Hammamet Destination Guide

Hammamet is on the northern part of the Tunisian coast, on the Cap Bon Peninsula, at approximately 64 km from Tunis. Typical to any place on the coast of Tunisia, the climate in Hammamet is Mediterranean, where the summers are dry and warm, and winters wet and pleasant. It is a great location to sunbathe and admire the sea. When you are done with that, you can explore the old city or Medina that has walls built around the year 1500. You can also look at some fine pottery at the markets.The speciality in summer is the wonderful festivities filled with music and theatrical shows.

Popularly known as the ‘Tunisian Saint Tropez', Hammamet has everything a traveller looks for - beautiful sandy beaches, clear blue seas, a rich history with oodles of art and culture and perfect conditions for exciting water sports.

Our Hammamet Destination Guide below shows you the highlights of a trip to this beautiful part of Tunisia. A great option for exploring the region is taking an exciting local Hammamet tour. Our Tunisia Country Guide provides you with general travel information for planning your trip.

Things to See & Do in Hammamet

There are a number of lengthy sandy beaches in Hammamet. You can lay out your stuff and relax under the umbrella anywhere as these beaches are very well maintained. You could busy yourself with beach games like windsurfing or just laze around, taking in the splendour of the sea. Either way, you need a good sunscreen and it is best to avoid exposing yourself directly to the midday sun in summer.

Locals of Hammamet believe that every grain of sand brought in by the wind is loaded with good luck and wonderful memories. What’s more, there is a good range of Hammamet hotels offering comfortable stay with modern facilities and very warm service – all these go into making Hammamet a magnet for tourists from all over the world!

You can spend a good deal of time at the Medina. It is a great place to shop for locally made traditional handicrafts and beautifully woven carpets. You can actually watch these items being made here.

Another popular spot with tourists, this road takes you to the top of the hill, dotted by small eateries looking over the stunning Sidi Bou Said Marina and the Gulf of Tunis. You can explore this road branching out into small pathways and courtyards. This cobbled road is a pretty sight by itself, lined with houses with attractive blue doors and windows bearing fine metal art, set against bright whitewashed walls. The alleys sell almost everything from local delicacies to handmade crafts. This place has a nice beach too.

These ruins will take you back to the way life was in the ancient Hammamet. This area is famous for being the largest Roman necropolis in Africa and also for the mosaics. The colourful and exquisite mosaics displayed here can be traced back to the Byzantine era. While you are here don’t miss the beautiful edifice of the House of the Figured Peristyle.

This villa was earlier used by the Roman billionaire George Sebastian. Eminent architect Frank Lloyd Wright notes that this is one of the most beautiful structures he has seen. This villa is used an International Cultural Centre, to hold art exhibitions and musical performances during the International Festival of Hammamet, conducted every summer. Enhancing the beauty of this villa are the swimming pool and the baptistery-like bath.

As you stand by the remains of Carthage with the sea as the backdrop, you will be transported back to an era of decisive battles. Though the well-preserved Roman ruins of Dougga are usually a photographer’s delight, the age-old city of Carthage is well worth a visit.

The 1000-year old city of Kairouan is a great place to visit. You will remember it for its grandeur and richness. A very interesting aspect of this place is that while you bargain with the handmade carpet dealers, they will offer you a refreshing cup of sweet mint tea, making bargaining even more fun! The Great Mosque is also in the vicinity.

This is more like an amusement park and a very exciting place for children. It is full of huge elephant statues, joy rides and even a zoo! Kids can throw soft balls at each other in the “soft room”.

The underwater tunnels, caves, ship wrecks and the various species of fish make diving in Hammamet a wonderful experience. The conditions are conducive to beginners and also to those lacking experience. There are many schools offering lessons, diving kits and trips to good diving sites like Saloume Wrecks, Medina Hammamet Wreck and Takrouna Wreck.

You will find some interesting 18-hole golf courses very close to Hammamet. The courses by themselves are beautiful with olive trees and gardens. The golf courses cater to all levels of skill and have cafeterias and shops that rent and sell sports equipment. Recommended courses are Golf Yasmine Hammamet or Golf Citrus Hammamet.

Hammamet provides great conditions for surfing throughout the year. Just remember to carry a wet suit if you are travelling between December and April as the water is slightly cold then. There is a wind-surfing school for novices in the port of Sidi Bou Said.

Good ideas for day trips will be a visit to Tunis, the capital city or to Dougga, an ancient Roman city, where the famous Temple of Minerva is located. It's an easy two-hour cab ride to Dougga. You can also visit the Commonwealth War Cemeteries at Medjez El Bab, which has the graves of soldiers who laid down their lives in the North Africa campaign of 1943.