The Hammamet medina: a stroll through the old town
Sea-facing ramparts, the kasbah, whitewashed alleys and blue doors: our tips for exploring the historic heart of Hammamet.
Ten minutes from the villa, the Hammamet medina is one of the most charming in Tunisia. Enclosed by walls that almost touch the Mediterranean, it has kept the scale of a village: you can walk it in an hour, but you will happily stay half a day.
The kasbah and the ramparts
Start at the kasbah, the fortress guarding the seaward corner of the medina. From the walkway on the walls you can take in the bay, the beach and the seaside cemetery with its white tombs. It is also the best place to understand the town: the sea on one side, a maze of rooftop terraces and domes on the other.
Get lost in the alleys
Once through the main gate, let the alleys lead the way. Whitewashed walls, studded doors painted blue, carved stone frames: this is the same architectural language that inspired Villa Carthago. Artisans sell rugs, Nabeul ceramics, copperware and perfumes. Take your time and chat; bargaining is part of the experience.
The best time for the medina? Late afternoon, when the stone turns golden and the heat eases.
A terrace by the sea
The cafés at the foot of the walls are perfect for a mint tea with pine nuts. In the evening, several restaurants serve grilled fish and couscous overlooking the bay.
Dar Sebastian and the festival
A few minutes away by car, Dar Sebastian, the villa built in the 1920s by Romanian aristocrat George Sebastian, is now home to the Hammamet International Cultural Centre. Its gardens are open to visitors and, every summer, its open-air theatre hosts the Hammamet International Festival: concerts, theatre and dance under the stars.
Practical tips
- Wear comfortable shoes: the alleys are paved.
- Keep some small change in dinars for little purchases.
- Cover shoulders and knees if you visit a place of worship.
