What to visit in Sousse. Active leisure ideas for Sousse - attractions, recreation and nightlife Where to go for a cultural relaxation. What to see with your child

What to see in Sousse? All the most interesting places and attractions of Sousse: colorful photographs and detailed descriptions. When going on vacation, you should carefully consider which places to visit in Sousse. Sousse is a wonderful holiday destination that boasts its unique natural, cultural and historical attractions. Here you can get acquainted with the most famous and, on the contrary, new sights of Sousse.

Medina Soussa is interesting already at the entrance, because it is surrounded by a powerful wall, the height of which varies from 12 to 15 m, the length reaches 7 thousand m, and the age... the age is difficult to calculate, because the wall has stood since 859 and is still in excellent condition! The fenced area of ​​32 hectares seems to have everything: mosques, towers, catacombs, and markets. Here you can visit the Ribat fortress with the famous Khalifa Tower, the city museum, the archeology museum and the botanical garden.

Kasbah fortress, whose name is translated from Arabic as “fortress”. It is located in the southwest of Medina, but is noticeable from almost everywhere, because it is crowned by the 30-meter tower of Khalifa el-Fata - an observation post and lighthouse in the past and an observation deck in the present. The tower was named after a freed slave who worked in construction. The age of the Kasbah is impressive - more than 1000 years. Now the fortress is remarkable not only externally, but also internally, for it has become an archaeological museum, ranking second in importance in the country.

House-Museum "Dar Essid"- a private museum, the walls of which could tell a lot about the life of wealthy citizens of Tunisia, starting all the way back to 928. It includes 11 rooms, among which the chambers of the two wives of the bey who once lived here are especially popular. The house has its own tower, rising 65 m above sea level, and a flat roof, on which tourists usually enjoy a mug of aromatic coffee and look at the city from above. In the house, all attention is drawn to unusual household items. For example, the bathroom and kitchen are decorated with mosaics made of Carrara marble and Andalusian tiles. Next comes a unique ancient urinal, two 18-karat gold-plated calligraphies, a marriage contract that is over 700 years old, and 300-year-old cashmere curtains! Surprisingly, you can touch almost everything with your own hands.

Port el Kantaoui– beach and tourist area near Sousse. Here you can organize a trip on a yacht or, more original, on a boat with a transparent bottom, you can go diving, fishing, swimming, and then taste seafood in one of the many restaurants. In hot weather, the “House of Ice Cream” is a great way to cool down. There are also large water parks, zoos and amusement parks.

Catacombs of Sousse- a specific and quite rare Christian attraction for Africa. These burial caves are even better preserved than the famous Roman catacombs! They are a 5-kilometer labyrinth with 250 galleries, of which only a small part is accessible to tourists. The catacombs of the Good Shepherd, Hermes and the North are separated, but all date back to the 3rd-5th centuries of the Roman Empire. By the way, unlike the Roman burials in Sousse, some are untouched, and some are under glass partitions, so that tourists have the opportunity to see everything with their own eyes. The catacombs were discovered in 1885 by the French scientist Vincent.

Ribat- an expressive structure of the Arab world, located at the entrance to Medina. Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Aghlabid dynasty for the purpose of protection. Hidden behind the impressive walls are cells, a mosque and the Nador watchtower, whose 70 steps provide a wonderful view of the sea and the city.

Sida-Okba Mosque- the oldest Muslim religious building in North Africa and one of the most revered in Tunisia. It was founded by the Arab commander Okba Ibn Nafi in 670, but visitors can see the structure from the time of 863, because the mosque was often rebuilt and restored. Like many sacred buildings, the mosque is, in fact, a fortress that has repeatedly and successfully withstood enemy attacks. In the courtyard there is a 32-meter tower, considered the oldest in Africa. The courtyard itself is also remarkable. It is decorated with graceful arches and columns, houses seven ritual wells and the entrance to an amazingly beautiful prayer hall.

Zawiya Sidi Hub- one of the most revered places among Muslims, whose name translates as “Sanctuary of the Barber.” Initially, it was the tomb of a famous figure who lived in the 5th century, but then it was rebuilt and expanded many, many times. This is how an architectural paradox emerged: from the outside it seems that the building is huge, while inside it breaks up into many courtyards. For tourists, Zaviysya Sidi Hub is interesting for its oriental decor - intricate carvings, colored tiles, etc.

