Best Beaches in Tunisia: Our Guide from North to South
Tunisia has more than 1,300 km (800 miles) of coastline, and no two stretches look alike. In the north, green hills and pine trees run down to the sea, the water is a little cooler and the beaches are mostly frequented by Tunisians. Cap Bon is a string of rocky coves and turquoise lagoons. The Sahel, from Hammamet to Mahdia, is the Tunisia of long sandy beaches and big hotels. And in the south, around Djerba, the sea is calm and warm and lined with palm trees.
Choosing a beach is therefore mostly about choosing a vibe: a lively resort with every water sport you can think of, a shallow family-friendly beach, or a wilder spot where you bring your own picnic. We have organized our selection by region, from north to south, with what makes each beach special, how to get there and who it suits best.
One practical note before you go: every visitor needs a passport to enter Tunisia, valid for at least three months on arrival. Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and the EU do not need a visa for a short tourist stay.
The north: green hills and clear water
The north is the region foreign vacationers know least, and that is exactly its charm. The water is a little cooler than in the south, but the scenery is more varied and the beaches are often less built up.
Raf Raf: the most beautiful postcard of the north
Seen from the road that winds down the hill, Raf Raf beach is probably one of the most striking views on the Tunisian coast: a long arc of very pale sand, water that shifts from turquoise to deep blue and, offshore, the rock of Pilau Island rising from the sea. The village, about an hour's drive north of Tunis, is also known for the vineyards and fig trees that cover its hills.
In July and August, Raf Raf is very popular with Tunisian families, especially on weekends: come on a weekday, early in the morning, to enjoy an almost empty beach. A few kilometers away, Sidi Ali El Mekki beach, near Ghar El Melh, is another beautiful and wilder option.
- Best for: scenery lovers, photographers, families on weekdays
- Getting there: by car from Tunis or Bizerte, paid parking in season
Tabarka: rocks, coral and cork oak forests
In the far northwest, near the Algerian border, Tabarka looks like no other Tunisian resort. The town is backed by the Kroumirie mountains, covered in cork oak forests, and its coastline alternates between sandy beaches and spectacular rock formations such as Les Aiguilles ("the Needles"), tall blades of rock rising out of the sea. The Genoese fort overlooking the peninsula completes the picture.
Its seabed, rich in red coral, has made it a well-known diving destination. It is also a good base if you want to combine the beach with hiking in the Aïn Draham forest.
- Best for: divers, travelers looking to get off the beaten path
- Getting there: about 3 hours by car from Tunis
La Marsa: where Tunis goes to the beach
About twenty minutes from downtown Tunis on the TGM suburban train (La Marsa is the last stop), this is where people from the capital come to cool off. There are no big hotels here, just a long sandy beach along a seafront promenade lined with ice cream shops and cafés, including the famous Café Saf Saf and its traditional well.
It is the perfect place for an evening swim if you are staying in Tunis, followed by a stroll along the promenade once the heat fades. In summer, the beach is very lively, especially on Sundays.
- Best for: travelers staying in Tunis, anyone curious about local life
- Getting there: TGM train from Tunis-Marine, or taxi
Sidi Bou Said: a small beach below the blue-and-white village
Below the famous village with its blue doors, a staircase and a path lead down to a small beach and the marina. It is neither the biggest nor the wildest beach on this list, but you swim with a view over the Bay of Tunis and the village clinging to the cliff above you.
Our favorite way to do it: explore the lanes of Sidi Bou Said in the morning, go down for a swim when the tour buses arrive, then climb back up for a pine nut mint tea at the end of the day, when the light turns golden.
- Best for: a swim between two visits, not a full beach day
- Getting there: TGM train (Sidi Bou Said stop), then on foot
Cap Bon: turquoise lagoons and wild coves
The Cap Bon peninsula points toward Sicily, east of Tunis. It is the land of citrus groves and vineyards, and home to some of the clearest water in the country.
El Mansourah (Kelibia): the lagoon of Cap Bon
If you only see one beach on Cap Bon, make it this one. North of Kelibia, El Mansourah beach has shallow, crystal-clear water in a Caribbean-like turquoise over white sand. You can walk a long way with the water only waist-deep, which makes it a perfect beach for kids. On the nearby hill, the Kelibia fort watches over the coast and is worth the short climb for the view.
