Nabeul is not really the attractive tourist destination it is claimed to be. For tourists going for fun and comfort, neighbouring Hammamet is a better option. With the exception of a few streets in the middle, the place where tourist stalls are located, Nabeul centre looks just like any dull medium-sized Tunisian town. The beach zone is hit and miss. Much of the public beach is crowded and often dirty. Nabeul might entice some, being the capital of pottery, but the quality of today's Tunisian handicraft is highly debatable. It is no secret that production is industrialized, and you will have to look hard to find items which are nicely finished. The decorative quality is another matter, and the sparkling colours and the variation of patterns appeals to many. The history of the town goes deep back into history. In Roman times, when it was known as Neapolis, it was a centre for the production of garum, a seasoning for all sorts of food. It was created by leaving fish and intestines in an open tank with salt for a few months. The process was so smelly that it was illegal to produce in private homes.
