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Destination

Sousse

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Enjoy your holiday in Sousse

The third largest city in Tunisia, Sousse, is located 140 km south of the capital city of Tunis. This picturesque port town is bathed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Hammamet, which makes it an excellent holiday destination for all those looking to discover the charms of a new exotic city with all the benefits of staying in a coastal town.

Sousse is a perfect destination all year round, due to the pleasant climate even in the winter months, when the average temperature does not usually fall below 13° C (55.4° F). Although warmer, the temperature in summer oscillates around 30° C (86° F), which is perfect for a dip in the pool at one of our hotels in Sousse.

Explore the charming corners of this thousand-year-old city in depth and discover a world of attractions.

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What to see in Sousse?

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Medina of Sousse was built in the ninth century and is the most visited part of the city. In the medina, you must visit the Ribat, which has the oldest mihrab (prayer niche) in North Africa. It is also worth visiting the Abd el Kader Mosque and the Great Mosque of Sousse.

Also, in the precinct of the Medina is the Kasbah (fortress), which boasts architectural beauty and is also worth visiting due to the large collection of Roman mosaics on show at the Archaeological Museum of Sousse, located inside the building. Moreover, if you climb the Tower of Khalaf al Fata, you will have spectacular views over the city.

Once you have explored the entire medina, check out the Dar Am Taïeb, the museum of the artist Taïeb Ben Hadj Ahred, who turned his house into a space full of works and sculptures, created using recycled materials

One kilometre south of the Kasbah, the locals will show you the way to the entrance to the catacombs of the city. This underground necropolis of narrow walkways is home to more than 15,000 Roman tombs dug into the walls and is perfect for the most curious explorers.

Sousse is an ideal city for taking a stroll in the streets and discovering the real essence of the city. You can spend hours in the Souk er-Ribba marvelling at the many products, while you barter with the shopkeepers and find the best bargains. If you are in town on a Sunday, it is also advisable to visit the Souk al-Ahad, the weekly market, where you will find all kinds of fresh products and local crafts.

If you want to take a day trip outside Sousse to see some other sights of Tunisia, a good option is to visit the city of Monastir. There, you can explore the fascinating Medina by the sea, which is especially interesting because its original walls are practically intact and it contains beautiful public gardens. In the city centre you can also visit the imposing Habib Bourguiba Mausoleum, the Ribat which played a starring role in Monty Python's Life of Brian film, and the Great Mosque of Monastir.

What to do in Sousse?

Close to the Iberostar Selection Diar El Andalous you will find the Port El Kataoui golf course, where you can practice your swing and improve your handicap in this 36-hole golf course.

If water sports are more your thing, then go speeding around the Mediterranean on a jet ski, go for a relaxing kayak ride or dare to climb aboard a flyingfish, -only recommended for the brave! On the beaches of Sousse there are numerous water sports companies with a host of activities on offer.

If you are visiting Sousse with your family, a good idea for the kids to have a great time is to take them to the Aqua Palace water park, which is the largest in Tunisia. There, your children can have fun throwing themselves down the water slides, floating down the lazy river or swimming in the huge wave pool.

The culture of tearooms in North Africa is a ritual, so if you want to experience the authentic North African experience, you should visit one of the cafes where the locals spend the afternoon smoking shisha and drinking Moorish tea. The Taj Mahal Café, for example, is a good place to relax like the locals.

Although you can find many restaurants adapted to western taste in Sousse, you can’t leave this region without trying some local food. Being a seaside town, this is a great place to eat some fantastic fresh fish. Try the poisson complet (whole fish) or the tuna caught by net. You should also try the couscous and delicious sweets like the almond makrouhd. If you want to try the most well-known Tunisian dishes without having to leave the hotel, at the Iberostar Selection Diar El Andalous you can try dishes such as roast lamb or savoury pastries called briks at the Tunisian Tent restaurant.

Another of the reasons to visit Sousse is for the nightlife. If you take a stroll through the seafront area you will notice activity increases once the sun has set. Have a cocktail in a pub or choose among all the clubs, where you will see other tourists dancing to the best electronic music. In addition, there is also a good offer of casinos.

If you are already convinced that Sousse is going to be the destination for your next holiday, then don’t forget the Iberostar Selection Diar El Andalous is at your service to make your stay in the city truly magical.

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Beaches in Sousse

The beaches in Sousse can be compared to those in the Caribbean, because they make an idyllic picture of crystal-clear turquoise blue waters whose low waves gently caress the white sand. Around the beach, visitors can choose from a wide array of bars and restaurants, arts & crafts shops or sports clubs. Most of Sousse’s beaches are very close to the town centre and its fabulous medina.

Main beaches in Sousse

  • Bou Jaafar beach: Next to the Medina in Sousse, this beach is a nice bright white sand tongue that gets into a turquoise blue sea with almost no waves, perfectly safe for kids and adults. Close by beach-goers will find all kinds of facilities and services.
  • Las Vegas beach: It sits next to Bou Jaafar to the north. It is not as wide as the latter, but enjoys the same facilities and services and is ideal for a lovely family holiday. It features more waves, making a great water sports spot.
  • Port El-Kantaoui beach: In the gulf of Hammamet, north of Sousse, is a beautiful beach that opens from the well-known port of El-Kantaoui. The area is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sousse, and the beach mirrors the relaxed atmosphere and gathers a multitude of leisure activities in this part of the coast of Tunisia, blessed with incredible turquoise blue waters and fine white sands.
  • Port of Sousse beach: Starting right at the end of the port, in the central part of town, this white sandy beach is small and boasts crystal-clear waters. It is divided into two by a short natural breakwater. No beach lounge chairs or umbrellas are available here. There are a few nearby hotels and the medina and souks are not too far away.
a group of people on a beach

Activities in Sousse

The activities in Sousse are an original way of getting closer to the local customs, arts, traditions and religion. There are museums, minarets, centuries-old walls and the great medina, a Unesco World Heritage Site. You will need at least a couple of days to see the main sights in this famous town in Tunisia, but a little longer will help you enjoy your visit even more.

