The Cap Bon is the region that forms the peninsula in the northeast of Tunisia.
This region has a big diversity: you will find large cities (Nabeul and Hammamet), seaside tourist complexes (Hammamet, Yasmine Hammamet, Merezgua…) as well as magnificent fishing villages (Kelibia, Al Haouaria…).
Nabeul is the capital and the largest city of the region. It is accessible from Tunis by bus, collective taxi (louage) in 1 hour with a frequency that varies from 1 hour to half an hour. A trip costs less than 5€.
Buses and collective taxis leave from the Bab Alioua bus station on the outskirts of Tunis and arrive at the Lahouech bus station in the center of Nabeul.
You can also make the trip by car via the highway. The price of tolls is very affordable in Tunisia (1.4 TND ~ 0.50 €) for the Tunis / Nabeul journey.
When you arrive to Nabeul, you can go around the city on foot and discover the Souk and the old town of Nabeul which is lively every day and especially on Fridays (market day).
You will enter the old town at the end of Habib Thameur Avenue and at the beginning of Farhat Hached Avenue. At the beginning of the souk, you will see mainly tourist shops. You can take a refreshing break at the Café « les Arcades » before continuing to the market: the tourist shops give way to a more authentic local market.
Located next to the city’s train station, the Jarre of Nabeul is the symbol of the city. It is made of ceramic which is the specialty of Nabeul. There sits a pine tree that had grown next to the station and blocked the development of the future boulevard. Instead of uprooting it, it has been sublimated in this jar which pays homage to the potters of the city.
The region of Cap Bon and especially Nabeul is known for its pottery (you will see it everywhere in the shops of the souk and elsewhere)
The jar marks the start of Avenue Habib Bourguiba, commonly known as Avenue of the Jar. This avenue leads to the beach of Nabeul and the corniche full of life in the summer evenings.
If you are in Nabeul in April, it is the time of harvesting and distilling orange blossom. An international fair is organized in Nabeul in April of each year where orange blossom is honored. The fair is held in Avenue Habib Bourguiba (Avenue of the Jar)
Nabeul is also known for the diversity and good quality of spices.
The Cap Bon region is also the leading citrus producer in Tunisia. The monument of Sidi Maaouia in the avenue Habib Thameur next to the bus station witnesses to that.
Hammamet is located 12 km from Nabeul and easily accessible by individual taxi, collective taxi or bus. Bus number 115 runs every 15 and 30 minutes and connects Nabeul to Yasmine Hammamet via downtown Hammamet. It leaves from the Lahouech bus station.
Hammamet is also accessible from Tunis by bus or collective Taxi, just like Nabeul with the same prices
Hammamet is THE tourist city of Cap Bon, famous for its beaches, its hotel complexes which extend from Merezgua (halfway between Nabeul and Hammamet) to Yasmine Hammamet, the latest tourist area in the region.
Hammamet bus station is located in the city center a few steps from the beach and the old town (La Medina)
In Hammamet, do not miss to visit the Medina and its fort:
At the end of the Medina, you will arrive at the Sidi Bouhdid café with its magnificent terrace.
Next to this café is the main beach of Hammamet with its small fishing boats that are still resisting the tourist metamorphosis of the city.
To discover the tourist district of Yasmine Hammamet, you can continue straight with the same bus 115, or by car. It is a concentration of hotels, restaurants and cafes around the Marina harbour. It is a lively place between June and September and much less the rest of the year.
If you want to see a different landscape from the hotel complexes of Yasmine Hammamet, go to the other side of Nabeul towards the fishing villages.
The first villages after Nabeul are Beni Khiar and Maamoura: local atmosphere without tourist crowds and superb beaches. Special note for the beach terrace cafe in Beni Khiar. A breakfast at this place is a great way to start the day.
Continue straight through Korba and Menzel Temime to arrive at the beautiful village of Kelibia.
Here, you will find some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean.
Kelibia is a magnificent village with its beaches, its fort and the Italian way of life of its inhabitants. If you have time, do not hesitate to stay there 2 or 3 nights.
You will be able to take advantage of the wonderful Sidi Bahri for a breakfast or even to spend the evening on the seafront.
The fort of Kelibia is located in the heights of the city and offers a breathtaking view of the port of the village.
Less than 30 km from Kelibia, is the village of Al Haouaria with its beaches less populated than those of Kelibia, but just as magnificent.
If you go back to Tunis, you can do it via the North Coast of Cap Bon, it is much less touristy, but it will take you on a different path than the one you started with.
My Trip Memories 