La Goulette

Day Trips

You arrive in La Goulette and feel the gentle sea breeze as you settle into your boutique hotel near the marina. The scent of freshly baked bread and strong coffee drifts from a nearby café where locals greet you with warm smiles. You spend time wandering the docks, watching fishing boats return with the morning catch.

After checking in, you enjoy a leisurely lunch at a waterfront bistro, sampling grilled fish with local olive oil and lemon. You stroll along the corniche, peeking into tiny shops selling handcrafted ceramics and embroidered textiles. The afternoon light glistens on the water as you chat with fishermen about their daily routines.

As the sun sets, you take a slow walk along the promenade, lights from the boats reflecting in the harbor. You dine at a family-run restaurant, savoring a plate of couscous topped with seasonal vegetables and tender lamb. The day ends with a stroll under twinkling street lamps, accompanied by distant sounds of oud music from a nearby café.

You take a short taxi ride to Tunis Medina and enter through Bab el Bahr, the Porte de France. The narrow alleys are alive with merchants selling spices, leather goods, and colorful ceramics. Local vendors offer you samples of dates and olives as you weave through the historic souks.

You enjoy a traditional brik and mint tea at a hidden courtyard café, listening to the chatter of artisans. A guided tour leads you to the Great Mosque of Zitouna, where carved columns and ornate arches tell centuries of history. You pause to admire the intricate woodwork and calligraphy that adorn the prayer hall.

Back in La Goulette, you watch fishermen prepare their nets under the golden glow of lanterns. Dinner features freshly caught calamari grilled with herbs, served on a terrace overlooking the sea. You end the evening with a stroll along the harbor, the air filled with the distant hum of oud and percussion.

You head to the ancient ruins of Carthage, gazing at the remains of Roman baths and Punic ports perched on the coast. A guide shares tales of legendary queens and epic battles as you walk among towering stone columns. Sea views stretch to the horizon, offering a glimpse of Tunisia’s layered past.

Next, you travel a short distance to the postcard village of Sidi Bou Said, famous for its white-and-blue architecture. You sip coffee at a clifftop café, watching fishing boats drift below and sampling sweet pastries dusted with almond. Wandering narrow alleys lined with bougainvillea, you visit artisan galleries showcasing painted ceramics.

Returning to La Goulette, you dine at a seaside restaurant known for its spicy harissa-infused dishes. The sky glows pink as you enjoy mezze platters of zaalouk, grilled peppers, and tuna salad. An evening stroll along the pier reveals twinkling lights of yachts and distant music drifting on the breeze.

You start the day at a sandy beach in La Goulette, where locals jog along the shore and children build sandcastles. Beach umbrellas and loungers invite you to relax, while a nearby water sports kiosk offers jet ski and paddleboard rentals. The clear Mediterranean water sparkles under the morning sun.

You take a guided paddleboard tour along the coastline, spotting schools of fish beneath the surface. A beachfront shack serves cold salads and fragrant lemonade, so you savor a quick lunch with your toes in the sand. Afterwards, you try windsurfing, feeling exhilaration as the wind fills the sail.

Back on land, you shower and change into casual attire for dinner at a open-air grill. Seafood skewers sizzle over charcoal as you sip a local white wine. The evening concludes with a bonfire on the beach, music, and new friends you met during your water adventures.

You catch a taxi to the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, home to a vast collection of Roman mosaics and archaeological treasures. Under the cool marble floor, you marvel at scenes of myth and daily life immortalized in intricate tesserae. Informative plaques guide you through centuries of Mediterranean history.

You wander through nearby markets, where vendors display spices, dried fruits, and handwoven fabrics. A street food stall beckons with steaming bowls of lablabi, a chickpea soup spiced with cumin and garlic. You chat with stall owners about their spice blends and purchase a small jar of harissa to take home.

Returning to La Goulette, you dine at a local favorite that specializes in grilled sardines and Tunisian salads. The sunset paints the harbor in hues of orange and red as you taste every spice. A final walk along the waterfront brings live drumming and a festive atmosphere in the open-air cafés.

You enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel terrace, sampling fresh fruit pastries and rich coffee. The sound of wave lapping against the shore is the perfect backdrop for planning the day’s cruise. You pack a light bag with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera for the afternoon sail.

A traditional felucca awaits at the dock for a private sunset cruise along the coastline. The captain unfurls bright sails and you drift past ancient fortifications and charming seaside villas. You snorkel in crystal-clear coves, discovering colorful fish and hidden rock formations beneath the surface.

As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky turns purple and gold, reflected on calm waters. You enjoy a seafood picnic prepared by local chefs, featuring octopus salad and fresh melon. Under a canopy of stars, you hear gentle waves and distant laughter, wrapping up a magical voyage.

You set out early for a full-day excursion to the lush Cap Bon Peninsula, known for its citrus groves and thermal springs. Rolling hills of orange and lemon trees scent the air as your guide shares tales of Roman agricultural techniques. You stop at a farm to taste freshly picked tangerines.

Next, you visit the ancient town of Kerkouane, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Punic ruins lie undisturbed. You walk among crumbling columns, mosaic floors, and public baths, imagining daily life in a 3rd-century BCE city. For lunch, a nearby seaside café serves grilled sea bream with local olive oil.

Returning to La Goulette at dusk, you relax with a casual dinner on the corniche. Plates of mechouia salad and bastilla arrive as lights twinkle along the harbor. You linger over sweet mint tea, reflecting on the day’s discoveries amid the gentle night breeze.

A short drive takes you to a quiet fishing village east of La Goulette, where colorful boats bob in a protected cove. You join local fishermen for a hands-on experience, hauling nets and sorting the morning catch. Their laughter and camaraderie make you feel part of the community.

At a family-run house by the shore, you help prepare fish with herbs, garlic, and olive oil in an outdoor kitchen. Lunch is served al fresco on wooden tables overlooking the turquoise water, accompanied by local bread and salad. You spend time chatting with villagers about their traditions and daily routines.

Back in La Goulette, you seek out a small tavern offering live music. The strains of oud and darbuka fill the warm night air as you enjoy a light dinner of seasoned chickpeas and olives. You end the evening dancing alongside friendly locals beneath strings of colored lights.

You recover from the previous night with a slow start, enjoying a late brunch at a beachfront café. Freshly squeezed orange juice and honey-laden pancakes help you prepare for an evening of exploration. You stroll along the shore, reading local history plaques as the sun climbs.

You visit small art galleries that dot the marina, admiring contemporary paintings and sculptures by Tunisian artists. A stroll through the local market yields handcrafted souvenirs and aromatic spices to take home. You return to your hotel for a short rest and prepare for the vibrant night ahead.

La Goulette’s harbor comes alive with lights, music, and the clink of glasses on terrace bars. You sample creative cocktails infused with regional ingredients like basil and pomegranate. Live DJs and bands play house, jazz, and fusion, and you dance under a moonlit sky until late.

On your final day, you enjoy a leisurely beachside brunch featuring fresh croissants, Tunisian omelets, and fruit platters. Seagulls circle overhead as you sip mint tea and reflect on your journey. The sound of waves provides a peaceful soundtrack to your last morning by the sea.

You take a final walk through the marina, photographing boats and stopping at shops for last-minute mementos. A light lunch of grilled vegetables and flatbread fuels you before you pack your bags. You revisit your favorite café for one more espresso and a small pastry.

As the sun sets on La Goulette, you dine at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the harbor one last time. You savor a mezze feast of lablabi, brik, and fresh salads under the warm glow of lanterns. With the scent of salt air and spices lingering around you, you bid farewell to this enchanting seaside town.