Best time to visit Tunisia: weather in Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir and Djerba

Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters.

Season by season

• Summer (June to September): beach season, hot and sunny. July and August are the busiest months: book early.
• Spring and autumn: pleasant temperatures, ideal for the medinas and ancient sites; the sea is often still warm enough to swim into October.
• Winter: mild, but cool in the evening. Choose a hotel with an indoor pool, such as Riadh Palms in Sousse, Yasmine Beach in Hammamet or Le Zénith in Hammamet.

Djerba

Further south, the island of Djerba is generally warmer and drier than Hammamet or Sousse, and draws visitors for much of the year. Hotels in Djerba

Hotels in Hammamet · Hotels in Monastir · Is Tunisia safe to visit?

Month by month, in short

• March to May: spring flowers, mild days and cool evenings. Ideal for Tunis, Carthage, Kairouan, El Jem and the Sahara; the sea is still cool for swimming.
• June: the start of the beach season, with long days and fewer crowds than in high summer.
• July and August: hot and dry, the peak of the season, with school holidays in Europe and the Maghreb. Hotels fill up fast: book several weeks ahead.
• September and October: warm sea, quieter beaches and softer heat. Often the best compromise for a beach holiday.
• November to February: mild days, cool nights and the rainiest months on the north coast. A good time for city breaks, thalassotherapy and the desert.

Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir or Djerba?

• Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet: the classic summer resort, with many hotels and the Yasmine marina. Hotels in Hammamet
• Sousse and Port El Kantaoui: beaches plus the medina and nightlife of Sousse. Hotels in Sousse
• Monastir: a calmer resort with its own airport and ribat. Hotels in Monastir
• Djerba: the island further south, warmer and drier, popular for spring and autumn breaks. Hotels in Djerba

The Sahara

For Tozeur, Douz and the Grand Erg Oriental, the cooler months from October to April are the usual season. Summer is very hot in the desert.

Quick answers

When is the sea warm enough to swim in Tunisia? Usually from June to October, with the warmest water at the end of summer.

Is Tunisia worth visiting in winter? Yes, for mild weather, lower demand, the medinas and the desert. Choose a hotel with an indoor pool for the beach resorts.

When are hotels busiest? July and August, plus Easter and the autumn half-term in Europe.

What to pack

• Summer: light clothes, a hat, sun cream and a cover-up for medinas and mosques.
• Spring and autumn: a light jacket or jumper for the evenings.
• Winter: warm layers, especially for the desert, where nights are cold.

Booking tips

For July and August, book several weeks ahead, especially family rooms and hotels with a private beach. In spring, autumn and winter, more rooms are available and you can choose a hotel with a spa or a thalassotherapy centre, a Tunisian speciality. See hotels in Tunisia

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.