Where to stay in Tunisia: The best towns and hotels

Sousse

A popular touch down point for visitors to Tunisia, Sousse earns its spot on this list due to its diversity – in addition to fantastic beaches, there are plenty of opportunities for a culture fix, including the mosaic-filled Sousse Archaeological Museum.

But back to those beaches. The main beach here is Bou Jaafar, which stretches from the centre of Sousse to nearby Port El Kantaoui. It’s a great place for watersports and you’ll find places to refuel just steps from the sand thanks to the smooth promenade shadowing the sand.

You’re also close to Monastir, another fantastic coastal gem that’s about 21km (13 miles) away.

Where to stay in Sousse

A short walk from the water and just metres from various heritage sites, including the Sousse Archaeological Museum, both Mövenpick Resort Marine Spa Sousse and ​​Sousse Pearl Marriott Resort & Spa are excellent picks on the beachfront. Expect multiple pools, gourmet dining and indulgent spa treatments aplenty.

Port El Kantaoui

Holidays to Port El Kantaoui promise an old-school package getaway feel. A purpose-built resort just 20 minutes north of Sousse, Port El Kantaoui has served up hassle-free fun in the sun since 1979.

Some of the best activities are centred around the beach – think swimming in clear seas, fishing trips from wooden pirate-like boats and watersports like jet-skiing, windsurfing and scuba diving.

If you’re travelling with the family, you can keep teens entertained with the huge slides at Acqua Palace water park, while the tamer rides at Hannibal Park are better suited to younger travellers.

End your day at the chilled-out marina, where seafood is on many menus and bars are more about enjoying the sea views than staying out late.

Where to stay in Port El Kantaoui

You’ll get great bang for your buck when you go all-inclusive at the five-star Iberostar Selection Kantaoui Bay, where the entertainment team is as brilliant as the food, there’s direct access to a pristine beach and friendly staff can help arrange camel rides, quad biking and boat trips. Or stay at Seabel Alhambra Beach Golf & Spa to have one of Tunisia’s best golf courses at your fingertips.

Monastir

About halfway down Tunisia’s eastern coastline, Monastir’s brilliant peninsula position means you’ll be surrounded by water on three sides.

The city doesn’t want for beaches, but little Qaraiya Beach gets our vote for its kid-friendly, glass-clear water that stays wonderfully calm due to its sheltered spot.

Drag yourself away from this postcard spot and you’ll find unmissable attractions like the lively Monastir Marina, where you can sip coffee and gawp at the super yachts, and the Ribat of Monastir, which dates back to the 8th century when it was a monastery. It’s also where you’ll find the huge, Insta-friendly 'I Love Monastir' sign.

Where to stay in Monastir

Stay at the Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort and you’ll be in the heart of the Monastir’s so-called Tourist Zone. The best bit? This resort’s gorgeous beachfront location means the sunsets are insane. There’s also the three-star Marina Cap Monastir Appart Hôtel, which overlooks the marina and offers simple but clean apartments. Rooms start from as little as £28 a night.

Sidi Bou Said

Say hello to one of Tunisia’s most charming towns – a hilltop gem that juts out into the Mediterranean.

Heritage sites include the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace, famous for its mashrabiya (traditional latticework screens) and ancient artefacts, while the town’s cobbled streets and pretty marina make it one of Tunisia’s most photogenic destinations.

You’ll find Sidi Bou Said Beach next to the marina, at the foot of towering cliffs. It ticks all the boxes, with soft golden sand, clear water and plenty of room to lay out your towel.

Another reason to love Sidi Bou Said? It’s just 17.7km (11 miles) from Tunis, Tunisia’s capital, and right next to Carthage, an ancient city and a collection of archaeological sites.

Where to stay in Sidi Bou Said

You’ll glimpse gorgeous city and ocean views at the five-star La Menara Hotel & Spa. It’s lush too, with opulent rooms inspired by Tunisia’s past and a Roman-inspired spa that’s all marble and archways. Tucked away on a sidestreet, Hotel Dar Said’s beautiful decor and warm welcome have earned it excellent reviews. Its hammam only sweetens the deal.

Hammamet

Some of Tunisia’s best beaches and a wide range of hotels make Hammamet one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.

The star of the show is Hammamet’s kilometre-long beach, lined with pretty, thatched parasols and lapped by clear, calm water.

