New and luxurious Tunisian resort by perfect sandy beaches
The quaint blue and white holiday village of Port El Kantaoui, flanked by two long stretches of perfect clean sandy beaches, looks like it was created for a Hollywood movie and transported to the Tunisian coast. In fact, this is not far from the truth: El Kantaoui is a chic, purpose-built holiday resort which owes nothing to history and everything to tourism, geared to holiday-makers seeking leisurely luxury in an enchanting setting.
The El Kantaoui complex is built around a modern marina which can accommodate more than 300 vessels (most moored by millionaires). The complex of hotels is set on cobblestone streets amid a perfect reproduction of a typical medieval medina. During the day it’s usually abuzz with souvenir hunters, and in the evening the focus moves to the bars and cafes opposite the marina. The town has been termed a 'tourist ghetto', but it is a delightful and highly successful one, enhanced by its Mediterranean location and Moorish flavour.
Port El Kantaoui shares two golf courses with nearby Sousse, the older, more established resort town just six miles (10km) away. They are connected by a local tourist train, enabling holiday-makers to enjoy the best of the old and the new, and sample the beaches and water sports on offer in both resorts.
There are plenty of boat trips available from the marina at Port El Kantaoui – choose from pleasure cruises, glass-bottomed boat tours, fishing expeditions or dolphin viewing experiences. Other holiday pursuits include quad biking, horse riding and beach camel rides, excursions to Tunis for shopping, and expeditions to view the Roman ruins at Carthage or the pretty village of Sidi Bou Said. You can even spend an evening in the desert at a Bedouin Feast.
The shopping centre and model souk in Port El Kantaoui caters specifically for holiday-makers, stocking lots of souvenir items (at higher prices than other places in Tunisia). You can haggle for goods in Port El Kantaoui, but better bargains and a more realistic Tunisian bazaar experience are to be had in nearby Sousse.
Nightlife within the resort is low key... linger over a delicious meal, sip drinks at a waterfront cafe or enjoy the in-house entertainment at one of the hotels. A nearby casino provides more excitement. There are, however, excellent restaurants at El Kantaoui, offering a range of different styles of cuisine at prices modest by European standards, though higher than elsewhere in Tunisia. Most, like the sophisticated La Daurade or Les Emirs, which serve up traditional specialities, are on the marina.
You don’t have to be a millionaire to stay in Port El Kantaoui, and Co-op Holidays can find you the best package deal.