulla Regia while helping sustain community-based tourism.

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