Tunisia blends ancient history with Mediterranean charm, from the ruins of Carthage to the blue-and-white streets of Sidi Bou Said. Explore Roman amphitheaters, Saharan oases, and pristine coastal beaches in North Africa's most accessible destination.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Tunisia.
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- Postcard-perfect island beach with turquoise shallow water
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- water sports
- showers
- beach clubs
Djerba Sidi Mahrez Beach
Tunisia's most beautiful beach with powder-white sand and crystal-clear Mediterranean water. The shallow gradient makes it ideal for swimming and wading, and traditional fishing boats dot the horizon.
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- Upscale local beach popular with Tunis families
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- cafes
- showers
- promenade
La Marsa Beach
Tunis's most popular beach stretching along La Marsa's promenade with cafes, restaurants, and a lively waterfront atmosphere. Well-maintained with good facilities, it's the go-to weekend beach for affluent Tunisians.
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- Classic resort beach with excellent facilities
- sunbeds
- parasols
- water sports
- restaurants
- beach clubs
- showers
Hammamet Beach
Tunisia's original resort beach stretching 10km with fine golden sand and warm Mediterranean water. Lined with international hotels offering watersports, beach clubs, and family amenities.
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- Lively city beach with easy access to historic medina
- sunbeds
- beach clubs
- restaurants
- water sports
- showers
Sousse Corniche Beach
Sandy beach stretching along Sousse's seafront boulevard, combining easy swimming with proximity to the UNESCO medina. Popular with both tourists and locals, with beach clubs and regular events.
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- Wild, dramatic beach beneath cork forest mountains
- restaurants
- diving center
- snorkeling
- fishing boats
- basic facilities
Tabarka Beach
Spectacular crescent bay beneath pine-forested mountains with the ancient Genoese fort perched on a rocky headland. Excellent for snorkeling over rocky reef, with unspoiled natural beauty and fewer tourists than the east coast.
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- Unspoiled local beach with ancient fortress backdrop
- restaurants
- fishing port
- basic facilities
- natural setting
Kelibia Beach
Beautiful sandy beach below Kelibia fortress with clear blue water ranked among Tunisia's cleanest. The working fishing port nearby provides fresh seafood at rock-bottom prices.
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- Wild north coast beach with dramatic red cliffs
- restaurants
- basic facilities
- fishing boats
Raf Raf Beach
One of Tunisia's most scenic beaches with dramatic red sandstone cliffs plunging into emerald water. Pine trees grow to the cliff edge and the beach is less commercialized than southern resorts.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Raf Raf, Kelibia, and Tabarka offer unspoiled beaches with minimal commercial development, perfect for solitude and natural beauty
Family
Family-friendly
Djerba, Hammamet, and Sousse have shallow safe water, beach clubs with sunbeds, and resort facilities ideal for children
Sport
Active & sporty
Tabarka has excellent diving and snorkeling, Djerba and Hammamet offer kite surfing, jet skiing, and water sports
Social
Lively scene
La Marsa and Sousse Corniche are lively with beach cafes, promenade strolling, and evening restaurants
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Tunisia memorable.
Snorkeling
Excellent snorkeling at Tabarka over rocky reefs with sea bass, moray eels, and colorful fish. Kelibia also offers clear water for beginners. Equipment available to rent at most beach clubs.
Tabarka and Kelibia
Kite Surfing & Windsurfing
Tunisia's northeast trade winds make Djerba and El Haouaria on Cap Bon excellent kite surfing destinations. Schools offer lessons for beginners with equipment hire included.
El Haouaria (Cap Bon), Djerba
Diving
Tabarka has one of North Africa's finest dive sites with Roman amphora shipwrecks, coral reefs, and rich marine life. PADI centers offer courses and guided dives to depths of 30m.
Tabarka, Djerba
Jet Skiing
Widely available at major resort beaches including Hammamet, Sousse, and Djerba hotel zones. Half-hour hire typically $25-40.
Hammamet, Sousse, Djerba
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
May-Oct best; July-Aug very hot but peak season; shoulder months ideal
Getting there
Most public beaches are free; sunbeds and umbrellas extra $5-10/day at resort beaches
On-beach facilities
Major resort beaches have full facilities; northern and cap bon beaches more basic
Costs to budget
Entry free; sunbeds $5-10; water sports $25-80 depending on activity
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.