Major coastal resort and historical city, Sousse has two faces. Enjoy the enormous beaches of Sousse and Port El Kantaoui, go out to a restaurant or a nightclub. Or visit the exceptional medina, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other magnificent historical cities in the area.
An immense beach of white sand stretches from the Sousse city centre as far as its neighbour Port El Kantaoui, a pretty coastal resort complex arranged around a golf course and a marina.
Large hotels and holiday clubs compete for your attention, offering relaxation and varied activities for all ages.
Sousse isn’t just a seaside resort, it’s also a major city with a penchant for staying up late: from the city centre to the marina of Port El Kantaoui, its restaurants and lounge bars are particularly lively and you will find famous international DJs in some nightclubs!
Summer in Sousse:
Are you a sporty type? Roam along the coast jet skiing or windsurfing, work on your technique on the tennis pitch or the El Kantaoui Golf Course. More about golf courses in Tunisia.
Looking to feast your eyes on the blue of the open sea? Climb aboard a pleasure cruise boat or take some scuba diving lessons. More about sports and diving in Tunisia.
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Play golf at the El Kantaoui Golf Course, one of the most popular in Tunisia. Read more about golfing in Tunisia.
Looking to completely unwind? Treat yourself to an exotic massage, a session in the hammam or a full-course spa treatment with Tunisian flavour.
Spa centres in Sousse and Port El Kantaoui.
Have a stroll along the Port El Kantaoui marina and its musical fountain.
Don’t miss visiting the exceptional historical sites gathered in this former military port from the early Middle Ages.
Walk along the imposing crenelated ramparts. Explore the narrow streets, visit a historic house, haggle for a few souvenirs in the souks.
Enter the Ribat, a fort from the Middle Ages. Climb to the summit of its high tower: you will discover an extraordinary panorama across the roofs of the medina, the sea, the courtyard of the Great mosque, and on the hilltop the imposing silhouette of the Kasbah, the great medieval fortress.
Read more: Sousse, a UNESCO World Heritage site
At the top of the medina, you will find a number of the most beautiful Roman African mosaics in Tunisia within the archaeological museum.
Drink Turkish coffee at Dar Kmar, a lovely house with a courtyard in the medina.
Watch craftsmen at work in the souks.
Visit the house-museum Dar Essid in the medina.
HOTELS AND GUESTHOUSES IN SOUSSE AND PORT EL KANTAOUI
Sousse’s medina has preserved a medieval appearance and several monuments from the 9th century. Its archaeological museum is one of the most important in Tunisia.
Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the Sousse’s medina is surrounded by perfectly preserved stone ramparts from the 9th century.
Its narrow streets snake around the hillside, while small plazas, staircases, vaulted passageways alternate one after another…
Carved doorways, ancient domes and minarets give it a unique appearance.
This small fort from the early Middle Ages once sheltered a community of ascetics who kept watch over the coast: its high tower was used to send messages with light signals.
The Ribat of Sousse is one of the most ancient Muslim monuments in Tunisia.
Surprising in its sobriety, this mosque is flanked by massive towers but devoid of minaret.
The Kasbah is the large fortress that dominates the whole medina from its hilltop.
With its crenellated walls and its square bastions, it appears straight out of the Middle Ages.
A high tower looms over it – the Khalef Tower – made of several floors like the legendary lighthouse of Alexandria.
In the heart of the medina, this enormous cupola and its facade will surprise you with their unusual decoration of zigzags, shells and niches.
It could have been a mausoleum from the 11th century.
The impressive ramparts date back to the 9th century.
Have a look to this beautiful minaret decorated with tiles and checkerboard patterns. It dates from the Ottoman era.
Also read: 5 monuments of Sousse’s medina
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The Sousse region was one of the finest producers of mosaics in the ancient world.
This museum houses some remarkable examples: they will transport you to the universe of the Roman-Africans.
Admire the portraits of Neptune and the god Oceanus, follow the victory procession of Dionysus, spot the amusing scene of a Nile crocodile swallowing a donkey, or hear a toga-garbed actor make a declamation… but don’t let yourself be seduced by Medusa’s gaze!
Neighbouring cities such as Monastir, Kairouan and Mahdia are also rich in historical heritage. The Roman colosseum of El Jem, the hilltop village of Takrouna… There is much to see around Sousse!
Via motorway or via train, visit Monastir, a city famous for its Ribat.
Unlike the small Ribat of Sousse, the one in Monastir was enlarged throughout the centuries. Today it is an imposing fortress standing facing the sea.
Superb viewing point from its lookout tower, and small museum.
The first Muslim capital of the Maghreb has preserved a number of illustrious monuments (Great Mosque, Aghlabid Basins, Sidi Sahbi Mausoleum…) and a magnificent medina.
It was declared World Heritage Site by Unesco. Read more.
This Roman amphitheatre is one of the largest and best preserved in the world, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (one hour from Sousse by motorway). Read more.
Also see Mahdia and its surroundings.
Also visit the museum and the Roman villa. Read more.
On a narrow peninsula, the small white houses of the medina press against the coastline.
Among the highlights of Mahdia: the Turkish fort, the Shiite Mosque, the marine cemetery, the white sand beaches…
This beautiful hilltop village stands at the top of a steep peek. The view over the surrounding countryside is breathtaking! (55 km north of Sousse).
A large animal park with an African touch, an ideal place to spend a great day out with the family!
Big cats, giraffes, elephants, lemurs, meerkats, sea lion show ... Shops and restaurants on site. More information.
A major coastal resort, Hammamet is worth a visit for its charming medina surrounded by ramparts.
The neighbouring city, Nabeul, is a major centre for handicrafts: pottery, wrought iron, rush mats... Read more about Hammamet, Nabeul and the Cape Bon region.
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