Hammamet beaches

Known as Tunisia's Saint Tropez, Hammamet is one of the country's prime holiday destination.

The picturesque medina is at the heart of the town. To the north and south hotels cater mainly for cheap package tours, while the more upmarket hotels have moved 10km (6 miles) further south to an area known as Yasmine Hammamet.

Beach:

The Gulf of Hammamet has some of the best beaches in a country famous for them. Both north and south of the town has lovely stretches, interspersed with private hotel beaches - particularly outside the International Cultural Centre, previously Sebastian's villa (avenue des Nations Unies). Plenty of watersports facilities are available, including windsurfing, water-skiing and jet-skiing. Some hotels offer open-water diving courses. If you have your own transport you can head for the wide and wilder beaches beyond Yasmine Hammamet.

Beyond the beach:

The charming medina, surrounded by thick walls, is a good place for an afternoon stroll: one corner is the 15th-century kasbah, on the other end is a small Folklore Museum. Sebastian's beautiful villa (avenue des Nations Unies) has been turned into the International Cultural Centre with art exhibitions and concerts. Yasmine Hammamet has a new medina, rather kitsch but full of crafts and souvenir shops.

Family fun:

This resort is very family friendly but the Flipper Aquapark (route touristique north) with slides and several pools will be particularly popular with children. Carthageland (rue de la Médina) (www.carthageland.com) in Yasmine Hammamet is a theme park with rides and attractions inspired by Tunisia's long history. The beaches are shallow and clean, perfect for smaller children, and the wide selection of watersports will keep the older ones amused.

Exploring further:

The pottery centre of Nabeul is within easy reach, and a car trip around the wilder beaches and small villages of Cap Bon makes for a pleasant day trip. The capital Tunis has its own beautiful medina, fine Roman mosaics at the Bardo Museum and the romantic ruins of Carthage.

Splashing out:

If it was good enough for Grace Kelly, Greta Garbo and Sofia Loren, then Fella near the entrance of the medina, is definitely worth a visit. This chic and long-established boutique sells beautifully made Tunisian djellabas, exotic kaftans, embroideries and fine jewellery.

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