Tunisia and its offshore island Djerba are one of the most popular travel destinations in North Africa. On the one hand, the country has a well-developed infrastructure in the major cities as well as in the tourist centers – on the other hand, due to its long and eventful history, you can expect a lot, diverse and often impressive sights in Tunisia, culturally and historically. Not to forget that the country’s location on the Mediterranean also has beautiful beaches, some of which are kilometers long. However, the coastal strip is also attractive away from the beaches. The Mediterranean vegetation there ensures a pleasant atmosphere, and there are numerous places or port cities that offer interesting excursions. However, in Tunisia you can also make an “excursion” to the Sahara, or go on a tour through the Atlas Mountains, guided by Berbers, which are also part of the Tunisian landscape – such as extensive steppe landscapes, salt plains or the Ichkeul National Park with its lake and wetlands. As rich in contrasts as nature is also the culture of the country, where a lot of the original meets the modern with a thoroughly sophisticated touch. Which sometimes creates surprisingly contradicting impressions. Here the innumerable traces left by different peoples – there the style that the former mother country France left behind, shopping centers and comfortable to luxurious hotel complexes. Tunisia allows you to travel back in time on vacation… that goes back to the Berbers. You can get to know their original way of life in the mountains of Matmata. The capital Tunis was founded by the Phoenicians and also has European, Ottoman and Arab influences. Sousse and El-Djem bear witness to Roman rule. Nabeul stands on Punic and Roman foundations. Kairouan lets you marvel at the Djama Sidi Oqba mosque from 672. Bizerte attracts with an Arab and an Andalusian quarter. And besides much more, there are also the well-known ruins of Carthage in Tunisia.
Port El Kantaoui
Port El-Kantaoui is a small Tunisian coastal town that was built as a tourist town in the 1970s. It is around ten kilometers from the famous seaside resort of Sousse. The special thing about the city are the magnificent gardens, the harbor and of course the picturesque sandy beach with its crystal clear sea.
Popular destinations and sights
The place is considered family friendly. Due to its proximity to Sousse and Monastir, Port El-Kantaoui is also a popular destination for study trips. In addition to the port facility, which is illuminated in the evening and creates a romantic flair, the Aquapark is a popular destination for all travelers. The main attraction is a huge water slide and there are several bistros and cafes for the physical well-being of the guests.
If you are interested in the historical background, you should visit the nearby Monastir. The city is only 20 kilometers from Port El Kantaoui and can look back on a long history. One of the city’s sights is the Ribat Fortress, which dates back to the 8th century. From here, visitors on their study trips not only have a fantastic view of the old town, but can also admire valuable relics from the past. Today there is a museum on the upper floor, in which ceramic objects from the past are exhibited.
Lots of relics from the past
In general, Tunisia not only offers many recreational opportunities for sun worshipers and bathing enthusiasts, history has also left its traces everywhere. Sousse is surrounded by a wall that has meanwhile been declared a World Heritage Site. Many of the buildings are from the 9th century, a time when the Arabs settled here.
Bardo Museum
Anyone visiting the Tunisian capital, Tunis, should definitely see the Bardo National Museum. The largest and oldest archaeological museum in Tunisia has numerous attractions ready. The magnificent museum in the Le Bardo district of Tunis is world-famous for its numerous valuable Roman mosaics. The collection is one of the most important in the world. The collection of the gleaming white museum, the former Bardo Palace, is spread over a total of 30 rooms on three floors.
Largest mosaic collection in the world
The interior of the huge museum building is characterized by countless valuable wood and marble decorations. The world-famous collection includes numerous valuable Roman, Punic, Arabic and Byzantine art treasures. The entire museum offers an exciting insight into the varied cultural history of Tunisia. Richly decorated masks can be found here as well as the famous skull of an Australopiticus. The biggest attraction of the museum, which opened in 1888, is the largest collection of mosaics in the world. These include various “menu mosaics” that are almost unique in the world. The Bardo Museum can be visited every day from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. except Mondays and on public holidays. You should plan at least three hours for an extensive tour of the extensive museum. Entrance to the museum costs six Tunisian dinars (about 2.68 euros).
Sidi Bou Said
The artist village
The artist village of Sidi Bou Said is located about 20 km northeast of Tunis on the rock of Carthage on the Gulf of Tunis. It is one of the most popular sights on a study trip to the north of Tunisia, the old facades with the blue bay windows and decorative window grilles have been very well preserved to this day.
Sidi Bou Said over time
The village was founded by religious hermits, the marabouts. The place has a religious origin, the name Sidi Bou Said is derived from the saint Abou Said ibn Khalef ibn Yahia Ettamini el Beji. He settled here in 1207 with the aim of developing Sufism. To this day, the Sidi Bou Said hill is considered a sanctuary. The sight of the village originated during the 16th century when the Moors settled in Sidi Bou Said. The place has been a listed building since 1915, thanks mainly to the Franco-British Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger. He built a palace here as a residence and recognized the cultural value of the fishing village. Rodolphe d’Erlanger also brought art to Sidi Bou Said. He was a talented painter and musician and his palace was home to the most famous artists of his time. This also included the German painters August Macke and Paul Klee. After his death, his property became the property of the state and it was to continue to function as a meeting place for culture, literature and art.
Attractions
The town of Sidi Bou Said is best known for its well-preserved architecture, and a stroll through the village gives you a good impression of the historical ensemble of buildings.
Another highlight is the town’s market, where small works of art are offered for sale alongside everyday items. The palace of Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger is just as well preserved and is considered the center of Arabic and Mediterranean music. There is a musical instrument museum here, and the architecture still gives a good impression of the palace’s former splendor. The gardens of the complex can also be visited.