Best Things to Do in Hammamet for First Timers (and Repeat Visitors)
Words by
Mehdi Chaieb
Best Things to Do in Hammamet for First Timers (and Repeat Visitors)
I have lived in Hammamet for over twenty years, and every time someone asks me about the best things to do in Hammamet, I struggle to keep the list short. This city has layers. The medina walls still smell of jasmine in the evening. The beaches stretch in a way that changes your sense of the Mediterranean. And the people here, the fishermen, the artisans, the café owners, they remember your face after one visit. Whether you are here for the first time or coming back for the tenth, there is always something new tucked into a side street or a new dish someone's grandmother just started selling. This Hammamet travel guide is written from my own experience walking these streets, eating at these tables, and watching this city evolve.
1. The Medina of Hammamet: Where the City Breathes
The medina is not just a tourist attraction. It is where daily life happens. I have been walking through the medina since I was a child, and it still surprises me. The whitewashed walls, the blue doors, the narrow alleys that open into small squares, this is the heart of Hammamet. Most visitors come here to shop, and yes, the souks are full of leather goods, ceramics, and spices. But the real experience in Hammamet starts when you slow down.
Walk through the medina in the early morning, before 9 AM, when the shopkeepers are just opening and the light comes through the covered passages at a low angle. You will see locals buying bread from the small bakeries tucked behind the main tourist lanes. The medina was originally built as a fortified settlement, and parts of the old walls still stand near the southern entrance. Most tourists do not know that the small alley to the left of the main gate leads to a quiet courtyard where an elderly man sells handmade olive oil soap. He has been there for decades, and his prices are fair.
The Vibe? Authentic, unhurried in the morning, busier by noon.
The Bill? Free to wander. Expect to pay 5 to 15 TND for small souvenirs.
The Standout? The early morning light inside the covered souk passages.
The Catch? Some shopkeepers can be very persistent. A polite "la, shukran" (no, thank you) works, but you have to be firm.
2. Hammamet Beach (Plage d'Hammamet): The City's Front Door
The main beach of Hammamet runs along the southern edge of the city center, and it is where most visitors spend their first afternoon. The sand is fine, the water is clear, and the view across the bay toward the medina walls is one of the most photographed scenes in all of Tunisia. But here is what most people miss. The beach changes character depending on which section you choose.
The area near the Sindbad Hotel and the marina is more developed, with sunbed rentals, water sports, and a steady crowd. Walk further east toward Yasmine Hammamet, and the beach opens up with more space and fewer people. I prefer the stretch near the old port, where local families gather on weekends and the fishermen bring in their catch in the early hours. If you come here around 6 or 7 AM, you can watch the small fishing boats return and buy sardines directly from the nets. This is one of the most genuine activities Hammamet has to offer, and it costs almost nothing.
The Vibe? Lively and social near the marina, quieter toward the east.
The Bill? Sunbed rental runs about 10 to 20 TND per day. Buying fish from the boats is negotiable, usually 5 to 10 TND per kilo.
The Standout? Watching the fishermen at dawn near the old port.
The Catch? The main beach area gets very crowded from June through August. Arrive early to claim a good spot.
3. Kasbah of Hammamet: A Fortress with a View
The kasbah sits at the edge of the medina, overlooking the sea, and it is one of the most historically significant sites in the city. The fortress was originally built in the 15th century and has been restored several times since. Walking through its stone corridors, you can feel the weight of centuries. The views from the top walls are extraordinary, especially in the late afternoon when the light turns golden over the bay.
Inside the kasbah, there is a small museum with artifacts from the Roman and Islamic periods. Most visitors spend about thirty minutes here, but I recommend taking at least an hour. The courtyard inside has a quiet garden where you can sit and rest. One detail most tourists overlook is the small doorway on the eastern wall that leads to a narrow staircase. Climb it, and you will find a private viewing platform that almost no one uses. I have been there dozens of times and rarely seen another person.
The Vibe? Historic, peaceful, contemplative.
The Bill? Entry is around 7 TND for adults.
The Standout? The hidden viewing platform on the eastern wall.
The Catch? There is very little shade inside the kasbah during midday. Bring water and a hat if you visit in summer.
