When people talk about the Coral Coast and Bizerta the first thing that comes to mind is the three hundred km coastline with its backdrop of green hills. We are in the north of Tunisia, the green part of Tunisia, and far from the desert region. We are surrounded by oueds and lakes in the land of the cypress and rich harvests. Two thousand years ago, this was the "bread basket" of Rome, and our region has some beautiful examples of ancient Roman towns.

Dougga, Bulla Regia, Chemtou and Utica have all become famous the world over. You will enjoy your vacation by the sea even more when it is supplemented by short trips to these marvelous ruins.

During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the Italian, Spanish and French Republics were all very interested in the region, and by the rich harvests of coral which came from the reefs offshore. The towns here became important ports during the period when trade relations were not always peaceful.

The large fortresses in Bizerta and Tabarka were another result of these turbulent times.
Today you will find a more peaceful kind of competition going on between the popular resorts along the coast.

Bizerta

Few cities have a strategic a position as the town the Romans called Hyppo Diarrhytus. It is located on a strip of land that connects the Mediterranean and the huge, natural harbor named after the city. The incomparable shelter for ships explains why Bizerta has always been so important, and why it has been Punic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Turkish... Today the city is lively and prosperous. The well-preserved Medina, with its mosques, souks, and Moorish houses, offers many pleasant discoveries for the visitor. Its winding streets end at the Old Port, where there are coffees and small docks for fishing boats, and the atmosphere here is unique. A visit to the fish market is a must.

The modern city is full of gardens and wide avenues; Bizerta continues to the north along the famous Corniche, which now has tourist accommodations with well-equipped and comfortable hotels, and to the south lies the beach of El-Rimel, where the white sand has a backdrop of stately pines. Strolling along the streets and tiny alley-ways, the tourist will discover the many kinds of handicrafts available, the result of years of experience: embroidery, rug-weaving, wrought iron, etc.

Tabarka, Aïn Draham: The Sea and the Mountain

The combination of sea and mountains is certainly one of the most sought-after by vacationers, and the area to the northwest of Bizerta offers both with many variations on the theme.

The hills have all different kinds of plant life, and so each mountain is unique.

In Tabarka, for example, the hills are covered by a dense forest, and the predominant tree is the oak, large and majestic.
This forest and the moor which extends towards the Mogods are a hunter's paradise.
In this forest couches the hare: wild game (jackal, fox, wild-cat and genet) abound on the fern-covered trails.

In his wonderful natural environment right in the heart of the Khrounira Forest at 800m altitude, is found the village of Ain Draham (Source of Silver), especially appreciated by visitors for the quality of its plant life and its freshness, as well as for its remarkable range of fine quality hotel accommodation.
Where a magnificent forest and the Mediterranean of your dreams meet - that's where you'll find Tabarka, a township famous since ancient times for its coral fishing, a true paradise for lovers of the sea, leisure seekers, and diving enthusiasts, as well as for golfers and hunters, on foot or on horseback, along the paths and glades of the superb woodlands.

Tabarka is a model of the modern town for the tourist, too, with all the facilities to make even the most demanding holidaymaker completely happy; true quality hotels, true quality accommodation, and true quality cuisine.
And there's more. In summer, the Tabarka Jazz Festival makes the town the center of attraction, with its unique atmosphere of fun and relaxation.

Tabarka, with its charming little marina, its luxuriant golf courses, and an international airport within two hours flying time from most European capitals, is your gateway to harmony, nature, comfort and true quality leisure.

Villages and Traditions

The countryside near the Coral Coast abounds with little villages which are equally tempting for the traveller, because of their customs and traditions as well as their location. Most of them became prosperous after the important Andalousian immigration that occured during the 16th and 17th centuries. Built on a narrow strip of land between mountain and sea, Ghar El Melh (Porto Farina), is a charming fishing port.

Raf Raf is well-known for the rich beauty of its traditional costumes for women, and has a magnificent view overlooking the Gulf. The area also produces some of the best grapes in Tunisia.

Ras Jebel is a large village surrounded by orchards, and boasts an unusual number of attractive minarets. It also has the most important market in the area, and therefore is an especially lively place on Fridays. The tourist will find many other interesting places in the quiet countryside; Metline and Sounine on the coast, Aousdja, Zouaouine and El Alia, where the famous thistles are grown for the felting of chechias in Tunis, Kalaat El Andalous, and so on ... Sixty kilometers to the west of Bizerta, there is a particularly interesting Berber village which produces a very original kind of pottery: Sejnane.