12 best resorts in Tunisia – which one to choose for recreation, photo, description, map
Tunisia is suitable for those tourists who want to relax on the beach surrounded by beautiful nature and carry out a comprehensive recovery of the body. The best resorts in Tunisia are open all year round and are ready to please their guests with clean water, vibrant coral reefs, the legacy of once great empires and recognized thalassotherapy centers.
Hammamet
This resort is considered quite conservative, but at the same time one of the most respectable. It meets European standards and allows you to combine high-class beach holidays, wellness treatments in thalassotherapy centers, and vibrant nightlife. Hammamet has been popular among eminent European and American families since the twentieth century, but, like other resorts in Tunisia, at one time it suffered greatly from the confrontation between Spain and the Ottoman Empire.
Today, the most beautiful Spanish fort, which is located in the Old City, at some distance from Yasmine Hammamet (tourist zone), remains from the bloody war. Clear blue waters and soft sand have made the local beaches a holiday classic, while seafood dishes have become the hallmark of many respected restaurants, including Le Barberousse, which managed to obtain a license to sell illegal alcohol.
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Suss
This beautiful historic center is famous for its olive groves. The local old streets of the medina are excellently preserved and continue to attract tourists. Ribat is also worth a visit – an ancient monastery-fortress with tiny cells. The local museum is universally famous for its collection of mosaics. You will not find a more complete and unusual collection of such art objects anywhere else. The must-see list also includes oriental bazaars – a place of eternal trading, antiques, products made of gold, silver, copper and olive wood.
Sousse is comfortably located in a quiet bay, which makes a beach holiday here amazing – fine sandy beaches and exotic gardens frame the pure blue. The local gastronomic world is represented by numerous restaurants serving seafood, but if you are a fan of sweets or traveling with children, be sure to check out the so-called Ice Cream House, which serves more than a hundred types of this delicacy.
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Monastery
This small city appeared through the efforts of the Phoenicians, and then turned into a Roman outpost, from which Caesar himself began his campaign against Pompey. After Caesar, the rulers succeeded each other in a motley cycle: the Spaniards, the Ottomans, the corsairs. Many monuments have been preserved from such a rich historical past: the mausoleum of Bourguiba – the main dominant of the old city, Ribat, where today the Islamic Museum with a collection of unique glassware from the Fatimids, the huge mosque of Bourguiba is located.
This clean town is surrounded by tropical gardens. It includes several small islands that are ideal for diving. Monastir is whiter calm than Hammamet, and inferior to it in the number of establishments that open after sunset. But at the same time, there is a full range of “elite” entertainment: a yacht club, a riding school, golf courses, as well as a large amusement park “Adam Park”.
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Djerba Island
This island is the largest island of the African coast. It is connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus bridge in the southeast and a ferry crossing on the other side of the island. The journey here is vividly reminiscent of the voyage of Odysseus, who met the “lotus eaters” on Djerba, forever intoxicated and chained to the island. But even without flower dope you won't want to leave the island – oriental flavor combined with European quality speaks for itself. If you're going to believe the brochures, head to the northeast of the island for both turquoise waters and fine sand. But in other parts of the coast, you are likely to encounter only the splash of waves on a mixture of clay, silt, stones and sand.
And such a picture is unlikely to inspire you to enjoy every minute of your vacation. Another indisputable advantage of the island is the local thalassotherapy centers. Once this part of North Africa belonged to the French, and it was they who began to develop the health potential of Djerba. Today, most local professionals are still educated in France.
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Tunisia
Worthy of its status as the capital. This is a colorful, noisy city, where African, Mediterranean, Arabic and European flavors are bizarrely combined. Pleasant for its versatility: someone will choose Old Tunisia for living with the Zituna mosque, the tomb of Turkish beys and noisy bazaars. Here the common eastern and primordially Tunisian exotics are combined. Another will be conquered by quarters in classic French style with the National Drama Theater, whose ensemble is hard to forget.
This huge Art Nouveau building appears to be made of marshmallows. There are hundreds of hotels within the city – from quite affordable to a tourist with an average income to the so-called charm hotels, the prices of which are simply going through the roof. The latter are usually located near Carthage and offer, for example, a view of the presidential palace.
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Mahdia
This tourist center is located on Cape Afrik. The Old Town is predominantly located here, and more modern quarters with developed infrastructure occupy the territory inland and along the coast. Its foundation is connected with internal conflicts within the Ottoman Empire. At some point, it was decided to found a new capital on the site of the former Phoenician settlement on Cape Afrik, which was to become Mahdia. But the plan was not fully implemented, and in subsequent years the city changed hands: the French, Spaniards and Turks continued to share power.
Today, Mahdia is a very peaceful place with luxurious beaches, perfect for family vacations. Thanks to the underwater beauty and the purity of the water, diving is well developed here. Several schools are open for beginners. Among other things, the city is an operating port, which belongs to the category of key ones. Mahdia is famous for several things: traditional fishing at night, intricate gold and silver embroidery on fabric, and fish markets.
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Nabel
This place can rightly be considered one of the most fertile, especially for fans of tourist recreation: picturesque grottoes that adorn the coast, gentle ocean, fine sand. The air smelled of salt, combined with the thick aroma of oranges, grapes and oleanders, which are planted around the area. Winemaking and traditional crafts flourish here. So, Nabeul is still considered the center of pottery. Most of the old workshops are located on Sidi Barket Street. Not far from Nabeul is the tiny village of El Khawariya, crowning Cape Bon.
Be sure to visit it if you want to get acquainted with the classic Tunisian way of life, which has not changed for centuries. This place will also be of interest to fans of falconry. Nabeul will be a real find for a gourmet. It is here that they continue to cook authentic dishes, the recipes of which have already been forgotten in most of Tunisia. For example, shorba soup or orange blossom water rice.
