Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Hammamet for Skyline Swims

Photo by  Halima Bouchouicha

20 min read · Hammamet, Tunisia · hotels with rooftop pools ·

Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Hammamet for Skyline Swims

AB

Words by

Amira Ben Ali

Share

I have spent more summers than I can count drifting between the old medina walls and the long white beaches of Hammamet, and if there is one thing I keep coming back to, it is the way the city looks from above. The best hotels with rooftop pools in Hammamet give you a perspective you simply cannot get from street level, a slow panorama of terracotta rooftops, the glint of the Gulf of Hammamet, and the green sprawl of citrus groves that once fed the Ottoman-era trade routes. I have swum at every one of the places on this list, some at dawn, some at midnight, and each one tells you something different about this city if you pay attention.

La Badira Beach and Spa: Where the Rooftop Meets the Mediterranean

La Badira sits on the coastal road between Hammamet and Hammamet Sud, technically in the Yasmine Hammamet zone, and it is the kind of place that makes you forget you are in North Africa until the call to prayer drifts over the water at sunset. The rooftop pool here is not the largest in the city, but it is arguably the most photogenic infinity edge I have ever seen in Tunisia, a clean line of turquoise that seems to pour directly into the sea. I first visited in late September when the summer crowds had thinned, and I had the pool to myself for nearly two hours on a Tuesday morning.

The hotel was designed by architect Jean-Marc Sandoz, and the entire structure leans into a minimalist aesthetic that feels almost Japanese in its restraint, all white concrete and open-air corridors. The rooftop level includes a small bar where you can order a citronnade pressée, fresh-squeezed lemonade with a sprig of mint, for around 8 to 10 Tunisian dinars. The best time to swim here is between 7 and 9 in the morning, before the sun hits the pool deck and the tiles become too hot to walk on barefoot. Most tourists do not realize that the hotel was built on land that was once part of a citrus plantation, and if you walk the perimeter of the property in the late afternoon, you can still smell orange blossoms from the old trees that were left standing.

The Vibe? Quiet, almost meditative, with a design-forward crowd that reads novels poolside rather than splashing around.

The Bill? Expect to pay between 350 and 600 Tunisian dinars per night for a sea-view room with rooftop access, depending on the season.

The Standout? The infinity edge at golden hour, when the pool water turns the same shade of amber as the sky.

The Catch? The rooftop bar closes at 10 PM, which feels early if you are the type who likes a late-night swim under the stars.

A local tip: ask the concierge about the walking path that runs along the coast behind the hotel. It is not on any tourist map, but it connects to a small rocky cove where locals fish in the early hours. You will see more Tunisian families there than you will at any resort.

Iberostar Selection Kantaoui Bay: The Pool That Overlooks the Marina

Iberostar Kantaoui Bay is located in the Port El Kantaoui area, about 10 kilometers north of central Hammamet, and it sits right on the edge of the marina where yachts and fishing boats share the same water. This is a rooftop pool hotel Hammamet visitors often overlook because they assume Port El Kantaoui is its own destination, but the views from the upper-level pool deck sweep south toward Hammamet's coastline and north toward Sousse on a clear day. I spent a long weekend here in June, and the thing that struck me most was how the pool area felt like a separate world from the busy marina promenade below.

The rooftop pool is long and narrow, more suited to lap swimming than lounging, which I actually prefer. There is a secondary plunge pool on the same level that is shallower and warmer, perfect for cooling off without committing to a full swim. The hotel serves a decent brik à l'oeuf, the classic Tunisian fried pastry with a runny egg inside, at the poolside snack bar for about 12 dinars. I recommend arriving at the rooftop by 8 AM to claim one of the four loungers positioned at the corner where you can see both the marina and the open sea. The history of this area is tied to the development of Port El Kantaoui in the late 1970s, when the Tunisian government transformed a quiet fishing harbor into a tourist marina modeled after Saint-Tropez. You can still see the old fishing quarter if you walk east from the hotel along the water.

The Vibe? Sporty and social, popular with European families and couples who want pool time without leaving the resort.

The Bill? Rooms run between 280 and 500 dinars per night, and the rooftop pool is accessible to all guests.

The Standout? The dual-pool setup, which means you can choose between a serious swim and a lazy float.

The Catch? The rooftop gets windy in the afternoons, especially from March through May, and the wind can make the water choppy and the loungers uncomfortable.

A local tip: the marina shops inflate prices for tourists, but if you walk five minutes inland to the Kantaoui village center, you will find a small pâtisserie that sells makrouds, those semolina pastries stuffed with dates and soaked in honey, for a third of the resort prices.