The city of Sousse is the leader in popularity among Tunisian resorts. Spacious luxurious beaches framed by spreading palm trees, the azure Mediterranean Sea beckoning into its arms, the impressive Promenade, which brings pleasure from walking and relaxing in places created for entertainment, attract you to Sousse. Tunisia provides its guests with the opportunity to expand their beach holiday horizons by visiting interesting sightseeing excursions. We offer for preliminary acquaintance the sights of Sousse, opening exciting pages of the city’s history. Their photos and descriptions will serve as a guide for tourists during their stay at the resort.

On the map of Sousse, most of the attractions are marked in the Old Town - Medina. Behind the powerful medieval stone wall, 8 meters high, the fascinating past of the old Arab city is revealed. Walking through the labyrinth of narrow blue and white streets filled with souvenir and antique shops, Arabic cafes and bazaars specializing in leather, gold, spices and other goods typical of Tunisia, you will be blown away by the incredible atmosphere of the East. Medina, included in the UNESCO cultural heritage treasury, began its origins in the 7th century and was finally formed by the 11th century. In the middle of the 9th century, the construction of a fortress wall was completed, surrounding the city for 2.5 kilometers. The wall is lined with massive stone blocks brought from destroyed Roman cities. For defensive purposes, towers were built within the walls of Medina in which guns were placed.

Kasbah fortress in Medina

On the top of a hill in the southwestern part of the old city, the Kasbah fortress has stood for 1000 years. The landmark of the fortress is the same age as the fortress - the high watchtower Khalifa Tower, which for centuries served as a lighthouse. Rising to the 30-meter height of the tower, a breathtaking panorama of the water area and city blocks opens up, and you get magnificent photos of the city. You can get to the fortress with excursions organized near the hotels. Here prices for excursions will be 30-40 dollars per person. Having reached the fortress on your own, you can approach the guide who is recruiting the group. Then a sightseeing tour of the fortress will cost from 5 to 10 dollars.

Archaeological Museum

The fortress houses the Archaeological Museum with unique collections of marble antique statues, utensils and household items of the Romans. Reviews from tourists call the pearls of the museum the ancient Roman mosaics: artistically depicting the head of Medusa, a panel with Neptune in a boat and Dionysus racing on a chariot drawn by tigers and the ancient mosaic of El Jem. The baptistery from the Byzantine era with its delightful baptismal font amazes with its beauty. From the second floor of the fortress there is an amazing view of the city. The courtyard into which the archaeological museum opens is surrounded by vaulted galleries with a variety of exhibitions of stucco fragments, busts, and bas-reliefs dating back to the 2nd century. The northern part of the fortress exhibits a number of steles and tombstone inscriptions found in the catacombs, ancient anchors. The eastern part of the museum makes a strong impression with the sarcophagus of a girl, ceramic panels with Christian scenes of gladiator fights with predators.

Religious complex Zauya Zakkak

In Sousse, on the territory of the Old Town, the cult ensemble Zauya Zakkak attracts attention, where a mosque is harmoniously combined with the architecture of an Islamic school, madrasah and mausoleum. The architecture of the octagonal minaret, associated with the Renaissance style, and the arcades of the courtyard with antique columns are admirable.

At the entrance to Medina there is the Great Mosque, built in 851-862, its appearance reminiscent of a fortress. In those distant times, the mosque had to serve as a defense for the port and the restored city from enemy invasions, so the southeastern and northern corners of its battlemented stone wall were built with high watchtowers. Upon entering the mosque, you find yourself in a large courtyard, surrounded on three sides by a large number of porticoes with arches. On the facade of the Great Mosque, the inscription of the name of the architect - Mudaba - is carved in ancient Arabic letters. The central nave of the mosque has two domes. This is the only mosque in the world without a minaret. Worshipers are called to prayer by climbing the corner north-eastern tower, reached by an inclined staircase that starts in the courtyard of the mosque.

Fortress – Ribat Monastery

Together with the Great Mosque, the Ribat fortress-monastery, built in 821 in the northwest side of the Great Mosque near the entrance to Medina from the harbor, served to protect the city. The eastern side of the fortress is fortified by the 35-meter Nador observation tower, which is reached by a staircase of 70 steps. In the fortress walls from the courtyard there are entrances to monastic cells located in the thickness of the wall. Warrior monks lived in them, ready to defend the city. The second floor of the fortress is famous for the footprint found in a stone slab lying between two columns. According to legend, every person who makes a wish and steps into this imprinted footprint will have it come true.

