Sousse
Tunisia
- Medina of Sousse
- Ribat of Sousse
- Great Mosque of Sousse
- Sousse Archaeological Museum
- Amphitheatre of El Jem
About Sousse
Sousse is the largest city of Tunisia's Sahel region on the country's east coast. Founded by the Phoenicians, it flourished as Hadrumetum under Rome and again after the Arab conquest.
Its walled medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the ribat, the Great Mosque and a fine mosaic museum carry its history, while long beaches and Port El Kantaoui form its resort side.
How many days do you need?
Two days are enough: one for the medina, the ribat, the Great Mosque and the archaeological museum in the Kasbah, and one for the beach or Port El Kantaoui. A third day suits a day trip to the El Jem amphitheatre or to Monastir.
Where to stay
- Around the medina — Within walking distance of the historic sights; fewer places to stay.
- Seafront (Boujaafar) — Close to the beach, with many hotels and cafés.
- Port El Kantaoui — A quieter resort with a marina, north of the city.
From the airport to the city
The nearest airports are Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport (MIR) and Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport (NBE). From Monastir, the Sahel Metro commuter train and taxis run to Sousse; from Enfidha, use a taxi or a transfer.
Getting around
The medina is best explored on foot. The Sahel Metro links Sousse with Monastir and Mahdia, and SNCFT trains run to Tunis. Yellow taxis are common for short trips; ask for the meter.
Good to know
- Mosque prayer halls are usually closed to non-Muslims, though courtyards can often be visited.
- Summers are hot and dry; spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Clothing that covers shoulders and knees is preferred in the medina.
- The official language is Arabic and French is widely spoken. The currency is the Tunisian dinar, which may not be taken out of the country freely.
Useful links
- SNCFT (Tunisian railways) sncft.com.tn
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: March–May and October–November. The warmest month is August (average high 90 °F); the wettest is October (2.3 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60.6 | 1.28 | Good |
| February | 61.2 | 1.07 | Good |
| March | 64.8 | 1.76 | Ideal |
| April | 68.9 | 1.14 | Ideal |
| May | 75.4 | 0.90 | Ideal |
| June | 82.8 | 0.49 | Good |
| July | 89.2 | 0.19 | Good |
| August | 89.6 | 0.78 | Good |
| September | 84.7 | 2.05 | Good |
| October | 78.1 | 2.35 | Ideal |
| November | 70.2 | 1.24 | Ideal |
| December | 63.3 | 1.67 | Good |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Revolution and Youth DayJanuary 14
- End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) *March 9
- Independence DayMarch 20
- Martyrs' DayApril 9
- Labour DayMay 1
- Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) *May 16
- Islamic New Year *June 6
- Republic DayJuly 25
- Women's DayAugust 13
- Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) *August 14
- Evacuation DayOctober 15
* Date follows the lunar calendar and may shift by a few days.
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyTunisian Dinar (د.ت)
- Dialling code+216
- Plugs & voltageType C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz
- EmergencyPolice 197 · Ambulance 190 · Fire 198
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.