What to see and do in the Medina of Hammamet, a charming place in Tunisia

Did you know that, from a tourist point of view, Hammamet can be considered the Benidorm of Tunisia?

Indeed, during the 70s of the last century in the city of Hammamet the development of the tourism in tunisia, in a phenomenon somewhat similar to what Benidorm was experiencing in Spain.

And actually Hammamet remains, along with Sousa and djerba island, the most important tourist enclave of the North African country that little by little is trying to recover the level of European visitors that it had before the end of 2010, when the Arab Spring.

Therefore, it is normal that when you consider a trip to tunisia, a Mediterranean country of which one of its great attractions is its long beaches of fine sand, take as a reference Hammamet for stays in five-star or large hotels resorts on the banks of them.

That has been our case in the recent trip to tunisia, where we stayed and enjoyed the five star hotel Le Royal Hammamet, the pioneer in the tourist complex known as Yasmine hammamet.

Traditionally, for many tourists, it is usually the initial or final stage of a trip in which, in addition to enjoying its beaches, you want to enter the interior corners of the country, reaching the gates of the sahara desert.

In addition, in a stay of several days in Hammamet You can take half-day excursions to very attractive nearby locations such as, for example, Sidi Bou Said, the Roman coliseum The Jerm o Kairouan, where you can visit its great mosque.

But, of course, you will also visit the Hammamet.

Looking ahead to this visit, what is the most interesting thing about see in Hammamet?

The best things to see and do in Hammamet

At the outset I will tell you that it is a city of about 80.000 inhabitants with a very touristy style, where in addition to large hotel complexes, there are many shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

In fact, due to its relative proximity to the capital of Tunisia, Hammamet It is a very common place where Tunisians go to spend the weekend.

In the area Yasmine Hammamet resort, which emerged in the 90s as an extension of the city, and where the main hotels and resorts, you will find a Leisure port, sports port with pleasure boats that allow you to take excursions by sea.

And you also have the so-called “new medina"Actually a modern shopping center with shops and restaurants.

Hammamet Medina

But true attraction of Hammamet is in your traditional medina.

You have to go to the center of the city and on the seashore you will find a walled medina next to a 15th century kasbah Built on a first fort from the 12th century.

After parking the vehicle next to the beach where the fishermen's boats and nets rest, you will cross a gate to enter the medina.

Don't expect narrow streets with a souk full of shops; It is a residential medina, in which people live, and in which only in some of its streets will you find the characteristics craft shops and remembrances.

They are alleys, some really narrow, through which barely a person can pass.

During your walk you will see how in these alleys the contrast of the white walls with the wooden doors of the houses decorated in different colors stands out.

You can also see some hamman, public bath that is used alternately by men and women, and whose tradition gives the city its name, Hammamet.

In some corners you will find artistic samples of some of the artists residing in the medina of Hammamet, in addition to having its shop-workshops open to tourists.

It should not surprise you to know that this medina has been portrayed, among others, by Paul Klee.

Terrace of the Bab Sidi Bouhdid cafe in Hammamet

You must finish the visit of the visit of the medina of Hammamet in one of the emblematic places of this Tunisian city, and a place very frequented by tourists.

My advice is to have tea accompanied by Arabic sweets in the cafe terrace Bab Sidi Bouhdid, a classic located next to the wall and from where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset on the seashore.

You will see that it is the best way to do it.

Photos of Hammamet in Tunisia

Here you have more photos of the medina of Hammamet in Tunisia.