What to visit in Sousse Tunisia. Guide to sousse. Not Medina alone...

The city of Sousse is the capital of the eastern region of Tunisia, where the entertainment infrastructure is well developed. Modern architectural complexes are successfully combined with the perfectly preserved ancient streets of the Medina and dense olive groves. In Sousse you will definitely find something to see, as there are many attractions here.

The city with a mild Mediterranean subtropical climate is located on the territory of a picturesque bay south of Hammamet. You will not have any problems with transport, and the nearest airport, Monastir, is only 12 kilometers away.

The history of this Tunisian city dates back to the 9th century BC, and the status of a tourist center was assigned to Sousse in the sixties of the last century. For the first time in the history of Tunisia, it was possible to consolidate tourist integrated zones here, that is, large areas allocated for the construction of various hotels and entertainment centers.

Architectural landmarks

A considerable part of all the attractions of Tunisia is concentrated in Sousse, so tourists can be found here all year round. One of the hallmarks of Sousse is the Medina, the old part of the Tunisian port city. Since 1988, this site has been awarded the title of World Heritage Site. The medina is surrounded by high eight-meter walls that stretch for 2250 meters. There are observation towers on the walls.

Medina is famous for the ancient tower of Kalef Al Fata, which was erected in 859. Initially, the tower served as a lighthouse, and today every tourist can enjoy the views of Sousse from the Kalef Al Fata observation deck, located at an altitude of thirty meters.

The ancient monastery of Ribat, whose construction was carried out from 780 to 821, has also been preserved in Sousse. The perimeter of the courtyard of the fortress-monastery is represented by numerous cells and galleries, and in one of the corners there is the Nador watchtower. To climb to it, you need to overcome 73 steps.

It is worth paying attention to visiting the Great Mosque of Sida-Okba, which was built by the Aghlabids in Sousse in 850. The outer wall of the mosque is decorated at the corners with two round watchtowers, and in the courtyard there is a gallery with horseshoe-shaped massive arches. The main architectural feature of the Great Mosque is the squat minaret, which is reached by an external staircase.

If you are a fan of mosaic art, be sure to visit the Sousse Museum. It is here that the unique and most beautiful collection of mosaics in the world is collected.

If you wish and have free time, you can also visit the Kasbeh fortress, the remains of Phoenician tombs, Christian catacombs, Roman buildings and Byzantine fortifications.

Entertainment

Port El Kantaoui, a prestigious resort with a marina, has a huge golf course and various attractions. Children will definitely enjoy the water park, zoo and Ice Cream House in Sousse, while adults will have a great time at the numerous discos, casinos, restaurants and bars. During the day you can relax and improve your health in large thalassotherapy centers, and in the evening you can enjoy exciting shopping in oriental bazaars.

– a wonderful country on the ancient continent, where a lot of fun things have been invented for small and large children and a relaxing holiday for their parents. There is where to go, what to see and where to relax.

Why is it so great to relax with a child in Tunisia?

Because:

1. The flight to Tunisia is only 4 hours, which any capricious and restless person can easily “survive”.
2. A visa is not needed, which means there is no hassle with collecting a bunch of documents.
3. There is dry air here, which makes even the hot summer season quite comfortable.
4. There is an abundance of long, gently sloping beaches with white sand, fine as flour, from which you can sculpt beautiful white castles and Easter cakes.
5. The Mediterranean Sea, which warms up very quickly off the coast, and the clear, clear water is ideal even for the tiniest children.
6. Most hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis, which is very convenient for families with children.
7. A fairly wide program of children's entertainment in hotels - playgrounds, slides, shallow pools, fun animation, colorful labyrinths. There are cribs in the rooms, high chairs in the restaurants, and, of course, nannies and a children's menu.
8. If the child is very small, you should not carry heaps of cans with you - pharmacies in Tunisia sell a variety of French and Tunisian baby food of excellent quality. Prices are normal.
9. Very reasonable price for trips for the whole family. Turkey is now expensive, Egypt is hectic, and Tunisia offers vacations at very reasonable prices.
10. Local residents are crazy about children - and you have to come to terms with this, since everyone will kiss and stroke your child’s legs and arms, and will spoil him completely and irrevocably.

The swimming and sunbathing season in Tunisia begins at the end of April - the water heats up to +20°- and continues until the end of October, often covering half of November. The best time to come to Tunisia with children is May - early July, then from September to the end of October. By July, the water warms up to the “warm milk temperature” of +26 – 28°.

Quick review of resorts

In Tunisia, there are no specific resorts aimed specifically at children's holidays - everywhere there are excellent hotels for a comfortable but inexpensive holiday, taking into account the interests of children. First of all, these are the coasts of Hammamet, Sousse, Mahdia, Monastir, the island of Djerba, they will delight you with excellent opportunities for a fun time in the company of your own offspring.

What you need to know:

Excursions in Tunisia for children

Al Zahra show - Alzahra show (territory - Medinat Alzahra Park Sousse)

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Where to go in Tunisia, if not to this magical light and music show, which puts both children and adults in an enthusiastic mood. And it is worth visiting with the whole family.

Before the performance, everyone happily wanders around the Berber village, eagerly gets acquainted with the camels and treats themselves to hot homemade bread with fragrant African tea.

Here, even children get an excellent washable “harkus” tattoo with a national pattern. Then guests enjoy magnificent horse riding and fire dancing to the accompaniment of ancient African music. After this, everyone watches the celebration of a “real” Tunisian wedding, and the guests, who have worked up an excellent appetite, are fed a dinner of amazing Tunisian dishes.

And only then, when the parents and their children have had enough to eat, they are invited to the amphitheater under the velvet starry sky.

There, under a huge tent, before the eyes of admiring spectators with the participation of hundreds of artists, with the help of laser installations, music, colored fountains and light projections, the history of Tunisia goes back three millennia, from the birth of Carthage to the present day.

Reviews from tourists about such “historical” entertainment on forums are always positive. And the cost of this joy is quite acceptable.

Safari Park "Frigia"

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Even tiny tourists will find a lot of pleasure in this place. The tour usually starts in the afternoon if booked at the hotel. While traveling in the world of African animals, both children and parents get acquainted with the true “masters” of Africa - golden-maned lions, good-natured elephants, graceful antelopes, nimble and intelligent monkeys, spotted giraffes, cheetahs, foxes and ostriches.

You are allowed to take photos with your favorite African animals.

During the trip, you can hear ancient African chants performed by Zulu musicians, and the children will be very interested in the show with dolphins, after which you can even swim with them, holding on to their smooth fin. In the compact zoo, the smallest guests hang out to pet and feed goats and donkeys, horses, curly sheep, fat geese and important turkeys.

Sands of the Sahara

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A two-day excursion to the Sahara for kids will be too hot and tiring. But from the age of 7-8, children enthusiastically run around the gladiator arena in the beautifully preserved Roman Colosseum in El Jem and climb the mountain dwellings of brave Berbers in the mysterious Matmata.

