Tunisia: Beach

The beaches in Tunisia are the primary reason for its continuing popularity. At the northern tip of the country just below Tunis, the Gulf of Hammamet soothes the baking inland heat creating a more gentle, Mediterranean climate and plenty of year-round sun. Hammamet is the touristic hub of beach holidays in Tunisia and has seen major hotel development but hasn’t yet lost all of its charm. English is widely spoken and good, sandy beaches, along with plenty of watersports and beach activities make this area a popular family destination, also for more mature sun seekers in winter. Just south is newer Yasmine Hammamet, home to some of the swankier

Thalassotherapy spa hotels in Tunisia. Almost everything is new here, down to the man-made promenades and often opulent, huge new hotels. The clientele is often more Arab than European at present and it’s not unlike a less in your face taste of Vegas in North Africa. Out of high season though, Yasmine Hammamet can seem deserted.

South towards the middle coastline lie resorts like Skanes and Sousse, grouped around the charter airport at Monastir. The beaches here are much more prone to seaweed cover and hotels range from tourist class to bang up-to-date modern four-star family-oriented complexes. The attractive marina of Port el Kantaoui, developed from a fishing port in the late 70s, is a standout coastal resort in Tunisia in this region, fresher and more comfortably intimate than its neighbours.

Tunisia’s real jewel for beach holidays lies far south, the Tunisian island of Djerba, lying just off Libya. Building has been height limited to preserve the island’s unique style and charm and direct flights are now possible. Bathed in 324 sunshine days a year and rich in white sand beaches and golf hotels, Djerba is increasingly opening up to the English-speaking holiday market. Outside of daytime activities, it’s a place to unwind and there isn’t, in fact, much else to do. You’ll need to head to the mainland to see the sights of Tunisia.