YASMINE HAMMAMET

A modern up-and-comer

Yasmine Hammamet is an up-and-coming town along Tunisia’s beautiful northern coast. It’s a bubbly place, with a trio of boulevard, marina and sandy beach. There are elegant modern restaurants and shops dotted around. What’s more, you’ll find a trace of old Tunisia in the tea rooms and colourful markets of the quaint medina quarter.

A sweep of beach

The Blue Flag beach here is definitely the town’s main attraction. Golden sand slopes into sparkling waters, and there are sunloungers and umbrellas for hire. Bars and restaurants along the promenade are always bustling, too. For a near-deserted stretch of sand, the beach at Manzil Tmim is an hour away and set in an idyllic slice of Arabian countryside.

Nearby Hammamet

Hammamet is 20-minutes’ drive away and boasts a 13th-century old town – inside there’s the sand-coloured Great Mosque. Or you could find your way to the George Sebastian Villa, a 1920s house set in lush botanical gardens. A 5-minute drive out of Hammamet gets you to Pupput, a Roman settlement with crumbling ruins and vivid mosaics.

Daytrips to Tunis and ancient Carthage

Tunisia’s capital Tunis is an hour’s drive away. The 8th-century Zitouna Mosque is a highlight of the old town, while the nearby Bardo Museum is housed in a 13th-century Ottoman palace. You can see ancient relics here, or drive a few minutes to the ruined ancient city of Carthage, where a walking tour can take you round the 3,000-year old remains of the city.