The route is very attractive for teenagers. They enthusiastically ride on horseback on “ships of the desert” in the primeval Duza.

There you can spend the night under the starry sky of the great desert and fly on a motorized hang glider over the sands. Children, like adults, enjoy cool waterfalls and blooming oases among endless dunes and look forward to arriving at the real “home” of Luke Skywalker, the hero of Star Wars.

The delights of the resorts of Sousse, Hammamet, Port El Kantaoui

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The resort of Sousse is very good for children with its wonderful sandy coast of the warm Mediterranean Sea, and beautiful city embankments, immersed in exotic greenery, well-equipped children's playgrounds, attractions and water parks.

Entertainment center Hergla Park (near Sousse)

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The territory of the largest park in Tunisia houses an entire racing track and a family amusement park, where there are many attractions, entertainment for everyone, as well as delicious cafes where it is pleasant to relax with an appetite. The level of service and technology in the park is European. A must-visit is the huge Evolution attraction and go-kart.

You can go to Hergla Park from Sousse by bus. You can see how to get there by car on the website or on the map (25 km from the city).

Parents often combine such a trip with an exciting visit to a particularly “delicious” place in Sousse - the Casa Del Gelata cafe, where guests are given dozens of varieties of ice cream and a variety of delicacies to try. This cafe is a desirable place for sweet tooths of all ages.

Waterpark Aqua Palace (Sousse)

Aqua Palace, the very first and largest water amusement park, is located in the attractive tourist area of ​​Port el Kantaoui, near Sousse. Here you will be delighted by pools of different sizes, depths and shapes, where visitors are “attacked” by artificial waves, fast and slow rivers, children’s corners, Jacuzzis, large and small slides and steep bridges. Little guests are simply at ease in such a large and interesting territory. But in addition to the town for children, there is also a whole city for adults. Everywhere there are many sun loungers with umbrellas, cafes, pizzerias, boutiques, bars.

The vast area has an incredible variety of attractions for children and adults: carousels (beautifully illuminated in the evening and at night), a hovercraft gliding on the water, a ride down a stormy river in a fragile boat, getting lost in the dark labyrinths of a lost ancient city.

Children from two years old to 10-12 will be quietly delighted by the huge indoor playground with soft surface Ali Baba. There will be interesting trampolines in the shape of castles, houses with streets, cars, labyrinths, balls, and also a small train running around the park.

The modern roller coaster attracts all visitors, regardless of age.

The park itself has the appearance of ancient Carthage. There are flowering gardens, babbling fountains and excellent restaurants around. In the main building of "Carthage" there is a kids' club, where little guests draw, assemble Lego sets, or run out to the neighboring area to swing on the swings, dig in the sandbox and climb on the slides, completely free of charge. You can go with your parents to a mini-zoo to admire monkeys, ostriches, turtles, peacocks, pet squirrels, kids and ponies.

On the other side of the entrance to Carthage Land there is the Barbarossa pirate attraction, which teenagers adore. Here they will travel along an underground river, on the banks they will see all the “exploits”, battles and life of pirates as if in real life.

How much a visit costs in 2019 can be found on the official website.

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When I first arrived in Sousse, I was struck by its Europeanized appearance. Indeed, of all the cities in Tunisia that I visited after the capital, this is the most European city. There are many new high-rise buildings, wide avenues, large shopping centers, bars, discos, cinemas (which is rare for Tunisia), restaurants, cafes.

Like any Arab city, it grew from the medina (the old part of the city) with the Ribat, a fortress that previously protected the inhabitants from the attacks of warlike neighbors. Now it is one of the very large cities of Tunisia, the capital of the vilayet of the same name. In combination, it is also one of the most popular resorts among vacationers from all over the world with an extensive tourist area in Port El Kantawi.

This city has a European look, but with an oriental twist that makes it so special and unforgettable.

Like in Ancient Babylon, on its streets all year round you can meet people of different nationalities: French, Germans, Russians, Ukrainians, Algerians, Libyans, etc. Some came here to enjoy the bright sun, warm sea and the comfort of hotels; someone - to find a new life here; someone - to see his Ancient Ribat with the Kasbah and the Great Mosque. The goals are different, but they are all united by an interest in this amazing city.

By plane

Sousse does not have its own airport. Airports closest to the city:

• Enfidha close to the city, an hour away by taxi (fare from 20 EUR). There are no buses there, and it’s difficult to get a taxi.
• Habib Bourguiba Airport close to the city, 20 minutes by taxi (from 10 EUR) or bus/minibus (1–2 EUR).

Both accept a large number of Russian charters, which can be used to fly to Tunisia during the season (it lasts from May to September). You can search for airline offers, but this one will look for tours and compare prices from different tour operators.

If you fly with them, then most likely your arrival point will be Carthage airport near the capital, Tunisia. It is very far from Sousse: almost 2.5 hours by car, if you are lucky enough not to get caught in a traffic jam in the capital. At this airport you can immediately rent a car (30–40 EUR per day). You will need a passport and license. You can see which rental companies there are in the city and compare the prices they offer.

You can get from the airport by bus (5 EUR for a ticket there) or train (3-5 EUR for a ticket there), but you will first have to get to the bus stop or train station from the airport. The cost of a taxi is 5 EUR.

Apart from taxi, you can get from the airport to the capital in 2 ways:

• On the “metro” (this is what they call the ground trains circulating around the city here) - a stop not far from the airport (200 meters); the fare is less than 1 EUR.
• By bus - stop near the airport; fare - about 0.5 EUR; There are 2 types of buses: CHT (departures every 30 minutes) and TUT (departures every 15 minutes).

By train

Like any large city, Sousse is connected by rail to other cities. Tickets can be purchased directly from Gare de Sousse station.

You can travel from the capital by train for 5 EUR (11 TND).

You can also get from Monastir by train, which is called “Metro” here, for 2 EUR and half an hour.

There is also a train from Hammamet to Sousse: about 3 hours on the road. The ticket costs 4 EUR.

I have already written about what Tunisian trains are like in my pro, so you shouldn’t count on any special comfort here. You can look at their schedule. Trains here tend to be late, so departure and arrival times may vary.

By bus

There are buses from the capital to Sousse, but first you need to get there from the airport by taxi. A one-way ticket costs 5 EUR (11 TND). From Monastir you can take a minibus or bus (1–2 EUR). They depart regularly directly from the airport. There is also a bus from Hammamet, but it goes once a day (5 EUR).

It is worth approaching the bus departure time in advance, as there is usually a line to board immediately. Luggage can be stored separately.

I once observed how a Russian lady, traveling alone, came running just before the bus departure time. There was no place for her, and the driver ran around looking for one for her. As a result, the bus was delayed by 15 minutes. They found a place for her, but we left later.

