This review of the best beaches in Tunisia takes us through different areas. And that is one of the advantages of traveling to this small but very interesting country: the sea will always be very close, wherever you go, and in every corner there can be the most beautiful bathing areas. Taking a dip is also a possibility allowed by our tours, as they leave time and free days for everyone to choose their plans, among which are the towel, the deckchair and the Mediterranean Sea. So if you also want to add that option to your tour, take a look at everything we show you below.
The Coast of Tunisia, Very Diverse
Before analyzing which are the best beaches in Tunisia, it is worth knowing what the country’s coast is like: in what areas can it be divided, what characteristics does each one have, what are its bathing areas like? It is true that its entire coastline is bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, but the natural conditions change in each section, so it is useful to understand its differences.
In a generic way, we can speak of four large zones:
- The north coast of Tunisia, characterized by an uneven and green coastline
- The Gulf of Tunis, with the influence exerted by the urban fabric of the capital and its surroundings
- The Gulf of Hammamet, where the coastline is straighter and the sandy areas are wider, which facilitates the presence of resorts
- The arid south, near the border with Libya, where the influence of the Sahara desert is appreciated
Taking these areas into account, we are going to review the best beaches that are found in each of them. And it is worth remembering that, despite being in North Africa, the main climate of these beaches is temperate Mediterranean, so winter is low season and some establishments may be closed, as it is not a favorable time for swimming… although that will depend on each person.
The North Coast of Tunisia
We include this section in the post even though none of the best beaches in Tunisia are located here. This is because its coastline is rugged, with abundant cliffs and rocky outcrops, protected in some cases in the form of natural reserves. That, without a doubt, gives it an extraordinary beauty, with hidden and almost secret coves, but prevents the formation of wide sandy areas and shores suitable for swimming, so the tourism industry does not have as much presence here as in other areas. Only in the area of Tabarka can you find some resorts and small sandy areas equipped for swimming. And that is why this area is not usually part of the major tourist circuits.
Gulf of Tunis and its Surroundings
The Gulf of Tunis is the most densely populated area of the country, due to the presence of the capital, Tunis. And that translates to its immediate coast: the heart of said gulf has numerous constructions, decreasing towards the north (towards Cape Tarf) and towards the east (Cape Bon). Therefore, it is an area frequented by the local population, with sandy areas accompanied by seafront promenades (corniches) that offer numerous services to bathers. In addition, in the central sector there are official dependencies (Presidential Palace) and historical-archaeological sites (Port of Carthage), which causes a certain discontinuity at that point.
In any case, in this gulf we find some of the best beaches in Tunisia. This is the case of Sidi Bou Said beach, sheltered by one of the most exclusive marinas in the country. It is not especially large, but its sandy area is very wide, which guarantees site availability. In any case, much of the attractiveness of this beach lies in the charm of the small town that extends along the gentle surrounding hill, with houses painted in white and blue, and beautiful terraces where you can enjoy beautiful views and a refreshing drink.
Cape Bon and its Peculiarity
The eastern end of the Gulf of Tunis is formed by Cape Bon (Cap Bon). And it is worth mentioning here for its peculiarity: it is an area of enormous natural value, with different wooded areas and even a National Park (Boukornine), as well as coves and caves. Its rugged coastline is reminiscent of that of the north of the country, but there is also space for some of the best beaches in Tunisia: this is how Haouaria Este can be classified, less crowded than those in the center of the gulf.
Gulf of Hammamet, between Towns and Resorts
The urban density decreases as we move south. That is why the Gulf of Hammamet, which is wider and wider than that of Tunis, is characterized by more spacious bathing areas, where the coastline has a straighter layout. That has not gone unnoticed by the tourism and hotel industry, as here are some of the large resorts in the country. And in its vicinity, some of the best beaches in Tunisia.
You can highlight precisely the one in Hammamet, which gives its name to the gulf: its main beach is not especially large, but it has the charm of being protected by a historic fortress, right at the foot of the medina of this picturesque town. Its eastern sector, along the promenade (Boulevard Ibn el Fourat) has greater amplitude and services.
But without a doubt, the most outstanding beaches in this area are in Sousse and its surroundings. This city, which is part of our tours due to its picturesque medina full of souks and declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, also has a large promenade to Port El Kantaoui, where the main hotel chains have been established.
Beaches of the South and the Influence of the Desert
Finally, we mention here the beaches located further south, where the environment that surrounds them reminds us that the Sahara desert is very close: the aridity is evident in the terrain, but also the lesser presence of man, which gives it a certain feeling of escape.
This can be seen in Djerba (also written Yerba or Jerba), which is actually an island located off the coast and is nicknamed “the island of dreams”. Here are some of the best beaches in Tunisia, where the water is especially crystal clear and the sand is whiter and finer than in other parts of the country. Another name that tells us about its atmosphere is “the island of a thousand palm trees”, which now coexist with just as many reed umbrellas located on the beach, as many resorts have been established here. The most famous is perhaps Mahrez, to the east of the island, very popular with families with children because, in addition to the clear water, the shallow shore facilitates swimming for all ages.
It should be remembered that neither the southern nor the northern beaches are part of our pre-designed tours. But at Mandala Tours, our travel agents work to measure each client, so we can personalize each route to add one or the other to the circuit, if you wish, also organizing transportation, accommodation in charming hotels and any other service you need.
