North Coast & Cap Bon

★★★ Tabarka — Tunisia's Diving Capital

The sleepy coastal town in the far northwest of Tunisia, only 20 km from the Algerian border, is a hidden gem for nature lovers and divers. Tabarka is famous for its red coral — the city is nicknamed "Coral Coast" (Côte de Corail) — and for the rock needles (Les Aiguilles), bizarre sandstone rocks jutting out of the sea.

What to See

• Les Aiguilles: The spectacular rock needles west of the city rise up to 25 meters out of the water. Most impressive at sunset. Accessible via a coastal walk (20 min. from the port).
• Genoese Fortress: On a small island (now connected by a causeway) stands a fortress from the 16th century, once a trading post for the coral trade. Beautiful view over the city and the coast.
• Diving & Snorkeling: Tabarka has the best diving spots in Tunisia. The underwater world offers coral reefs (yes, real corals in the Mediterranean!), caves, sunken rocks, and rich fauna. Several diving schools offer courses from 35€ per dive. The famous red coral (Corallium rubrum) grows at depths of 30–80 meters.
• Jazz Festival: Every summer (July), the Tabarka Jazz Festival takes place — one of Africa's oldest jazz festivals, since 1973. International and Tunisian musicians perform outdoors against the backdrop of the Genoese fortress.
• Golf Course: The 18-hole golf course in Tabarka is spectacularly located between mountains and sea and is one of the most beautiful in North Africa.

Arrival: Louage from Tunis (3h, 8€), Bus (4h). Nearest airport: Tabarka-Ain Draham (seasonal) or Tunis-Carthage (170 km). Accommodation: Hotel Les Mimosas (mid-range, sea view), Dar Tabarka (boutique guesthouse).

★★ Bizerte — The Northernmost City in Africa

Bizerte (Banzart) is located at the northernmost point of the African continent and has a 3,000-year-old history dating back to the Phoenicians. The city was an important military port — the French built their largest naval base in North Africa here, which was only vacated in 1963 (two years after independence!).

What to See

• Old Port (Vieux Port): The picturesque old fishing port with its colorful boats, flanked by the Kasbah and Fort Sidi el-Hani. In the evening, one of Tunisia's most atmospheric settings — fish restaurants on the quay, the water reflecting the lights.
• Kasbah & Medina: The small but authentic Medina of Bizerte is hardly developed for tourism. Narrow alleys, whitewashed houses, the Great Mosque from the 17th century. Unlike in Tunis or Sousse, you won't be approached by vendors here.
• Fort d'Espagne: The Spanish fortress from the 16th century towers over the city and offers a magnificent panoramic view over the old and new port.
• Remel Beach: One of the best city beaches in Tunisia — fine sand, clean water, within walking distance. Popular with Tunisian families in summer.
• Cap Blanc (Ras el-Abiad): 15 km north lies the real cape — the northernmost point of Africa. A lighthouse marks the spot. The coastal road there is spectacular.

Arrival: Louage from Tunis (1h, 2.50€). Train from Tunis (1.5h, 2€). Recommendation: Day trip from Tunis or stop on the way to Tabarka.

★★ Ain Draham — Tunisia's Green Heart

Who would have thought that there is a place in Tunisia that resembles a European mountain village? Ain Draham is located at 800 meters altitude in the Kroumirie Mountains, surrounded by dense cork oak forests, and even has snow in winter! The air is fresh, the landscape lushly green — a completely different Tunisia than the coastal resorts.

What to Experience

• Cork Oak Forests: The region hosts the largest cork oak forests in North Africa. Hiking trails lead through primeval forests with wild boars, jackals, and over 100 bird species. The El Feija National Park (30 km southwest) protects the last Barbary deer in North Africa.
• Hiking: Several marked hiking trails from Ain Draham, from easy walks (2h) to challenging day tours. The view over the wooded hills to the Mediterranean is magnificent.
• Thermal Baths: The region has several hot springs. The thermal spring of Hammam Bourguiba (20 km south) is known for its healing properties.
• Ceramics & Crafts: Ain Draham is known for its ceramics — the shops along the main street sell handmade pottery at unbeatable prices.
• Wild Boar Hunting: The region is Tunisia's number one hunting area. In winter, French hunters come for wild boar hunting. The restaurants serve wild boar stew in season — in a Muslim country!