By car

If you come from the airport, you can take a taxi. In Tunisia they are all the same yellow color. The fare starts from 5 EUR (10 TND). Bargain with confidence. When taxi drivers see a foreigner, they will try to squeeze as much money out of him as possible.

This is true for Monastir, but from Hammamet or the capital it makes sense to rent a car. It costs 25–32.5 EUR (50–65 TND) per day in the off-season, and 40 EUR (80 TND) in season. To do this, you only need your passport and a Russian license, with which you can safely drive here.

Don’t forget that highways in Tunisia have tolls: from 0.5 to 1 EUR (1–2 TND). But they are more or less comfortable, renovated, with toilets and cafes along the road.

By ferry

There are no ferries to Sousse, but if funds allow, you can rent a boat or yacht and go on a short sea voyage from Monastir or Hammamet. Rental cost - from 750 EUR (1,500 TND).

Clue:

Sousse - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 2

Kazan 2

Samara 3

Ekaterinburg 4

Novosibirsk 6

Vladivostok 9

When is the season? When is the best time to go

The season in Sousse lasts from May to early October. At this time there is a continuous flow of tourists. The peak season is in July - August, when the average air temperature reaches +35 °C.

If you are not a fan of extreme heat and large crowds of people, then come in May - early June, when the tourist season is just beginning, or at the end of August - September, when it is already coming to an end, but it is still moderately hot during the day and the sea is warm.

Sousse in summer

Summer begins in the city in mid-May, when you can safely wear T-shirts and light blouses on the street, and some even start swimming, although the sea has not yet fully warmed up. But from the end of May you can safely swim and sunbathe on the beach (water temperature +24, +28 °C).

July and August are the hottest months. At this time, it’s hard to be outside during the day; you just want to lie on the beach.

September is still quite hot, and the sea, warmed over the previous months, is quite suitable for swimming (water temperature +24 °C).

Sousse in autumn

Autumn begins in October. Temperatures drop to +25 °C, +15 °C. Heavy rain and strong winds are possible at times. In the evening and at night the temperature drops slightly.

Sousse in spring

Spring begins already at the end of March. The temperature is already +20–25 °C. Rains are still possible, but they are an exception to the rule rather than a natural phenomenon. Some locals are already swimming, but the sea is still cool (average water temperature +14–17 °C).

Sousse - weather by month

Clue:

Sousse - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

I have identified three areas in Sousse, each of which will be convenient for recreation.

City center

There are few decent hotels in the center of Sousse, but all shops, restaurants, cafes and the historical part of the city are within walking distance.

Yes, and, plus, in the summer there are many guests from Libya and Algeria, as well as from the south of Tunisia, who do not always behave adequately.

Among the expensive and luxurious hotels, here is Movenpick - a kind of variation on the Arabic theme, but in a modern way.

There is even something like a Chinese garden nearby.

Port El-Kantaoui area

The tourist area, as is usual in such resorts, is located outside the city limits - almost 20–25 minutes by car. This area is called Port El-Kantaoui.

Basically, there are only hotels, restaurants, bars, a golf course, and if you drive further, you can see a huge variety of villas: from those built in a purely Arabian style to a kind of palaces made of glass and concrete with incredible architecture.

If you have a good budget, you can choose Hasdrubal Thalassa, Thalassa Sousse 4* (they also offer excellent thalasso and balneotherapy courses) or Riu Green Parc 4*, Tej Marhaba, Riu Bellevue Park. All of them provide excellent service, well-equipped rooms and a standard range of entertainment: swimming pool, beaches, animation program, etc. You can book on, but you can check if there are better prices somewhere.

Of the more budget options, you can choose among Golf Residence, Royal Beach, Marhaba, Marabout, Chams El Hana 3*, etc. Their service is not so high, but quite acceptable. Discos and animated shows are also present. You can search for offers.

In the same area there are magnificent villas for rent. They are mainly taken by Europeans who come to relax in the summer. They are perfectly equipped. Some even have a private beach. The owners can also offer their own housekeeper, so the house will be cleaned no less often than a hotel room.

Sahloul area

Another housing option: rent an apartment. The Sahloul area is a good option, where there are many new, high-rise buildings with private parking, and you can find a well-equipped apartment. You can search for an option for yourself.

Within walking distance in the area: shops, restaurants, cafes. But it is located far from the city center - almost half an hour away by car, if there are no traffic jams.

What are the prices for holidays?

Housing

In five-star and four-star hotels, the price ceiling is 200–250 EUR/day, and the average price fluctuates around 100 EUR. Three-star hotels are cheaper: the average price per room is 25–35 EUR/day.

Renting a villa for a month costs from 500 EUR, and for a week from 250 EUR. In addition to this, you must leave a deposit in the amount of a monthly or weekly payment, which is returned at the end if the owner is satisfied with the external and internal appearance of the house. Electricity and water are paid separately.

An apartment costs on average 200–250 EUR per month, and 100–150 EUR per week. A deposit is also left, and light/water/electricity are paid separately.

Taxi

Taxi fees range from 0.5 to 1–3 EUR, depending on the distance.

Nutrition

In a restaurant the average price tag is around 20–50 EUR, and in a cafe from 5 to 10 EUR. To save money, it is better to choose restaurants or cafes somewhere in the city center, where you can find very high-quality options, but in the tourist area they can offer a higher price tag - from 70 EUR.

You can buy food in supermarkets or small shops. In Tunisia, vegetables and fruits are very cheap (from 1 EUR per kilogram), as well as seafood (from 5 EUR per kilogram). They are all fresh and natural. A bottle of mineral water will cost less than 1 EUR, and a couple of pies for 1–2 EUR.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub Tunisian Dinar, DT

Main attractions. What to see

Sousse is rich in various historical attractions, and the medina of Sousse is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Like most Tunisian cities, there is a Ribat here - a fortress that protected local residents from attacks by neighbors. It also has a good archaeological museum. In addition, there are 3 notable mosques, 1 synagogue and 1 Protestant church.

You can also go to the local catacombs. And how can we not remember here Port El Cantawi with its marina, as well as its zoo and amusement park nearby. I will write in more detail about this and much more below.

Top 5

Medina Soussa

First of all, of course, I’ll tell you about the medina of Sousse. Narrow streets leading into the unknown, wild cats stretching sleepily in the sun, as well as the colorful doors and windows - this is what appeared before us when we went to explore Medina. There are almost no people here, only sometimes boys run by.

Also there we accidentally stumbled upon a nice square. Next to the medina there is a permanent bazaar, where they mostly sell all sorts of rubbish, but sometimes you can find interesting souvenirs.