Dar Essid Museum

The Dar Essid House Museum, the property of the heirs of its former owners, will be of interest to tourists who want to get acquainted with the life and lifestyle of a wealthy family of the 19th century. The house, built in 928, is located near the fortress wall in Medina. It has 11 rooms filled with antique furniture, rare household items, books, weapons and jewelry. It has a bathroom, a bathroom lined with Carrara marble and several kitchens. In one of the women's rooms, the view of two paintings depicting scenes from the Koran made of 18 carat gold and a marriage contract 700 years ago is stunning. Visitors are especially interested in the Roman oil lantern, depicting erotic scenes, lit during the intimacy of the spouses. There is now a cafe on the roof of the museum house where tourists can relax while enjoying the view of the Medina and the bay.

Aghlabid pools

An interesting attraction are the two huge Aghlabid pools, the remains of 15 similar reservoirs built to store water during the reign of the Aghlabid dynasty. For 1200 years, these pools have been serving to supply the city with water.

The catacombs in Sousse were discovered in 1888. The underground tunnels are just over 5 kilometers long and run through soft rocks. The main purpose of the catacombs was the burial of the dead. The catacombs contain 240 galleries with two or three tiers. Each tier had niches for burial, covered with marble slabs. On some slabs you can see preserved inscriptions with the names of the deceased. Only 100 meters of the catacombs are open to tourists.

Hannibal Park water and amusement park

In Sousse there are attractions outside the city limits, visiting which will bring a lot of pleasure to tourists with children. These are the Aqua Palace water park and the Hannibal Park amusement park.
They are located on a large stretch of the pedestrian zone of Port El Kantaoui and offer adrenaline-fueled rides on unique and breathtaking attractions. Of interest is the architectural embodiment of Hannibal Park, imitating old Carthage during the reign of Hannibal with flowering gardens and luxurious fountains. Here you can take a photo with a Carthaginian warrior greeting visitors near the entrance to the main building.

El Zahra Park

It will be interesting to get acquainted with the traditions of Tunisians in El Zahra Park, located near the city. In an original Tunisian village, nestled in a park area under the shadow of an amphitheater, visitors are shown a wedding ceremony held in ancient national traditions and a fire show. When it gets dark, a laser show is shown with a theatrical performance telling the history of Tunisia in several languages, including Russian. The stunning effect is produced by the projection of historical paintings onto the walls of the fortress.

Those wishing to become more familiar with the culture of the country will be helped by the sights of Tunisia, which they will have the opportunity to see on excursions to its major cities. First of all, a visit to ancient Carthage, founded at the beginning of the 9th century, with its Amphitheater, Capitol, Baths of Antoninus and temples preserved from the times of the Roman Empire, deserves attention. The Lavigerie Museum, which opened in Carthage, admires the richest collection of ancient art objects. There is an opinion that tourists go to Tunisia only for a seaside holiday, and not for the sights. Sousse refutes this statement, saturating beach holidays with entertainment and exciting excursions to unique historical and cultural monuments.

A famous Mediterranean resort, which is considered an ideal holiday destination for young people. The city is famous for its numerous discos, nightclubs and bars; you can find them at every step. In addition to exciting nightlife, tourists will find picturesque beaches, modern entertainment complexes and a sea of ​​entertainment for every taste.

One of the favorite vacation spots of visitors is the Water Park located in Port El Kantaoui. Water slides, swimming pools and thrilling rides are sure to please both adults and children. The most popular shopping complex is considered to be Soula Center. What is quite remarkable is that the prices in this shopping center are fixed and buyers do not have to haggle with sellers for a long time, trying to reduce the cost of goods. One of the most famous nightlife establishments is the Caraib Casino, which also has an excellent restaurant serving European cuisine. Disco lovers should head to the Marokkana and Samara dance floors.

