Nabeul Attractions
Chief town of the governorate of Nabeul
Nabeul, the largest town on Cap Bon, lies at the southeastern end of the peninsula, near the long sandy beach which extends round the Gulf of Hammamet. Together with Hammamet, 10km/6mi down the coast, Nabeul forms the second largest holiday center in Tunisia, but still contrives to retain something of its original character. It is surrounded by an intensively cultivated agricultural region, producing fruit and vegetables whicb are sold in the town's important Friday market. Nabeul is also famed as the principal center of Tunisian craft production, particularly for its traditional pottery trade (which has been given a considerable boost by tourism) and for the perfumes manufactured here. Much sought after, too, are Nabeul's plaited mats, stone-carving, embroidery and woven fabrics.
Most of the hotels are situated to the south of the town, in the direction of Hammamet, with one or two more exclusive establishments on the Kelibia road to the north. Altogether the town has some twelve hotel complexes with some 6,000 beds.
History
Ancient Neapolis (Greek, the "new town"), situated directly on the coast, was originally a Carthaginian foundation of the fifth century B.C. During the Third Punic War it was occupied by the Romans. In the second century A.D. it was given the status of a colonia, and in 256 it became the see of a bishop. In the 16th and 17th centuries it provided a home for refugees from Andalusia, whose influence on the local crafts, particularly on the pottery, is still evident.
Access
Nabeul, 70km/43mi southeast of Tunis and the international airport of Tunis-Carthage, can be reached on either the motorway or GP 1 to Hammamet and MC 28 from there.
From the station in Avenue Habib Bourguiba there are rail services to Tunis and Hammamet/Bir Bou Rekba, with connections to Sousse and Sfax. From the bus station (Gare Routière) on the Hammamet road there are services to Tunis, Hammamet, Korbous, El Haouaria, Soliman, Kairouan, Zaghouan, Sousse and the international airport of Tunis-Carthage.
Nabeul, the largest town on Cap Bon, lies at the southeastern end of the peninsula, near the long sandy beach which extends round the Gulf of Hammamet. Together with Hammamet, 10km/6mi down the coast, Nabeul forms the second largest holiday center in Tunisia, but still contrives to retain something of its original character. It is surrounded by an intensively cultivated agricultural region, producing fruit and vegetables whicb are sold in the town's important Friday market. Nabeul is also famed as the principal center of Tunisian craft production, particularly for its traditional pottery trade (which has been given a considerable boost by tourism) and for the perfumes manufactured here. Much sought after, too, are Nabeul's plaited mats, stone-carving, embroidery and woven fabrics.
Most of the hotels are situated to the south of the town, in the direction of Hammamet, with one or two more exclusive establishments on the Kelibia road to the north. Altogether the town has some twelve hotel complexes with some 6,000 beds.
History
Ancient Neapolis (Greek, the "new town"), situated directly on the coast, was originally a Carthaginian foundation of the fifth century B.C. During the Third Punic War it was occupied by the Romans. In the second century A.D. it was given the status of a colonia, and in 256 it became the see of a bishop. In the 16th and 17th centuries it provided a home for refugees from Andalusia, whose influence on the local crafts, particularly on the pottery, is still evident.
Access
Nabeul, 70km/43mi southeast of Tunis and the international airport of Tunis-Carthage, can be reached on either the motorway or GP 1 to Hammamet and MC 28 from there.
From the station in Avenue Habib Bourguiba there are rail services to Tunis and Hammamet/Bir Bou Rekba, with connections to Sousse and Sfax. From the bus station (Gare Routière) on the Hammamet road there are services to Tunis, Hammamet, Korbous, El Haouaria, Soliman, Kairouan, Zaghouan, Sousse and the international airport of Tunis-Carthage.
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Camel Market
The once famous camel market in Nabeul held on Fridays is now a mere tourist attraction. It is less crowded in the early morning.
Crafts
A stroll through the souks in Nabeul, with their tempting displays of the products of the town's potters, stone-carvers and weavers, is recommended to all visitors. The predominant colors of the pottery are green (a mixture of lead and copper oxides) and yellow (lead and antimony). The technique was originally introduced in the 17th century by a family from Djerba. The simple geometric designs go back to ancient models.
It is worth enquiring beforehand in the showrooms of ONAT (Organization Nationale de l'Artisanat Tunisien) in Avenue Habib Thameur about the quality and prices of local products.
It is worth enquiring beforehand in the showrooms of ONAT (Organization Nationale de l'Artisanat Tunisien) in Avenue Habib Thameur about the quality and prices of local products.
Neapolis
Nabeul is predominantly a modern town. A few scanty remains of ancient Neapolis were found during the construction of the Hotel Neapolis and near the Hotel Jasmin, including an establishment for the manufacture of garum, a sauce made from pickled fish which was much favored by the Romans and remained popular throughout Europe into the Middle Ages.
Place du 7 Novembre
The hub of Nabeul's life, with banks, restaurants and shops, is the Place du 7 Novembre, at the intersection of Avenue Habib Thameur, coming from Hammamet (with its continuation Avenue Farhat Hached), and Avenue Habib Bourguiba, which runs up from the coast. Here too is Nabeul's municipal emblem, the symbol of its old-established pottery trade - a huge painted pottery jar with a tree growing out of it.
Nabeul Surroundings
Beni Khiar, Tunisia
5km/3mi northeast of Dar Chaabane is the weavers' village of Beni Khiar, whose woolen blankets, articles of clothing and kelims find a ready market among foreign visitors. Here too is Nabeul's fishing harbor.
Dar Chaabane, Tunisia
The craftsmen's village of Dar Chaabane, 2km/1.25mi northeast of Nabeul, is famed for its stone-carvers, whose work is found in doorways and windows all over Tunisia.
Korba, Tunisia
20km/12.5mi northeast of Nabeul is Korba, a bird watcher's paradise, home to Roman ruins and a Festival of Young Theatre annually in August.
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