Kasbah and Archaeological Museum

Next, you can go to the Kasbah (that’s what the city’s citadel is called in Arabic) - you can enter it through the Archaeological Museum. So, first we toured the museum: it displays interesting mosaics from the times of Roman rule, as well as household items of the first Christians. From the museum you can go out into the courtyard of the Kasbah, where it is so nice to take a quiet walk. It’s clean, and they planted flowers and various low trees around it. I especially liked the views that can be observed from the fortress walls: the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, shimmering under the bright rays of the sun; the roofs of small houses in Medina, where housewives hang out their laundry; and, of course, the marina of Sousse, where numerous yachts and boats are anchored, as well as several pleasure ships, stylized as ancient ships, on which tourists are taken for rides during the season.

Ticket price for the museum and Kasbah: 3.5 EUR.

Opening hours: from September 16 to July 18 - 08:00–17:30; from June 17 to July 17 - 08:00–17:00; from July 19 to September 15 - 08:00–19:00; open daily.

How to get there: The museum and Kasbah are located on Rue Abou Kacem Echabi, opposite the Sousse City Hall (Gouvernorat de Sousse). The majestic structure with towers is simply impossible to miss, so it’s easy to quickly find. If you walk from the Medina, you can get there in 20 minutes. Another option is to take a taxi, as there are no bus stops right next to the museum.

Catacombs of Sousse

The catacombs of Sousse are very interesting. They are located in the city center. Going down, you find yourself as if in another world. The catacombs were built and paved by the first Christians who fled here from Roman persecution.

There is also a museum near the catacombs, where things taken from there are displayed. I do not recommend visiting for people suffering from claustrophobia.

Ticket price: 2.5 EUR.

Opening hours: from September 16 to March 31 - 09:00–17:00; from April 1 to August 15 - 09:00–19:00; daily.

How to get there: The entrance to the catacombs is in Medina, so while walking there, you can go there at the same time. There are also signs for motorists throughout the city.

Dar Essid

Another interesting attraction is Dar Essid. The Arabic word "dar" means "house". This is a typical Arab house that once belonged to a wealthy citizen. Walking through the suites of rooms, you will be able to see how an Arab family used to live, what surrounded it and what its members did in everyday life. I really liked it there: it was like plunging into living history.

Ticket price: about 2 EUR.

Opening hours: daily from 08:30 to 17:30.

How to get there: It is also located in Medina, a little further from the bazaar. If you can't find it, ask the locals. They will be happy to show you.

Port El Kantawi

And finally, I’ll tell you about Port El Kantaoui. To be honest, I don’t understand why it is so praised in some guidebooks. The marina there is smaller than in Monastir. And the impression is also spoiled by annoying barkers on their ships on which they take tourists for rides.

Next to it there is a small zoo and an amusement park, where again you come across various merchants and barkers who call customers in Russian and scold them in Arabic.

How to get there: It is located outside the city, 20 minutes away by car, near the town of Hammam Sousse. You can get there by taxi (from 5 EUR), by bus or minibus (0.5–1 EUR).

Beaches. Which ones are better

The best beaches are, of course, the beaches of Port El Cantawi. Clean, with white soft sand. The police protect them well: their cars drive there regularly.

Hotels have their own separate beaches, where sunbeds, umbrellas, and towels are provided, but public beaches, unfortunately, do not have all this.

We usually went to the beach, which is located next to Port El Kantawi. Where there are only villas, a separate entrance, few locals and very clean.

In the city itself the beaches are not very good (Bou Jaafar Beach). Firstly, there are a lot of Arab families with loud, ill-mannered children who do whatever they want. Secondly, as a result, it is dirty there. Garbage is lying everywhere. The smell is just terrible. In general, it is better to avoid these beaches.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

There are 3 notable mosques in Sousse:

In addition to mosques, there is one more in Sousse synagogue Keter Torah And St. Felix Protestant Church. Of these, the church is notable: it has a simple, unpretentious architecture, thanks to which it blends harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. You can go there, admission is free.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

I really liked it Archaeological Museum at the Kasbah. It is located in a perfectly renovated building and is maintained no worse than European museums. There are high halls where well-preserved frescoes and household items from the Roman Empire are displayed.

There is also a museum near the catacombs. There are objects that were found in the catacombs themselves. Here you can see with your own eyes how the first Christians lived in the provinces of the Roman Empire.

And, of course, the museum is Dar Essid, which I wrote about above.

Parks

Port El Kantawi has a zoo right next to the entrance to the marina. It is in the “best” Tunisian traditions - it’s a bit dirty, there are few animals, the paths are small and unkempt. In general, nothing special. I didn’t like it there, and the animals looked like they were fed at most once a week.

Not far from Sousse there is an ethnographic park "El Zahra". A typical Berber village has been completely recreated there. There are even actors who play the residents. There is also a sandstone fortress, an ancient church, olive groves and performances with camels and horses. The crowning glory of this park is the unique laser show “Medinat El Zahra”, during which the history of Tunisia is viewed from the beginning to the present day. You can go to the park by car (25 minutes) or as part of an excursion from the hotel.

These are the most notable parks in the city. In the city itself there are so-called green areas in the form of parks, but usually they are an absurd pile of garbage and palm trees.

There is also a wonderful zoo near Sousse "Phrygia", which children will certainly enjoy. It is very large, and there are a large number of animal species represented in it, there is even a dolphinarium! There are also performances by folk and African groups.

It is close to a large Monoprix supermarket.

Opening hours: in summer from 09:00 to 17:00, in winter from 09:00 to 16:00; open daily except Monday. Entrance fee: adults - 5.5 EUR, children - 3 EUR.

Tourist streets

The main tourist street is the Buzhaafar embankment. Again, many guidebooks sing its praises, but I’ll still add my fly in the ointment.

It stretches for almost 2 km, and from there a beautiful view of the sea opens up and everything would be fine if not for the guests from friendly Algeria and Libya and from the south of Tunisia. During the day, whole families with a brood of 7-8 children walk there, and at night young people gather and drink beer. In general, as you understand, I didn’t like walking there, maybe you’ll have a little more luck.

What to see in 1 day

If you come to Sousse for one day, I advise you to go to the medina. From there, go study the Ribat and enrich your knowledge at the Archaeological Museum. The catacombs will also be interesting. They are, of course, no match for the Parisian ones, but they also make an impression! In the evening you can take a walk in Port El Cantawi and eat at one of the fish restaurants.

What to see in the area

In the vicinity of Sousse you can visit Port El Kantawi, which I already wrote about above, as well as El Zahra Park.

Near Port El Kantawi there is even golf Club, arranged by an American. For tourists who love this sport, this is a great opportunity to practice on an excellent field: it is very large, perfectly clean and arranged with a real American scale. The club has a bar, a restaurant, and a shop. Driving a little further than the Port itself, you will immediately see the spacious green fields of the golf club. On (there are both French and English versions) you can find out the tariffs and opening hours.

And in the small town of Sidi Bou Ali, 25 km from Sousse, there is eco-farm (EcoVillage). Here you can learn everything about the life of ostriches, as well as get to know them better. Go by car. The journey will take less than half an hour.

