Destinations
La Marsa: beaches, restaurants and good addresses
Former resort of the beys of Tunis, La Marsa is today the most dynamic district of the northern suburbs. We come there for its beach, but we stay there for its atmosphere: a mix of gentle seaside living and urban excitement, just twenty minutes from the center of Tunis.
The beach and the corniche
La Marsa beach stretches for several kilometers of light sand. The nicest part is on the La Marsa Plage side, where the water is calm and shallow — ideal for families. In the evening, the corniche comes alive: it's time for a stroll, between fricassee sellers, ice cream parlors and terraces facing the sea.
Where to eat in La Marsa
La Marsa concentrates some of the best restaurants on the coast. For grilled fish, head to the seaside restaurants. Lovers of Tunisian cuisine will find what they're looking for around Saf-Saf square, where the historic café, built around a waterwheel well, is an institution. For breakfast, don't miss a bambalouni, this donut sprinkled with sugar sold on the beach.
The market and crafts
The La Marsa market, particularly lively on Fridays, is the ideal place to taste local life: seasonal fruits and vegetables, spices, olives, pottery. The neighborhood is also home to many galleries and designer boutiques, perfect for bringing back an unusual souvenir.
A typical day in La Marsa
- Morning: swimming and relaxing on the beach, before the sun hits too hard.
- Lunch: grilled fish on the corniche or local cuisine at Saf-Saf Square.
- Afternoon: stroll in the shops, or short excursion to neighboring Sidi Bou Said.
- Evening: walk on the corniche and dinner on the terrace facing the sunset.
La Marsa has the rare luxury of being both a seaside resort and a real neighborhood living all year round. It is an ideal base for exploring the entire northern coast of Tunis.
