Tunisia's most beautiful beaches: where to swim and where to stay

Tunisia is all about the sea. From the wild coves of the north to the long pale beaches of Djerba, the coastline changes a lot from one region to the next: clear water and fine sand on Cap Bon, lively resorts in Hammamet and Sousse, a calmer mood in Mahdia, cliffs and pine trees in Tabarka. Here are the country's finest beaches, what sets each one apart, and the seafront hotels where you can stay nearby.

Kélibia and El Mansourah beach, Cap Bon

At the tip of Cap Bon, Kélibia often tops the rankings, and for good reason. El Mansourah beach has very fine white sand and shallow, crystal-clear water, among the clearest in the country. Kélibia's fort overlooks the scene.

Where to stay: Cap Bon Kélibia Beach Hotel & Spa stands right on El Mansourah beach, with a private beach, pools and a spa.

Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet

About an hour's drive south of Tunis, Hammamet is the country's best-known seaside resort: golden sand, clear sea, water sports, bars and restaurants. Its beaches are busier than elsewhere, but the choice of hotels is huge, from family clubs to resorts with thalasso, across Hammamet North, Hammamet South and Yasmine Hammamet.

Where to stay: see our hotels in Hammamet. If you fly into Enfidha, our guide to Enfidha-Hammamet airport will help you plan the transfer.

Sousse and Port El Kantaoui

In Sousse, a huge fine-sand beach runs all the way to Port El Kantaoui, the resort built around its marina. Together with Monastir, this is Tunisia's liveliest coast: equipped beaches, jet skis, parasailing, beach volleyball and hotel gardens that run down to the sand.

Where to stay: Iberostar Selection Kantaoui Bay sits right on the beach, north of Sousse. See also our hotels in Sousse and hotels in Port El Kantaoui.

Monastir and Skanes

Just to the south, Monastir lines up its hotels along Skanes beach, a few minutes from the airport. People come for the beach, but also for the ribat, the fortress the town is famous for, and its marina.

Where to stay: Royal Thalassa Monastir stands on the sandy beach of Skanes. All our addresses are on the hotels in Monastir page.

Mahdia, the most peaceful

Mahdia has one of Tunisia's most beautiful beaches: fine sand, a calm sea and clear water, close to the medina and the Cap Afrique headland, away from the big resorts. It is the ideal beach if you want the sea without the bustle.

Where to stay: Mahdia Palace Thalasso is right on a private fine-sand beach. See also our hotels in Mahdia.

Djerba: Sidi Mahrez and Ras Rmel

On Djerba, the sand is almost white and the sea slopes gently into calm, shallow water, making the island one of the best choices for families with young children. The long beach of Sidi Mahrez, along the tourist zone, is its emblem. At the far end of the beach, the Ras Rmel peninsula, a long tongue of sand, leads towards lagoons where you can spot flamingos; boats leave Houmt Souk harbour for "Flamingo Island".

Where to stay: Télémaque Beach & Spa and Hasdrubal Prestige Thalassa & Spa both stand on Sidi Mahrez beach. For the rest of the island, read things to do in Djerba and Djerba with the family: which area to choose, or browse all our hotels in Djerba.

Tabarka and the north coast

In the north-west, near the Algerian border, Tabarka is a different world: coves between the rocks, cliffs, pine trees running down to the sea and deep water, ideal for diving and snorkelling. It is known as the Coral Coast, although red coral has become rare. Between Tabarka and Bizerte, much of the shoreline is still wild.

Where to stay: Thabraca Thalasso & Diving is on the seafront, between beach, pine forest and golf course. See our hotels in Tabarka.

Bizerte, Cap Angela and the north

Around Bizerte, the sea meets hills and forests. Visitors also come for Cap Angela, often described as the northernmost point of Africa.

Where to stay: Bizerta Resort and Nour Congress & Resort both face Sidi Salem beach, on the corniche.

Gammarth and La Marsa, the beach on Tunis's doorstep

Some twenty kilometres from central Tunis, La Marsa and Gammarth have wide, calm, family-friendly sandy beaches. They are handy if you want to combine swimming with visits to Carthage, Sidi Bou Saïd and the medina.

Where to stay: Carthage Thalasso Resort in Gammarth has its own private sandy beach and a water park. See our hotels in Tunis.

Tips for choosing your beach

• Families with young children: Djerba and Mahdia, for their calm, shallow water, or Kélibia.
• Nightlife and water sports: Hammamet, Sousse and Port El Kantaoui.
• Nature and diving: Tabarka and the north coast.
• Beach plus sightseeing: Gammarth and La Marsa, near Tunis.

To pick your season, read the best time to visit Tunisia; for your arrival, which airport to choose in Tunisia. Before you go, also check your government's official travel advice and our article on travelling safely in Tunisia.

Booking a seafront hotel

On Nreservi you see live prices and availability and book online. Living abroad? You can pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once payment is made. From Algeria, you pay in dinars with no bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly agency.

See seafront hotels in Tunisia

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