About This Site
The Pupput Archaeological Site lies three kilometers northwest of Hammamet’s medina. Modern tourist development now covers most of this ancient city. Pupput was a neighbor of Neapolis. It had probably been a satellite city. The first mention of Pupput dates to 168 AD. It became a municipality ruled by an elected council. The city gained importance in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. It expanded greatly and acquired many public monuments.
A Byzantine citadel defended the city in the Middle Ages. After the Arab conquest, it became Qasr Zaïd. In 1303, Catalan pirates took and devastated the city. This marked the city’s final decline. Coal miners later settled on its ruins.
Pupput Archaeological Site, necropolis, mosaics, and thermal baths
Archaeologists undertook “rescue excavations” after fortuitous discoveries during earthworks. They uncovered part of the necropolis and a large residential area. This area included houses, a thermal complex, and hydraulic installations. These excavations provided funerary furniture and architectural decoration elements. Notably, they found mosaic pavements that reveal a fine art of living.
Good to Know
Opening Hours: From September 16 to May 31: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM. From June 1 to September 15: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. During Ramadan: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Entrance Fee: 5 TND
Remarks: Open all week.
Amenities: Bathroom, Shop, Cafeteria
Pupput Archaeological Site in Photos
Where to Find Pupput Archaeological Site
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Frequently Asked Questions
Pupput was a Roman coastal city documented from at least 168 AD, located 3 km northwest of modern Hammamet. It functioned as a prosperous provincial town producing ceramics, fish sauce, and agricultural goods until its destruction in the 14th century.
The Catalan Company (a mercenary force from the Crown of Aragon) destroyed Pupput in 1303 during raids along the Tunisian coast. The city was never rebuilt, leaving archaeological remains accessible for excavation.
The site preserves mosaic pavements, thermal baths, a Byzantine citadel, funerary monuments, and the foundations of domestic and commercial buildings. The necropolis area is particularly significant, yielding extensive funerary goods now in the Nabeul Regional Museum.
Entry costs approximately 5 TND. The site is located on the northern outskirts of Hammamet, between Hammamet and Nabeul, easily accessible by car or taxi from either town.
Despite its proximity to the major beach resort of Hammamet, Pupput receives relatively few visitors, making it a peaceful archaeological experience within easy reach of one of Tunisia's most popular tourist zones.
Yes. Pupput is naturally combined with the Nabeul Regional Museum (which displays artefacts from the site), the Neapolis ruins near Nabeul, and the Hammamet medina and kasbah in a half-day heritage circuit of the Cap Bon gateway area.