Les Orangers Garden Hotel and Spa: A Rooftop Hidden in the Orange Groves

Les Orangers is tucked into the interior of Hammamet, off the road that connects the medina to the southern suburbs, surrounded by the kind of dense orange groves that gave the city its name centuries ago. This is not a beachfront property, and that is precisely its appeal. The rooftop pool here is small, intimate, and shaded in the late afternoon by the very orange trees that encircle the property. I visited in October during the tail end of orange harvest season, and the air around the pool smelled like citrus blossom mixed with chlorine, a combination I did not expect to enjoy but absolutely did.

The hotel occupies a converted olive oil estate that dates back to the French colonial period, and you can still see the original stone press in the garden if you ask the staff to show you. The rooftop level has only six loungers, which means it never feels crowded, and there is a small serving window where you can order a café turc, strong Turkish-style coffee served in a tiny cup, for about 4 dinars. The best time to swim is in the late afternoon, around 4 or 5 PM, when the sun has moved behind the main building and the pool deck falls into a soft, dappled shade. Most tourists do not know that the groves surrounding the hotel are still actively harvested, and if you visit between November and February, you can watch workers picking oranges by hand from the rooftop.

The Vibe? Rustic and peaceful, the kind of place where you hear birds more than people.

The Bill? Around 200 to 350 dinars per night, making it one of the more affordable options on this list.

The Standout? The combination of the rooftop pool and the surrounding citrus groves, which gives you a sense of Hammamet's agricultural roots.

The Catch? There is no elevator to the rooftop level, so you will need to climb three flights of stairs, which can be a problem if you have mobility issues.

A local tip: the hotel owner sometimes arranges guided walks through the groves with a local farmer who has worked the land for over 40 years. Ask at reception, and if he is available, he will tell you stories about Hammamet that no guidebook contains.

Anantara Palace Hammamet: Luxury With a View of the Medina

The Anantara Palace sits on the hill above the old medina, on a street that winds up from the souk toward the kasbah, and its rooftop pool offers what I consider the most dramatic view in all of Hammamet. From the water, you look directly down into the medina's labyrinth of white-walled alleys, past the minaret of the Great Mosque, and out to the sea. I visited in August, which is peak season and brutally hot, but the rooftop pool was surprisingly pleasant because a steady breeze comes off the gulf at that elevation.

This is an infinity pool hotel Hammamet regulars speak about in hushed tones, partly because the pool itself is stunning and partly because the service at the rooftop bar is genuinely attentive. I ordered a plate of ojja, a spicy Tunisian stew of merguez sausage and eggs cooked in a tomato and pepper sauce, and it arrived at my lounger within 15 minutes, which is faster than most ground-level restaurants in the medina. The dish cost about 18 dinars and was one of the best I had all summer. The best time to visit the rooftop is at sunset, roughly 6:30 to 7:30 PM in summer, when the medina's white walls turn pink and gold. A detail most tourists miss: the rooftop terrace was originally designed as a private event space for the hotel's owner, a Tunisian businessman with ties to the old Hammamet trading families, and it was only opened to guests about five years ago.

The Vibe? Upscale but not stuffy, with a mix of European tourists and well-dressed Tunisian couples celebrating anniversaries.

The Bill? Between 450 and 800 dinars per night, placing it firmly in the luxury category.

The Standout? The medina view from the infinity edge, which is unlike anything else in the city.

The Catch? The rooftop pool is reserved for guests staying in premium suites during the month of August, so if you are in a standard room, you may be turned away at the elevator.

A local tip: after your swim, walk down to the medina and find the small tea shop just inside the south gate. The owner, a man named Hedi, has been serving mint tea from a brass tray for over 30 years, and he will pour it from a height that would impress any barista. It costs 2 dinars, and the view from his doorstep is almost as good as the one from the Anantara rooftop.

Golden Tulip Farah Hammamet: The Rooftop That Caters to Everyone

The Golden Tulip Farah is located on the main coastal boulevard in Hammamet Centre, within walking distance of both the medina and the beach, and its rooftop pool is one of the most accessible in the city. I have been coming here for years, partly because the pool is reliable and partly because the hotel manages to serve a wide range of guests, from German pensioners to young Tunisian families, without any single group dominating the atmosphere. The rooftop area includes a main pool, a children's wading pool, and a jacuzzi, all on the same level, which makes it a practical choice if you are traveling with kids.

The pool bar serves a solid assortment of local dishes, and I always order the salade méchouia, a smoky grilled pepper and tomato salad that is a staple of Tunisian cuisine, for about 10 dinars. It comes with bread and is filling enough to replace a full lunch. The best time to swim is mid-morning, between 10 AM and noon, when the sun is strong enough to warm the water but the afternoon heat has not yet made the deck unbearable. The hotel building itself was renovated in 2018, and the rooftop was completely rebuilt with new tiling and a modern drainage system, which you can tell because the water level stays consistent even during heavy use. Most tourists do not realize that the Golden Tulip sits on the site of an older hotel from the 1970s that was one of the first international chain properties in Hammamet, and the original foundation stones are still visible in the basement parking level.

