When you’re trying an unimaginable vacation spot in Tunisia that boasts wonderful historic sights, conventional city structure, scrumptious genuine meals and an excellent dose of out of doors journey, then look no additional than Zaghouan!
One among my favorite spots in Tunisia, I spent 2 nights on this lovely place, however truthfully may have loved it for lots longer.
Quaint cobbled streets, adorned with lovely conventional buildings and beautiful historic doorways, Zaghouan is a stunning city to discover in and of itself, in addition to base your self for adventures within the distinctive panorama round which, from deserted Berber villages to nationwide parks, lake kayaking to Roman water temples, definitely delivers!
So right here to carry you all it’s good to learn about visiting, is my full journey information to Zaghouan in Tunisia…
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My journey to Tunisia was sponsored by the Genuine Tunisia marketing campaign however, as at all times, all views are my very own.
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The place is Zaghouan?
Positioned within the central northern Tunisia, Zaghouan is an inland city with a wealthy historical past.
Solely 60km, or a 1.5 hour drive, from the nation’s capital Tunis, Zaghouan makes an excellent addition to any north Tunisia itinerary,
Discovered on the decrease ridges of Dorsale Mountains and lengthy populated because of the ample supply of contemporary water right here, Zaghouan’s nice local weather has attracted Berber, Roman, Jewish and Moorish communities to settle right here, amongst many others.
Certainly, throughout Roman instances, water from Zaghouan was transported by one of many first aqueduct constructions all the best way to the African provincial capital at the moment, Carthage, which is over 100km away.
Zaghoun was then developed additional by Muslim communities who got here right here after fleeing Andalusia in southern Spain when this area was taken from the Moorish by the Catholic kings.
These Arab-Andalusian households developed a lot of the present structure of Zaghouan, in addition to established the floral business right here, together with the manufacturing of rose water which the city remains to be well-known for.
Why Go to Zaghouan?
As you’ll be able to inform from the temporary historical past above, Zaghouan is crammed with fascinating heritage websites.
Settled by waves and waves of various communities, the city has a wealthy, layered narrative that may be felt from strolling its streets and close by websites even right now.
This makes Zaghouan a really various vacation spot – you’ll be able to stroll Arab-Andalusian streets from the seventeenth century, Roman temples from the twond century and historical Berber villages all ij hte similar day!
On prime of this, the close by Djebel Zaghouan Nationwide Park and its well-known Sidi Madyen Lake are additionally nice spots to get out and discover the pure surrounds of this beautiful city too.
Right here you’ll be able to take pleasure in kayaking, climbing, climbing and zip-lining, so loads to maintain you entertained for a minimum of just a few days!
When to Go to?
As with most of northern Tunisia, I like to recommend visiting Zaghouan within the late spring and early autumn months of Could, June or September.
These are the perfect months for having fun with good temperatures with blue sky days, with the least likelihood of rain and wind dampening your plans.
Visiting exterior of the summer time may even make it easier to keep away from the tremendous sizzling temperatures that normally fall throughout Tunisia in July and August.
Be taught extra right here concerning the greatest time to go to Tunisia extra broadly.
Prime Issues to Do in Zaghouan
Taking a strolling tour of town of Zaghouan is a improbable half day choice that may fill your ears, eyes, nostril and mouth with the unimaginable historical past and tales of this city and its folks.
Be taught concerning the Berber inhabitants, in addition to the function the refugee Arab-Andalusian households performed in creating this city and its mosques, together with its rose water, pomegranate dye and flower industries.
Discover the lovable umbrella road, style native road meals (Patisserie Malak is legendary for its rose water donuts – a Zaghouan speciality!) and snap the one remaining historical metropolis gate.
After this, head to the close by Water Temple, which is only a brief drive from the centre of Zaghouan.
Many metropolis strolling excursions embody a visit right here and it’s undoubtedly price exploring with a information, with the intention to study extra concerning the significance of this monumental contemporary water provide and the way the Romans established a classy water aqueduct system that carried this treasured useful resource all the best way to Carthage – the then capital.
You may really see stays of those big aqueducts on the drive to Zaghouan too alongside the C133 street from Tunis.
Relationship again to the twond century, this aqueduct system is the longest on the earth and begins from the Water Temple.
This massive web site is properly price exploring for a few hours to grasp the significance it performed and to wander the traditional ruins, that are nonetheless extremely properly preserved.
After this, end off your sightseeing day with a visit to Zriba El Alia.
This abandoned Berber village, a couple of half an hour drive from Zaghouan, lies in a distant arid space.
The village is one thing of a ghost city; well-preserved, you’ll be able to nonetheless wander the traditional streets right here and take within the wonderful views different the opposite worldly panorama.
There’s additionally a pleasant café right here – the proper place to take pleasure in a refreshing late afternoon tea or espresso on the finish of your go to.
Permit an hour or 2 on your go to to Zriba El Alia, and produce a information when you can, so you’ll be able to study extra concerning the historical past right here.