Another very unusual establishment is the Ice Cream House. In this large cafe you will be offered more than a hundred types of delicacies; children will simply be delighted with such a trip. And adults should head to the Brau bar, where they serve the best beer in the city. Copyright www.site

On the territory of Sousse there is a large Botanical Garden Oasis Park El Kantaoui, which presents more than 25 thousand rare plants, flowers and medicinal herbs. There are also several historical monuments in the city, the most striking of which is the Great Mosque. It was built in the 16th century and partially destroyed in 1943 by the French, but today the monument has been completely restored and continues to amaze guests with its unique architecture and rich decoration of the halls. The mosque is located in the center of Martyr Square, which in itself is very attractive and picturesque.

The catacombs of Sousse are considered the most mysterious attraction; the total length of the underground labyrinths located under the city is about 5,000 meters. The very first underground passages were built in the 1st – 4th centuries AD; local Christians used them to conduct secret services, and also hid in the dungeons from Roman soldiers. The unique dry climate characteristic of this area contributed to the excellent preservation of the dungeons. The city has a special museum where you can see exhibits discovered in the catacombs.

The most popular attraction for an evening visit is the dancing fountain El Kantaoui; every evening guests of Sousse can enjoy an enchanting light and sound show. Next to the fountain there is a beautiful park, and here you can also visit popular restaurants and cafes. In the evening, the fountain always attracts a huge number of people to take good photos and admire the spectacle; it is best to reserve a place at the fountain in advance.

Several ancient defensive structures have been preserved in the city and its surroundings, including the Kasbah fortress. It was built in the middle of the 9th century. Today, within the walls of the fortress there is an interesting archaeological museum. It presents fragments of ancient mosaics, as well as tombstones and various ancient artifacts that were discovered in the city and in its surrounding areas.

A real open-air cultural center is El Zahra Park. On its territory there is an interesting museum stylized as a traditional Tunisian village. Every day, interesting events dedicated to national culture and traditions are held for park visitors, and at nightfall a laser show is organized. Guests of the park can witness interesting theatrical and musical performances.

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Weather in Sousse by month:

Month Temperature Cloudiness Rainy days /
Precipitation
Water temperature
in the sea
Number of solar
hours per day
During the day At night
January 15.8°C 11.5°C 28.7% 1 day (15.9 mm.) 15.9°C 10 o'clock 3m.
February 15.7°C 11.2°C 28.9% 2 days (26.2 mm.) 14.6°C 10 o'clock 54m.
March 18.4°C 12.7°C 26.0% 2 days (35.8 mm.) 14.8°C 11 o'clock 59m.
April 21.4°C 15.1°C 18.5% 1 day (19.6 mm.) 16.4°C 13:00 6m.
May 24.7°C 18.2°C 15.1% 1 day (12.9 mm.) 19.0°C 14h. 4m.
June 29.3°C 22.2°C 8.8% - 22.7°C 14h. 33m.
July 32.6°C 25.4°C 4.7% - 25.9°C 14h. 19m.
August 32.9°C 26.3°C 6.7% 1 day (12.8 mm.) 27.1°C 13:00 28m.
September 30.0°C 24.8°C 14.2% 2 days (30.2 mm.) 26.4°C 12h. 23m.
October 26.5°C 22.1°C 20.1% 4 days (54.7 mm.) 24.4°C 11 o'clock 17m.
November 21.5°C 17.5°C 25.9% 2 days (29.7 mm.) 21.3°C 10 o'clock 17m.
December 17.0°C 13.3°C 27.5% 2 days (30.7 mm.) 18.2°C 9 o'clock 47m.

*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years

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My husband's everlasting love!

“Would you like to go to Tunisia?”

This is exactly the phrase the manager at the travel agency greeted us with. Why wouldn’t you want to? Tunisia is an interesting country, with developed tourism and not so much an expensive holiday. In general, my husband and I made up our minds and a week later we were greeted by the airport in Monastir. Almost an hour on the bus (thanks to the guide for the interesting story about the country and the wonderful view outside the window), and we are already in Sousse.

Sousse is not a big city. This is definitely not the place for ardent lovers of night parties. More like a family resort. No, in Sousse there are cafes and discos. But all this is somehow quiet and homely.

Narrow streets that are interesting to wander around, looking at the houses of local residents. Shops, a small market near the hotel and the Medina city center, where all the major shopping centers are located. This is where the paradise for shopaholics is :)

Sousse is a city with a rich history. Even without leaving its borders, you can get acquainted with the history of Tunisia. There are many architectural monuments, photographs of which will decorate any collection of photo tourists.