It’s not great for snorkelling so get your explorer on by discovering the chunks of thick fortress walls that stud the beaches or go out in search of Roman and Byzantine ruins. The ruins of Pupput – just south of the city – are all that’s visible of the city that was once a Roman stronghold, now hidden under a string of whitewashed hotels.

Where to stay in Hammamet

Five-star Radisson Blu Resort & Thalasso Hammamet is an idyllic base, where a palm-lined pool overlooks the beach and there are four on-site bars for those all-important sundowners. It’s a similar story at the Steigenberger Marhaba Thalasso. Rooms range from suites to bungalows, all unified by a pristine aesthetic.

Mahdia

Like many places in Tunisia, Mahdia is a destination with plenty of history. It’s worth exploring the fort and the medina, which was once part of an enormous citadel, but if you’re just visiting for beach time, you’ve chosen your destination well.

There’s a wide range of beaches on your doorstep, including secluded rocky bays on Madhia’s outskirts and family-friendly beaches close to its centre. The most popular stretches from Mahdia’s centre to the Zone Touristique (tourist zone). With its endless expanse of soft white sand, it’s a magnet for sunbathers, and the beachfront cafés are great places to restore energy levels (local delicacies include chapatis filled with cheese and harissa).

Travelling with kids in tow? You’ll find the Mahdia Beach Aquapark metres from the sand.

Where to stay in Mahdia

If you’re craving a picture-perfect sunbathing spot, stay at the five-star Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour resort, which has three pools as well as direct access to the beach. Prefer to be in the heart of all the splash-action? Mahdia Beach & Aqua Park has spacious, modern rooms adjacent to the waterpark.

Bizerte

Bizerte has remained off the tourist radar for a while now, so if you’re seeking full-facility beaches and watersports, it might not be for you.

But if you prefer something a little more laidback, and with a good helping of history too, you might just have found the one – heritage sites include its Spanish fort and its ancient Kasbah, while beaches include Sidi Salem, Rasenjela (which has several beautiful caves to explore), Al Rimel and La Grotte.

Make sure you take time to explore Bizerte’s old port. It’s colourful and chaotic, and if you visit in the morning, you’ll get to watch the city’s fishermen bringing in their daily catch.

Where to stay in Bizerte

Stay at the Residence Ain Meriem and you’ll have easy access to the sand, and even easier access to the hotel’s gorgeous beachfront bar. Guesthouse Dar El Kasba Bizerte offers a more budget-friendly option just a stone’s throw from the port. Highlights include traditionally decorated rooms and an on-site restaurant specialising in authentic African cuisine.

Nabeul

Nabeul’s claim to fame isn’t its beaches (though it has its fair share of them) but its colourful ceramics.

It’s a great place to pick up beautiful hand-painted pots and plates – as well as other sought-after items like gorgeous hand-blown glass lamps – and you’ll find bargains at the Medina and the so-called Camel Market.

Don’t stay put in the medina, though. Nabeul’s position on the Cape Bon peninsula makes it a great place for coastal walks, and the sunset views are second to none.

Where to stay in Nabeul

The best stretches of sand are the ones owned by hotels, so it’s worth choosing your accommodation carefully. Royal Lido Resort & Spa has a beautifully maintained private beach as well as luxurious tent-like cabanas for guests to use, while Hôtel Khayam Garden Beach Resort and Spa’s waterpark and private beach keeps guests splash-happy.

Djerba

You’ll find some of Tunisia’s best food on Djerba, a small island just off the country’s south-eastern coast and the Med’s best-kept island island.

With its whitewashed villas draped with trailing bougainvillea, it’s a place that's often compared to Morocco. Its villages and towns (the largest of which is Houmt Souk, a great place to sample some Tunisian street food) are fantastic spots to pick up crafts, although the beaches are the main draw here.

The best ones are on the northeast coast in the so-called ‘Zone Touristique’, and an upside to the fact that many are private is their pristine condition – they’re well-maintained and there are plenty of watersports on offer, too.

Where to stay in Djerba

Stay at the Hasdrubal Prestige Thalassa & Spa Djerba and you’ll be just a few metres from Plage Sidi Mehrez. The hotel is well known for its fitness and wellness offerings, and facilities include tennis courts, a sauna and a Turkish steam bath. Down the coast, the Iberostar Waves Mehari Djerba promises non-stop all-inclusive entertainment with a waterpark, kids’ camp and sports classes.