Kelibia is also a busy fishing port: grilled fish at the harbor restaurants makes for a great lunch.
- Best for: families, turquoise water lovers
- Getting there: about 1 hour 45 minutes by car from Tunis
El Haouaria: cliffs and snorkeling at the tip of Cap Bon
At the very tip of Cap Bon, El Haouaria is a rawer landscape: cliffs, wind, very clear water and, offshore, the islands of Zembra and Zembretta. The rocky seabed is one of the best in the north for snorkeling. Don't miss the Roman caves (Ghar El Kebir), ancient stone quarries carved into the cliff, whose size and light are striking.
The area is also known for its falconry tradition, celebrated with a festival every early summer.
- Best for: wild nature and snorkeling fans
- Good to know: bring water shoes for the rocks; the sea can get rough when the wind picks up
Korbous: swimming where hot springs meet the sea
On the western coast of Cap Bon, the road to Korbous runs along mountains that drop straight into the sea. What makes the place unique is the Aïn El Atrous hot spring, whose very hot water flows directly into the Mediterranean. You swim right where the hot spring water and the seawater mix, a surprising experience.
The spot is more picturesque than comfortable (a small cove, crowded on weekends), but the coastal road alone is worth the detour.
- Best for: the curious, as a day trip from Tunis or Hammamet
- Getting there: about 1 hour by car from Tunis
Hammamet: the classic beach resort
Hammamet is the country's best-known resort, and the easiest choice for a no-planning vacation: long sandy beaches, beachfront hotels and water sports galore. The old town has kept its charm, with a medina and a fort that open directly onto the beach. Further south, Yasmine Hammamet is the modern district, with its marina and large resorts.
For a quieter beach, move a little away from the center or pick a hotel north of town.
- Best for: all-inclusive vacations, families, water sports
- Getting there: Enfidha-Hammamet airport is about 45 minutes away
The Sahel coast: fine sand and historic towns
Between Sousse and Mahdia, the Sahel is home to a large share of the country's hotels. The beaches are long, the sand is fine and the sea is usually calm, with the bonus of historic towns just a few steps away.
Sousse: a lively beach and a UNESCO-listed medina
Boujaafar beach, right in the center of Sousse, is the liveliest in the country: hotels, cafés, donut sellers and ball games until sunset. To the north, the tourist zone stretches all the way to Port El Kantaoui and its marina. The big advantage of Sousse is its medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just a few minutes' walk from the beach.
- Best for: travelers who want some buzz and sightseeing
- Getting there: Monastir or Enfidha-Hammamet airport
Monastir: swimming below the ribat
In Monastir, the beach is overlooked by the Ribat of Harthema, an 8th-century fortress that has served as a movie set several times. Swimming with these ochre ramparts as a backdrop is something special. The water is calm and shallow, which suits families well.
From the harbor, boats run trips to the Kuriat Islands, two white-sand islets where loggerhead sea turtles come to lay their eggs: it is one of the best days at sea you can have in the Sahel.
- Best for: families, history lovers
- Getting there: Monastir airport is a few minutes away
Mahdia: the most beautiful beach in the Sahel
Further south, Mahdia is the most peaceful town in the Sahel, and many consider its beaches the finest on the east coast: very white, fine sand, clear water and a much calmer atmosphere than in Sousse. The old town, a former Fatimid capital, sits on a peninsula that ends at Cap Afrique, with its seaside cemetery and the Borj El Kebir fort.
- Best for: travelers looking for calm, couples
- Getting there: about 45 minutes from Monastir airport
The south: palm trees, warm sea and the desert
In the south, the sea is warmer and calmer, and the swimming season lasts longer. It is also the gateway to the Sahara.
Djerba: the island of golden beaches
Djerba is the big beach destination of the south. The northeast coast, around Sidi Mahrez beach, is where most hotels and activities are. For more peace and quiet, head to Seguia beach on the east coast, wilder and lined with palm trees. A boat trip from Houmt Souk also takes you to Ras R'mel, the sandbar nicknamed "Flamingo Island."
Between swims, the island is well worth exploring: its menzels (traditional domed houses), its mosques, the Ghriba synagogue and its craft villages. Part of this heritage has been listed by UNESCO since 2023.