It is located near the town of Sidi Bou Ali. The entrance fee is about 15 EUR (this includes a set lunch), it is open 24 hours a day, except holidays.

Nearby Islands

There are no notable islands near Sousse. The closest to it is the Italian island of Linosa - volcanic and not very interesting, except for its Mediterranean beaches and local flora and fauna. You can get there with a ferry transfer through Sicily. The journey will take about a day.

Food. What to try

The cuisine of Sousse is not much different from purely Tunisian cuisine: the same abundance of pepper, traditional couscous and brand of loubiya (sauce with beans).

The city sells very tasty pizzas, especially tasty in pizzerias where they are baked in real stone ovens.

The shapatti sandwich is popular among locals - it is tuna with vegetables or sausage between two flatbreads. In short, it’s like a hamburger, but in a Tunisian way.

As for drinks, there are also no special differences with general Tunisian cuisine.

If you want to cook something yourself, there are many large supermarket chains in Sousse: Magasin Général, Aziza, Carrefour, Monoprix. There are also signs in the city indicating them. They sell vegetables, fruits, meat and fish, and other products. There are separate shops that specialize in selling one of the above. The prices between them are not much different, but the quality of the products is much higher.

Sousse has a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, which even serve alcohol. The truth is not everywhere. In Port El Kantawi or in the city center, prices are different, but you can find dishes for every taste and color. Below I will write in more detail about different establishments where the price and quality of food and service are justified.

Budget

Budget establishments offer good dishes for only 7.5 EUR (15 TND). For example, there is a restaurant La Nova Marina in Port El Kantawi. Pleasant atmosphere: you can sit both in the hall and outside, enjoying the beauty of the marina. They serve Italian dishes, seafood and barbecue, as well as alcoholic drinks.

Another inexpensive restaurant Farmer's Grill. You can order excellent steaks and fries here. The price tag can exceed 7.5 EUR if you are a food lover. There is a large selection of salads for vegetarians, and desserts for those with a sweet tooth. It is made in the style of a Texas ranch.

Just 2 minutes walk from the Medina you can find a wonderful restaurant Le Bonheur, where you can have a meal for even less than 7 EUR. Its name translated from French means “happiness”. It lives up to its name: generous portions, as well as a pleasant atmosphere, make this establishment very popular among tourists. The menu includes both purely Tunisian dishes and international ones: pizzas, sandwiches, etc.

Very nice cafe Lumière, where you can drink excellent coffee and eat dessert for just 5 EUR. I was there and I really liked it. The interior has a muted color scheme, complemented by photographs of Paris, and on the facade of the building there is even an Eiffel Tower that is being renovated by a little man. The menu is complete and varied. This place is located in the Sahloul area, not far from the clinic.

Mid-level

Among mid-level restaurants and cafes, I can recommend the following (average price tag - 12.5–15 EUR):

• Le mosaique at the Mövenpick Resort & Marine Spa, in the center of Sousse. Gorgeous decor and excellent service. They serve French, Italian and Tunisian dishes. Finding it will not be difficult, but leaving there with an empty stomach will be difficult.
• Restaurant Red Moon also in Port El Kantawi. Beautiful decor, a pleasing menu where you can find dishes from different countries, and a large selection of desserts.
• In the medina of Sousse you can find an excellent restaurant where you can try almost all the classic recipes of Tunisian cuisine - Restaurant du Peuple. A combination of good quality, low prices and excellent service.
• Another quality restaurant - Lido. There are very tasty fish and seafood dishes. The portions are very large and the food is surprisingly varied. It is located in the city center.

Holidays

The Aussou festival takes place in Sousse, during which a whole carnival parade takes place around the city, accompanied by songs and dances. It is usually held every July 24th, but in recent years it has sometimes been canceled due to lack of funds.

It has deep historical roots: it used to be a holiday in honor of the god Neptune, when it was a province within the Roman Empire. But then it changed, and now it is a holiday in honor of the onset of abnormally intense heat in the month of August according to the Berber calendar. Actually, the term “aussu” itself means “peak heat”.

Safety. What to watch out for

Like any big city, Sousse is rich in various dangers.

Firstly, of course, you shouldn’t go out into the city for a walk alone. This is especially true for girls. The city is full of people from Libya or Algeria, so you need to be careful and either stay on the hotel premises or go with someone in a group.

Secondly, be sure to bargain with the sellers in the shops, as they always try to take more money from tourists. This only applies to tourist shops or taxis, since prices in buses, super- and minimarkets are fixed.

Things to do

There are a lot of hotels in Sousse that, in addition to the standard range of entertainment, offer thalassotherapy and balneotherapy courses. Depending on your wishes and budget, you will be given the right course for a different period of time.

Among other entertainments, you can play golf on the golf course (I talked about this in the “Parks” section), bowling, go karting at Hergla Karting Park or go to the water park (Acqua Palace), the zoo (Kantaoui Zoo) in Port El Kantawi or an amusement park (Centre de loisirs Hannibal).

Shopping and shops

There are a huge number of shops in Sousse, including those where they speak Russian. There are many shopping centers and souvenir shops in the tourist area, but prices there are aimed at tourists.

In the city center, near the Boujaafar and Medina embankments, there are many large shops, for example, Soula Center or Champs Elysées, Slim Center or Plazza Italia (by the way, the last three are in the same place, next to each other). In them you will find souvenirs, a large selection of clothes, carpets, and jewelry - in general, everything a tourist’s soul desires.

Among the worthy local store chains, I would like to highlight Zen, Hamadi Abid (similar to H&M, that is, inexpensive clothes at affordable prices).

Bars. Where to go

Like, Sousse offers a rich night program.

Interesting bars:

• Igloo Ice Bar. A very unusual place where everything is made of ice. You can only visit for 25 minutes, as it is very cold there (-15 °C). You can also wear extravagant costumes there. Entry: 14.5 EUR (2 non-alcoholic cocktails and 1 non-alcoholic cocktail of your choice + 25 min) or 19.5 EUR (1 bottle of Heineken beer, 2 alcoholic cocktails and 1 shot of your choice + 25 min). open from 17:00 to 02:00.
• Iron Bar. The price of drinks here starts from 2.5 EUR, but the parking space is inconvenient. Admission is free, no need to reserve tables in advance. Open daily from 20:00 to 04:00.
• Bar Legend's is located in the city center, but is only open until 01:00. Prices: from 2–5 EUR, admission is free.
• with a disco Amnesia at the Rym Hotel. There's good alcohol and good music. Entrance fee (5 EUR). Open from 20:00 to 02:00 daily.

Clubs and nightlife

Sousse can rightfully be called the city that never sleeps. There are more than enough discos for tourists and local residents. Especially along the Marabout, Taj Sultan, etc. hotels: Saloon, Bananas, Living and many others.

