20 Things to Do in Hammamet: Beautiful Beach Destination?

Hammamet is one of the most well-known Tunisian beach destinations. Use this ultimate Hammamet guide to decide if this is the right destination for you.

Many people will tell you that Hammamet is one of the best cities to visit in Tunisia due to its beautiful beaches that attract foreign crowds. This is a small town and there are not an overwhelming number of things to do in Hammamet, but if you’re looking for sand, sun, and beach, this could be just what you’re looking for. You can also walk along the beach, stroll the Medina, or have a coffee or tea on the roof of the Kasbah.

I spent two months in Tunisia and decided to save Hammamet for the end of my trip. For my second month in Tunisia, I based myself in Sousse and did several day trips. But with Hammamet, I decided to get a hotel and spend the night. I wanted to fully enjoy the experience of this beach destination; I spent 24 hours in Hammamet and was easily able to see everything I wanted to in that amount of time.

I went to Hammamet during Ramadan 2024, so I was a little worried about finding food there, as so many other cities in Tunisia basically shut down during this time. During many of my day trips from Sousse, I was unable to eat lunch as all restaurants were closed. But in Hammamet, it was as if Ramadan was a distant dream. Restaurants were open and I had no problem finding food during my extended stay in Hammamet. In this blog post about the things to do in Hammamet, I will offer my honest opinions about the town, and whether or not I would be back. I think Hammamet is a great place for families or couples, but it is not the ideal location for a female solo traveler in Tunisia.

Read More: 21 Things to Know Before Visiting Tunisia

Where is Hammamet Located?

Tunisia has 24 governates (states), and Hammamet is located in the Nabeul Governate. The Nabeul Governate covers the Cape Bon peninsula, southeast of Tunis. The Hammamet coastline is in the Gulf of Hammamet. In the map of Nabeul below, you can see the location of Hammamet at the southwestern corner, where you can see the pink circle.

Read More: 31 Things to Do in Tunisia

What is Hammamet Known For?

Hammamet is known for jasmine. You will see jasmine being sold all over the medina, and several items made from jasmine. One of the more famous resorts in Hammamet is Yasmine Hammamet which is named after this scent.

The word Hammamet in Arabic means baths. You can find these hammams, or bathhouses all over Tunisia. They are a great place to relax and get a scrub. Hammamet is called this because of its proximity to water. It is one of Tunisia’s most well-known tourist cities for summer vacations and resorts.

Read More: Tunisia’s 7 Best Beach Towns

What is the History of Hammamet?

Hammamet, like many Tunisian cities, was once under the control of many larger empires. The town of Hammamet was first inhabited in the 1st century by the Indigenous population and was called Pupput. The remains of Pupput remain (more info down below) in Hammamet.

In the 2nd century, Hammamet was controlled by the Romans after the fall of Carthage. The Hammamet Medina walls were built between the 13th and 15th centuries when under the control of the Arabs. After this, it fell under the control of the Spanish and eventually the Turks.

When Should I Visit Hammamet?

The busiest time to visit Hammamet is during the summer months (June, July, August). This is when the temperatures are the hottest and thousands of tourists come looking for a beach holiday.

If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to come during the shoulder seasons when the weather is still quite good. The best months are April, May, September, and October. The prices are also more affordable during the off-season. The beaches will also be more empty during the shoulder seasons.

You can come in the winter to see the historic sites but you might find the city to be more empty, and some of the resorts to be closed.

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What is the layout of Hammamet?

Before I went to Hammamet, I had a hard time understanding the layout of the city, as it seemed to stretch over several areas. So I wanted to answer this question for you as well. There are three main sections of Hammemet: Yasmine Hammamet, Hammamet Sud, and Hammamet.

Yasmine Hammamet is an area designed for tourists. There are big hotels and resorts here. There is also a fake medina designed in the traditional style of a medina with casinos, shopping malls, hotels, and shops. This is also where you can find Carthage Land, the local theme park.

Hammamet is where you can find historical attractions such as the Hammamet Kasbah, old Medina walls, souk, and cemetery.

Hammamet Sud is the area between Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet. The louage station to go to/from Sousse is here. There are also many hotels in the area. This is also the area where you can find the Pupput Ruins and the artistic George Sebastian Villa.

What is Hammamet Like?

Many Tunisians described Hammamet to me as “the dream.” This might be enough to make anyone pack their bags and head directly to this Tunisian beach destination. But before you do that, you should know what the vibe is and decide if it’s really a place you want to spend your time and money.

Hammamet is easily the most touristed beach destination in the entire country. The population rises from 100,000 to over 400,000 in the summer. I saw more foreigners per capita in Hammamet than in any other Tunisia city. Many Europeans retire here, most notably Italian and French. I saw other tourists in the kasbah, walking around, at dinner, in all the restaurants, etc. If you’re looking for an authentic Tunisian experience, you won’t find it in Hammamet.