The Vibe? Friendly and unpretentious, the kind of place where nobody judges you for wearing a baseball cap to the pool.

The Bill? Between 220 and 400 dinars per night, depending on the season and room type.

The Standout? The family-friendly layout, which means kids have their own space while adults can swim in peace.

The Catch? The rooftop can get noisy during school holiday periods, especially in July, when large groups of families book the hotel in blocks.

A local tip: the street behind the hotel, Rue du Kroumirie, has a row of small shops that sell handmade pottery and woven baskets at prices far lower than the medina souks. The shopkeepers are used to hotel guests wandering in, and they will offer you tea before you even look at the merchandise.

Laico Hammamet: A Retro Rooftop With Character

Laico Hammamet is a pool view hotel Hammamet visitors either love or find bewildering, and I fall firmly in the first camp. The hotel is located on the southern edge of the city, near the road to Bouficha, and it was built in the early 1990s during Tunisia's push to expand its tourism infrastructure. The rooftop pool is not infinity-edge or architecturally stunning, but it has a retro charm that I find irresistible, all turquoise tiles and white railings with a view that stretches from the hotel's garden to the distant hills of the Cap Bon peninsula.

I visited in May, and the rooftop was nearly empty, which gave it the feeling of a private club. The pool is heated slightly, which sounds unnecessary until you realize that May evenings in Hammamet can drop to 18 degrees Celsius, and swimming in unheated water at that temperature is bracing to say the least. The rooftop bar is basic but functional, and I recommend ordering a bambalouni, a Tunisian fried doughnut dusted with sugar, which the kitchen prepares fresh and delivers hot to the pool area for about 3 dinars each. The best time to visit is in the early evening, around 6 PM, when the light softens and the hills in the background take on a purple hue. A detail most tourists overlook: the hotel's original architect was inspired by the modernist hotels of the Israeli coast, and if you have stayed in Tel Aviv, the layout will feel oddly familiar.

The Vibe? Nostalgic and relaxed, with a clientele that has been returning for decades.

The Bill? Between 180 and 320 dinars per night, making it one of the more budget-friendly rooftop options.

The Standout? The heated pool and the retro aesthetic, which together create a swimming experience you will not find at newer properties.

The Catch? The hotel's Wi-Fi is unreliable on the rooftop level, dropping out frequently near the far end of the pool, which can be frustrating if you are trying to work remotely.

A local tip: the hotel is a short walk from a small weekly souk that takes place every Wednesday morning in the neighboring village. You can buy fresh produce, spices, and handmade soap for a fraction of medina prices, and the experience is far more authentic than any tourist market.

Four Seasons Resort Hammamet: The Rooftop That Redefines the Category

The Four Seasons is set within a sprawling garden estate on the coast between Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet, and its rooftop pool is less a pool and more a private lagoon suspended above the treetops. I visited in July, and I will be honest, the experience felt less like a hotel stay and more like being invited to someone's extraordinarily beautiful home. The rooftop area is exclusive to guests of the resort's premium villas, which means the pool rarely has more than a handful of people in it at any given time.

The pool itself is a long, irregular shape that follows the contour of the building's roofline, and the water is maintained at a temperature that feels like a warm bath, around 28 degrees Celsius. The service is impeccable, and I was brought a plate of fresh figs and a glass of rosé without having to ask, which tells you something about the level of attention the staff pays to individual guests. The best time to swim is at night, after 9 PM, when the pool lights come on and the garden below is illuminated by subtle ground lighting that makes the palm trees look like they are glowing. Most tourists do not know that the estate was originally the private residence of a Tunisian diplomat who hosted parties for visiting heads of state in the 1960s, and the original guest book, with signatures from several European leaders, is displayed in the hotel's lobby.

The Vibe? Ultra-luxurious and deeply private, the kind of place where you feel like you have the entire city to yourself.

The Bill? Between 800 and 1,500 dinars per night for villa access, which includes the rooftop pool.

The Standout? The nighttime swim experience, which is unlike anything else on this list.

The Catch? The exclusivity comes at a price, and even the most affordable rooms at the Four Seasons are out of reach for many travelers.

A local tip: the resort's garden includes a section of original Roman-era irrigation channels that were discovered during construction. If you ask the concierge, they can arrange a brief walk through the garden to see the channels, which are still partially functional after nearly two thousand years.

