Hammamet Medina and Nabeul Spice Market Tour

The spice market of Nabeul

Nabeul, about 15 kilometres north-east of Hammamet, is the main town of the Cap Bon peninsula, a fertile region of orchards, citrus groves and chilli fields. Its markets are among the most colourful in Tunisia, and the spice stalls are the highlight: pyramids of red paprika and cumin, strings of dried chillies, jars of harissa, the famous Tunisian chilli paste that Nabeul is known for, and bottles of orange blossom and rose water distilled from local flowers.

Your guide explains how the spices are used in Tunisian cooking, from couscous to grilled fish, and helps you choose good quality products to bring back. The market is busiest on Fridays, when the weekly market fills the streets. A visit to the Nabeul spice market is the perfect start for anyone curious about the flavours of North Africa.

Nabeul ceramics and pottery workshops

Nabeul has been the capital of Tunisian ceramics for centuries, thanks to the clay found around the town. Its workshops produce plates, bowls, vases, tiles and tajine dishes decorated with bright yellows, greens and blues in floral and geometric patterns inspired by Andalusian and Ottoman traditions. Shops line the main avenue, their facades covered in colourful pieces.

You visit a workshop where craftsmen shape clay on the wheel and painters decorate each piece by hand before firing. It is fascinating to watch, and you can buy directly from the makers. Your guide gives advice on what to look for and how to pack fragile items. Nabeul pottery is one of the best souvenirs of Tunisia and a highlight of any Hammamet excursion.

The Medina of Hammamet

Back in Hammamet, the tour continues in the Medina, the old town enclosed by stone walls built in the 15th century on a promontory above the sea. Inside, narrow lanes of whitewashed houses with blue doors and windows wind past small mosques, a traditional bathhouse and tiny squares, and the atmosphere is far calmer than in larger medinas.

Near the main gate, small souks sell carpets, leather, ceramics, perfumes and jewellery. Your guide shows you the architectural details, from studded doors to carved lintels, and tells the story of the town, once a small fishing port and later a favourite retreat of artists and writers. The best time to visit the Medina of Hammamet is in the morning, when the lanes are quiet and the light is soft.

The Kasbah and the walls by the sea

At the seaward corner of the Medina rises the Kasbah, a sturdy fortress with square towers built to defend the town against attacks from the sea. From the walls, the view takes in the beach, the fishing boats, the Muslim cemetery with its white tombs by the shore, and the long curve of the coast towards Nabeul.

The walk along the outside of the walls is one of the most photographed spots in Hammamet, especially when the sea is calm and blue. The guide gives you time for pictures before our driver takes you back to your hotel, about 4.5 hours after pickup. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for this tour, but the morning start also works well in summer.