Once the number one resort for Roman legionnaires, Corbus is today the main thermal spa point of the Tunisian coast. Although “civilization” here is represented by one street, two hotels, one spa and one hammam, Korbus is still popularly loved by vacationers – primarily Tunisians. The surrounding landscapes are unusually beautiful: a shallow harbor is surrounded by almost sheer cliffs, along which a serpentine road winds somewhere far above, and hot geysers with healing sulfate water beat right into the sea. On the opposite shore of the Gulf of Tunis, bustling metropolitan life is in full swing, on the other side of Cape Bon, the resort of Hammamet is noisy – here the peaceful atmosphere of the Tunisian hinterland and thermal treatment “in the old fashioned way” always reigns – cool sea and hot underground water, baths, massages and chiropractors. See JIBIN123 for Tunisia customs regulations and visa requirements.
Due to the lack of sand, the water off the coast of Corbus is very clear, and due to the fact that there are few tourists in the region, it is also clean, to the envy of many resorts.
How to get to Corbus
Korbus is located on the northwestern coast of Cape Bon, which stretches towards Europe. It is more convenient to get here from the city of Tunis than from the south coast, the nearest resort towns of Hammamet or Nabeul – there are almost no “internal” roads on the peninsula, and you will have to go around the entire cape around the perimeter.
From the city of Tunis to Korbus go minibuses, “luazhi” and buses. Both types of transport depart from the southern bus station (and the minibus station, respectively). You need to take a bus or “luage” to the town of Soliman – travel time is about 1 hour, cost – 4-7 TND, from where Korbus can be easily reached by local buses or the same minibuses. “Luage” Slimane – Corbus will cost about 3-5 TND.
If you need to get to Corbus from Hammamet or Nabeul, you will need to take a minibus to the town of Grombalia, there change to the “luage” to Slimane and after that get to Corbus. Of course, the situation is much simpler if you rent a car.
The frothy, bubbling section of the far coast, which can be observed from the heights of Sidi Bou Said or Carthage, is Corbus, located on the other side of the vast Gulf of Tunis.
Transport in the city
Even principled opponents of walks on their own two feet will be able to walk along Corbus: the distances here are microscopic and all the institutions necessary for tourists are literally within walking distance from each other. However, no one canceled the option of traveling by taxi. A taxi will cost no more than 2 TND in the city.
The beaches of Corbus
The coast of Korbus is mostly rocky with very rare sandy areas. Due to the lack of sand, the water is very clear, and due to the fact that there are few tourists in the region, it is also clean, to the envy of many resorts. There are only a couple of well-maintained beaches in the city, next to the hotels. The descent into the water is quite gentle, but you should be careful not to get hurt on the rocks and pitfalls. In general, the arrangement of the beaches – as they say, in the spirit of “early primitivism” – straw umbrellas and not the most modern sunbeds. However, people come here primarily for thermal springs, the sea is attached as a “bonus”.
Corbus Hotels
The only hotel and medical complex rolled into one is the “four” Station Thermale with 30 rooms, offering both accommodation and procedures in its own balneocenter. The hotel is not new – it opened in 1975, so you should not expect miracles of interior decoration and service.
In addition, three more hotels await guests in Korbus: the Oktor three-star hotel with 60 rooms (which would not be a big sin to equate to a two-room hotel), the three-star Dar Ismail Les Sources with 50 rooms, the modest “two-room apartment” Residence Les Thermes and the one-star Les Thermes. There are no private treatment rooms here, and vacationers are invited to take a walk to the thermal station. In general, the level of accommodation is very basic – like socialist sanatoriums, here they put treatment at the forefront, not rest. At the same time, accommodation prices are exceptionally pleasing: about 40-50 TND in a double room for breakfast.
Treatment in Korbus
Corbus has one spa, Station Thermale, run by the National Office of Thermal Waters. It offers classic “thalassotherapy” courses: weight loss, well-being, anti-stress, slim silhouette, as well as programs for the treatment of various diseases of the respiratory system and the musculoskeletal system, dermatological and rheumatological diseases.
Corbus Sources:
- Ain-Eshshfe is the oldest source known since the beginning of our era. Water temperature +60 °C, predominance of sodium chloride compounds, other elements – sulfates, calcium and bicarbonates.
- Ain Fakrun is a spring with a water temperature of +37 ° C, rich in sulfates, calcium and manganese.
- Ain Latrus is a hot spring, the water temperature of which reaches +59 ° C, beating directly into the sea 1.5 km north of Korbus. It is here that the famous Roman marble sitting baths are located. Water, overflowing from one to another, gradually cools down, so that it is possible to choose a “bowl” to your liking.
The prices for treatment in Corbus are divine – a general massage lasting 50 minutes will cost 10 TND, and a hot tub with thermal water – 12-15 TND.
Cuisine and restaurants
The only “out-of-hotel” restaurant in Corbus, Dhib, offers Tunisian national cuisine at prices ranging from 2.50-3 TND for a sandwich to 8-9 TND for a very high-quality couscous with lamb. In addition, you can have a bite to eat in the “folk” eateries on the streets of the city. In general, it is better to take accommodation on half board – there are very few options for “external” food.
Primitive but nice restaurants are located next to the source of Ain Latrous. Here, without frills and home-style, grilled fish is tasty at a ridiculous price of 6-8 TND.
4 things to do in Corbus
- Take a dip in hot mineral springs that gush directly into the sea.
- Sit in pink marble baths where Roman legionnaires once relaxed.
- Take a steam bath in a folk hammam for a ridiculous amount of 1.50 TND.
- Get out on the cleanest deserted beaches north of the city.
Shopping and stores
Items of tourist interest and souvenirs are almost not sold in Korbus: the contingent of tourists is not the same. Small vacation items like panama hats, flip flops and sunscreen can be bought in the “folk” shops on the main street and next to the hotels. However, even there everything is subordinated to the sanatorium atmosphere of the town: the main goods displayed in the windows mainly include “family” underpants, “foot” sheets and gommage mittens for hammams.
The historical sights of Corbus are the Roman marble baths and the Ottoman-era building, the pavilion of Ahmed Bey, who highly appreciated the virtues of local thermal springs.
Entertainment and attractions of Corbus
In addition to splashing in thermal springs, you can visit an authentic hammam in Korbus. For 1.50 TND you can take a steam bath on your own, and for 5-6 TND you can use the services of a bath attendant or a bath attendant who will wash you competently. The hammam runs on hot thermal water, so it is useful not only to swim here, but also to breathe in the healing steam.
You should definitely get to the beaches in the north of Corbus. At 3 km from the city you will find fine white sand, a gentle slope into the water and crystal clear water. But nothing casts a shadow here – so it’s better to take an umbrella with you or, in extreme cases, a panama hat, and also apply sunscreen liberally on your body.
Historical sights are Roman marble baths, some examples of French colonial architecture, and even an Ottoman-era building, the pavilion of Ahmed Bey, who also highly appreciated the virtues of local thermal springs.
Also from Corbus you can easily get out on an excursion to Tunisia, the extreme point of Cape Bon, rocky El Haouaria, to the wineries of the peninsula, or just take a walk along the magnificent green hills in the vicinity of Slimane.