4. Pupular Garden (Hammamet): The Green Lung of the City
Located in the center of Hammamet, the Pupular Garden is a public park that most guidebooks barely mention. This is where local families come to relax, where children play on weekends, and where older men gather to play cards under the trees. The garden is not large, but it is well maintained, with walking paths, benches, and a small café near the entrance.
I come here in the late afternoon when the heat starts to fade. The garden is shaded by tall eucalyptus and palm trees, and there is a calm atmosphere that you will not find near the beach resorts. This is also a good place to observe daily life in Hammamet without the filter of tourism. On Fridays, you will often see families having picnics on the grass. The small café inside serves mint tea and coffee at local prices, around 2 to 3 TND. It is one of the simplest experiences in Hammamet, but it tells you more about this city than any resort lobby ever could.
The Vibe? Quiet, local, family-oriented.
The Bill? Free entry. Drinks at the café are 2 to 3 TND.
The Standout? The Friday afternoon picnic atmosphere.
The Catch? The garden can feel a bit bare on weekday mornings when there are very few people around.
5. Yasmine Hammamet Marina: Where Modern Hammamet Shows Its Face
Yasmine Hammamet is the newer resort area built on reclaimed land to the south of the old city. The marina is its centerpiece, lined with restaurants, cafés, and shops. It is more polished and international than the medina, and some locals dismiss it as too commercial. I understand that criticism, but I still think it is worth a visit, especially in the evening.
The marina is best experienced after sunset, when the lights reflect off the water and the restaurants fill up. There are several good seafood places along the waterfront. I recommend trying the grilled sea bream or the couscous with fish, which is a Tunisian classic. Prices here are higher than in the medina, expect to pay 25 to 40 TND for a full meal at a mid-range restaurant. But the atmosphere is pleasant, and the walk along the dock is free. One insider tip: the small ice cream shop near the eastern end of the marina serves a pistachio flavor that is made locally and is genuinely excellent.
The Vibe? Upscale, modern, evening-oriented.
The Bill? 25 to 40 TND for a meal. Ice cream is around 5 TND.
The Standout? The evening walk along the marina with the lights on the water.
The Catch? Prices are noticeably higher than in the old city. Parking can also be difficult on weekend evenings.
6. Hammamet International Cultural Festival: Summer in Full Color
If you are visiting Hammamet in July or August, the International Cultural Festival is something you should plan around. Held in the open-air amphitheater near the seaside, the festival brings musicians, dancers, and performers from across Tunisia and beyond. I have attended nearly every year for the past decade, and the energy is always electric.
The amphitheater itself is a modest venue, built into the hillside with the sea as a backdrop. Shows usually start around 9 PM, after the worst of the day's heat has passed. Tickets are affordable, typically between 10 and 25 TND depending on the performer. The festival has hosted everything from traditional Malouf music to contemporary jazz and world music acts. Most tourists do not know that you can often watch the soundcheck for free if you arrive early and ask politely at the entrance. The staff are usually friendly and will let you sit in the back rows while the technicians work.
The Vibe? Festive, cultural, communal.
The Bill? 10 to 25 TND for tickets.
The Standout? The combination of live music and the sea breeze at night.
The Catch? The amphitheater has limited seating, and popular shows sell out quickly. Book in advance if you can.
7. Dar Sebastien: Culture and History in a Single House
Dar Sebastien is a cultural center housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building near the medina. It was once the home of a wealthy Tunisian family and later served various purposes before being converted into a space for art exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events. The architecture alone is worth the visit, with its carved stucco walls, tiled courtyards, and wooden balconies.
I have attended several exhibitions here, and the quality is consistently good. The center focuses on Tunisian and Mediterranean art, and there are often workshops and lectures that are open to the public. Entry is usually free or very low cost, around 3 to 5 TND. The courtyard has a small garden where you can sit with a drink during events. One thing most visitors miss is the small library on the upper floor, which has a collection of books on Tunisian history and art in several languages. You can browse it quietly, and no one will bother you.
The Vibe? Refined, cultural, intimate.
The Bill? 3 to 5 TND for exhibitions. Many events are free.
The Standout? The courtyard garden during an evening concert.
The Catch? The center is not always open. Check the schedule in advance, as hours vary depending on the season and events.
8. The Souk el-Adjba: Hammamet's Lesser-Known Market
Most tourists stick to the main souk inside the medina, but the Souk el-Adjba, located in the older residential quarter to the northwest, is where many locals actually shop. This market is smaller and less polished, but the prices are better and the atmosphere is more authentic. You will find fresh produce, spices, household goods, and clothing here.