Once upon a time, Bora-Bora was considered the largest and coolest disco in all of Tunisia, but now it is closed. We often drove past it in our car, and there was always a “Closed” sign hanging there.

There are many other discos where European and Arabic melodies sound invitingly, inviting passers-by to join in the daring fun. These are Maracana, Red Iguana, Samara King, etc.

They are open from 20:00 / 21:00 until the morning (07:00 / 04:00). Admission fee: from 5 EUR. There is face control, but foreigners are easily allowed in.

Extreme Sports

Among the extreme sports in Sousse, you can go diving at hotels. Prices depend on the hotel.

Even if you don’t know anything about this sport, you will definitely be taught. It's an amazing emotion when you watch the life of sea creatures underwater.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

The most interesting souvenirs in Sousse can be bought in the markets near the medina, as well as in shopping centers near the embankment.

They sell carpets here that are brought from Kairouan. They are made by hand and of very high quality. Cost - from 25 EUR.

High-quality, multi-colored ceramics are brought here from Nabeul. It is persistent, beautiful and long-lasting.

And in some shops in Sousse you can see a craftsman making dishes right in front of you. Cost - from 5 EUR.

Girls will be interested in the typical Tunisian jewelry that is sold in Sousse. They start from 5 EUR. And this is not only jewelry, but also silver and gold. You can also find Berber jewelry.

In Sousse you can also buy high-quality natural leather goods: from bags to wallets. Cost - from 15 EUR.

And in the Soula Center, which is located next to the medina, you can even find souvenirs from all over North Africa and the south of the Sahara.

How to get around the city

In my experience, it is best to take a taxi. It's too long to wait for the bus, they don't come that often. And you can catch a taxi immediately and quickly. There are also minibuses, but these are a copy of our Russian minibuses, where people sometimes have to stand. There are no other types of transport here.

Taxi. What features exist

All taxis in Tunisia are yellow. In Sousse, taxits understand a little bit of French, so you can get by with them. The fare starts from 2 EUR, only cash is accepted.

It’s easy to catch a taxi on the street, but be careful: the taxi driver can quote a price higher than the real one, so you need to immediately ask to turn on the meter.

Tunisians have not yet discovered what traffic rules are in practice. And even more so for pedestrians: I observed several times how mothers with children in strollers dashingly crossed the road in the wrong places, almost under the noses of cars. Motorists also park, so you have to keep your eyes open here.

Vacation with children

Sousse is an ideal resort where you can go with children of absolutely any age. No one will be bored. If we don’t talk about animation programs at hotels and mini-clubs, where there are Russian-speaking guides, then there is Port El Kantawi. Here you can go for a walk to the marina, zoo, amusement park or water park.

For older children, El Zahra Park will be of interest, where actors in a performance tell and show the life and traditions of the Berber peoples. Also there they organize the show “Medinat El Zahra”, which I wrote about above. In general, you will definitely find something to do for yourself and your children in Sousse!

So, Tunisia ! We returned a week ago and am writing a review almost immediately, while the memories are fresh. Although we enjoyed our holiday in Tunisia so much that the wonderful memories will probably never go away.)) To be honest, Tunisia was considered as an alternative to our beloved Egypt. Of course, these are two different countries and should not be compared. Tunisia is different. Another sea, different people and so on. But I really liked Tunisia and I did not regret choosing this country. She is so beautiful, full of history. What beautiful cities! Just a fairy tale. Of course, there are also disadvantages and I will definitely write about them. But I’ll say right away that I always go on vacation with a positive attitude, so everything is always fine with me.

And so, we arrived at 5 am and such hot, humid air immediately filled our lungs as soon as we stepped onto the ramp. Wow, I immediately realized that it would be hot. At 5 am I didn’t get a very good look at the city from the window of the tourist bus; I only managed to notice that there is a lot of greenery in Tunisia, there are even Christmas trees, or spruce trees. Very surprising))

We lived in a hotel LTI El Ksar Resort. I will write a detailed review about it later. Now just a little about him, and then about the city and the country as a whole. They checked us in right away because we gave 20 euros. We are already accustomed to this, because according to world standards, check-in occurs after 12, even sometimes at 14.00. But who wants to sit and wait for check-in early in the morning? Money works wonders. The people who came with us on the bus also put money in their passports and seated everyone immediately. I’ll write right away that for me this is not a minus, but already like an everyday occurrence.)) For some, it’s crazy to give money to move in, but excuse me, everyone chooses their own path. We checked into a wonderful spacious room with a safe, plasma, huge bed and a view of beautiful bougainvillea, then ran to breakfast and to the sea! That's why we came here!

About the sea. Eh, I can write about him for a long time. Tunisia has the Mediterranean Sea and it is simply divine! Yes, exactly that and no other word)) It is so pure, beautiful, exciting. Underfoot there is soft soft sand and nothing more. Sometimes the waves were very big, like on the ocean. Once a couple of times, the sky was overcast, there was a small storm and the waves were very huge, but on the contrary, it was cool. Everyone jumped on the waves and rejoiced like children. The grown men squealed with joy)) The only thing was that it brought a lot of algae. But they did not interfere with enjoying the sea.

Beach. I don’t know about other cities, but Sousse has a common coastline. That is, I can go along the shore from my hotel to the neighboring one or through the hotel or further further further, then to the city beaches. Some people saw disadvantages in this, but I didn’t)) So what’s wrong? Yes, there are merchants walking along the beach. They sell tunics, scarves, fruits, nuts and other small things. But they are absolutely not pushy, they will ask, no need, no thanks, goodbye. During all the days of rest, we even managed to make friends with them. And not only us)) Yes, locals walk past on the beach, but again, they are not pestering either, they do not look at you as prey and so on. They walk by, communicate with each other and that’s it. Athletes often run past. The tractor drives in the morning, collecting garbage. It doesn't bother me at all. Everything is very civilized and calm. The beaches are cleaned every day from algae and everything else. Everything is so quick and really nice to see!)

About living creatures. More precisely about jellyfish, about which they write a lot. I thought about them too. And I was afraid. But there were jellyfish for a couple of days and only a few on the entire huge beach. So big, bright blue, visible from afar, incredibly beautiful. It’s cool to watch, but it’s better, of course, to avoid them. Fearless Russian men even caught them and showed them to the whole beach. All the people came running to look at the blue miracle)) There were no other living creatures except small fish. By the way, at night, on our beach, fishermen were very well located, and so they sat near the shore with a fishing rod for hours. Still, probably at night, some larger ones swim up to the shores)) Because in the morning, a man walked along the beach with a fresh catch. Probably the locals buy it. Where do we, tourists, get fresh fish)) About the night beach - this is a completely separate topic. What a thrill it is, what a relaxation it is to just sit on the beach at night and look at the sea, these waves, this noise. Just a blast. And if you walk barefoot along the coast, along the water, it is so warm. Romance, in general)) And unforgettable emotions!

