Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Eat & drink
    • Culture
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Tabarka
    Selma Jmii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Tunisia

    Tabarka

    City

    Tabarka is a coastal town in the far northwest of Tunisia, about 175 km west of Tunis and a few kilometers from the Algerian border.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Tunisia
    7. Norden & Tell
    9. Tabarka
    Tabarka is a coastal town in the far northwest of Tunisia, about 175 km west of Tunis and a few kilometers from the Algerian border. You come here for the Genoese Fort on the rock above the harbor, the Aiguilles rock needles, and the diving spots off the coast. You explore the small town of around 20,000 inhabitants on foot; excursions along the coast depart from the harbor.

    Sights in Tabarka

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Genoese Fort
    Historic Landmark

    1Genoese Fort

    The fortress on the rock above the town dates from the 16th century, when the Genoese family Lomellini received the island from the Bey of Tunis and operated the coral trade from here. Tabarka remained in Genoese hands for around 200 years. Since 1950, the rock has been firmly connected to the mainland.
    Open in Google Maps
    Yacht harbor
    Natural Feature

    2Yacht harbor

    Fishing boats lie next to sailing yachts in the harbor, with cafes and restaurants lining the quay. From here, small boat trips along the rocky coast and diving excursions set off.
    Open in Google Maps
    Basilica
    Point of Interest

    3Basilica

    The church was created within a 3rd-century Roman cistern, which missionaries of the White Fathers converted into a church. Following a restoration, it has been accessible again since April 2021 and serves as a venue for festivals.
    Open in Google Maps
    Les Aiguilles

    4Les Aiguilles

    The ocher sandstone needles on the coast west of the peninsula, opposite the old harbor, were sculpted by wind and waves. They are around 20 meters high. Bathing takes place between the rocks.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Tabarka

    1

    Restaurant Le Pirate

    Restaurant by the marina with Tunisian cuisine and views of the boats.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Restaurant Les Arcades

    Marina restaurant, one of the best places for a meal with harbour views.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    Touta Restaurant

    Restaurant with Mediterranean and Tunisian cuisine, specializing in fish and seafood.
    Show on Google Maps
    4

    Restaurant Le Mondial

    Restaurant at the marina with fish, seafood, and Tunisian dishes.
    Show on Google Maps
    5

    Restaurant Montréal

    Italian restaurant in Tabarka, an alternative to the fish restaurants by the harbour.
    Show on Google Maps

    Culture & History

    Corals and the Genoese In 1540, the Bey of Tunis ceded the island to the Genoese Lomellini family, who fished for corals from here. When the coral banks were exhausted, many inhabitants moved in 1738 to the island of San Pietro off Sardinia. The Genoese held Tabarka until 1741/42; in 1950, the island was finally connected to the mainland. Les Aiguilles: Up to 20-meter-high sandstone rock formations, shaped by wind and sea; a path leads along their base, with the best light in the morning and late afternoon Diving: Dive sites such as Rocher aux Mérous, Les Tunnels, and Grotte aux Pigeons, featuring gorgonians, groupers, and red coral at greater depths; several dive clubs offer introductory dives Tabarka Jazz Festival Founded in 1973, the festival took a six-year break. From July 2 to 9, 2026, it returned with its 20th edition at the Théâtre de la Mer, accompanied by free street jazz concerts in the city. It's best to check dates for upcoming years shortly before your trip. Hinterland The forested mountainous region south of Tabarka, around Ain Draham, is part of the border area with Algeria. Germany's Federal Foreign Office advises against travel to the mountain region around Ain Draham. Before any excursion into the hinterland, check the current UK FCDO travel advice for Tunisia, or your own government's.

    Arrival & On the Go

    Getting There Most travelers come by road from Tunis, about 175 to 180 km. By Air: Tabarka-Ain Draham Airport is about 15 km east of the city; the usual arrival airport is Tunis-Carthage. Bus and Louage: Connections are available, including to Jendouba, for onward travel to Tunis. Locally The port, fort, basilica, and Aiguilles are all close together and reachable on foot. By Boat: Small excursions depart from the port along the rocky coast and to bays that are difficult to reach on foot.

    Accommodations in Tabarka

    Find perfect stay in Tabarka

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Plan your trip to Tabarka

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Tabarka

      Live
      • 1Genoese Fort3 days
      • 2Yacht harbor4 days
      • 3Basilica5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Tabarka
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    Bulla Regia

    Bulla Regia

    Bulla Regia in northwestern Tunisia is known for its Roman villas with underground living quarters that offered protection from the summer heat. Some mosaics still lie in their original place there. The excavation site is located 5 km north of Jendouba at the foot of Djebel Rebia, approximately 2.5 bus hours west of Tunis.
    Norden & Tell

    Norden & Tell

    Northern Tunisia, between Bizerte and the Algerian border, combines the Mediterranean coast with the Tell hill country west of Tunis. You come here for the Roman cities of Dougga and Bulla Regia, the port city of Bizerte, the rocky coast of Tabarka and Ichkeul National Park. Bizerte is about an hour's drive north of Tunis, Dougga about 1.5 to 2 hours west.
    Dougga

    Dougga

    Dougga, ancient Thugga, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 and is considered the best-preserved small Roman town in North Africa. The 75-hectare excavation lies about 110 km west of Tunis, with a Capitol, a theatre and a Numidian mausoleum from the 2nd century BC. Allow at least 2.5 to 3 hours for a walk around the site.
    Testour

    Testour

    Testour is a small town in the Medjerda Valley, about 77 kilometers southwest of Tunis, founded around 1609 by Andalusians who had been expelled from Spain. Tiled roofs, arcades, and the minaret of the Grand Mosque with its backward-running clock still recall this heritage to this day. The town lies on the route to Dougga and can be easily combined with a visit to the excavation site.
    Ichkeul National Park

    Ichkeul National Park

    The Ichkeul National Park, located some 25 kilometers southwest of Bizerte, protects a lake, extensive marshes, and the 510-meter-high Djebel Ichkeul. This wetland has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980 and is an important stopover for migratory birds; you'll see most birds in winter.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI