Holiday oasis for the discerning
The former pirate's nest - an Arab foundation from the 16th century around the already existing fortress - with its completely walled medina was discovered for tourism by artists and intellectuals in the 20s. The Romanian millionaire Sebastian, whose former villa was bought by the state and now serves as a cultural center, made the place famous. Personalities such as Flaubert, Gide, Klee and Oskar Wilde were also looking for peace and quiet here. The boom of today's mass tourism began at the beginning of the 60s. The townscape was adapted to the needs of the vacationers, a much larger, modern place with 20.000 inhabitants was created in front of the defensive walls of the old town. In the new, well-kept business center opposite the Kasbah, there are chic boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
The holiday guest will find plenty of entertainment and sports facilities in Hammamet, the overcrowded promenades in the evening show a life otherwise unusual for Islamic countries.
Worth seeing is the small walled medina (old town), which lies on a rocky tongue by the sea, surrounded on both sides by beautiful sandy beaches. Your showpiece is the kasbah (fortress in the old town) from the 15th century. You will be particularly impressed by the originality and color of life in the narrow streets and on the colorful bazaars.