El Mouradi Hammamet: The Rooftop With a View of the Kasbah

El Mouradi is located on the beachfront road just south of the medina, and its rooftop pool offers a direct line of sight to the Hammamet kasbah, the old fortress that has watched over the city since the 15th century. I visited in April, which is one of my favorite months in Hammamet because the weather is warm but the summer crowds have not yet arrived, and the rooftop pool was calm and uncrowded. The pool itself is rectangular and functional, not particularly stylish, but the view more than compensates. From the far edge, you can see the kasbah's walls, the fishing boats in the small harbor, and the curve of the bay stretching north toward Kantaoui.

The rooftop snack bar serves a good lablabi, the Tunisian chickpea soup that is the ultimate comfort food, especially on cooler spring evenings. A bowl costs about 8 dinars and comes with a generous piece of bread and a side of harissa for adjusting the heat to your taste. The best time to swim is in the late morning, around 11 AM, when the sun is directly overhead and the water is at its warmest. The hotel has been a fixture of Hammamet's tourism scene since the 1980s, and it has hosted generations of Tunisian families celebrating weddings and graduations, which gives it a sense of local history that newer resorts cannot replicate. A detail most tourists miss: the rooftop was added during a renovation in 2012, and the engineering team had to reinforce the building's core structure to support the weight of the water, which is why the pool is slightly smaller than you might expect for a hotel of this size.

The Vibe? Warm and welcoming, with a strong local clientele that gives it an authentic Tunisian atmosphere.

The Bill? Between 200 and 380 dinars per night, solidly mid-range.

The Standout? The kasbah view, which connects you to Hammamet's history every time you look up from the water.

The Catch? The rooftop bar has a limited menu compared to the hotel's ground-level restaurant, so if you want a full meal, you will need to go downstairs.

A local tip: after your swim, walk north along the beachfront road for about 10 minutes until you reach the kasbah entrance. The small museum inside costs 3 dinars and contains artifacts from the Hafsid dynasty, the medieval rulers who built the fortress. It is rarely crowded, and the caretaker will often give you a personal tour if you show genuine interest.

When to Go and What to Know

The best months for rooftop pool swimming in Hammamet are May, June, September, and early October. July and August bring peak heat, with temperatures regularly exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, which can make poolside lounging uncomfortable during midday. Most rooftop pools in Hammamet are open from 7 AM to 9 or 10 PM, though hours vary by hotel and season. During Ramadan, some rooftop bars may have reduced service or altered hours, so it is worth checking in advance if you are visiting during that period. Hammamet is a conservative city by Tunisian standards, and while resort rooftops are generally relaxed environments, it is respectful to avoid overly revealing swimwear when walking through hotel lobbies or public areas. The local currency is the Tunisian dinar, and while most hotels accept euros and dollars, you will get better value by paying in dinars. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; 5 to 10 percent at hotel restaurants is standard, and a dinar or two for poolside service is a nice gesture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Hammamet without feeling rushed?

Three full days are sufficient to cover the medina, the kasbah, the beachfront, and a day trip to one nearby site such as the ruins of Pupput or the village of Takrouna. If you want to include a visit to the international cultural festival in July or August, add a fourth day. Most major attractions are within a 15-minute drive of each other.

Is Hammamet expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier traveler should budget approximately 150 to 250 Tunisian dinars per day, which covers a mid-range hotel room (200 to 350 dinars), two meals at local restaurants (40 to 60 dinars), transportation by taxi or louage (15 to 30 dinars), and entrance fees or small purchases (10 to 20 dinars). This excludes luxury resort stays, which can double or triple the accommodation portion.

What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Hammamet?

A Turkish-style coffee costs between 3 and 6 dinars at most cafés, while a mint tea served in the traditional style runs 2 to 5 dinars. Specialty espresso drinks at resort cafés or European-style coffee shops range from 7 to 12 dinars. Street-side vendors may offer coffee for as little as 2 dinars.

What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Hammamet?

Most mid-range and upscale restaurants include a 10 to 12 percent service charge on the bill, but it is customary to leave an additional 5 to 10 percent in cash for good service. At casual eateries and street food stalls, rounding up the bill or leaving 1 to 2 dinars is standard. Hotel staff who provide personalized service, such as concierges or pool attendants, typically receive 2 to 5 dinars per interaction.

Are credit cards widely accepted across Hammamet, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most hotels, larger restaurants, and supermarkets in Hammamet, but cash is essential for small shops, street vendors, taxis, and local markets. ATMs are available at most banks in the city center and at major resorts. It is advisable to carry at least 50 to 100 dinars in cash at all times for small purchases and tips.

Share this guide

Enjoyed this guide? Support the work

Filed under: best hotels with rooftop pools in Hammamet

More from this city

More from Hammamet

Best Things to Do in Hammamet for First Timers (and Repeat Visitors)

Up next

Best Things to Do in Hammamet for First Timers (and Repeat Visitors)

arrow_forward