Cap Bon

Visit Hammamet, Tunisia

Tunisia's original beach resort — long sandy bay, jasmine-scented medina, world-class spas.

Enfidha–Hammamet (NBE) or Tunis–Carthage (TUN)Best: May–October5–7 nights

Quick answerUpdated 2026-06-18Reviewed by eTunisie editors (Tunis)

Hammamet is Tunisia's flagship beach resort on the Cap Bon peninsula — a 14 km arc of pale sand backed by a walled medina, the modern marina of Yasmine Hammamet, and the country's densest cluster of 4★ and 5★ thalassotherapy resorts. Best reached from Enfidha (NBE) airport in 35 minutes.

Enfidha–Hammamet (NBE) is the closest airport — 35 minutes by transfer.
Two zones: old Hammamet (medina + boutique hotels) and Yasmine Hammamet (marina + big resorts).
World-class thalassotherapy — La Badira, Hasdrubal Thalassa, The Russelior.
May–October is full beach season; June and September are the sweet spot for weather + price.
Easy day trips to Sidi Bou Said, Nabeul ceramics market, and the Roman ruins at Dougga.

Region: Cap Bon
Airport: Enfidha–Hammamet (NBE)
Best time: May–October
Stay: 5–7 nights

Overview of Hammamet

Hammamet has been Tunisia's most established beach destination since the 1950s, when European writers and architects began building villas behind the medina. The town sits on the Gulf of Hammamet on the Cap Bon peninsula — about 65 km south of Tunis and just 35 km from Enfidha–Hammamet Airport (NBE), making it the most convenient beach base in the country.

There are two distinct halves. Old Hammamet centres on a 15th-century walled medina and Spanish kasbah, with a small fishing port and the original beach strip stretching south. Yasmine Hammamet, 7 km further down the coast, is a purpose-built 1990s resort zone organised around a 740-berth marina, the Carthageland theme park and a long strip of 4★ and 5★ all-inclusives.

What sets Hammamet apart from other Mediterranean beach destinations is thalassotherapy. The city has more dedicated thalasso resorts than any other in Tunisia — La Badira, Hasdrubal Thalassa, The Mirage Resort and the Russelior all run multi-day spa programmes built around seawater pools, algae wraps and Pressotherapy. Even mid-range resorts have a spa.

What to see

Top attractions in Hammamet

Hammamet medina & kasbah
Whitewashed walled town beside the sea, with the Spanish-built kasbah giving the best sunset view.
Yasmine Hammamet marina
Modern 740-berth marina with restaurants and the Medina Mediterranea — a reproduction of a Tunisian old town.
Pupput Roman site
Roman residential ruins between the two zones — mosaics, baths, basilica. Quick 1-hour visit.
Villa Sebastian (CIC)
1920s Romanian-built villa with a Greek-style theatre, gardens, and an international cultural centre.
Carthageland
Family-friendly theme park inside the Medina Mediterranea — rides, dolphin shows, water park nearby.

Things to do

Best things to do in Hammamet

Thalassotherapy day
Half-day circuit at La Badira or Hasdrubal Thalassa — seawater pool, algae bath, massage. From €70.
Nabeul ceramics market
Friday souk in Nabeul (15 km away) — Tunisia's pottery capital.
Quad / horseback ride
From the resort zone into the citrus groves and the dunes north of Hammamet.
Sunset at the kasbah
Climb the ramparts of the medina kasbah for the classic shot over the old port.
Boat trip to Korbous
Coastal cliffs and natural hot springs further north on Cap Bon.

Where to stay

Best neighbourhoods to stay in Hammamet

Yasmine Hammamet
Big 4★/5★ all-inclusives, Carthageland, marina dining. Best for families and groups.
Old Hammamet
Boutique hotels and villas near the medina. La Badira, La Menara, The Mirage Resort. More adult and design-led.
Hammamet north
Quieter zone toward Nabeul — Russelior and Le Sultan. Calmer, less party energy.

What to eat

What to eat in Hammamet

Daurade royale grillée
Whole grilled sea bream with lemon and olive oil — sample at the marina seafood restaurants.
Méchouia salad
Grilled pepper, tomato and tuna salad — universal starter, every menu has one.
Makroudh
Date-stuffed semolina pastry soaked in honey — the regional sweet specialty around Kairouan and Cap Bon.

How to get to Hammamet

Enfidha–Hammamet (NBE) is the closest airport — 35 km / 35 minutes by transfer or taxi. Tunis–Carthage (TUN) is 80 km / 1h15 if NBE has no convenient flight. Pre-book your transfer for arrival; airport taxis from NBE to Hammamet are around 80–100 TND on the meter.

Day trips

Day trips from Hammamet

Sidi Bou Said + Carthage
1h15 north — pair the blue village and the Roman ruins as a single day out.
Nabeul ceramics + Kelibia
Friday Nabeul market + the small fishing port and Byzantine fort of Kelibia.
Dougga (UNESCO)
2 hours west — the best-preserved Roman city in North Africa.

Practical tips

Resort beach access is free even if you're not a guest at some 4★ hotels — buy a daypass for €15–25 with lunch.
Avoid August if you can — peak European school holidays mean full hotels and beaches.
Bring a refillable bottle; hotels offer free water refills in the lobby.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about visiting Hammamet

Which is better, Hammamet or Djerba?

Hammamet is closer (35 min from NBE airport), has more thalassotherapy resorts, and is the better base for sightseeing — Carthage, Dougga and Tunis are all within day-trip range. Djerba is more relaxing, has a longer summer season, and feels more like a self-contained island holiday. We have a full comparison at /compare/djerba-vs-hammamet.

What's the difference between Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet?

Old Hammamet is the original town with the medina, kasbah and most boutique hotels. Yasmine Hammamet is the modern 1990s purpose-built resort zone 7 km south, organised around the marina and Carthageland — bigger all-inclusives, more nightlife, more families.

Is Hammamet good for couples?

Yes — especially the old-Hammamet side. Stay at La Badira (adults-only), Dar Said or The Mirage Resort, eat at the medina seafood places, and book a thalasso day for two.

Can I day-trip to Tunis from Hammamet?

Yes. The drive is 1h15 — easy by louage from Hammamet station to Tunis Bab Alioua, or by private transfer for €60–80 each way. Combine medina, Bardo Museum and Sidi Bou Said in one day.