The best beaches in Tunisia line over 1,300km of Mediterranean coastline, many still undiscovered by mass tourism. From the postcard sands of Djerba to the dramatic northern shores of Tabarka, here are the best beaches in Tunisia, our top 10 selection for 2026.

Tunisia’s 1,300km of Mediterranean coastline hides some of the sea’s most beautiful beaches, many still undiscovered by mass tourism. Here are the 10 best.

1. Sidi Mahrez Beach, Djerba

The postcard beach of Djerba, miles of fine white sand, calm shallow turquoise water, and a backdrop of palm trees. Ideal for families. Lined with hotels but still beautiful.

2. Hammamet Beach

The classic Tunisian resort beach. Long, golden, with a dramatic view of the medina and the Cap Bon peninsula. Popular but well-maintained. Excellent water sports facilities.

3. La Marsa, Tunis

The chic northern suburb of Tunis has a lovely stretch of sand popular with locals. The Corniche promenade, café terraces, and relaxed vibe make it a favourite escape from the capital.

4. Aghir Beach, Djerba

The quieter, wilder side of Djerba. Fewer hotels, longer stretches of undeveloped sand, and spectacular sunsets. Great for kitesurfers.

5. Kélibia Beach, Cap Bon

A hidden gem on the Cap Bon peninsula. Crystal-clear water, a dramatic Punic and Byzantine citadel on the headland, and excellent fresh fish restaurants nearby.

6. Raf Raf Beach

Dramatic cliff-backed white sand beach north of Bizerte. Often cited as one of the most beautiful beaches in Tunisia. The grapes from the surrounding hills are famous too.

7. Cap Serrat Beach

Wild, remote, and utterly unspoilt. Backed by cork oak forest and accessible via an unpaved road, but the reward is paradise-level isolation on one of Tunisia’s wildest coasts.

8. Zarzis Beach

South of Djerba, Zarzis has quieter, less touristic beaches with warm, shallow water. A good base for day trips to the desert and the island.

9. Monastir Beach

The beach fronting Monastir’s impressive ribat fortress creates one of Tunisia’s most photographed scenes. The water is warm and clear; the old town is steps away.

10. Tabarka Beach

In the far northwest, Tabarka’s beach is backed by pine forests and the dramatic Needle rocks. World-class scuba diving, a jazz festival, and Berber market nearby.

Beach Tips

• Best season: June–September for swimming; May and October for fewer crowds
• North vs. South: Northern beaches (Tabarka, Raf Raf) are wilder; southern (Djerba, Zarzis) are warmer and calmer
• Getting there: Djerba has direct international flights; others require a hire car from Tunis

This Djerba island travel guide covers everything you need to plan a perfect visit to North Africa’s largest island. Djerba, connected to the mainland by a 7km Roman causeway, blends beaches, culture, history and gastronomy into one unforgettable destination. Use this Djerba island travel guide to make the most of every day on the island.

Djerba, connected to the mainland by a 7km Roman causeway, is the largest island in North Africa. Known as the “Island of Dreams” and the legendary Island of the Lotus Eaters from Homer’s Odyssey, Djerba blends beaches, culture, history, and gastronomy.

Getting There

• By air: Djerba-Zarzis Airport (DJE), direct flights from Paris, Lyon, Frankfurt, Rome, Brussels and more
• By road: Via the Roman causeway from El Kantara, or the ferry from Jorf (25 min crossing)

Top Attractions

Houmt Souk Medina

The island’s capital with a charming covered souk, whitewashed fondouks, and the Ottoman-era Borj el Kebir fortress overlooking the sea.

Djerbahood

The village of Erriadh was transformed into the world’s largest open-air street art museum, with over 150 murals by international artists.

El Ghriba Synagogue

One of the oldest synagogues in the world (586 BC according to tradition), a major pilgrimage site and symbol of Tunisia’s Jewish heritage. Open to visitors.

Beaches

The north coast (Sidi Mahrez, La Séguia) offers long white sand beaches with calm, shallow water. The east coast (Aghir) is quieter with fewer hotels.

Best Excursions from Djerba

• Ksar Ouled Soltane (40 min), most photogenic ksar in Tunisia
• Chenini Berber village (1.5h), dramatic hilltop troglodyte village
• Matmata Star Wars caves (2h), Hôtel Sidi Driss
• Sahara camel trek from Douz (3h drive)

Food & Drink

Don’t miss grilled sea bream at the fishing port, brick à l’oeuf, ojja merguez, and fresh octopus salad. The island’s olive oil and dates are exceptional.