About people. I read a lot of negative things and to be honest, now, having returned from Tunisia, I don’t understand those who write terrible things about the local population. Maybe, of course, they weren’t in Egypt. Unfortunately, the people there are wild. But in Tunisia it’s calm. You walk down the street and everyone smiles at you and says hello. No one looks at you with a vulgar glance and thinks that if you smiled and said hello, then that’s it, you want to meet someone, get married, and so on. . If someone liked me, at most they would give me a compliment, ask how I was doing and nothing more, no pestering. Nobody ever said anything after that. No one sticks out of the cars and shouts different words (well, you yourself understood what)... Well, I just haven’t seen this even once, for the life of me)). When you walk through the city past shops and stores, no one pesters you “buy, buy, good price, just look.” The sellers see that you are passing by, you don’t need anything, and that’s fine. It was just peaceful to walk quietly through the city. Just walk, just look around, studying people passing by, houses, hotels, shops, etc. The police are generally just darlings)) Firstly, it seemed to me that they were all handpicked there. They're all so tall and handsome. I saw few others. You walk, look from afar and think: what a formidable policeman, holding a machine gun, keen ear, wow look. You come closer, he says “good afternoon/morning/evening” to you and smiles and you understand that he is not that formidable)) Although, if you look closely, you can see that he is “watching”))

By the way, about safety. There are a lot of police in the city. Moreover, when we first arrived, there were fewer of them, then there were more. Often there were traffic jams on the roads due to police control. They checked every car. There are a lot of guards at the entrance to hotels and they also check cars, passengers, inspect the car with a mirror, and record everything. This made me happy. I didn’t feel any tension or danger at all. By the way, the police also walk along the beach.

About the city of Sousse itself, where to go, what to see. In general, there is not much interesting in Sousse. The best thing you can see outside the hotel, where you can go, is Medina(there is also a fortress there Ribat and the great mosque), port El Kantaoui. And, in principle, that's all. But it's very interesting. To feel the local flavor, you should definitely visit the Medina. This is such an old area of ​​the city, it is surrounded by a huge stone wall and is protected by UNESCO. Local residents live there and it so happens that a market has formed. You can buy everything at this market. Necessarily haggle, the price can be reduced by half, or even less. We bought a camel skin painting there. magnets 3 pieces for 2 dinars, T-shirts for children and adults (6-10 dinars) and a lot of other stuff. And it’s just very interesting to wander through the streets of the Medina, it’s very colorful. You feel like you're in the TV series Clone. There, near the entrance, stands the ancient fortress of Ribat. This is the first Arab building in Sousse. Entrance costs 7 dinars. We even climbed a high 30-meter tower. It offers an amazing view of Sousse (the port and the Medina). And in general, it’s interesting to wander around the tower and its rooms. We even found baths. Very interesting. ADVICE : as soon as you arrive/arrive at Medina, locals will begin to approach you and say with a smile: “oh, your hotel, I know you. I work for you as a cook, or security, let me show you everything.” No, don't be fooled under any circumstances. This is a very bearded local scam. Then they will ask you for money for this excursion and of course, these people are not from your hotel)) Yes, they earn as much as they can. But nothing, they just refused and went for a walk themselves)) They only approached us a couple of times and that’s it, then no one touched us anymore.

Now about the port of El Kantaoui. This is such a small resort within a resort)) In the port it is simply interesting to walk along the embankment, look at beautiful yachts and ships, sit in a cafe and drink local tea with pine nuts, and you can also visit the Hannibal Park amusement park. There are very cool and scary attractions there that will simply take your breath away. The ticket scheme is simple. For example, buy 25 tickets. This is 25 dinars. You go to the slides, it says 9. That means you count out 9 tickets and give them to the controller. And so it is with everyone. Children's attractions cost from 1 to 6 dinars, or rather tickets. There are a lot of different carousels for children, so it’s just great to go there with children. My child was happy.

As in any tourist place, there are simply a lot of cafes, restaurants, and bars in Sousse. We checked in several places. You can overeat sweets for the year ahead in a cafe Casa Del Gelato. Simply incredibly tasty and at the same time beautiful ice cream desserts! With fruit, cookies, cream and more. You can just grab a few scoops of ice cream and go for a walk around the city. There are a lot of types of ice cream, so your eyes just run wild)) There is also a restaurant Mio Mondo. It is popular with both tourists and the local population. In the evenings there is a full house. And all because the hookah there is great and the seafood you can eat is delicious and fresh. And the prices are quite affordable. We usually hung out there when they showed football and the European Championship))

On vacation, I don't like to stay in a hotel. so I took several excursions from a guide. the prices are very decent. The first excursion is a nature reserve. This is a zoo, it is very huge and the animals there are not exhausted, they are in their natural environment. The coolest thing is that there you can feed a giraffe, lemurs, hold a turtle and a huge ostrich egg. All this, of course, comes at an additional cost, but we came to relax, not to count money)) In general, the whole family is delighted with the zoo.

I also went on an excursion "Tunis-Carthage-Sidi Bou Said-Bordeaux". I already went alone. without a child, because the tour is from 7 am to 5 pm, a lot of time on the bus. and it’s not interesting for a small child, why bother?) I really enjoyed the excursion. We first visited the capital of Tunisia - the city of Tunis. It was very interesting to see how the capital lives and breathes. Tunisia, as it turns out, is a huge city with all the infrastructure and it is constantly being built. Construction sites are everywhere, just everywhere)) Then we went to Carthage. This is an ancient city. It was very interesting to watch and listen to the guide (by the way, we found a wonderful guide). From Carthage we went to Baths (therms) Antonia Pia. They are located next to the archaeological park and are the largest ruins of Roman Carthage. They occupy an area of ​​1.8 hectares. Then to the blue and white city. It is also called the city of artists and not surprisingly, paintings from this city can be painted in such a way that will take your breath away. Really, I have never seen such a beautiful city. It really is all blue and white. White house and blue doors and windows. And flowers, flowers, flowers, so bright. In general, it’s also a fairy tale for a photographer. The observation deck offers a simply magnificent view of the port and the sea. It was unforgettably simple! I got so caught up in my daydreaming that I forgot about the time and almost missed the bus))

And the very last thing. What to bring from Tunisia. Oh, how surprised I was when I read that people don’t know how to take everything out of Tunisia)) Why they also buy suitcases and stuff. I shouldn't have been surprised. We got almost the same thing. We had to buy another travel bag to put our things in there, and put what we bought into a suitcase. What did we buy?

- Olive oil. 1 liter is about 10-12 dinars, which is more than 300 rubles. In our country, a liter costs about 100 rubles. The oil should be extra virgin and acidity 0.8%. They took two tin cans. They are lighter))

- Halva. Packing with roe deer. Very tasty. Both plain and with nuts. Just lick your fingers. The cost seems to be about 3-4 dinars for a large jar.

