Bizerte: Natural Heritage, Coast and Crafts

In the Governorate of Bizerte, wetlands, coastal landscapes and crafts offer different travel interests. Ichkeul National Park draws attention to its birdlife, while Sejnane is known for its long-standing pottery tradition. The region also has lakes, beaches and the island of La Galite. These themes can help you choose a focus for your trip to Bizerte based on the landscapes and cultural traditions that interest you.

Birdlife and landscapes

Ichkeul National Park is part of the natural and ecological heritage of the Governorate of Bizerte and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The lake and wetland are an important stopover for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including ducks, geese, storks and flamingos, which feed and nest there. In the park, you can walk along the lakeshore and explore the mountain via marked trails.

The lakes of Bizerte and the island of La Galite are also part of the governorate’s natural and ecological heritage. Ghar El Melh is part of this heritage too. Beaches include Cap Serrat, Kef Abbad and Sidi Mechreg, with mountain peaks rising above them. The wetlands, lakes, island and coast represent different aspects of nature that can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Sejnane and its crafts

Sejnane is a mountain village in the governorate, known for its pottery tradition, which is considered very old. There, women potters make plates, pots and vases without a potter’s wheel. The village’s deep-rooted craft heritage also includes Khachabia and hand embroidery. Local crafts therefore encompass more than pottery: Khachabia and embroidery also shape Sejnane’s cultural identity.

If you are weighing up your travel interests, this focus is easy to distinguish from the natural attractions of Ichkeul and the coast. Sejnane represents a specific craft tradition, while the governorate’s landscapes range from wetlands and lakes to beaches and an island.

Culture across the wider travel region

In the wider Bizerte travel region, Utica is considered the largest archaeological site in the area. The broader destination of Tunisia offers other kinds of cultural interest: the Ribat of Sousse is considered the oldest and best-preserved example of its type. The Medina of Tunis comprises around 700 historic monuments divided into seven areas. The amphitheatre of El Jem is estimated to have a capacity of 35,000 spectators.

Lake Ichkeul and the surrounding marshes are also a wintering ground for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds in the broader destination of Tunisia. Their numbers vary from year to year. This seasonal perspective complements the description of Ichkeul as a stopover where birds feed and nest. The examples from Tunisia add other points of interest, drawing attention to architectural style and preservation, the scale and layout of historic monuments, and the estimated capacity of an amphitheatre.

Discover more destinations: Bizerte North, Raf Raf, Sidi Bouzid, Kebili, Manouba, Ariana, Nabeul, Sousse.

View the broader travel overview: Tunisia.