Hammamet

Hammamet, Tunisia

Holiday-geared Hammamet has long attracted international vacationers, a fact to which the glorious decades-old Yasmine resort complex serves as testament. The town itself offers just the right dose of thrills to culture enthusiasts looking to break the lethargy of an all-inclusive respite with some sightseeing and shopping – all within the ancient walls of a cream-colored, low-rise Medina.

Population:

97,579

Currency:

Tunisian dinar

Emergency Numbers:

Police - 197
Ambulance - 190
Fire - 198
National guard - 193

Opening Hours:

Working hours of local businesses may vary, but those that cater to tourists often stay open all through the day.

Newspapers:

La Presse de Tunisie (French)

The City

The first touristic center to be established in Tunisia, Hammamet preserves a lasting attraction to visitors (since it was first discovered by the beau monde in the 1920s) - perhaps, much due to the abundance of luxury resorts and affordable upmarket hotels in and around the area. Beaches in this part of the country are of particular appeal - apart from bits of the coast occupied by big hotels, boundless beaches stretch sandy miles north and south of town.
Hammamet's location at the start of Cap Bon peninsula makes it a great vantage point for exploring the area further, traveling up to the Tunisian capital or the settlement of Nabeul (known for its vibrant Friday market), or even all the way up north - to the peninsula's very tip, with places like scenic Kelibia or the Roman Caves of El Haouaria. If you choose to venture south, you might want to consider towns such as Sousse and Monastir.

Do & See

While urban life might not exactly be Hammamet's main draw, its cream-colored Medina is an attractive oriental maze of windy alleys emblematic of the region, and a definitive must-visit for holidaymakers. Tourist infrastructure in Hammamet is ever-evolving, with vacationer's paradise of Yasmine occupying multiple acres of land south of town. Around Hammamet, multiple archaeological sites and coastal settlements serve as excellent field-trip destinations to those willing to venture elsewhere.

Dining

Eateries in and around Hammamet (and the Yasmine resort complex) cater to a plethora of different tastes, given that the city regularly receives large numbers of foreign visitors. Seafood features prominently on local restaurants' menus, and so does lamb. One local specialty not to be missed is couscous, a dish containing the grain itself along with meat and/or vegetables. Meals often come with a side of harissa - a spicy peppery paste, to be mixed in with food or used as a spread.

Cafes

Leisurely afternoons at local cafes are a staple pastime in Hammamet. Their open-air terraces are good sites to people-watch, all while sipping on a glass of traditional Tunisian mint tea or freshly squeezed fruit juice. Some of the best views are to be had from atop the Medina walls, especially so at sundown.