Because of the European influence, prices are also much higher in Hammamet than in other Tunisian cities. There are higher prices in the medina, at restaurants, and several hotels. I was here during Ramadan, but you could barely notice. The majority of restaurants, bakeries, and shops were all open. You could find food at any point in the day. People were sitting on outdoor patios enjoying their meals without a care in the world.

The main center of Hammamet is near the Medina and the Kasbah. There is a roundabout where taxis hang out. On one side there is a row of restaurants popular with foreigners, across the street from the sea. There is a path that goes all along the water.

What is There to Do in Hammamet?

It is not a big town, and there are not that many things to do in Hammamet. You can easily see the center of Hammamet in one afternoon. Below I will list the best places to visit in Hammamet.

1. Take a Photo With the I Love Hammamet Sign

Like all towns in Tunisia, there is an I ❤️ HAMMAMET sign. You can find this sign near the edge of the Kasbah, along the water, in front of the restaurant called Café Sidi Bou Hdid. The mermaid statue sits in the center of the roundabout, in front of the sign.

2. Have a Meal with a Sea View

The Café Sidi Bou Hdid is connected to the edge of the medina. It is the restaurant right behind the I ❤️ HAMMAMET sign along the water. There are two sections to this cafe. Along the water, there is a giant dining room with glass windows, allowing you to have incredible views while you dine.

There is also an outside section so you are right next to the water. There is also a traditional Tunisian section where you can sit on the floor pillows, have tea, smoke shisha, or eat a crepe. It’s very cute, and the prices are reasonable.

3. Wander Around in the Hammamet Medina

The Hammamet Medina is one of the main tourist attractions in town. It is smaller than a lot of other Medinas I’ve seen in Tunisia. The old city walls form a rectangle around the old city, along the water. The medina itself is quite beautiful, with several arched entryways and cobblestone streets. You can find the souk inside the medina, which is the Hamammet market.

Hammamet Medina Scams

It is common for Tunisian vendors in the souk to lure you into their shops and bargain for prices. However, the Hamamet market is a whole other beast. The first thing you should know is that the men here will lie to you without a second thought.

A really common scam is for men to approach you and tell you that they work at your hotel. I suppose they think this will build trust with you. This happened to me several times as multiple men told me they were the policemen who worked at my hotel. There was no policeman at my hotel.

The vendors will also try to trick you with exorbitant prices. What should be 10-15 TND, vendors will tell you is 130 TND. When you question them, they will say things like “What you saw before is not truly Tunisian. It is not made with high quality whatever bla bla bla.” They will try to convince you that the item in their store is the only true authentic item in the whole city. This is the only souk in Tunisia that made me feel panicked and anxious.

4. Observe the Mosquée Kabir

The Mosquée Kabir is the main mosque in Hammamet. Only Muslims can enter the prayer room. The room below is the women’s section below. You can peek in from the door, but you cannot go inside unless you are fully covered.

5. See the Views From the Kasbah

You can see the Kasbah Hammamet from anywhere in the city, as it is the tallest building in town. Visiting the fortresses in each city is one of the best things to do in Tunisia. It is interesting to see each one and compare them.

What makes this kasbah unique is the cafe on the rooftop. I went up to the highest point and enjoyed a mint tea while staring out at the sea. It created a special moment, as I could enjoy the kasbah more fully. It was better than just walking around and leaving. The other unique thing about this kasbah is that many tall trees are growing in the center courtyard. That was the first time I had seen that inside a Tunisian fortress.

The price to enter the Kasbah is 8 TND (3 USD). The mint tea that I drank in the cafe was 5 TND (1.75 USD).

6. Amble Along the Beach Boardwalk

A footpath goes all along the water throughout the town of Hammamet. It starts near the main roundabout by the Kasbah and continues around the cape, and next to the beach. I took a walk along this boardwalk in both the evening and the early morning. It was a very pleasant walk, next to the sea waves.

7. Lounge Around at Hammamet Beach

You can find this beach on the east side of the cape. It begins just behind the cemetery and extends very far along the coast towards the town of Nabeul. In the summer, the beach gets crowded with tourists and locals alike. In the shoulder seasons, there are fewer people along the beach. Regardless, any season is perfect for a walk with your toes in the sand. I went to the beach both in the early morning and evening at sunset. It was very peaceful.

8. Check out the Cimetière de Hammemet

The cemetery is sprawling and takes up a lot of space between the kasbah and the sea. It is a typical Muslim cemetery that is similar to the ones in the other coastal Tunisian cities. Families are grouped together in one section.