Arrival: Louage from Tabarka (30 min., 2€) or from Tunis (3h, 7€). Accommodation: Hotel Les Chênes (good mid-range), various guesthouses. Best visited in spring (March–May) or autumn (Sep–Nov).

The Cap Bon Peninsula juts into the Mediterranean like a finger — Sicily is only 140 km away. The most fertile region of Tunisia (vineyards, citrus groves, jasmine fields) is also the country's most important tourism area.

★★★ Hammamet

Tunisia's most famous seaside resort and birthplace of Tunisian tourism. In the 1920s, the European elite discovered the place — the Romanian millionaire George Sebastian built his famous villa here (now a cultural center), Oscar Wilde and Gustave Flaubert were already guests earlier.

Hammamet is divided into two areas:

• Hammamet-Medina: The charming, small old town by the sea with Kasbah, souks, and fish restaurants. The Kasbah (fortress, 15th century) offers a magnificent view over the bay from the wall. Less hectic than Sousse or Tunis.
• Hammamet-Yasmine: The modern tourist zone 10 km south with large resorts, marina, water park, and a recreated Medina (kitschy but popular). Here are the large all-inclusive hotels.

The beaches of Hammamet are among the most beautiful in Tunisia: fine, golden sand, shallow, warm water, ideal for families.

Arrival: Louage from Tunis (1h, 3€). Bus (1.5h). Train to Bir Bou Regba + taxi (30 min.).

★★ Nabeul

The capital of Cap Bon, only 10 km north of Hammamet, is known for three things: ceramics, orange blossom water, and the largest Friday market in Tunisia.

• Ceramic Workshops: Nabeul is Tunisia's ceramic capital. Along Avenue Habib Bourguiba, shops with hand-painted ceramics line up — from plates to tiles to vases. In the workshops on the outskirts, you can watch potters at work.
• Friday Market: The weekly souk of Nabeul is a spectacle. Thousands come to buy fresh fruit, spices, ceramics, clothing, and household goods. Authentic, loud, colorful — and free of tourists.
• Orange Blossom Festival (April): Nabeul celebrates its orange blossom with a festival full of flower floats, music, and dance. The distilled orange blossom water (Eau de fleur d'oranger) is ubiquitous in Tunisian cuisine and cosmetics.
• Archaeological Museum: Small but fine — with finds from the Punic city of Neapolis, which lies beneath present-day Nabeul.

Arrival: Louage from Hammamet (15 min., 1€). Louage from Tunis (1.5h, 3€).

★★ Kelibia

The fortress city on the east coast of Cap Bon is an underrated insider tip. The massive Byzantine fortress (6th century, on Punic foundations) towers 150 meters above the sea and offers perhaps the most beautiful coastal view in Tunisia — on a clear day, all the way to Sicily.

• Fortress of Kelibia: The best-preserved Byzantine fortress in Tunisia. The walls date from various eras — Punic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab. At the top: a breathtaking panoramic view.
• Beach of Mansourah: 2 km north lies one of Tunisia's most beautiful beaches — a curved sandy bay with crystal-clear water, even in high summer not overcrowded.
• Fishing: Kelibia is Tunisia's most important fishing port. At the port, there are excellent fish restaurants where the catch of the day goes straight on the grill.
• Muscat Wine: The region produces the famous Muscat de Kelibia — a sweet, aromatic white wine that is among the best Tunisian wines.

Arrival: Louage from Nabeul (45 min., 2€) or from Tunis (2h, 4€).

★ El Haouaria

At the northern tip of Cap Bon lies the small village of El Haouaria, known for two unusual attractions:

• Roman Quarries (Ghar el-Kebir): Huge underground caves from which the Romans (and before them the Carthaginians) quarried sandstone for the construction of Carthage. The caves extend 100 meters deep into the rock — an impressive experience.
• Falconry: El Haouaria maintains an ancient tradition of falconry. Every June, a falconry festival takes place, showcasing birds of prey. The migratory birds crossing Cap Bon on their way to Sicily make the region a paradise for birdwatchers.