Discover Sfax: Medina, fishing and island shores

In Sfax Governorate, different travel interests come together: the Medina of the city of Sfax, the fishing culture of the Kerkennah Islands and their coastal landscape. The distinctive features of each place give these highlights a concrete character.

Medina, architecture and Sfax cuisine

In the Medina of Sfax, Dar Jallouli features carved stone friezes and blue ceramic panels. The museum displays cabinets, women’s headdresses, beauty accessories and reverse-glass paintings, all part of the lives of well-to-do families. The architecture and collection offer different perspectives: the stone friezes and ceramics reflect the building’s design, while the exhibits evoke the lives of affluent families. In this way, Dar Jallouli brings architectural details together with objects and images.

A typical dish from Sfax is fish with Charmoula. This is an onion marmalade flavored with raisins and cinnamon, simmered over low heat for several hours. Its preparation reflects a specific culinary connection to the city: alongside the fish, the slowly cooked Charmoula is also central to the dish’s character.

Charfias: fishing with a seasonal rhythm

On the Kerkennah Islands, a Charfia is a fixed fishing installation made of palm fronds anchored to the seabed. These form a triangular barrier that guides fish carried by the ebb tide into catch chambers and then into a net or trap. The installation therefore combines a particular structure with a process of guiding and catching fish. This example shows how the islands’ fishing practices can be understood through the installation’s specific construction and operation.

Charfias are generally installed and operated only between the autumn equinox and June, allowing marine fauna a period of biological rest. The season is therefore as important to understanding this fishing method as the installation’s structure: installation and operation are limited to certain times of year, rather than continuing year-round. If you’re learning about the Charfia, this seasonal rhythm is an important part of how it works and how it is understood.

Coastal scenery, snorkeling and getting there

The Kerkennah Islands are known for their well-preserved landscapes and long, fine sandy beaches. While snorkeling, you can observe crustaceans, underwater plants and fish in the waters near fixed fishing weirs. This offers two different perspectives on the islands: the coastal scenery above the water and marine life while snorkeling. It adds a specific activity in the surrounding waters to the picture of Kerkennah.

The Kerkennah Islands can be reached by boat. One travel information source gives an hour for the crossing; the duration may vary depending on the service and conditions. Treat the stated time as a guide and check the suitable service for your trip.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Sfax, Ouled Kacem, Hanshir al Raqubah, Sidi Mansour, Nabeul, Kairouan, Madaniyin, Tunis.

For the wider travel overview: Tunisia.