Your stay — El Manara
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The Property — El Manara
A modest seafront hotel with direct beach access and a large pool terrace, El Manara feels like a reliable, no-fuss base for a short summer stay. The lobby is tiled and open-plan, with a small bar area and views out to the Mediterranean; the vibe is casual, family-friendly and fairly quiet. It suits travellers who want the sea and sun without paying for four-star frills — rooms are simple but clean. The main draw is the private stretch of sand and the proximity to Hammamet’s medina, about a ten-minute walk away.
Chronicles of Hammamet
Hammamet began as a small Roman settlement called Pupput, but its modern character was shaped by 15th-century Andalusian Muslims who fortified the medina and built the iconic white-and-blue houses. The city became a resort destination in the 1960s, when hotels like the Sheraton and the Yasmine Club were built along the coast. Today it’s a mid-market beach destination with a well-preserved old quarter, a large marina district (Yasmine Hammamet) and a reputation for relaxed package holidays. The medina’s souk still sells traditional ceramics and carpets, but much of the newer development feels generic. Contemporary cultural identity is split: traditional family tourism on the beach versus a lively nightlife scene around the clubs of Yasmine.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hammamet guide →Best months
May, June, September — sea temperatures are warm enough for swimming, air temperatures are 25-30°C, and tourist numbers are lower than in July–August.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak: temperatures hit 33-35°C, schools are out, and European families fill the hotels. Prices double, and the beach gets crowded. The main events are the Hammamet Festival (theatre and music) and evenings in Yasmine’s clubs.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer discounts of 30-50% on July rates, with sea still swimmable in October (22-24°C) and air temperatures around 20-25°C. Fewer tourists and quieter souks.
Weather & packing
Summer heat here is dry but can spike in July, so pack a wide-brim hat and high-SPF sunscreen — the UV index is extreme. An unusual local quirk: a strong afternoon breeze (the ‘sirocco’) can pick up sand, so bring a light scarf or wrap for beach cover-ups.
Live City Briefing — Hammamet
- The Hammamet–Tunis highway upgrade, due for completion in 2026, is still causing intermittent one-way closures near the city centre — expect 20-minute delays if driving from the airport.
- The Medina of Hammamet has just reopened after a three-month restoration of its main entrance and ramparts; scaffolding is now gone but some side alleys remain closed.
- Several new beachfront cafés and a small water-sports rental station opened in late 2025 on El Manara’s side of the beach, increasing foot traffic in the mornings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to El Manara, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the pool/side garden rather than the street. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level noise, and the orientation away from the main road gives you the best chance of a quiet stay. The lift serves all floors, so upper floors are still easy to reach.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 0) closest to the reception or bar area – they pick up footfall, lobby chatter, and any late-night lounge noise. Also steer clear of rooms facing the front of the hotel onto the street, as Hammamet's main coastal road can get busy with scooters and taxis, especially in the evenings.
Best views
Ask for a pool-facing room on floor 3 or 4. You'll overlook the hotel's courtyard/pool area rather than the main road – the view is of greenery and water, not asphalt and traffic. The sea is not visible from this 3-star property's standard rooms.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest – furthest from the street, the bar, and the lift lobby's back-and-forth. Floor 2 is acceptable but may get some spill-over from the floor below.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Hammamet's coastal road is the primary source – motorbikes, taxis, and delivery vans from early morning (around 7am) until late evening. The bar area on the ground floor can generate low-level music and chatter until 11pm or midnight, especially in high season. The lift also creates a clunking sound when it passes, audible on floors 1 and 2 if you're in a room next to the shaft.
Insider tips
1. Check-in early (by 2pm) to secure a higher-floor room, as pre-assignments often default to lower floors. 2. The hotel does not have on-site parking – use the public car park 100m west on Avenue des Nations Unies (free overnight, but remove valuables).
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — El Manara
Free WiFi in lobby and all guest rooms; typical speed 15 Mbps down; no login required on hotel network
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary printed Tunisian newspapers (La Presse, Le Temps) in the lobby; no digital newsstand
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 09:00 at no cost. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs 30 TND, after 14:00 full night charged
Free luggage storage available at reception
Step-free ground-floor entrance; lift reaches all floors; no dedicated disabled rooms or grab bars in bathrooms
Free on-site parking (unsecured open lot, about 30 spaces); nearest public car park is Parking Central Hammamet, 400 m away, 5 TND/day; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Tunisia does not levy a separate city/tourist tax at 3-star hotels)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 50 TND credit card hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosquee Al Ikhlass Mreaga (762 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Carpet City — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
Parc de Mrezga — 306 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
بنك تونس العربي الدولي — 390 m · ~5 min walk
Pharmacie Al-Yamama — 545 m · ~7 min walk
عمر الخيام — 654 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Tunisian Dinar, TND
Exchange at banks or official bureaux in town; avoid airport and hotel counters as their rates are poor.
