The best beaches in Tunisia

Hammamet Beach

Hammamet is one of the best places to stay in Tunisia thanks to its long stretch of sandy beach and range of hotels.

The old town medina sits right by the beach, and you can easily walk from your sunbathing spot to explore its shops and cafes. The beach here has everything you need: sun-loungers and umbrellas for rent, watersports and plenty of restaurants.

If you want a more modern setting, try the beaches at Yasmine Hammamet, a newer resort area just down the coast.

Plage de la Marsa

In the northern suburbs of Tunisia's capital city Tunis, La Marsa is a beautiful beach that's popular with both locals and visitors.

The clean, shallow waters make it safe for swimming and the long sandy beach has plenty of space for sunbathing. You'll find lots of restaurants and cafes along the beachfront where you can grab lunch or a cold drink.

If you're feeling active, you can rent equipment for watersports like windsurfing.

Sidi Bou Said Beach

This beach sits below Sidi Bou Said, a blue and white village that looks like it belongs in the Greek islands.

The beach is tucked into a pretty cove with clear water that's great for swimming. After your beach time, you can climb up to the pretty village for dinner with a view of the sunset over the water.

It's about a 20-minute drive from central Tunis and close to popular package holiday resorts, making it perfect for a day trip.

Al Madfoun and Hergla Beach

Hergla is a small, peaceful town with one of Tunisia's prettiest beaches. The sand is clean and white, and the water is a beautiful bright blue. Unlike the busier tourist beaches, Hergla feels quiet and local.

The best swimming area is at Al Madfoun beach, where you'll also find good conditions for windsurfing when the wind picks up.

There aren't many facilities here, so bring what you need for the day.

Djerba island beaches

Just off Tunisia's southern coast, and connected to the mainland by a road, is the underrated Mediterranean island of Djerba.

The best beach here is Plage Sidi Mahrez. The beach has white sand, shallow water and good facilities and activities – you can even take a camel ride along the shore.

There are lots of hotels nearby and easyJet holidays has just started operating here too, making it a great base for a hassle-free beach holiday in Tunisia.

Kelibia Beach

Kelibia's main draw is its wide beach with soft, white sand – some say it's the best sand in Tunisia.

The water stays shallow for quite a way out, making it great for families with kids. You'll find basic facilities like cafes and restrooms, but it's less developed than places like Hammamet.

As the beach sits below an old fortress on the hill, you’ll get great photos too.

Monastir Beach

Monastir combines a brilliant beach with interesting things to see nearby. The beach has straw-coloured sand and clear water, with a historic fortress (called a ‘ribat’) as a backdrop.

You can rent sun-loungers and umbrellas and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the waterfront. The town centre is just a short walk away.

Plage de Chebba

Located between the cities of Mahdia and Sfax, Chebba Beach is known for its clean, clear water and relaxed atmosphere.

What makes this beach special is the food. The local restaurants serve excellent fresh seafood caught by the town's fishing boats.

It's less touristy than many other beaches, so you'll get a more authentic Tunisian experience here.

Tabarka beaches

Up in northern Tunisia, Tabarka's beaches are different from the rest of the country. Here, you'll find a mix of sandy beaches and rocky coves, with green hills and pine trees instead of desert landscape.

The water is great for snorkelling and diving, with coral reefs and lots of fish to see. It's cooler here than in the south, which can be nice in the hot summer months.

Salakta Beach

Want to escape the crowds? Make a beeline for Salakta. This long beach near Mahdia rarely gets busy, even in peak season.

There aren't many facilities here, so bring your own food and drinks. It's perfect if you just want a quiet day of swimming in clear waters and sunbathing on soft, white sand.