Tunisia, a major tourist destination if ever there was one, welcomes millions of tourists every year. And if you ask everyone on their way back where they went, they will tell you about Tunis, Carthage, Monastir, Hammamet, Djerba or even Tozeur, the oases and the Great South. But very rarely from Bizerte and this northern Tunisian coast largely neglected by tourists.
So, on the way to this forgotten Tunisia…
Where is Bizerte?
Bizerte is the large city in the north of Tunisia “stuck” between the lake that bears its name and the Mediterranean Sea. A port founded by the Phoenicians, today with around 160,000 inhabitants, just 60 km north of this capital, Tunis, most popular with tourists.
And yet if we compare, as we said, one is as attractive as the other seems to be forgotten by foreign visitors. Perhaps simply because Bizerte is not located in the right place, on this route of beaches and seaside resorts of the southern Tunisian coast which attract so many people…
What to see and do in Bizerte?
We don’t necessarily know it but Bizerte is one of the oldest cities in Tunisia and even in North Africa with more than two millennia of existence.
In addition, its very active port has played a major strategic role over the centuries, from Roman times to that of the French Protectorate and even today. As you walk around you will still see some old buildings like the Old Port, fortifications and an authentic maritime atmosphere.
But the city also has other things to offer, notably its medina. Like many others, the Bizerte medina is a maze of narrow streets lined with white and blue houses. You will find many artisans, lively souks and a typically Tunisian atmosphere.
And then, as for being there, push on to the kasbah. Without being very large, the 17th century buildinge century is notable with its (8) towers and ramparts from which you can enjoy a view of the city, the port, the lake and the sea.
Finally, before going for a walk to the beach, you still have to see the Andalusian Fort. Built by the Turks, it is perched on the slopes of Dhar el Koudia hill and dominates the city.
And around?
Cape Blanc
About ten kilometers from Bizerte, Cap Blanc is considered (in fact wrongly) as the northernmost point of the African continent. You can go there on an excursion for the cliffs and the viewpoint.
Utica archaeological site
Halfway between Tunis and Bizerte, here is Utique. These are Roman and Punic remains with here and there traces of dwellings, temples, a forum and a few other buildings of this ancient port city now far from the sea.
Sidi Mechreg
About sixty kilometers west of Bizerte, Sidi Mechreg is a former fortified French trading post from the 16the century nestled in a bay. Far from everything, all that remains now is an arch placed on the rocks on which the waves break. But it’s pretty…
Ichkeul National Park
In the hinterland, not far from the city, Ichkeul is a UNESCO world heritage site for its setting and its biodiversity. It consists of marshes, a lake and small mountains which are home to many species of birds.
So, with all that, why not Bizerte for at least a day trip from Tunis?