Cards accepted in hotels and larger restaurants/supermarkets; cash is king for taxis, markets, and small shops.
Round up taxi fares and leave 5-10% in restaurants if no service charge; hotel staff appreciate 1-2 TND per bag or per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small expresso or café crème at a local café, about 1-1.5 TND.
Brik or sandwich at a casual snack bar, around 5-8 TND.
A main course of grilled fish or couscous at a simple restaurant, about 12-18 TND.
Fricassé, brik, and grilled sardines from stalls along Avenue Habib Bourguiba or near the medina entrance.
Magasin Général and Monoprix are the common budget chains in Hammamet.
Saturday souk at the medina or the central market for cheap local apparel.
Frequent louages (shared minibuses) connect towns for a few TND; from Tunis Airport, take the train to Tunis Ville then louage to Hammamet (under 10 TND total).
Eat at lunchtime specials rather than dinner; shop for groceries at Monoprix rather than tourist mini-markets; use louages instead of taxis for longer journeys.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Hammamet, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at El Manara
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · بنك تونس العربي الدولي — 390 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Al-Yamama — 545 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hammamet-Ennahda International Airport (NBE) → La Villa Omar
💡 Book in advance to ensure availability and a fixed price.
NBE Airport → Hammamet Bus Station
💡 Check the schedule at the airport's bus station or online.
NBE Airport → La Villa Omar
💡 Book in advance through a reputable transfer service to ensure a smooth and hassle-free ride.
NBE Airport → Hammamet Bus Station
💡 Buy tickets from the driver or at the airport's bus station.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at El Manara?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the pool/side garden rather than the street. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level noise, and the orientation away from the main road gives you the best chance of a quiet stay. The lift serves all floors, so upper floors are still easy to reach.
Which rooms should I avoid at El Manara?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 0) closest to the reception or bar area – they pick up footfall, lobby chatter, and any late-night lounge noise. Also steer clear of rooms facing the front of the hotel onto the street, as Hammamet's main coastal road can get busy with scooters and taxis, especially in the evenings.
Is El Manara noisy?
Street noise from Hammamet's coastal road is the primary source – motorbikes, taxis, and delivery vans from early morning (around 7am) until late evening. The bar area on the ground floor can generate low-level music and chatter until 11pm or midnight, especially in high season. The lift also creates a clunking sound when it passes, audible on floors 1 and 2 if you're in a room next to the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at El Manara?
Ask for a pool-facing room on floor 3 or 4. You'll overlook the hotel's courtyard/pool area rather than the main road – the view is of greenery and water, not asphalt and traffic. The sea is not visible from this 3-star property's standard rooms.
What are insider tips for staying at El Manara?
1. Check-in early (by 2pm) to secure a higher-floor room, as pre-assignments often default to lower floors. 2. The hotel does not have on-site parking – use the public car park 100m west on Avenue des Nations Unies (free overnight, but remove valuables).
What time is check-in at El Manara?
Check-in at El Manara is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does El Manara have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and all guest rooms; typical speed 15 Mbps down; no login required on hotel network
Is there a city or tourist tax at El Manara?
None (Tunisia does not levy a separate city/tourist tax at 3-star hotels)
Where can I eat cheaply near El Manara?
Brik or sandwich at a casual snack bar, around 5-8 TND.
What is the cheapest way to get around from El Manara?
Frequent louages (shared minibuses) connect towns for a few TND; from Tunis Airport, take the train to Tunis Ville then louage to Hammamet (under 10 TND total).
When is the best time to visit Hammamet?
May, June, September — sea temperatures are warm enough for swimming, air temperatures are 25-30°C, and tourist numbers are lower than in July–August.
Top Attractions in Hammamet
💡 Start at the east gate and follow the path along the sea side—best angle for photos of the fortress with the water behind.
💡 The stretch between Hotel Bel Azur and the medina is less crowded than the strip near tourist resorts. Enter via Rue de la Liberté.
💡 Walk to the far edge for a quiet spot with a bench and uninterrupted view of the bay. No shade, so bring water.
💡 Visit late afternoon for cooler light on the blue shutters and fewer crowds. Avoid the main square during prayer times when it empties.
💡 Check the noticeboard inside the gate for open-air concerts or theatre—free on most Saturday evenings in summer.