- Best for: everyone, with a swimming season that lasts until October
- Getting there: Djerba-Zarzis airport
Zarzis: peace and quiet among the olive trees
Linked to Djerba by an old causeway across the sea, Zarzis has a more low-key coastline, with sandy beaches surrounded by olive groves. Fewer hotels, less buzz: it is the choice for those who want the warm southern sea without the bustle of Djerba.
- Best for: quiet getaways, long stays
- Getting there: about 1 hour from Djerba-Zarzis airport
Bonus: Ksar Ghilane, a swim in the middle of the desert
It is not a beach, but the experience is worth the trip: in Ksar Ghilane, on the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental, a hot spring feeds a natural pool surrounded by palm trees and dunes. You swim in the middle of the Sahara, then climb the dunes for sunset or walk to the ruins of the Roman fort of Tisavar.
Plan at least one night in one of the oasis camps to really enjoy it, on a trip from Djerba or Douz.
- Best for: travelers who want to add the desert to their beach trip
- Getting there: by 4x4 or on an organized tour
Practical tips for a beach vacation in Tunisia
When to go?
The swimming season runs from June to October. June and September are the best months: the water is already (or still) pleasant, it is hot without being overwhelming and the beaches are less crowded. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, especially with Tunisian and Algerian vacationers. In the south, in Djerba, you can often swim until the end of October, and the sea is warmer than in the north.
Where to stay?
- All the comforts and plenty of buzz: Hammamet, Sousse, Port El Kantaoui
- Calm and beautiful beaches: Mahdia, Kelibia
- Warm sea and a long season: Djerba, Zarzis
- Beach plus sightseeing in Tunis: La Marsa, Gammarth or Sidi Bou Said
Beach etiquette and rules
- Hotel beaches are more relaxed than public beaches, where many Tunisian families go: a regular swimsuit is the norm, and topless sunbathing is not accepted.
- Pay attention to the swimming flags: some exposed beaches, such as El Haouaria, can have currents when the wind is strong.
- Wild beaches often have no facilities at all: bring water, shade and food.
- Drones require prior authorization in Tunisia: without it, they can be confiscated.
Water sports and boat trips
The big resorts offer jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. For diving, Tabarka and El Haouaria are the best spots. As for boat trips, the Kuriat Islands from Monastir and Ras R'mel from Djerba are the two classics.
Booking through an agency
To plan a stress-free beach vacation and discover the country's highlights, you can use a travel agency. Some specialize in Tunisia, such as Inspiration Voyages, a travel agency in Tunisia. Leaving the planning to professionals gets you a tailor-made itinerary, expert advice and full support so you can make the most of your stay.
Conclusion
From the turquoise lagoon of El Mansourah to the ramparts of Monastir, by way of the sandy arc of Raf Raf and the palm trees of Djerba, Tunisia has much more to offer than a hotel beach. The best plan is often to combine two regions: a few days in the north or on Cap Bon for the scenery, then the Sahel or Djerba for a warm, calm sea. And don't forget your passport: it is required for every visitor.
FAQ
1. What is the most beautiful beach in Tunisia?
It depends on what you are looking for. For scenery, Raf Raf in the north is hard to beat. For shallow turquoise water, El Mansourah in Kelibia. For white sand and calm, Mahdia. And for a warm sea until October, Djerba.
2. Where can I find wild, uncrowded beaches in Tunisia?
In the north and on Cap Bon: Sidi Ali El Mekki near Ghar El Melh, the coves of El Haouaria and the Tabarka coastline. In Djerba, Seguia beach is much quieter than the hotel zone of Sidi Mahrez.
3. Which beaches are best for kids?
El Mansourah in Kelibia, Monastir and Mahdia, thanks to their calm, shallow water. The beaches of Hammamet and Djerba are also convenient, with facilities nearby.
4. When is the water warmest in Tunisia?
In August and September. The south (Djerba, Zarzis) has the warmest sea, and you can swim comfortably there until the end of October.
5. Do I need a passport to go to Tunisia?
Yes. Every visitor needs a passport valid for at least three months on arrival. Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and the EU do not need a visa for a short tourist stay.
About the authors
We are Camille & Fabien, two travelers who love authentic discoveries. On Revel Roads, we share our experiences, our favorite food finds and our best addresses to travel like a local. All our articles come from our own trips and are packed with practical tips to help you plan yours.
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