Hammart
This town is quite able to compete with the ancient cultural centers of the Mediterranean. So, during excavations on the Gammarth Hill, ancient catacombs were discovered, whose construction time is estimated at least eighteen centuries. It is assumed that they were built during the Roman conquests. However, the real heyday of Gammarth occurred only with independence from France, when the tourist potential of this place began to develop more freely.
Just seven kilometers from the city is Carthage – the once powerful capital of the greatest Phoenician power. In Gammarth itself, there are not many major attractions, although the flavor of the old city has been well preserved. This resort is quite closed – each hotel offers tourists its own set of entertainment and owns its own section of the beach. In general, you should choose Gammarth if your priority is a relaxing vacation at the highest level.
Zarzis
This port city is located almost on the border with Libya, which partly explains its relatively low popularity in the tourist environment. However, its historical past is comparable to the past of Carthage itself, since for centuries Zarzis was a key port on the way to North Africa, from where there was an active trade with the Western world. Today it is a small seaside town where it is difficult to find a five-star hotel, but there are no crowds of tourists here either – a measured rest in Tunisian flavor.
However, it is the perfect location for a trip to the desert. Tours to the Sahara are guaranteed to remain in your memory: authentic nomad settlements, troglodyte dwellings, camel riding, a trip to Gigtis, a city from the time of Byzantium. In addition, Zarzis is considered one of the brightest gastronomic centers, and local spices will be the best souvenir.
Tabarka
This small town is the real coral decoration of the northern coast. It lies comfortably in a closed bay, which is hidden behind a dense wall of hills and branched palisades. Centuries-old oaks and pines form the backdrop to the seascape. A little to the west lies the island of the same name, on which there once stood a fortress, as well as a lighthouse. Nature is extraordinary. Flat beaches give way to pointed headlands that cut sharply into the water, while the purity of the ocean and the presence of bright reefs make Tabarka ideal for beginner divers. Fisheries are very common.
You can personally catch a giant shrimp or participate in catching lobsters or sea urchins. The list of indisputable local beauties usually includes Lake Ishkel, where European birds flock to spend the winter. There is a unique protected area around the lake. In general, Tabarka is suitable for lovers of landscapes and people who are interested in a good rest from the harmful influence of the metropolis and recovery in the fresh air – in restoring balance.
Enfida
Enfidha is located on the railway line from Sousse to Tunisia in close proximity to the Gulf of Hammamet. If you find yourself in the city, try to visit Henchir Chigarnya, a small settlement whose main attraction is the ancient museum. Its complex includes a church and the once massive Uppenna Fortress. In the church you can see excellently preserved mosaic epitaphs. In general, Enfidha is not too rich in attractions. It is among the old plantations, which began to break up thanks to the efforts of the Franco-African Society of Enfidaville. Olives, grapes and many crops are still grown here. Clean air, refreshing landscapes and privacy are guaranteed.
Kerkenna Island
The Gulf of Gebes has become famous for two things: the busy port of Sfax and the Kerkenna archipelago, which consists of seven fairly large islands. Start your trip to the archipelago from the ferry outpost on the mainland. The first you will meet is the island of Garbi, which is connected to the island of Chergui by an old Roman dam. These two islands are the largest in the chain. This resort is not too developed, and therefore it is best suited for the definition of a refuge from the stress that fills the life of a modern person.
In addition, due to the gentle coast and calm waters, local beaches are considered the most suitable for children. Fishing for octopus is very common in Kerkenna, in which you can also participate. The local cuisine is such that dishes from this underwater inhabitant are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Which one to choose for families with children
In Tunisia, there are no places focused only on families with children. In fact, you can choose any resort and there is guaranteed to be at least one hotel that will focus on children's leisure. It is better not to choose such quiet ones as Nabeul, Tabarua or Gammarth. Only an adult can appreciate them. If you want your child to truly remember the holiday, you need to choose a noisier resort. You can stop at Hammamet with its Carthage Land entertainment complex, which contains not only attractions, but also interactive exhibitions like the Crossroads of Cultures. The city also has a water park with a children's area.
If you are planning a holiday in Sousse, immediately look for a hotel in the vicinity of Port El Kantaoui. There are cleaner beaches, and a ranch, a mini-zoo, and a botanical garden are open for children. Djerba Island would also be a good option. This is the warmest resort in Tunisia, in which many entertainment places for children are concentrated: dozens of mini-ranches, zoos, water slides, children's clubs with Russian-speaking staff. Djerba Explor is also located here, the park complex of which includes, among other things, a crocodile farm – the only one in Tunisia. Among the undisputed leaders in the list of resorts where you can relax with children, there are also Mahdia and Monastir.
Best time to travel
The choice of the season for visiting Tunisia depends entirely on how exactly you see your vacation. If you have planned a leisurely vacation that will allow you to improve your health and comprehensively relax, you do not depend on the “right” month. The thalassotherapy centers are open all year round. If you decide to fill your vacation with visiting local attractions, stop in early spring. At this time, there is still no sweltering heat, which is very handy – most of the truly significant tourist sites are located in the Sahara, where it is not very recommended to be during the summer sun.
For a beach holiday, it is best to go to Tunisia from the beginning of April to the second half of June – during this period, the water in the sea is fully warmed up, but there is still no real African heat. The summer months are considered high season, although July and August are not recommended for families with children, because you risk not only getting a bronze tan, but getting burned. By September, the velvet season begins. At this time, the beaches are empty, and the weather becomes dry and warm. Together with price reductions on almost the entire coast, this makes September one of the most comfortable months for a holiday in Tunisia.