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Is Sfax safe? 🇹🇳

Tunisia · Safety report last updated

As of October 2026, Sfax scores 65/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Sfax presents a mixed safety profile for travelers, with moderate risks primarily related to petty crime and potential social tensions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).

Safety Report

IsMyTripSafe.com

Sfax 🇹🇳

Tunisia · Assessed 13 October 2026

65

/ 100

Mostly — take normal precautions

Safer than ~65% of countries

District map

What drives this score

Crime63/100FairCrime index 38.6 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment63/100FairMixed
Advisories75Good
Stability57Fair
Health75Good

01 · Official Guidance

Advisories

Good

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

Level 3

Advises against all travel to parts of the country

“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Western Tunisia, including the Tunisia-Algeria border FCDO advises against all travel to: the Chaambi Mountains National Park the designated military operations zones: Mount Salloum Mount Sammamma Mount Mghila This is due to cross-border terrorist activity and operations by the Tunisian security forces.”

Updated 2026-10-07T10:12:41Z

Full advisory →

Government of Canada

Level 2

Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)

“Canada's official risk level for Tunisia: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”

Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:35.5694612-04:00

Full advisory →

02 · Evidence Signals

Crime

Fair

Mugging & robbery risk

Moderate risk
62

City SignalCity Web Research

Pickpocketing & theft risk

Moderate risk
78

City SignalCity Web Research

Visitor safety sentiment

55 / 100 (Mixed)
55

City SignalCity Web Research

Feeling safe walking alone at night

55 / 100
70

City SignalNumbeo (city survey)

Feeling safe walking alone in daylight

77 / 100
84

City SignalNumbeo (city survey)

Urban scale factor

281k residents
81

City SignalCity Geocoding

Crime index (crowdsourced)

38.6 / 100 · city-level
68

City SignalNumbeo Crime Index

Homicide rate

4.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Tunisia4.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
68

Country BaselineWorld Bank Open Data · 2020

Feel safe walking alone after dark

79.4%
83

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2023

Physical assault (past year)

1.9%
90

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2023

Robbery / mugging

Moderate

While violent crime is not reported as a major issue for visitors, mugging and robbery are possibilities, particularly in less-trafficked areas or at night.

Pickpocketing

Moderate

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded tourist areas, markets, and on public transportation.

▸ 3 more indicators

Detected human-trafficking victims

4.55 / 100k
48

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2022

Bribery during public-official contact

18.0%
62

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2018

Crime seen as a major business constraint

0.4%
100

Country BaselineWorld Bank Enterprise Surveys · 2020

03 · Environment

Health & Air

Good

Air quality

US AQI 31 · Good

Open-Meteo Air Quality

Hospitals

18 beds / 10k · country avg

WHO Global Health Observatory

Weather

October: highs ~29°C · no weather extremes

Open-Meteo

Road safety

16.3 / 100k

WHO Global Health Observatory

Natural hazards

No active alerts · low seismicity
100

Country BaselineGDACS / USGS

CDC travel health notices · none for this destination

Worldwide notices (not specific to this trip): Polio, Dengue, Measles

04 · Institutions

Stability

Fair

Political stability & no terrorism

53/100
53

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Terrorism deaths (latest year)

0.40 / million
83

Country BaselineGlobal Terrorism Database · 2021

Rule of law

52/100
52

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Control of corruption

44/100
44

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

▸ 3 more indicators

Government effectiveness

47/100
47

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Regulatory quality

46/100
46

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Voice & accountability

46/100
46

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

05 · Field Research

Current Situation

Moderate

Traveller sentiment score

Mixed

63/100

Reported feel55Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk

Numbeo data indicates a moderate level of concern regarding being mugged or robbed, though feelings of safety walking in daylight are higher.

Sfax presents a mixed safety profile for travelers, with moderate risks primarily related to petty crime and potential social tensions.

While Sfax has a lower crime index than many cities globally, official advisories recommend a high degree of caution due to broader regional security concerns and past incidents of social unrest. Travelers should be aware of potential scams and exercise vigilance, particularly in crowded areas.