- Turkish Delight. It’s also very tasty, we took several boxes with different flavors. For yourself and as a gift.

- Dates in a box. There are many of them, they are cheap, they are very tasty and healthy.

- Confiture. Cactus, fig and date. There’s not even anything to write about here. Yummy. It’s the same with pancakes!

- Harissa seasoning. Very spicy but very tasty. It will definitely last a long time, because... Just a little bit is enough for a whole plate of something.

- Seasonings. Oh, they’re too delicious to list. I don't remember, to be honest. If you are a lover of seasonings, Tunisia is for you))

- Tibarin. Date liqueur. Very strong, similar to cognac.

- Cedratin. Also a liqueur made from dates, figs and some exotic herbs. I really liked it) It’s a cool thing!))

- Vatika and Amla hair oil. Oils are simply for all times. I love them and have been using them since Egypt. They sell the same ones there. Very cool. The hair is soft. silky and smell delicious.

- Coffee Bondin. Simply very tasty coffee. It must be brewed, not soluble.

- White seeds. My friend loves them very much. He says that in Russia they are not like in Arab countries. Well, I'll believe him))

- Miswak toothpaste. It tastes disgusting, but they say it has a healing and whitening effect. I’ve been cleaning it for several days now and will continue and see the effect))

- Soap. We bought various soaps and brought them. It is all natural, smells delicious, cleanses perfectly and does not dry out the skin.

- Clay mask for face and body made from algae. Very cool. The skin is just silk afterwards. In general, Tunisia has very good cosmetics, they are all natural, based on natural ingredients.

- The rest is just little things, magnets, postcards, a painting, small sweets. In general, we got a great deal))

Concluding my review of Tunisia, I want to write that the attitude you fly with is what you get. Yes, there are some disadvantages in this country and the city is dirty, the government did not solve this problem in any way after the revolution. But I came to rest. rather than looking for negatives. And I had a great rest. And I will definitely return to this country, because I haven’t tried everything, I haven’t spent all the money. There are some dinars left)) The people here are calm and not pushy. And at the hotel we were always greeted with a smile. If you smile, they smile at you. In general, this is what Tunisia is like for me. beautiful, colorful and already loved))

In the center of the Tunisian city of Sousse is the medieval Arab Medina. There are fortress walls around it, and it consists of winding narrow streets.

Medina was built sometime in the 9th-11th centuries for commercial and military purposes. The walls of the Medina with gun towers and the main watchtower of the Caliph were built in 859. The massive blocks of cut stone from which they are composed were brought from the ruins of various ancient Roman cities.

In addition to the ancient white houses in the Medina, there are such majestic fortresses as the Ribat Monastery and the Great Mosque with massive battlements and corner round towers.

Nowadays, the Medina has become an open-air tourist center with a huge number of shops aimed at tourists.

The medina of Sousse is considered one of the most interesting and largest medinas in Tunisia. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Marhaba Beach

Marhaba Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the resort of Sousse. The length of its white sandy strip is about 1.5 km, and its width reaches 40 meters. Starting from lunch, there is everything for a comfortable stay - sun loungers, umbrellas and air mattresses are brought to the beach from hotels. But in the early morning, “Marhaba beach” is a secluded corner of nature where you can dream and admire the surf. This place is famous not only for its clear waters and beautiful scenery, but also for its lush vegetation, mainly dominated by date palms, bamboo thickets and various succulents.

The beach has a very convenient location; it is easily accessible by car, which can be parked in an equipped parking lot. The infrastructure of Marhaba Beach is developed at a high level; nearby there are restaurants, cafeterias, a disco and a neat park, tiled and equipped with comfortable benches. The coastal depth here is quite large, so be careful when vacationing with children. Fans of active pastime will be able to ride catamarans, jet skis and inflatable bananas.

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Monument to revolutionaries

The monument is located in the very center of the city, near the Great Mosque.

Ribat is an ancient fortress (built 787-821), shaped like a square with semicircular towers at the four corners. One of the priority purposes of the ribat is to protect Muslims from attacks by Berber tribes from land and from attacks from the sea by pagans and militant Christians. The ribats were guarded by murabituns - volunteer monks, thereby earning themselves a place in heaven. Along with a defensive fortress, the fortress played the role of a refuge for travelers and traders who found themselves in danger.

From the courtyard you can get into many cells covered with porticoes and a prayer hall. After the construction of the Kasbah, the fortress gradually lost its military purpose.

From the watchtower of the Ribat, the Khalifa, an alluring panorama opens to all four cardinal directions: the Medina, the Great Mosque, the old city, and the seaport pose.

Beaches of Sousse

Sousse falls into the category of ancient cities that can be proud of their very respectable age. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC. as a colonial city. The name of the city in Phoenician sounded differently - Hadrumet. Over time, the city became increasingly important as a major Mediterranean trading port. During the period of the Carthaginian Empire, the city reached its greatest prosperity, both economically and politically and culturally.

Today, Sousse is one of the largest Mediterranean resort cities. The number of hotels here is comparable to other major resorts in Tunisia, such as Hammamet. Sousse is simply excellent for active recreation. The beaches are famous for their fine white sand, and the nightlife is vibrant in casinos and discos.

Great Mosque

One of the attractions of Sousse is the Great Mosque. Since the mosque also served as a defensive structure, it resembles a military fortress. Tall watchtowers can be seen at the northern and southeastern corners of the stone wall, and the inner perimeter is shaped like arches. Despite the recent restoration of the mosque, it has largely retained its original appearance.

Kasbah fortress

The Kasbah fortress is a defensive structure built in the mid-ninth century. Today it houses the Archaeological Museum. Here you can see an interesting collection of ancient finds, tombstones, as well as fragments of ancient mosaics.

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Entertainment center Port El Kantaoui

Port El Kantaoui is a famous tourist entertainment center located in one of the suburbs of Sousse. Almost everything that any traveler can only dream of is concentrated here: a huge number of souvenir shops, cozy cafes and restaurants. The musical fountain is very popular. The sight of flowing water against the backdrop of pleasant music or an evening light show leaves no one indifferent. Not to mention the water park, amusement park, botanical garden and zoo, discos and much, much more.

The entertainment center "Port El Kantaoui" was originally planned as a city exclusively for tourists, in which the traditional Tunisian lifestyle would be presented in a freer and more democratic atmosphere. Construction work began in 1975, and funds for the project were allocated by the banks of Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, as well as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As a result of these joint efforts, the Port El Kantaoui Center was created in the style of ancient Mediterranean towns, capable of simultaneously accommodating 300 yachts and sea boats.

In essence, Port El Kantaoui is a completely autonomous walking area with a full range of all kinds of entertainment. And the beaches of Port el Kantaoui deserve to be included among the best in Tunisia.

The most popular attractions in Sousse with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Sousse on our website.

More sights of Sousse