Tabarka

Tabarka is a coastal municipality in northwestern Tunisia that spreads along the Mediterranean shore with rocky coves and sandy beaches. The area includes an old harbor, residential neighborhoods inland, and green hills that extend toward the surrounding landscape.

The city was established by Turkish corsairs in the 16th century as an important maritime point and later became a center for coral harvesting and fishing. Colonial rule reshaped its structure and role in the region.

The place takes its name from a Berber word for drums and was historically centered on fishing and coral trade. You can still see fishermen and artisans working in ways that reflect the area's maritime traditions and everyday rhythms.

The municipality is best reached by local transport, and spring or fall offers the most comfortable weather for visiting. The flat areas near the harbor are easy to walk through, though some hillside sections are steeper.

The coral divers were renowned for harvesting the precious red coral that once dominated Mediterranean trade and their methods have largely disappeared. Visiting offers a chance to see where this demanding craft was once central to the economy.