9. Walk Around the Yasmine Hammamet Marina

The Marina is in the Yasmine area of Hammamet, much further south than the main center. At this port, you can find touristic pirate boats that will take you on short rides. There are several sailboats here, in addition to Disney-looking boats. You can also find several shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes around the perimeter of the marina. The sunrise and sunset here are particularly beautiful.

10. Stroll the Medina Mediterranea

The Medina Mediterranea is located in the Yasmin Hammemet area. It was created for tourists in the 1990s, attempting to imitate Port Kantoui in Sousse. It is meant to emulate a traditional Tunisian medina. Inside the Medina Mediterranea you can find several hotels, casinos, a souk, traditional housing, and the theme park called Carthage Land.

11. Go Back in Time at the Pupput Ruins

Pupput is another one of the archeological sites in Tunisia, including Dougga, Carthage, Bulla Regia, etc. Puppet is not one of the more popular or touristic sites, however, and that is for a good reason.

They are interesting to see and have a few remaining mosaics, but they really cannot compare to the larger ruins that you can find in Tunisia. But if you’re in Hammamet and don’t want to go very far to see Carthage/Roman ruins, then Pupput can scratch that itch.

You can find Pupput in Hammamet Sud, in the middle between the main center and Yasmin. You’ll need to take a taxi to get here. They do not have any information boards so you won’t be able to read about the history while you’re at the site.

Read More: The Ultimate 1-Day Itinerary in Carthage Tunisia

12. Visit the George Sebastian Villa

This large villa was built originally in the 1920s to welcome visiting artists; it is now a cultural center and hosts many events. There is a functioning amphitheater that looks out over the sea. You can also see the Medina from here. Inside the home, you can find an inner courtyard with columns and a small swimming pool. Apparently, Winston Churchill once stayed here.

Excursions in/Around Hammamet

Because of its location, Hammamet is the perfect starting point to do excursions around Nabeul, and along the Hammamet coastline.

13. Jet ski experience in Hammamet

This is a popular tourist activity in Hammamet. It is a short activity that includes hotel transfers, 30 minutes on the jet ski, and guided instruction.

14. From Sousse or Hammamet: Guided Tour of Dougga and Zaghouan

This is a full-day excursion from Hammemet that includes a guide, transportation, and access to the historical sites. You will visit the lovely town of Testour, famous for cheese and pomegranates. Then you will visit the Punic/Roman ruins of Dougga.

15. Cape Bon Peninsula: Full-day Tour from Tunis or Hammamet

This is a full-day tour that will introduce you to what the Cape Bon Peninsula in Nabeul has to offer. You’ll visit the town of Nabeul, famous for pottery and ceramics. Then you’ll visit Kelibia, known for its dry muscat and its fishing port. You’ll stop at the ruins of Kerkouane, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the Houaria Caves.

Day Trips from Hammamet

Whether you plan on doing day trips, or a Tunisian road trip, here are a few places to consider:

16. Sousse

You can easily visit Sousse (and vice versa), which is just 60 minutes south of Hammamet. It’s fully worth a day trip. If you’re basing yourself in Hammamet, you need to make a trip to visit Sousse at least once. Visit the Ribat, the Sousse Medina, the Dar Essid Museum, and more. You can take a louage to Sousse for 8.600 TND from the louage station in Hammamet.

Read more: 21 Things to do in Sousse

17. Tunis

If you flew directly into Enfidha and skipped Tunis, it is worth at least a day trip. But keep in mind, if you’re just going for one day it will be a long day. The drive between Tunis and Hammamet will take about 1 hour. You can take a louage between Tunis and Hammamet. There are several per day.

Read More: 25 Things to Do in Tunis

18. Monastir

Monastir is another Tunisian town along the coast. It is located one hour and a half south of Hammamet and can be reached via louage. Monastir is a small town and it is very easy to walk around town. It is popular with expats who have sailboats. The Monastir louage station is next to the medina.

Read more: Visit Monastir Tunisia: Easy Day Trip

19. Kairouan

Kairouan is 90 minutes southwest of Hammamet and can be reached via louage. It is the first Islamic town in Tunisia, and the 4th holiest Muslim city in the world. There are hundreds of mosques in this small town. The louage station for Kairoun is on the west side of town near the Barber’s Mausoleum.

Read more: 13 Things to Do in Kairouan: Tunisia’s Holy City

20. Hergla

Hergla is located one hour south of Hammamet and can be reached via louage. It’s a small fishing village with beautiful views of the sea. Hergla is known for baskets and other items made of Halfa Grass. The louage station in Hergla is next to the bank on the main street.

Read more: What to See in Hergla: Simple Sousse Day Trip

Getting to Hammamet

While there are both buses and louages that go to Hammamet from other cities in the country, the most reliable form of transportation is the louage. Each van fits 8 people and will leave as soon as it’s full, which rarely takes longer than 5-10 minutes.

