The Ancient Punic Ports of Carthage

The ancient city of Carthage, situated in present-day Tunisia, was founded by the legendary Phoenician Queen Dido almost 3000 years ago, and the port has stood in the current spot for 2000 years.

This unusual, almost circular harbour is believed to be where the warships were moored. The seafaring Phoenicians held influence over much of the Mediterranean coastline for centuries, from as far east as present-day Lebanon to the Iberian Peninsula in the west, with many trading posts in North Africa and on islands such as Malta, Cyprus, and Sicily.

I spent an enjoyable afternoon exploring the ancient Punic Ports of Carthage in Tunisia last week, including some of the surviving archaeological treasures. My SUP adventure here was somewhat shorter in scale and duration than that of the Phoenicians.

Massive thanks to my fellow paddler and online friend Patrik Vuorio for inspiring me to visit Carthage.

The Punic Ports of Carthage

FOOTNOTE: I learned a new word today. The Phoenician empire was categorised as a thalassocracy, an empire which derived its power from having control of the seas.

How to get there: I took a taxi from the capital city, Tunis, which took around 20 minutes and cost less than £10.00. There were a few spots around the port with easy access to the water.