On the coastal motorway sandwiched between the Mediterranean and
the Sahara desert, 40 miles (64km) south of Tunis, lies the pride
of the 'Tunisian Riviera': the sophisticated resort town of
Hammamet with its perfect sweep of beach, ancient and exciting
medina, healing mineral baths and renowned top class modern hotels.
Once a sleepy fishing village, Hammamet (the name comes from the
Arabic
al-hammamat, meaning 'the baths') was awakened to its
tourist potential back in the 1920s when a flock of wealthy and
arty Americans and Europeans decided to make the beautiful bay
their playground. Today it has become a destination mainly for
middle-to-upper range package tours from Europe, the streets abuzz
with scantily clad holidaymakers speaking Swedish, German, English
and French. Despite its modern architectural and human incursions,
Hammamet retains its sense of exotic history, dominated by its
15th-century medina and souk (bazaar), where donkeys and
bargain-hunters navigate the labyrinth of Aladdin's caves packed
with treasures like carpets, brass ornaments, jewellery,
traditional kaftans, pottery and leather goods. The narrow winding
alleys also conceal bright, whitewashed windowless houses behind
splendid ornate doors. The town's baths, famed since Roman times,
are also situated in the crowded medina, alongside ancient mosques
and over-shadowed by the medieval castle or kasbah. The big
attraction of this seaside town, though, is its six-mile (10km)
stretch of palm-fringed shore, boasting beautiful sandy clean
beaches, decorated with colourful fishing boats. South of the old
town, along the beach, a plethora of attractive Moorish style
low-rise resort hotels, set in stunning lush gardens, has
mushroomed, offering visitors luxury accommodations, watersports,
entertainment, gourmet restaurants and all the trappings of a
perfect holiday.