In any case these historic websites, it’s then time to find the highest outside issues to do in and round Zaghouan.
Kayaking on Lake Sidi Madyen is a beautiful afternoon exercise and I then, at golden hour, loved an attractive picnic on the lake shores afterwards.
This complete exercise was splendidly offered by the lcoal firm Defouli.
You can even zipline and hike within the well-known Djebel Zaghouan Nationwide Park panorama and study extra concerning the vital mountain right here that’s accountable for Zaghouan’s sturdy contemporary water provide.
However my choose would really to be to strive your hand at mountaineering.
My first ever expertise, I completely liked this exercise and felt actually protected and sorted within the succesful palms of Defouli, who offered all of the tools and directions.
They will additionally organize transport from Zaghouan itself to the nationwide park, which you’ll want with out a automobile because it’s about 20 minute drive away from city.
How Lengthy to Spend There?
With all this stuff to discover, see and do, I’d counsel a keep of a minimum of 2-3 nights in Zaghouan.
When you’re brief on time in Tunisia, then a day journey to Zaghouan can also be doable from Tunis or Sidi Bou Mentioned.
On this occasion, you’ll simply want to decide on your actions properly – I counsel a morning outside exercise within the nationwide park, adopted by a metropolis strolling tour of Zaghouan, the Water Temple and Zriba El Ali within the afternoon.
It’s greatest to catch the final of those particularly within the golden gentle of late afternoon.
The place to Keep in Zaghouan?
As at all times in Tunisia, I like to recommend staying in a standard guesthouse, the place historic dwellings are fitted with trendy comforts.
Normally these locations are independently owned by native folks and provide wonderful hospitality, consolation and nice genuine, homecooked meals.
In Zaghouan, Dar Aida is located proper within the coronary heart of city.
Owned by an area girl who has improbable tales about her household heritage right here, Dar Aida, is cozy, cosy and protected.
Get pleasure from wonderful breakfasts and dinners right here as a part of your keep.
Fortunately the host speaks English, French and Arabic!
E-book your keep right here.
The best way to Get There?
You will get an area prepare from Tunis to Depienne and from right here seize a taxi to Zaghouan.
In any other case, native bus #300 from Tunis will also be caught to Djebal Oust after which, once more, you’ll should seize a taxi to Zaghouan.
In any other case, and doubtless the most suitable choice, is to drive to Zaghouan from wherever throughout the north of Tunisia.
I really advocate this as one of the simplest ways to get round this a part of the nation anyway, because it gives you probably the most flexibility, particularly within the many areas the place public transport right here will be patchy.
Try Uncover Automobiles for some nice car rental offers in Tunisia.
The best way to Get Round?
Zaghouan has a small centre that’s simple to navigate on foot – in reality, vehicles aren’t allowed in most of the central streets right here as they’re so small and skinny!
For journeys out of Zaghouan to the Nationwide Park, Water Temple and Zriba El Alia, I like to recommend both utilizing native taxis, your personal rental automobile or taking a tour with the wonderful Defouli – a small native begin up firm that supply nice adventures within the Zaghouan area.
Advisable Tunisia Excursions
Alternatively, when you’d relatively not journey Tunisia independently, these prime Tunisia excursions are one other nice method to expertise an journey right here.
You might also wish to take a look at Widly.ness who provide customised itineraries in Tunisia with many choices particularly targeted on outdoorsy and energetic adventures.
Prime Packing Gadgets for Zaghouan
For a full record of what I like to recommend you pack for Tunisia and what to put on on this nation, particularly as a feminine traveller, take a look at this text I write.
In any other case, right here’s a listing of my prime 5 packing gadgets for Zaghouan specifically…
Good Digital camera– You’ll undoubtedly wish to do some snapping right here!
First rate Daypack – Wanted to hold all the things with you on day journeys
Water To Go Bottle – Very best for ingesting the faucet water safely
Comfortable Strolling Sneakers – Key for exploring in consolation
Transportable Charger – A should for guaranteeing your cellphone and digicam keep charged all day
Obtain your FREE Verify Listing!
Full Feminine Packing Information for the Center East
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Info can be despatched to the e-mail offered above
Journey Insurance coverage for Tunisia
World Nomads provides easy and versatile journey insurance coverage. Purchase at residence or whereas travelling and declare on-line from wherever on the earth.
Alternatively, when you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent distant employee searching for journey well being cowl, take a look at Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance coverage insurance policies.
Journey Cash for Tunisia
The straightforward method to spend overseas with actual trade charges, no markups and no sneaky transaction charges, you should use your Clever card identical to a debit card in Tunisia… and it hyperlinks simply with Google and Apple pay – bought! Seize yours right here.
PIN IT TO PINTEREST!
So there you could have it, my full journey information to Zaghouan and precisely why it’s best to go to this beautiful Tunisian vacation spot.
Full of out of doors journey and excessive on the historical past vibes, it’s a should go to for my part!
Are you planning to journey to Zaghouan?
Have any extra questions on it?
Simply drop them into the feedback field beneath and I’ll get again to you…