I would also like to say something about the people in Sousse.

Of course, there are also barkers in local cafes and shops. They will, by hook or by crook, lure a tourist to their shop in order to sell him another trinket at exorbitant prices.

And there are those who will run half the street after you to tell you in broken English that their fruit shop will not be open tomorrow. So that you don't go in vain.

1. In a large family, don’t click your face.

2. He raised his butt - he lost his place.

As the guide said, locals on the hotel premises can use the beaches and hotel pools. But in fact, they also easily got used to the All Inclusive system and could often be seen at dinner, which they happily devoured at the expense of tourists who paid for their (and, it turns out, theirs too) vacation.

We had booked a standard room, but since the hotel was full, we were put in a bungalow. The room itself is not bad, large, with a kitchenette, but without dishes. There is an electric two-burner stove and a dishwasher, but there are no dishes at all. There is also a small refrigerator with a door that did not want to fit and you constantly had to prop it up with a chair. There was also an antique Thomson TV, with a completely dead remote control without a back cover, with batteries constantly popping up and tied... read more

Food and products

Prices for products are comparable to prices in Russian supermarkets. The only thing is that the prices for fruits and vegetables differ; they are cheaper. Oranges can be bought for 12 rubles, tomatoes of average quality for 4-5 rubles. Overall the prices are quite reasonable.

Souvenirs and other goods

Prices for clothing are 10-15 percent higher than in Russia. Shoes are 20 percent more expensive on average. The average price for magnets is $1 for 2-3 pieces, for figurines made of wood $50, for figurines made of stone or other decorative materials $100. The cost of electronics is 5-10 percent lower than in Russia.

Cost of services and entertainment

The cost of visiting a cafe or some restaurants is small; you can eat for one person for 10-12 dollars. If you eat local food, you can spend 5-7 dollars.

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What to take with you on vacation?

1) very light things for the day, something warm to throw on for the evening, an outfit for a restaurant and an outfit for a disco, a hat, sunglasses.

2) sun cream and anti-burn cream, for example: “Panthenol” (we found it very useful).

3) I advise you to take a hairdryer if you use one (especially for women), since the hairdryers that are available in hotels are so powerful that you can just as easily dry your hair by blowing on each other.

4) basic medications, a patch, brilliant green in a pencil - as experience shows, they are never superfluous.

Where is the best place to stay?

When we chose a hotel, we didn’t particularly bother about its star rating, our preferences were: good territory, swimming pools and distance to the beach. And we found a very cool place - Thalassa Sousse 4*. This is just a huge hotel, similar to a small village, with vast, green territory, 5 swimming pools, bars, a tennis court and a golf course. Aerobics and water aerobics are offered daily, there is table tennis, and daytime and evening animation programs. The hotel offers rooms in a large building or detached bungalows. Thalassa Sousse opens directly onto its own fully developed beach.

What to do at the resort?

You can take an inexpensive taxi to Port El Kantaoui (only 7 km). In the evening it is especially beautiful: a lot of dressed-up people are walking around, snow-white yachts are rocking nearby, there is a singing fountain with a light show, an amusement park, many cute cafes and hospitable souvenir shops.

A fairly clean, tidy sandy beach without cigarette butts and algae. The entrance to the sea is smooth and gentle. In September there were no big disturbances at sea; you could sit in the water for a long time; at our hotel sometimes they even did water aerobics in the sea, which was very surprising for me.

Pros of a holiday in Sousse

Excellent climate, beaches, and fairly calm sea. There are many good hotels with large areas, private coastal areas, and entertainment events. A great vacation for the whole family. From the airport in Monastir to Sousse it’s only half an hour’s drive (not taking into account the transfer of tourists to other hotels). Close to Port El Kantaoui.

Disadvantages of holidays in Sousse

There are no obvious disadvantages, rather an unpleasant little thing: when you go to the center of Sousse along the road, between the beautiful hotel buildings there are vacant lots - abandoned plots of land where nothing has been built. They are dirty, littered with garbage and it’s not very pleasant to see this; it slightly spoils the impression of the quite nice and friendly town of Sousse.