Bus Tunis – Hammamet

There is a bus that goes between Tunis and Hammamet but it is not very reliable. The buses don’t run on time and they are usually delayed. You need to check the schedule at the bus station directly.

Bus station in Hammamet: Bus Station Hammamet ville

Tunis to Hammamet by louage

The drive between Hammamet and Tunis takes about 45 minutes and costs 6.5 TND (2 USD).

Hammamet louage station for Tunis: Gare Routière Hammamet Tunis
Tunis louage station: Station Louage Moncef Bey

Sousse to Hammamet by louage

The drive between Hammamet and Sousse takes about 75 minutes and costs 8.600 TND (2.90 USD). You can see my TikTok about taking the louage between Sousse and Hammamet here.

Hammamet louage station to go to Sousse (top left photo): Station des Louages
Sousse station (top right photo): Al Lawajat Station

Read More: How to Take a Louage in Tunisia

Hammamet by Plane

There is no airport in Hammamet. The nearest airports are Tunis (Tunis-Carthage International Airport) and Enfidha (Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport). Both airports are about 45-60 minutes away from Hammamet.

You can check flights on Skyscanner or Hopper.

Read more: Complete Guide to Renting a Car in Tunisia 2024

Is Hammamet Worth Visiting?

Before going, I asked myself: “Is it worth visiting Hammamet Tunisia?” Everyone talked about this beach destination in such an elevated way, so I saved it as my last stop in Tunisia. In the end, Hammamet was my least favorite destination in all of Tunisia. It was not what I was looking for. I realize this question is very subjective, so I’ll answer it like this:

Hammamet is worth visiting if you want to be surrounded by European tourists, and you don’t mind paying higher prices because you are here on vacation. It’s worth it if you are more interested in beaches than culture or history. It’s worth it if you want to easily find European food options, and have less interest in the local Tunisian cuisine. If you’re doing a Tunisia road trip, it’s a quick and easy stop on the way back to Tunis.

Hammamet is not worth visiting if you want a more authentic experience, and a chance to interact with locals. If you’re looking for Tunisian traditional culture or cuisine, you will have a harder time finding it here. Restaurants, souvenirs, and all items in the Medina are more expensive here than in other cities around Tunisia.

Is Hammamet Tunisia Safe?

Once again, the idea of safety is different for everyone. My notion of safety might be different than yours. I can tell you about my personal experiences as a female solo traveler in Tunisia. I never worried about being attacked or robbed here. Walking around town alone, I never felt threatened physically. That said, I did not always feel comfortable. I do think this is a safe holiday spot for families and children.

In the Medina, nearly everyone I spoke to lied to me about working in my hotel. They told me exorbitant prices for items that I had found in other cities for a fraction of the price. All attention was constantly on me and I always felt watched. Walking around the Medina was anxiety-inducing. Because I was here during Ramadan, I felt the most safe walking around the streets during the Iftar (meal after fasting) time because there were fewer men on the street.

I also felt more uncomfortable here with the men than in most other cities. I felt watched in every moment both inside and outside of the medina. Men followed me, asking me where I was going, where I was from, what am I doing, etc. In one case, I did not answer and the man got mad and shouted at me as I walked away. I walked around town at night as well. I didn’t feel unsafe, just annoyed by the men who felt entitled to my time and attention. Because of this, I would not return here alone.

Where to Stay in Hammamet

When thinking about where to stay in Hammamet, you should first ask yourself what type of experience you want. Do you want to stay near the center and the main beach? Or do you want to stay further south near the marina and the larger resorts?

Hotel Khella

This hotel is the best deal for the most affordable price. There is no swimming pool but the beach is not far away. A wonderful breakfast is included. This is where I stayed for one night. The staff was friendly and helpful. The rooms were clean.

Check availability and book NOW for this fantastic town in the center

Dar Hammamet Guest House & Hammam

This hotel is inside the medina in a traditional Tunisian home. It is not far from the beach. You also have access to a hammam, spa facilities and wellness packages. Breakfast is included.

Book NOW for this stunning Guest House in Hammamet

Le Bleu Cèleste

This hotel is located in the Yasmine Hammamet area of town. The hotel rooms offer a balcony, free private parking, a swimming pool, a private beach area, and free WiFi. Breakfast is included.

Check availability for this modern hotel. Rooms go FAST.

Hammamet Final Thoughts

If you read this blog post in its entirety, you will find that I am not the biggest fan of this beautiful beach destination in Tunisia. That does not mean that you won’t enjoy it, however. Restaurants are always open, even during Ramadan. The beaches are wide and beautiful. The city is more expensive than other places around Tunisia, but if you’re coming for a holiday, this might not bother you. You can have tea on the roof of the Kasbah, wander through the small alleyways of the Medina, and soak in the sun at the beach.

Pin for your next trip to Tunisia!

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