Djerba (south-east) — the white-sand capital
Djerba's east coast — known as Sidi Mahres — is a 20 km strip of fine white sand backed almost entirely by resort hotels. The water is shallow far out, warming faster than anywhere on the mainland, and the wind is gentle. Best beaches: Sidi Mahres central (in front of TUI Blue, Hasdrubal Prestige), Plage de Seguia (south, quieter), Ras R'mel (the flamingo peninsula on the north tip).
Cap Bon and Hammamet Bay — the family classic
Hammamet Bay arcs 14 km between Hammamet Sud and Yasmine Hammamet. Sand is golden and fine, the bay is sheltered, and the water enters gradually — perfect for kids. Yasmine has the modern hotels; Hammamet Sud has the old-school 4★s. Further north on Cap Bon: Kelibia (golden sand, fishing village vibe), Sidi Daoud, and the wild Cap Bon nature reserve beaches.
Sousse–Monastir–Mahdia (central coast)
Port El Kantaoui (north of Sousse) and Skanes (Monastir) are the classic mid-range resort beaches — wide, long, lined with hotels, packed in July–August. But the gem of the central coast is Mahdia: 30 km of empty, white-sand bays running south from the old port town, with very few hotels. The best Mahdia beach is Salakta, 15 minutes south.
Tunis suburbs — chic city beaches
La Marsa, Gammarth and Sidi Bou Said share a coastline 20 minutes from central Tunis. La Marsa Plage is the city beach — wide, palm-lined, full of café-restaurants. Gammarth is more residential and quieter. Both are within walking distance of luxury hotels like The Residence and four-star options.
The north (Tabarka, Bizerte, Raf-Raf)
Tabarka is the north's beach base — golden sand framed by Genoese fortifications and cork forests. The water is cooler than the south but cleaner, and the coast offers Tunisia's best diving. East of Bizerte, Raf-Raf is one of the most beautiful undeveloped beaches in the country: 3 km of fine sand under the dramatic Jebel Nadour cliffs. Cap Serrat (west of Bizerte) is wilder still — rocky coves, almost no infrastructure.
Quick rankings
Best for families: Sidi Mahres (Djerba), Hammamet Bay, Port El Kantaoui.
Best for couples: Mahdia (Salakta), Sidi Daoud (Cap Bon), Gammarth.
Best for divers/wild beauty: Tabarka, Cap Serrat, Raf-Raf.
Best near a city: La Marsa, Hammamet, Sidi Bou Said.