Hammamet Hotels

Hammamet was purpose-built with leisure in mind and despite the recent political turmoil in Tunisia and North Africa, performs the part of a top-level Mediterranean resort with aplomb. Come summer, the shores of the Gulf of Hammamet teem with Tunis tourists, international travellers and secretive celebs keen to bask in a curative climate made all the more seductive with the scent of jasmine. A one-time Roman colony with roots that go back thousands of years, Hammamet is a fun and welcome reprieve from the hustle bustle of Tunis, austerity of UNESCO World Heritage Carthage and Kairouan and the sleepy, tidy settlements that dot the peninsula coast.

Hammamet’s Top 10

Hammamet History

• Great Mosque – Built in the 15th century, this architectural masterpiece is a beautiful example of both Turkish and Moorish design.
• The Fort (Kasbah) – Dating back to the 12th century, this fort is home to a small museum with exhibits on the town’s history.
• Medina – Encompassed by 15th-century walls, the magical medina showcases a delicate balance between history and modernity.
• Carthage – These Roman ruins offer tourists a glimpse into an ancient world of art, theatres, thermal bathhouses and temples.
• Pupput Roman Site – This site is a window into Tunisia’s Roman heritage.

Hammamet Art & Culture

• George Sebastian Villa (Dar Sebastian) – This beautiful 1920s villa was once the home of the wealthy but now has exhibits.
• Sidi Bou Said – This little town is the hub of Tunisian art and culture.
• International Festival of Hammamet – This annual event usually takes place around July or August and is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy local singing and acting talents.
• Musee Dar Khadija – This museum features arts and crafts on display.
• Dar Hammamet Museum and Gallery – This museum exhibits traditional costumes and art.

Hammamet Shopping

• Nabeul's Souk of Arts & Crafts – This store is home to a variety of great odds and ends.
• Bazaar (Souk) – No Hammamet experience is complete without a good haggling session at the bazaar.
• Workshops on Main Street – An assortment of workshops along the main street where you can purchase crafts and watch craftsmen hard at work.
• Fella – This boutique near the Medina is filled with exquisite embroideries, Tunisian djellabas, gorgeous jewellery and exotic kaftans.
• Yasmine Beach Resort – This resort is home to souvenir shops that have a number of souvenir trinkets for sale.

Gay & Lesbian Hammamet

• Eurobar – This is a cheerful, LGBT-friendly establishment owned by an amazing dancer.
• Le Hammamet Hotel Disco – While not exclusively gay, this disco certainly does not discriminate against same-sex relationships.
• Shakespeare Pub – If flashy drag acts are what you like for entertainment, this is the place to go.
• Hotel Dalia – This is an LGBT-friendly hotel in the city centre near the beaches.
• Oasis Club – This dance club is one of the best venues to hear house music and live DJs.

Hammamet Events

International Festival of Dance comes to Hammamet every July and August.

Carthage International Festival combines dance, theatre, music and other cultural events every summer.

Ichkeul National Park is the only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tunisia and the only one in North Africa west of Egypt. About a 90 minute drive from Hammamet.

Yasmine Hammamet Beach is a suitable spot for water sports and less strenuous pursuits. The beach resort hosts a cultural festival every July.

A festival in the Medina of Tunis takes place throughout Ramadan.

When To Go

Hammamet has a most desirable and enviable Mediterranean climate, with clement weather throughout the year. Rainfall is sparse, summers hot but not oppressively humid and winters cool but not overtly frigid.

The zenith of the annual holiday season is, predictably, from June to September, when temperatures waver from 70°F (21°C) to 95°F (35°C).

In January, temperatures dip as low as 46°F (8°C) but seldom beyond. Overall, the best compromise may be to visit in the month of May or October, when the hordes thin considerably but the weather still shines for prime beach time.

Getting Around

On the doorstep of the national capital and only big city in the country, the way in to Hammamet is manifest. Tunis is the gateway and Tunis-Carthage International the central hub. The airport handles close to 4 million passengers a year and serves most of Europe, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

A private taxi from the airport is the most comfortable mode of transport to Hammamet hotels and well worth the expense. Trains do stop at Bir Bou Regba (Rekba) from Tunis on the main national line - mere minutes by cab to Hammamet.

Within the resort area proper, a pair of comfy trainers or sandals is all you need to get from one point to another.

General Information

Attractions & Activities

Restaurant & Nightlife

Climate