Top 5 Activities in the Atlas Mountains of Tunisia
Even though Tunisia is a relatively small country has a wide diversity of geological features. It is home to world-class beaches, beautiful rolling hills for farming, an arid and rocky desert, massive sand dunes of the Sahara Dessert, and parts of the Atlas Mountains. The Atlas Mountains are a beautiful mountain range that runs across North Africa from Morocco to Tunisia. Several smaller mountain ranges compose the larger mountain range.
The mountainous region of Tunisia is mainly in the northwestern, in the governances of Jenbouba, El Kef, and Kasserine. This area is full of breathtaking views, camping and hiking, ancient ruins, and delicious food. For those who enjoy vacationing in the mountains, we have some recommendations for activities for your time in the Tunisian Atlas Mountains.
Table of Content
Ain Draham
Ain Draham is a great place to relax, enjoy the crisp mountain air, and explore for those who love the outdoors. This quaint and quiet village is the perfect place to unwind, camp, hike, or other outdoor activities. There are a number of quality horse stables in the area and you can enjoy a trial ride. There are several options to go hiking in the mountains and forest areas. A guided hike in the mountains is highly recommended if this is your first time hiking in this area.
In Ain Draham there are a number of vendors selling beautiful products from olive wood. In addition, to olive wood, there is a unique style of pottery special to Ain Draham and the surrounding area.
During the winter, this is one of the only areas in Tunisia that receives snowfall. It is a beautiful site to see snow in Ain Draham though.
Tabarka
Tabaraka is a beautiful coastal town at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, close to 30 kilometers north of Ain Draham. The “Needles of Tabaraka” is a famous landmark along the sea. It is a rock formation rising close to 20 meters high. It is a beautiful walk at sunset.
Also, in Tabaraka is an old Genoese fort dating back to the 16th century. Only a small section of this fort is available to the public, but the spectacular view from the top makes a short hike worth your time.
Tunisia has exceptional diving locations, but Tabarka is considered to be one of the best diving spots in Tunisia. The water is clear and the reefs are full of vibrant colors. There are plenty of opportunities to scuba diving or snorkel depending on our expertise.
Bulla Regia / Chemtou
A short drive from Ain Draham and Tabarka are two different Roman ruins, Bulla Regia and Chemtou. Bulla Regia is unique and unlike any other ruins in Tunisia, the homes have a downstairs room almost complete homes under the ground. This helped preserve some of the mosaics in Bulla Regia. Along this, the unique site of Bulla Regia has an amphitheater, baths, basilica, and other homes.
A short drive from Bulla Regia is another archaeological site, Chemtou. The ancient city of Chemtou was a marble mine and is still evident today. Chemtou was famous for its marble, it was mined and transported all across the Roman Empire. The museum at Chemtou is full of stunning artifacts. It tells the story of the region from the indigenous North Africans to the present day, and the story of the Earth and how the mountains and minerals were formed.
Bulla Regia and Chemtou are great activities for any Tunisia trip to the Atlas Mountains. Bulla Regia is a stop on our Historic Tunisia Tour along with many other amazing archaeological sites. Contact one of the travel experts for more information about the historic Tunisia tour.
El Feija National Park
El Feija National Park is a beautiful mountain national park and is tentatively on the UNESCO list. Guests can enjoy a hike through nature, and if you’re lucky you can see the Barbary deer which calls the park home. Scattered throughout the park is a small one-room outpost built high on the mountain. These outposts have amazing views of the Atlas Mountain. A trip to El Feija is well worth your time for nature lovers, talk to one of our travel experts to explore options to visit El Feija.
El Kef
El Kef is a wonderful and beautiful mountain city with a rich history. It served as the provincial capital of Tunisia during World War II and as a command center for the National Liberation Front during the War of Independence in the 1950s. The Kasbah is a must-see landmark in El Kef. It sits on top of the city and contains artifacts from the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
Visit the Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains in Tunisia offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see lots of natural beauty and rich history. We offer opportunities to see the Atlas Mountains across North Africa, including multiple countries. Our travel experts would love to talk to you and help you plan your next North African adventure.