The archaeological sites in Tunisia are among the most impressive and underrated in the world. With 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and thousands of years of Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and Arab history, the archaeological sites in Tunisia form one of the richest open-air museums in the entire Mediterranean.

Tunisia is one of the world’s most underrated archaeological destinations. With 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and thousands of years of Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab history, the country is a living open-air museum.

1. Carthage

Founded in 814 BC by the Phoenicians, Carthage was once Rome’s greatest rival. The Antonine Baths, Tophet, Punic ports, and Byrsa Hill are spread across a suburb of Tunis. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Dougga

Arguably Tunisia’s most impressive Roman site, a remarkably preserved hilltop city with a stunning Capitol temple, theatre, baths, and forum. 110km from Tunis. UNESCO WHS.

3. El Djem Amphitheatre

The third-largest Roman amphitheatre in the world, seating 35,000 spectators, larger than Rome’s Colosseum in some dimensions. Still used for summer concerts. UNESCO WHS.

4. Sbeitla (Sufetula)

One of the best-preserved Roman forum complexes in North Africa, with three temples dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva standing almost intact.

5. Bulla Regia

Famous for its unique underground Roman villas, built below ground to stay cool. The mosaics inside are extraordinary, depicting mythological scenes with vivid colour.

6. Kerkouane

The only intact Punic city in the world, never rebuilt by the Romans. Street layout, houses, and a Punic necropolis are preserved remarkably on the Cap Bon peninsula. UNESCO WHS.

7. Thuburbo Majus

An impressive Roman city 60km south of Tunis with a large Capitol, forum, and several bath complexes. Often overlooked by tourists despite its scale.

8. Chemtou (Simitthu)

Famous for its rare Numidian yellow marble (giallo antico), quarried here and shipped across the Roman Empire. The site includes a Roman bridge, theatre, and ancient quarries.

9. Utica

Claimed to be the oldest Phoenician colony in North Africa (1101 BC), predating even Carthage. Punic tombs, Roman houses with mosaics, and a museum near Tunis.

10. Zama (Jama)

The site of the Battle of Zama (202 BC) where Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal, ending the Second Punic War. The landscape today is quiet farmland, but the history is monumental.

Star Wars Tunisia is one of the most iconic filming destinations in the world. When George Lucas chose Tunisia as the backdrop for Tatooine in 1976, he created an enduring legacy, the Star Wars Tunisia locations in Matmata, Tozeur and Tataouine can still be visited today, largely unchanged. Here is your complete guide.

When George Lucas chose Tunisia as the backdrop for the desert planet Tatooine in 1976, he turned this North African country into a pilgrimage site for millions of Star Wars fans. Here is your complete guide to every filming location.

Why Tunisia Was Tatooine

Lucas was struck by the otherworldly landscapes of southern Tunisia, the troglodyte cave homes of Matmata, the Saharan dunes near Nefta, the ancient ksour (fortified granaries) of the south, and the salt flats of Chott el-Djerid. Together, they created the alien world of Tatooine.

1. Matmata, Luke Skywalker’s Home (Hôtel Sidi Driss)

The iconic underground hotel Hôtel Sidi Driss in Matmata served as the interior of the Lars family homestead in A New Hope (1977), The Phantom Menace (1999), and Attack of the Clones (2002). You can stay overnight in the same rooms where Luke Skywalker had dinner with his aunt and uncle.

2. Ong Jemal (Nefta), Mos Espa & Pod Race

The dunes near Ong Jemal, close to Nefta, were used for the Mos Espa pod race in The Phantom Menace. The abandoned Mos Espa set still stands partially in the desert, slowly swallowed by sand dunes, a surreal sight.

3. Ksar Hadada, Slave Quarters

This ancient Berber fortified granary near Ghomrassen was transformed into the slave quarters of Mos Espa. The mud-brick arched rooms were perfect for Tatooine’s lower quarters.

4. Chott el-Djerid, The Twin Suns

The vast salt flat of Chott el-Djerid provided the horizon for some of Tatooine’s most iconic shots, including Luke watching the twin suns set, one of cinema’s most recognisable images.

5. Ajim (Djerba), Mos Eisley Cantina Exterior

The fishing village of Ajim on Djerba island served as the exterior of the famous Mos Eisley cantina in A New Hope. The whitewashed buildings are still recognisable today.

6. Ksar Medenine

Medenine’s multi-storey ghorfas (storage chambers) appear as background architecture in several scenes. The unique layered mud-brick structures were ideal for Tatooine’s aesthetic.

Visit Tips

• All sites are covered in our 3, 5 & 8-day Star Wars Tour packages
• Best visited October–April (summer heat exceeds 45°C in the south)
• Combine with a Sahara overnight camp for the full experience