The coastal city of Sousse, is Tunisia’s third-largest city and is known as the ‘Pearl of the Sahel‘. Approximately 140km south of Tunis, this city has an extensive history dating back to approximately 800 BC. Sousse is a wonderful base from which to travel to other surrounding cities and sites. The city itself is also worth exploring.
The medina ‘old city’ is a labyrinth of winding streets, unique shops, and many unique attractions including a Great Mosque which dates back to 850 AD. You can also visit the Ribat, a monastery fortress that dates back to the 8th century. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of the tower for a breathtaking view of the medina. Within the medina, you can also visit the Museum El Kobba (Musée el Kobba des costumes traditionnels) which used to be a hotel for caravan travelers. The rooms in this museum had been renovated to depict the traditional way of living in this land.
The Sousse Archaeology Museum is located within the Kasbah of the Sousse Medina. The museum features an impressive collection of artifacts in a Punic room, Roman room, and Christian room. Each room features mosaics, sculptures, baptismal fonts, steles, urns, and other important artifacts of its time.
The Christian catacombs, or the Catacombs of the Good Shepherd, was home to 15,000 graves stretching over about 5 km. The catacombs served as a secret place for the early Christians in the country to worship. Only about 100 meters of this space are currently open to the public, but excavations are taking place to open up more of these catacombs for public viewing. These catacombs are a unique attraction that helps to bring to light the secret of the early Christian history in this land.
Sousse is also famous for its beautiful beaches. The beach of Sidi Boujaafar is a famous spot for both locals and tourists. There is also the Las Vegas beach which is just further north. Be sure not to miss a beautiful walk along the beach or to enjoy a cup of coffee at a cafe along the beach.
Port El Kantaoui is a very popular tourist area located just about 10km north of Sousse. This tourist area is filled with many fun activities including shopping opportunities, beaches, water skiing, paragliding, golf courses, beach resorts, a zoo, and a water park. There is even a 36-hole PGA approved championship golf course which makes Port El Kantaoui a popular destination for professional golfers. If you’re looking for a nice day excursion from Sousse, you can easily visit Port El Kantaoui and spend a fun day there.
If you are interested in visiting this beautiful coastal city, our travel experts are happy to assist you to plan an unforgettable Tunisia tour.
