Our first full day in Tunisia was spent exploring the wonders of Dougga and as the day drew to a close it was time to head to our base for the next couple of nights. Tabarka is situated in the north west corner of Tunisia and is the border town to Algeria. We checked in to the Itropika Beach Hotel – I think it’s important to say from the start this is hotel is a perfect relic of faded grandeur of a yester-year tourism era. Whilst dated the room was clean and more than made up for it with the beautiful sea view. When travelling I find myself waking up before dawn so I can watch sunrise – whilst I have no desire to be awake at this time at home, there’s something so calming and grounding from seeing first hand the day begin.
But that’s not why people visit Tabarka, it’s a rich source of archaeological merit and is the perfect starting point to explore the Atlas mountains (more on my time exploring the Atlas mountains in the next instalment of my discovery of Tunisia). Famed for its coral fishing and annual jazz festival it’s a destination in Tunisia that is fruitful as it is surprising .
The fort of Tabarka is beautifully preserved and we were privileged to go inside, which always the case for the public.
The hard work that is the climb up is instantly rewarded by archaeological artefacts that tell a story of a fort that dates back to 1540 when it was built by Italian Genoese Family with the purpose of housing a garrison. Originally just under 1km from the mainland of Tunisia (it was joined to the mainland during or just after World War II) its has played many roles throughout its rich history with one of it’s most notable when Nationalist leader Habib Bourguiba, who would later go on to become president of post-independence Tunisia, was exiled here by the French colonial authorities in 1952. You’ll find monuments and dedications to Bourguiba throughout the town as a figure of national treasure.
I found the town to be open and welcoming, with the discovery of the beautiful Café Andalous on Avenue Hedi Chaker – its eclectic collection of bric a brac is second only to the amazing authentic tea they serve. We sat with the locals and caught up on an international women’s football game – good old football being the universal ice breaker!
Tabarka may not be an obvious choice or a destination that could entertain you for a week’s stay but if you head in search of ‘more’ of what Tunisia can offer you, then it’s a perfect jewel in the Tunisian coast.
Disclosure: I was a guest of the Tunisian National Tourism Office for the duration of my stay in Tunisia.
