The Best Beaches In Tunisia | Sun, Sand And Mint Tea

The town of Hammamet, just a one-hour drive from capital Tunis, is a no-stress place full of charm, and it’s all about the beach. Hammamet’s superb stretches of fine white sands are among the best-known beaches in Tunisia, bathed by warm waters and a huge wealth of marine life. This breathtaking underwater world makes Hammamet beach the number one spot for a vacation filled with scuba diving and snorkeling.

If you’re looking for just a tad more adventure and action, Monastir beach will keep you going long after sunset. Its golden sandy shores and sparkling waves can be discovered by boat, by board and by camel. A thrilling ride on a banana boat, taming the waves on water skis and surfboards or exploring the alluring surroundings on camel or horseback; all of this and more is possible in Monastir.

To the south-east, on Tunisia’s famous peninsula of Djerba, you will find the best beaches to just enjoy the sun, get that tan and go for a relaxing and refreshing swim in the incredibly turquoise waters surrounding the so-called ‘island of the thousand palm trees’. Djerba is a prime tourist destination for a reason, and if it’s a picture-perfect beach escape you’re looking for, this is it. The white powdery sands are perfect for sun-bathing, the old villages and towns on the island are ideal for souvenir shopping and the best seafood dishes are to be savored here.

For those who have had enough of the flocks of tourists on the majority of Tunisia’s beaches, El Haouaria comes to the rescue. Off the beaten track, this beach remains unspoiled, surrounded by nature and sleepy villages. Sandy beaches are interspersed with steep cliffs and a rocky coast line with wild waters; very suitable for exciting hikes and sensational photos. Between March and May, this is the hot spot for birdwatchers, as tens of thousands of feathered friends concentrate at El Haouaria mountains for the crossing to Europe, a stunning sight.

Another less known plage merveilleuse, but very much to Tunisia’s south this time, is Chaffar Beach. This beautiful strip of sand makes for a very local beach experience, as it is much frequented by the population of nearby city Sfax and becomes a vibrant hub of family fun at the weekends. Veiled Tunisian women going for a swim totally clothed, fathers drinking mint tea while keeping an eye on their playing kids, fashionable girls with huge sunglasses tanning in the blazing sun; it cannot get more real, more Tunisian or more beautiful.