Things to Do in Bizerte

Bizerte is the northernmost city in Africa and one of the most undervisited places in Tunisia. It has a genuine working-port character that most coastal cities in the country have traded away for resort infrastructure. The old port is picturesque, the medina is unpolished, and the beaches north of the city are some of the cleanest in the country. Below is what is actually worth doing.

Walk the vieux port (old port)

The old port is the centre of everything in Bizerte and the single most rewarding hour you will spend here. Colourful wooden fishing boats are moored along the quay, nets are stacked on the dockside, and the surrounding cafés and restaurants give the area a slow, functional rhythm that is easy to spend time in without an agenda.

The best light for photos is early morning, before the boats go out, or early evening when the cafés fill up. The quay is pedestrianised in the evenings and becomes the main social artery of the city.

Entry: free. Open at all times.

Explore the kasbah and medina

The kasbah sits at the western edge of the old port and is one of the better-preserved examples in northern Tunisia. The fortified walls and towers date to the Ottoman period, though the site has been occupied and rebuilt continuously since antiquity. Inside, narrow lanes lead through a residential quarter that still functions as a working neighbourhood — this is not a sanitised heritage zone.

The medina adjacent to the kasbah is compact and approachable for visitors who have found larger medinas overwhelming. A 45-minute walk covers most of it. The covered souk areas sell household goods, fabric, and produce rather than tourist items, which gives it an authentic feel. There is a small zaouia (Sufi shrine complex) in the centre worth finding.

Entry: free. Kasbah walls are accessible throughout daylight hours.

Cross the Canal de Bizerte

The Canal de Bizerte connects the Mediterranean to Lac de Bizerte, an inland saltwater lake. A small ferry crosses the canal near the port — the crossing takes three minutes and costs approximately 0.5–1 TND as of 2026. Taking it is not primarily about getting anywhere; it is a good way to see the canal traffic, spot flamingos on the lake shore, and get a view back across the city.

The corniche on the other side of the canal has a pleasant waterfront promenade with outdoor cafés.

Visit Fort Sidi el-Hani

Fort Sidi el-Hani sits on a peninsula guarding the entrance to the old port. It is a solid 17th-century Ottoman fort with a square plan and corner towers, and it gives context to how strategically important Bizerte has been throughout Mediterranean history. The fort also appeared prominently in the final stages of the North Africa campaign in World War II, and there is some contextual signage about this period.

The views from the fort walls across the old port and the canal are the best elevated views in the city.

Entry: approximately 5 TND as of 2026. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 09:00–17:00 (hours may vary seasonally — verify locally).

Spend a day at Remel or Ras Angela beach

The beaches north of Bizerte are the main reason to extend a visit beyond a day trip from Tunis. Remel beach is the closest — about 7 km from the city centre — and has clear, calm water backed by low dunes. Ras Angela, further north near Cap Angela, is a longer stretch with fewer facilities and correspondingly fewer crowds in summer.

Cap Blanc, at the northern tip, is the northernmost point of Africa. It is a headland rather than a beach, but the drive along the coast to reach it is scenic and the landmark is worth seeing on its own terms.

Getting there: taxis from Bizerte city centre to Remel beach cost approximately 10–15 TND as of 2026. Ras Angela requires either a car or private taxi.

Day trip to Ichkeul National Park

Lake Ichkeul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 25 km southwest of Bizerte, is one of the most important wetlands in North Africa for migratory birds. Between October and February it hosts tens of thousands of ducks, geese, coots, and flamingos. The museum at the park entrance has good displays on the local ecosystem.

A car is the most practical way to visit. Allow half a day from Bizerte. Entry to the park is approximately 5 TND per person as of 2026.

Best things to do in Bizerte in one day

If you have only a day — either as a visitor staying in Bizerte or on a day trip from Tunis — the priorities are:

• The old port and quay in the morning.
• The kasbah and medina before lunch.
• Lunch at one of the seafood restaurants on the port.
• Fort Sidi el-Hani in the afternoon.
• Canal crossing and corniche walk at sunset.

That covers the main sights without rushing. The beaches fit better into an overnight visit.

For guided excursions and tours from Tunis that include Bizerte, see our best tours in Tunisia guide. You can also book a day trip from Tunis directly on GetYourGuide.