In the Punic War and was its colony under Trajan and Diocletian. Then the area came under Arab rule, the city received its modern name, and a new era began in its life. The turbulent past has left its traces on the appearance of the city, and tourists will always find something to see in Sousse and its immediate surroundings.
Even in winter, Sousse is popular among Europeans. Thalassotherapy centers are especially popular and prices for services are significantly reduced during the low season.

TOP 10 attractions of Sousse

Medina Soussa

The medieval part of old Arab cities is traditionally called the medina. Translated from Arabic, this word means “city”. The history of any settlement began with the medina. It was surrounded by a wall, the streets inside were a tangled labyrinth, which significantly reduced the enemy’s chances of quickly capturing the historical center during an armed invasion.
Walking through the medina in Sousse, you can look at the architectural monuments of the Middle Ages and feel the rhythm of life in the old city.
Construction of the historical center began in the 8th century. under the Aghlabids. On the plan, the medina has the shape of a rectangle, outlined by city walls with rounded battlements. Significant fortifications and religious structures are located in the corners:

  • The southwestern corner is fortified by the kasbah with the Al-Khalef Tower. The tower is the tallest building in the historical part of Sousse.
  • A ribat with a watchtower was built in the north-eastern corner of the old city.
  • To the east rise the domes of the Great Mosque of Sousse.
  • The Bu Ftata Mosque at the southern gate of the medina is also worthy of attention. Its elegant minaret of the 18th century. decorates the panorama of the city.
  • The small Eddamu Mosque is famous for its prayer hall, whose barrel vaults date back to the 11th century.

Medieval buildings give the medina a special flavor and charm. When walking through the labyrinth of streets, follow your navigator or map! It is very easy to get lost in the Arabian medina, and in order to get out you will need the help of local residents.

Ribat

The most fortified building in the medina was built in the 8th century. The oldest urban architectural monument is called the ribat and is a small fortress. Behind the walls of the ribat, Murabite warriors lived and performed military service. At the time of the Aglabit conquests in the 9th century. The ribat was a military base.
When constructing the fortress, the Arabs used building material taken from the ruins of Roman buildings. This is especially noticeable when looking at the entrance gate, decorated with a portico with typical Roman capitals and columns.
The southern part of the ribat is famous for its prayer hall, the dome of which hangs over the entrance. Historians believe that this small mosque is the oldest in the country. In general, the ribat gives the impression of a simple but very harmonious structure.

Great Mosque

A couple of tens of meters from the ribat near the harbor you will find another important attraction of Sousse. The Great Mosque looks a bit like a fortified fort. The reason for the architectural features was the enemy’s attempts to capture the city medina. On the sea side, the structure is even protected by a pair of watchtowers. The Great Mosque of Sousse does not have a minaret. Its role was usually played by the watchtower of the ribat located nearby.
The courtyard of the prayer house is surrounded by porticoes with compositions of arches. The frieze on the tops of the galleries is decorated with calligraphic writing, which mentions the founders and builders of the mosque. Roman antique columns and capitals were used in the interior design, and casting was used to decorate the domes.

Kasbah

A powerful fortress in the southwestern part of the medina reliably closed this corner of the old city from the claims of foreign invaders. A fortification building of this type is called a kasbah in Arab architecture. In Sousse, the Kasbah is easy to spot thanks to the majestic watchtower called Al-Khalef.
The honor of designing and constructing the tower belongs to the architect Khalef al-Khata. Al-Khalef was built in the middle of the 11th century, as evidenced by a Kufic inscription on the southern wall of the medina. With the advent of the kasbah and signal tower, the ribat ceased to have defensive significance and turned into a religious and educational center.
At the top of the tower there is a powerful spotlight, the light of which is visible from several tens of kilometers away. This allows Al-Khalef to serve as a lighthouse for seagoing vessels.

