With a wealthy historical past, gorgeous shoreline and costs that put Spain and Greece to disgrace, this missed gem has by no means been simpler to succeed in
Tunisia, Hammamet, fishing boats on Hammamet seashore (Picture: Tuul & Bruno Morandi by way of Getty Photographs)
Tunisia is a vacation spot accustomed to transformation. Current historical past has left its mark throughout the terrain, but additionally enabled it to evolve right into a completely distinctive nation. And one I had lengthy wished to discover.
A French colony, subsequently a dictatorship, and now a democracy following some of the profitable uprisings throughout the Arab Spring, this modern historical past I understood. When the possibility to go to introduced itself, I needed to expertise the genuine Tunisia for myself.
It is remarkably accessible, with easyJet’s new flight from Newcastle to Enfidha enabling you to swap drizzle for sizzle in simply over three hours. Then, 45 minutes from the airport lies some of the real and budget-friendly resort cities I’ve ever encountered.
Hammamet is worlds away from pristine seashores, vacationer traps and pubs, parts I’ve prevented all through most of my journeys. The north-eastern Tunisian shoreline proves significantly extra charming.
Olivia explored the coastal resort (Picture: ChronicleLive)
The resort
Hammamet delivers 5-star high quality whereas sustaining 3-star pricing. For example, my keep at Les Orangers Backyard Villas and Bungalows proved genuinely revelatory. It provided every thing one might need from a tranquil seashore resort and past, for significantly lower than you’d spend in most different sought-after areas. Inside this value vary, your cash stretches considerably additional in Tunisia, and that is earlier than even stepping right into a souk.
Purchasing
With regards to conventional purchasing, Hammamet boasts an Outdated Medina, which is arguably the jewel of the realm. This gorgeous walled quarter of town left me totally spellbound. Courting again lots of of years, the partitions stand up surrounding you, but by no means create a way of confinement. Whitewashed partitions, incessantly highlighted with blue, encircle a modest but gorgeous mosque. Blossoms and cacti pepper the stonework, interrupted by conventional hammered doorways.
That is the vacation spot for vacation purchases. Tea distributors had been positioned beside camel wool carpets, set towards a scene of brass plates being hammered in slender passages. Tunisia maintains a bargaining tradition all through quite a few institutions, although it isn’t overly aggressive. For those who’ve visited locations like Egypt or Turkey beforehand, you will perceive the routine. Nevertheless in previous Hammamet, if you happen to’re not all in favour of getting into, they will go away you in peace pretty promptly.
As a feminine customer, I used to be anticipating a few of the typical approaches I would encountered in different nations, coaxing me into the institution. But each service provider was extraordinarily courteous, concentrating on the merchandise quite than the insincere compliments.
Felines dominate in Hammamet. It falls to the group to take care of the creatures, with quite a few curled up on carpets outside, untroubled, relishing a dish of scraps or just basking within the streets. No one chased them off, they usually all appeared notably well-cared-for.
The view from the resort room on the 5* Les Orangers Backyard Villas and Bungalows in Hammamet (Picture: ChronicleLive)
Whereas Outdated Hammamet possesses a maze-like high quality, the ocean breeze drew me out every time I required respite, main me to azure water as peaceable because the Amalfi Coast. Each stretch of the shoreline felt like entering into a distinct nation. From the Costa del Sol to Cannes, from Santorini to Sorrento, Tunisia’s shores provide a tapestry of Europe’s seashores, with significantly fewer crowds on the sand and considerably cheaper cocktails.
Then, naturally, there’s the unmissable Carthage.
Carthage
The UNESCO World Heritage Web site was previously the epicentre of this historical civilisation. Witnessing such an exceptionally preserved location within the flesh was genuinely awe-inspiring. Partitions rose round me, staircases ascending to ranges which have lengthy since vanished, columns fallen but remarkably complete. Coming from the North East, the place Roman stays are considerably extra deteriorated than this magnificent historical Carthage, I might simply have devoted a whole day exploring beneath archways, taking in vistas that when greeted the Phoenicians and Romans.
The foundations of Tunisia are historical. It is a nation that cherishes its historical past as deeply as its current day, and shows that delight brazenly by its inhabitants. Everybody I encountered was remarkably desirous to share their data of their homeland with guests. Every story captivated me greater than the earlier one.
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Sidi Bou Saïd
This proved significantly evident within the city of Sidi Bou Saïd, initially based as a settlement throughout the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and Tunisia’s cultural heartland. Whereas exploring, you can simply be pardoned for complicated the buildings with Greece, given its good whites and blues positioned towards a spectacular shoreline and polished cobblestone lanes. Dwelling to quite a few craftspeople, it conjured up ideas of Montmartre in Paris in all the most effective methods. Artisans show a quantity above their institutions, together with official stamps on the base that distinguish real art work from vacationer trinkets. The plates and embellished ceramics showcase spirographic designs paying homage to peacock feathers, a major inventive image within the space’s historical heritage.
The meals
One other constant ingredient is the delicacies, timeless and unaltered, as a result of it had already achieved perfection. North Africa is the birthplace of couscous, however Tunisia claims harissa as its personal. This fiery chilli paste is gaining traction in Britain, and justifiably so. This aromatic spice mix works splendidly with hen and olive oil.
A number of a few of the fantastically preserved buildings of Carthage simply exterior Tunis (Picture: ChronicleLive)
Different culinary treasures have but to succeed in British shores, I learnt whereas visiting a farm. Mechouia, a spiced pepper salad, proved significantly interesting, particularly when accompanied by tabbouleh bread.
One other important attraction is the affordability. A current Journey Grocery store rating of the highest 10 vacation locations for Britons recognized Tunisia as probably the most economical by a substantial margin. This matched my very own expertise.
Not solely is the price of dwelling comparatively modest, however with the bargaining custom, an much more beneficial deal is invariably achievable. A world away from purchasing in Britain.
The climate
As was the local weather. Hammamet in Might provided a pleasing 26°C, tempered by a coastal breeze. Throughout summer time, temperatures climb into the mid-30s, which merely makes a plunge within the sea all of the extra invigorating. Temperatures rise increased additional inland, nearer to the Sahara. Nevertheless, the accessibility of the sunshine will come as welcome information to these whose wallets have been emptied by all-inclusive holidays to Spain or Greece. What my journey to Tunisia demonstrated is the significance of stepping past your consolation zone. Whereas I had beforehand visited Arab nations, this marked my first journey because the Arab Spring disrupted established tourism connections.
Tunisia seems to have its arms large open to guests from the UK. British vacationers characterize Tunisia’s third-largest tourism market and, based on residents, among the many few nationalities identified for tipping generously.
The fantastically crafted exterior of a home in Sidi Bou Mentioned (Picture: ChronicleLive)So, why not enterprise there? Tunisia stands able to welcome you if you happen to’re ready to embrace the expertise.
E book it
EasyJet’s new route from Newcastle to Enfidha-Hammamet launched on 22 March 2026. Flights function twice every week, with fares beginning at £44 one-way. Flights from London function as much as 7 days every week, ranging from £52 one-way, together with taxes.
easyJet holidays gives seven nights on the 5* Les Orangers Backyard Villas and Bungalows in Hammamet on an All Inclusive foundation for £1,282 per individual, together with 23kg baggage, transfers and flights from Newcastle on 16 July 2026
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