I come here on Saturday mornings, which is when the market is at its busiest. The olive vendors are my first stop. They sell several varieties, including the small, intensely flavored Tunisian olives that you will not find in supermarkets. Expect to pay 8 to 12 TND per kilo for good quality olives. The spice sellers are also excellent, and many will let you smell and compare before buying. One detail most tourists do not know: there is a small tea stall at the back of the market, run by a man named Hedi, who has been making mint tea here for over thirty years. His tea is strong, sweet, and costs just 1 TND. Sit on one of his plastic chairs and watch the market go by.
The Vibe? Local, raw, real.
The Bill? Very affordable. Most items are priced for residents, not tourists.
The Standout? Hedi's tea stall at the back of the market.
The Catch? The market can be overwhelming if you are not used to crowded, noisy environments. There is also very little English spoken here, so a few words of Arabic or French will help.
9. Cap Bon Day Trip: Beyond Hammamet's Borders
Hammamet sits on the southern edge of the Cap Bon peninsula, and one of the best activities Hammamet offers is actually a short trip away. The town of Grombalia, about 30 minutes to the north, is the heart of Tunisia's wine country. There are several vineyards in the area that offer tours and tastings, and the landscape of rolling hills covered in grapevines is a dramatic change from the coastal scenery.
I usually rent a car for these trips, though louage (shared taxis) also run regularly from the Hammamet bus station. The drive itself is pleasant, passing through small villages and olive groves. At the vineyards, tastings typically cost 10 to 20 TND and include several varieties of Tunisian wine, which are surprisingly good. The rosé from Cap Bon is particularly refreshing in warm weather. Most tourists never make this trip, which is a shame. It adds a completely different dimension to your Hammamet travel guide experience and shows you a side of Tunisia that beach resorts cannot.
The Vibe? Rural, relaxed, scenic.
The Bill? 10 to 20 TND for wine tastings. Car rental is about 60 to 80 TND per day.
The Standout? The rosé tasting at a Grombalia vineyard.
The Catch? Public transport to the vineyards is limited. A car or organized tour is strongly recommended.
10. The Citrus Groves of Hammamet: A Sensory Detour
Hammamet has long been known for its citrus production, and the groves that surround the city are one of its quietest pleasures. In winter and early spring, the air smells of orange blossom, and the trees are heavy with fruit. There is no formal tour or entrance fee. You simply walk or drive along the rural roads to the west of the city, and the groves are everywhere.
I like to come here in February, when the orange harvest is in full swing. Some farmers will let you pick fruit directly from the trees for a small fee, usually 3 to 5 TND per bag. The experience is simple but memorable, standing in a grove with the sun warm on your shoulders and the smell of citrus all around you. This is one of those experiences in Hammamet that does not appear in most travel guides, but it stays with you. It connects you to the agricultural roots of this region, which long predate the tourist industry.
The Vibe? Peaceful, fragrant, rural.
The Bill? 3 to 5 TND for a bag of picked fruit.
The Standout? The smell of orange blossoms in February.
The Catch? The groves are not signposted. Ask a local farmer for permission before entering, and be respectful of the land.
When to Go and What to Know
Hammamet is a year-round destination, but the character of the city shifts with the seasons. June through September is peak tourist season. The beaches are full, the festivals are running, and the energy is high. But it is also hot, often above 35°C, and prices are at their highest. I prefer April, May, October, and November. The weather is mild, the crowds are thinner, and the city feels more like itself.
Friday is the holy day, and some shops and services will be closed or operating on reduced hours. Sunday morning is quiet across the city, a good time to explore the medina or the kasbah without crowds. If you are driving, be aware that parking in the city center is limited, especially near the medina and the beach. Walking is often faster.
Learn a few words of Tunisian Arabic or French. "Aslema" (hello), "shukran" (thank you), and "barcha" (a lot, used to decline persistent vendors) will take you far. Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5 to 10 percent is standard.
Finally, carry cash. Many smaller shops, market stalls, and taxis do not accept cards. ATMs are available in the city center and near the major hotels, but they can occasionally be out of service. Having a few hundred dinars in your pocket will make your time in Hammamet much smoother.
Enjoyed this guide? Support the work