Architectural ensemble of the medina

The old part of Sousse is literally filled with historical and architectural monuments. Sightseeing tours with professional guides will help you look at the medieval splendor and not get lost in the narrow streets.
During your walk you will definitely be shown:

  • Ezzaqaq Madrasah, built during the Aghlabid era. Above it rises an octagonal minaret, decorated with ceramic tiles and erected by the Ottomans in the 18th century.
  • Mausoleum of Sidi Bouraoui, considered the patron saint of the city. The saint rests in a wooden hearse, and the courtyard of the tomb is richly decorated with carvings.
  • Al-Kobbu is an architectural structure decorated with a unique dome. It is pleated in zigzags and dates from the 11th century. Adjacent to al-Kobba is a caravanserai, where today the Museum of Folk Traditions of Sousse is located.
  • Sili-Ali-al-Ammar. This mosque is worth a look, if only because it was built back in the 11th century. The interiors of the model room impress with the luxury of its decoration. The multi-colored relief rosettes are especially picturesque.
  • The Sofra underground reservoir supplied the city with water from the 11th to the 20th centuries.

The medina of Tunisian Sousse was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.

Dar Esid

Do you want to see how Tunisians lived a hundred years ago? The traditional home of a wealthy family from Sousse has been converted into a museum called Dar Esid. It is located within the walls of the medina a little north of the main bus station.
The center of the museum is an open courtyard, from where you can go to any room of the house: the women's bedrooms (the owner of the house had at least two spouses), the children's quarters, the kitchen and the men's half. All rooms are furnished with national furniture, the windows are covered with curtains, and the cabinets contain dishes and other household utensils necessary for life. You will see national costumes, cooking utensils, cradles, weapons and other exhibits preserved by the museum’s organizers. Most of the items were made at the beginning of the 19th century. The house has a steam room and a bathroom finished in Carrara marble.

Archaeological Museum

The second collection of mosaics in Tunisia in terms of importance and variety of exhibits is located in the Archaeological Museum of Sousse, opened in the Kasbah in the historical center of the city. Surrounded on both sides by gardens, the museum is of undoubted interest for lovers of history, architecture and ancient applied arts.
The restored room in the fortress, where exhibits are displayed, perfectly emphasizes the general idea of ​​the museum. Among all the ancient Roman mosaics that have survived for centuries, the images of the head of Medusa the Gorgon and, which are particularly realistic, are especially worthy of visitors’ attention. Another priceless exhibit is the baptismal font of Byzantine origin.

Port el Kantaoui

The resort suburb of Sousse offers a luxurious and varied holiday for entertainment lovers. Here you will find golf courses and riding clubs, a marina with yachts and restaurants with the best Maghreb cuisine in the region, thalasso centers and sports clubs, discos and shopping centers.
The list of main points of the entertainment program for tourists in Port el Kantaoui usually includes walks on a glass-bottom boat in the bay, diving with an instructor in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, horseback riding in the surrounding area, safari tours to the Sahara in jeeps, golf on a local course club with 36 holes and a variety of excursions to the sights of Sousse and other nearby cities in Tunisia.

El Jema Amphitheater

An hour's ride by minibus from Sousse is a pretty town, the main attraction of which is the ancient amphitheater, which ranks fourth in the world ranking in size after the Colosseum and arenas of Capua and.
Built in the 3rd century. BC. Proconsul of Rome Gordian, the amphitheater bears his name. The dimensions of its arena are 65x39 m. 30 thousand spectators could simultaneously watch what was happening there.
The arena was decorated with mosaics, which have now been moved to the local museum. Historians believe that the structure was not completed and was only used for a short time.
It is the Gordian Amphitheater in El Jem that most often appears in films about gladiators, since it is much better preserved than the Roman Colosseum.

Medina of Monastir

30 km and a 20-minute taxi ride from Sousse is another famous Tunisian resort where you can go for some sightseeing and an extra dose of holiday experience.
As in other Arab cities, the main architectural monuments are concentrated within the walls of the old city. The Medina of Monastir is replete with mosques, towers, fortress walls and gates, the construction of which began in the distant 9th century. It was then that the Great Mosque appeared on the map of Monastir. To build it, the Tunisians used stone elements from the ruins of ancient Roman buildings.
The fortress walls surrounding the old quarters were built in stages. Most of those that have survived to this day appeared in the 10th-15th centuries. The historic gate to the west of the medina was built during the Hafsid dynasty in the 15th century. The honor of constructing the southern ones belongs to the Ottoman Turks, who captured the country in the 17th century, and the northeastern entrance to the medina, called Bab Tunis, dates back to the 18th century.
In Monastir, the mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba and an example of fortification architecture of the 8th-11th centuries are worthy of attention. a small fortress, traditionally called ribat in Arab countries.