Recent developments

  • Jul 2023Tensions flared in Sfax over the growing presence of illegal migrants, leading to violence between locals and migrants.— Al Jazeera / The Arab Weekly
  • Sep 2023Tunisia expelled hundreds of sub-Saharan African migrants from Sfax amid a crackdown.— France 24
  • Nov 2025Industrial pollution in Sfax was highlighted as a significant environmental issue.— Peoples Dispatch
  • Jul 2026The U.S. State Department issued alerts about unsafe swimming locations in the region.— TheTravel

Common scams

  • Overcharging by taxi drivers
  • Distraction pickpocketing in busy markets
Which areas are safe? District-by-district ratings are on the Safety Map→

Full briefing

Sfax presents a mixed safety profile for travelers, with moderate risks primarily related to petty crime and potential social tensions. While the city's crime index is relatively low compared to global averages, official advisories recommend exercising a high degree of caution for Tunisia as a whole, which extends to Sfax.

Recent reports from July and September 2023 highlight significant tensions and expulsions of sub-Saharan African migrants in Sfax, indicating potential social friction that visitors should be aware of. Additionally, a July 2026 travel alert noted unsafe swimming locations in the region, suggesting a need for caution regarding local environmental hazards. Industrial pollution has also been identified as a concern in Sfax.

Travelers should be vigilant against common scams such as overcharging by taxi drivers and distraction pickpocketing, particularly in crowded markets like the Medina. It is advisable to avoid displaying wealth openly and to use reputable transportation services. While violent crime is not a dominant concern for tourists, moderate risks of mugging and robbery exist, especially in less-trafficked areas or after dark. Pickpocketing is a more prevalent risk in busy public spaces.

Was this Sfax, Tunisia report helpful?

IsMyTripSafe.com

Not legal or medical advice

Report generated 13 October 2026

Sources: U.S. State Dept · UK FCDO · World Bank · WGI · UNODC · WHO · UN SDG · Global Terrorism Database · Numbeo · OpenStreetMap · Open-Meteo · CDC. Composite index recomputed at request time.

Links:

06 · Neighbourhoods

Safest areas and areas to avoid

6 districts

Our field research rated 6 Sfax districts for visitors: 1 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Sfax safety map.

El Maou, El Houria, and surrounding areasavoidThese areas have been sites of significant unrest and reported violence involving migrants and locals. Avoid unless absolutely necessary.

City CentercautionGenerally safe but be aware of petty crime and pickpockets, especially in crowded areas.

Bab BharcautionBusy commercial area, exercise vigilance against pickpocketing and scams.

Sidi MansourcautionResidential area with some reports of tensions related to migrant populations; exercise increased awareness.

Industrial Zones (e.g., near Gabès road)cautionPotential for pollution and less tourist infrastructure; exercise caution.

Coastal areas (outside immediate city center)saferGenerally safe for recreation, but be aware of swimming advisories.

1 safer4 caution1 avoidOpen the district map

07 · After Dark

Is Sfax safe at night?

79% of people in Tunisia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).

While violent crime is not reported as a major issue for visitors, mugging and robbery are possibilities, particularly in less-trafficked areas or at night.

After dark, be most careful around El Maou, El Houria, and surrounding areas, City Center, Bab Bhar, Sidi Mansour. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.

08 · Questions

Sfax safety FAQ (2026)

Is Sfax safe right now (2026)?

Sfax presents a mixed safety profile for travelers, with moderate risks primarily related to petty crime and potential social tensions. While Sfax has a lower crime index than many cities globally, official advisories recommend a high degree of caution due to broader regional security concerns and past incidents of social unrest. Travelers should be aware of potential scams and exercise vigilance, particularly in crowded areas. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)

Is Sfax safe for women, families and solo travelers?

Safety is not one number, and this Sfax report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.

Which areas of Sfax should tourists avoid?

Field research flags El Maou, El Houria, and surrounding areas as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.

What are the most common scams in Sfax (2026)?

  • Overcharging by taxi drivers
  • Distraction pickpocketing in busy markets

How does Sfax compare with other places in Tunisia (2026)?

Sfax ranks #6 of 8 Tunisia destinations we've assessed, scoring 65/100. See the Tunisia safety overview for the full list.

How is this sfax safety score calculated (2026)?

The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.

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Raw data: sfax.json (CC BY 4.0).