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You may not have heard of Al Huwariyah (as I hadn’t until a few months ago either!), but let me tell you, if you plan on travelling to Tunisia, this is a must-visit destination on your list.
And this is especially true if you’re into outdoor activities and adventures.
Rarely thought of as an active holiday destination, Tunisia is certainly opening up to this kind of tourism and, as an incredibly affordable (not to mention culturally rich, historically fascinating and geographically stunning) country, it’s well worth having on your radar.
But what can you do in Al Huwariyah and why is it so fantastic?
Here to share all the info you need, is my travel guide to this beautiful Tunisian destination…
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My trip to Tunisia was sponsored by the Authentic Tunisia campaign but, as always, all views are my own.
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Where is Al Huwariyah?
Located at the top of the Cap Bon peninsula, Al Huwariyah is a traditional Tunisian town famous for its farming and fishing heritage.
It’s situated in the Nabeul region and has a population of just under 10,000 people.
Just a few hours away from Tunis, Cape Bon is in the northeast of Tunisia.
Boasting a stunning stretch of coastline however, along with rolling green countryside, some beautiful sleep cliffs and fascinating caves, this is a diverse area offering lots of opportunities for getting active and outdoorsy.
Popular with locals during the summer holidays, outside of this time, Al Huwariyah is a rural and sleepy town – an ideal quiet retreat and a great opportunity to discover an authentic slice of this country.
Why Visit Al Huwariyah?
If I haven’t spelled it out already, Al Huwariyah is the perfect spot to enjoy some outdoor and active adventures in Tunisia.
Small, peaceful and traditional, it’s also a great place to take in local Tunisian life and some famous historic sites, as well as get off the beaten track in this country.
Al Huwariyah is also a great spot for foodies – as one of the key bread baskets of the country, a huge wealth of local food is grown and produced here including, most famously, citrus fruits, fresh seafood and harissa.
The unofficial national dish of Tunisia, harissa is eaten with almost everything in this country and here in Al Huwariyah, you can try the best of the best, as well as learn more about how it is made.
If you’ve visited Lebanon, or read any of my articles about my time in this country, then Al Huwariyah reminded me a bit of the Aakkar region in the north of this country too.
Top Things to Do in Al Huwariyah
There’s so many great things to do in Al Huwariyah, that it’s probably impossible to do them all in the timeframe you have!
However, choosing from the highlight list below is a great way to ensure you have the best time possible…
Outdoor Activities
When it comes to outdoor pursuits, cycling has to be up there with one of the top things to do in Al Huwariyah.
There’s a 20km loop all along the beautiful coastline here that I enjoyed right from the door of my accommodation at Zembra Villa Guesthouse.
eBikes make this even more enjoyable and I used the great Tunisian start-up company Escpade to rent a bike and one of their guides to show me the way.
Taking in the beautiful landscape of this rural area, cycling will take you to some stunning lookout points, through tiny hamlets and past a wind farm, as you explore the striking coastline of Cap Bon.
And right up there with cycling was the kayaking adventure I also enjoyed in Al Huwariyah.
Kayaks can be rented from Zembra Villa Guesthouse too and you can then enjoy a gentle sea paddle from the nearby Port of Al Huwariyah, where you can slide the kayaks from the beach right into the Mediterranean.
As part of this half day trip, I kayaked around the coastline, marvelling at the amazing cliffs and exploring many of the small sea caves around here.
Ending up at the isolated spot of Crique El Mteris, I then got to enjoy a wonderful BBQ prepared by Escapade and lie on the rocks in the sun!
After this, what better way to end my day in Al Huwariyah than with a sunset hike up through the forest reserve to the Cap Bon observatory or lighthouse?
Golden hour glory!
And the last active experience I got to enjoy was an incredible fly yoga class at Zembra Villa Guesthouse.
Taking place before breakfast, as the sun rose in the Cape Bon sky, I got to enjoy my first fly yoga experience and no surprise, I absolutely loved it!
Along with cycling, yoga, hiking and kayaking, you can also enjoy scuba diving from Al Huwariyah – exploring the marine life and sea caves underwater – as well as take a boat trip to the nearby island of Zembretta, which is also a national park.
And finally, if you’re looking for relaxation Res el-Drek is a stunning untouched beach just outside of Al Huwariyah, where you can enjoy the sea and the sand.
Boasting beautiful coastal, as well as countryside landscapes, and with very few tourists, there’s no question Al Huwariyah is the outdoor adventure capital of Tunisia and was one of my top spots in this country.
Cultural Activities
But the things to do in Al Huwariyah don’t stop with active adventures, because there’s also a whole heap of cultural activities to enjoy here too.
The ancient Roman quarries of Ghar el-Kebir are well worth a look in, but my top pick has to be Kelibia Fort.
Located just outside the town of Keliba, which is slightly south of Al Huwariyah in the east of Cap Bon, Kelibia Fort is a Byzantine structure that looms on a coastal cliff above this town and its port.
Wander around the fortress walls taking in the views, or pay the 8 Dinar entrance fee to explore inside too.
Once you’re done, don’t miss a tea or coffee at the lovely Café du Fort – it has a cute outdoor seating area with sweeping dramatic views over the town and coastline that are uber-snappable!
