Nabeul and Cap Bon

In Nabeul, stroll through the souk surrounded by arcades and boutiques. In the Artisanal Village, experienced artisans will astound you with their ingenuity; ironwork, rush mats, embroidered clothing, engraved copper… In the pottery stores, choose a beautiful vase in multicoloured ceramic, the local speciality. The covered market will make your mouth water with its collection of spices, fruits, vegetables and fish: Cap Bon is a major agricultural region. If fortresses fascinate you, visit Kelibia to see its medieval fort, the largest in Tunisia. Drink a mint tea in the nearby Moorish cafe which overlooks the sea, then stroll along the fishing harbour. In El Haouaria, at the extreme tip of Cap Bon, take a deep breath of fresh air and wild nature, and visit the mysterious caves dug by the Romans to extract stone for construction. Or visit Korbous, a spa town with quaint charm, surrounded by beaches and rocky coves.

Réputé pour son art de vivre et ses produits agricoles, le Cap Bon est assurément une région où l’on mange bien. Vous trouverez de nombreux restaurants au centre-ville de Nabeul et à proximité des grands hôtels. Ne manquez pas de goûter la harissa, une préparation de piments (1) broyés et assaisonnés, appréciée en apéritif avec un peu de pain et d’huile d’olive : un condiment haut en saveur ! Les piments, poivrons et tomates des vergers du Cap Bon servent aussi à préparer la salade méchouia : grillés et concassés, ils se dégustent frais avec un filet d’huile d’olive. Ponctuée de ports de pêche, la côte fournit de savoureux poissons qu’on vous servira en garniture d’un couscous (2) ou simplement grillés et accompagnés de tastira – un mélange de légumes et d’œufs frits et hachés. En entrée ou en plat de résistance, régalez-vous de seiches, calamars, crevettes … Sachez que la région est également connue pour ses fruits, et plus particulièrement ses succulentes oranges. Well-known for its way of life and agricultural products, Cap Bon is definitely a region where good food is the order of the day. You can find several restaurants in the town centre of Nabeul and close to the large hotels. Don’t miss tasting harissa, made from shredded and seasoned chilis (1), best appreciated with an aperitif and little bread and olive oil: a flavourful condiment! Chilis, peppers and tomatoes from the orchards of Cap Bon also come together in the mechouia salad: grilled and crushed, they are eaten cold with a splash of olive oil. Punctuated by fishing ports, the coast supplies delicious fish which could be served to you with couscous (2) or simply grilled and accompanied by tastira – a mix of vegetables and fried and chopped eggs. As a starter or main course, feast on cuttlefish, squid, prawns… Don’t forget that the region is equally well known for its fruits, especially its grapes and succulent oranges.

In the 4th century BC, the Cap Bon region was already «cultivated with vines, olive trees and a wealth of fruit trees» (Diodore of Sicily). It was thus under the dominion of Carthage: the archaeological site of Kerkouane bears witness to this era. In the Middle Ages, the coast suffered from attacks from the Normans of Sicily and then the Spanish. It was then protected by the great fortress of Kelibia. With the arrival of the Ottoman peace, the region was a haven for immigrants from the island of Djerba, from Andalucia, from Turkey, and later on, from Malta and Sicily. More recently, Nabeul is home to an important Jewish community closely mingled with the Muslim community.
The Archaeological Museum of Nabeul conceals a number of treasures: Roman mosaics, statues of the gods of Carthage. The museum of Kerkouane exhibits rare Carthaginian objects such as extremely finely engraved rings.