Where to Stay in Al Huwariyah?
No question in my mind that if you come to Al Huwariyah, you absolutely have to stay at the lovely Zembra Villa Guesthouse.
Situated slightly to the north of the town, this charming small guesthouse sits on a cliff with gorgeous views of the coastline and sea.
Feeling more like a home than a hotel, each of the rooms is uniquely decorated in a traditional style and mine included a bathroom, kitchenette and separate lounge room with a desk – perfect for my article writing in the evening!
A swimming pool, comfy lounge area and a beautiful internal courtyard (in the traditional style) complete this place and the owner Dominic is so kind and welcoming.
There’s free parking and wifi thrown in too, as well as a delicious breakfast, and you can even enjoy an amazing fly yoga class here at dawn – as you can imagine I was straight into it!
Dinners are served here at Zembr Villa at 8pm daily and are absolutely delicious!
I highly recommend you book in for at least one during you stay here… you (and your stomach) won’t regret it!
Where to Eat?
As you may have guessed from my words above, I highly recommend eating dinner at Zembra Villa Guesthouse in Al Huwariyah.
Honestly, the meals here are amazing – home-cooked, delicious, huge and healthy, they nail traditional Tunisian flavours perfectly.
This guesthouse also provides beautiful breakfasts served with a view of the sea, but if you’re looking for a quick affordable lunch in town instead, I highly recommend Pizzeria Dibeur, which is located in the centre of Al Huwariyah (you can find it on Google maps).
You don’t have to go for the pizzas either… although they are good!
One day I opted for the traditional Tunisian fare – think bread, dips, bric and salad and it was absolutely delicious.
Plus the staff are so friendly and the prices are great.
Pull up a chair with the locals and enjoy!
When to Visit?
As with most of northern Tunisia, I recommend visiting Al Huwariyah during the late spring and early autumn months of May, June and September.
This is when you’re likely to enjoy the best weather with blue skies – ideal for getting outside – with gentle breezes and good temperatures.
In the summer months of July and August, life here is still bearable thanks to the light coastal breeze that keeps things cool as temperatures soar.
That said, at this time local Tunis residents descends in their droves and Al Huwariyah becomes packed with elevated prices to match.
If I were you, I’d avoid the crowds and stick to the shoulder season instead.
Winters in Tunisia can be cool and, up here close to the sea and elevated cliffs, it can be really cold.
For this reason, as well as the rain and wind, I’d avoid visiting Al Huwariyah between the months of October and April.
That said, I’m a sun worshipper, so if slightly inclement doesn’t bother you, you’re likely to still be ok.
Learn more about the best time to visit Tunisia in general here.
How Long to Spend There?
I recommend a stay of 2-3 days in Al Huwariyah.
This is a good amount of time to reach the area, relax and get to enjoy may of the great activities and traditional sites on offer here.
But to be honest, if you want to enjoy all the top things to do in Al Huwariyah listed above, you could easily spend a week in this town and the surrounds.
How to Get There?
The best way to get to Al Huwariyah from Tunis is via shared local taxi, known as a louage.
This ride should take around 2 and a half hours.
There’s also a local bus from Tunis to Kelibia that passes by Al Huwariyah, but I recommend the louage option instead.
Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive to Al Huwariyah from Tunis in a similar amount of time.
In fact, I highly recommend renting a car in Tunisia if you want to see the best of this country – read. the less visited spots – and Discover Cars have some great deals.
Otherwise, if you’re staying in Hammamet, check out this excellent day tour to Al Huwariyah, or from Tunis, this great full day Cap Bon tour.
How to Get Around?
Al Huwariyah is a small town and you can easily get around on foot.
Alternatively, rent an eBike from Escapade and get around the town and surrounding area using 2 wheels!
For trips slightly further afield – for example to the Fort at Kelibia – it’s best to take a local taxi or better, use your rental car to drive there, as this will give you a lot more flexibility.
Top Packing Items for Al Huwariyah
For a full list of what I recommend you pack for Tunisia and what to wear in this country, especially as a female traveller, check out this article I write.
Otherwise, here’s a list of my top 5 packing items for Al Huwariyah in particular…
Good Camera – You’ll definitely want to do some snapping here!
Decent Daypack – Needed to carry everything with you on day trips
Water To Go Bottle – Ideal for drinking the tap water safely here
Comfy Walking Shoes – Key for exploring in comfort
Portable Charger – A must for ensuring your phone and camera stay charged all day
Travel Insurance for Tunisia
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.
Travel Money for Tunisia
The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card here… and it links easily with Google and Apple pay – sold! Grab yours here.
Recommended Tunisia Tours
If you’d rather not travel Tunisia independently, these top Tunisia tours are another great way to experience an adventure here.
You may also want to check out WidlyNess who offer customised itineraries in Tunisia with many options specifically focused on outdoorsy and active adventures.
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So there you have it, why full travel guide to Al Huwariyah and exactly why you should visit this brilliant town in Tunisia.
Full of outdoor adventure and authentic culture vibes, it’s a must visit in my opinion!
Are you planning to visit Al Huwariyah?
Have any more questions about it?
Just drop them into the comments box below and I’ll get back to you…
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