What to do and what to see in Sousse

  • Medina of Sousse: The medina is the heart of the town; everything moves around it in Sousse. When you look at it from the outside, it looks like a fort with interesting walls, but as soon as you enter, you will see winding lanes lined with colourful shops. The walls, 8m tall, date from the year 859. Inside there are as many as 24 mosques.
  • Tower of Khalaf al-Fata: Being more than 30m high, this tower offers vistas of Sousse, the port and the Mediterranean Sea in the background. A narrow spiral staircase gets you to the top but the climb is worth the effort.
  • El Ribat fortress: This Byzantine fortress was built in the eighth century and later rebuilt by the Almoravids. Actually, it is one of the symbols of Sousse. Today it is home to an important cultural centre in which major events are held.
  • Mosaic Museum: This excellent archaeological museum occupies a section of the old kasbah in the medina of Sousse. One of the best collections of mosaics in Tunisia is housed in the rooms of this small museum, which has been recently renovated for more interesting and comprehensive tours.
  • Great Mosque of Sousse: The Great Mosque, a simple building in the Arab architectural style from the year 850, is in the heart of town. In spite of being in the middle of it all, the mosque oozes peace and tranquillity. Visitors must dress properly to enter the temple, but you can hire a tunic in a nearby shop.
  •  Traditional House Museum: This house, which used to belong to an old local family, was converted to a museum by its last inhabitant. It offers the chance to get into a genuine Tunisian home, with fine decorative objects from countries around the world.
  • Catacombs from the early Christian period: Sousse has dozens of underground burial chambers dated from the second to the fourth century. Protected against pillage, they are pretty well preserved. A section of the catacombs is open to the public; access is to be found on the outskirts of Sousse.

Experiences in Sousse

The experiences in Sousse invite guests soak up the local way of life, taste Tunisian traditional food, get bargains in the busy souks, try their luck at the casino or simply dance until dawn on the beach feeling the breeze from the Mediterranean Sea. In sum, Sousse has a lot of things for a memorable stay.

Experiences in Sousse: What to do

  • Shopping in the souks of Sousse: Look, compare prices, bargain... A tour of the souks of Sousse can be a trip to the genuine Tunisian culture. Today tourists can be said to have deprived the souks of some of their authenticity, but these markets still make a great way to look at the daily life of Sousse. The two most outstanding souks in town are El Reba, specialising in handicrafts, and El Ahad, which sells food, spices, etc.
  • A night at the casino in Sousse: The casino in Sousse will make you believe you are in Las Vegas. The card games, the roulette wheels and even the shows resemble those in the US.
  • Tea and sweets in Sousse: In addition to the traditional couscous, brik or harissa you can try at any restaurant in Sousse, you cannot miss the aromatic mint tea with mouth-watering sweets made with dry fruit and honey.
  • Nightlife on the beach: Nightlife in Sousse is full of rhythm and colour. The parties, bars and clubs on the beach invite guests to dance all night long. Very close, in Monastir or Port Kantaoui, evening parties are even more fun than in the centre of Sousse, so you can try both experiences during your holiday in Sousse.
  • Sunset in the Medina: Take a stroll along the busy streets of the medina of Sousse as the sun goes down... A great feast for the eyes, courtesy of a sky that turns orange as if embraced by flames and whitewashed houses that shine with a rare brightness forming silhouettes in the windows.
  • Pirates for a day in Sousse: One of the funniest experiences for the whole family in Sousse consists in going on a pirate ship tour in the gulf of Hammamet. You will have an amazing time. In addition, the tour affords great views of the coast of Sousse, Port El Kantaoui and Monastir.

Events in Sousse

Taking part in the popular festivals and events in Sousse can be a good way of having fun while getting to know the culture of this university town where there is always an event to attend. Like in many other towns nearby, the main events in Sousse take place in the summer, when there is a large population of visitors.

Main events in Sousse

  • 14 February – Valentine’s Day: Valentine’s Day celebrations take place in Sousse too. In this beautiful town in Tunisia, there are parties in the centre of town and in shopping districts as well: themed parties in bars and restaurants, discounts for couples and a big bike parade: Vélove Parade.
  • March/April – Furniture Fair: The International Fair Centre in Sousse holds an important trade show for the furniture and home decoration industries. Contemporary trends, classical and handcrafted items from Tunisian craftsmen can be seen in this show.
  • 9 April – Martyrs’ Day: Although Martyrs’ Day is a national holiday, in Sousse celebrations are really special, being as it is the third most important city in the country. Tunisia pays tribute to the people dead in the riots that took place in 1938, which eventually led to the nation’s independence.
  • 1 May – Workers’ Day: On 1 May, there are a host of events in Sousse to commemorate International Workers’ Day, the importance of labour and workers’ rights.
  • June – Summer Festival: The nightclubs in Port El Kantaoui and the centre of Sousse welcome the summer with internationally renowned DJs and themed parties that end at dawn.
  • August – Arts Street Battle: Organised by the University of Sousse in Port El Kantaoui, this urban art event gathers youngsters from all regions in Tunisia who love graffiti, rap music, street dance and urban sports.
  • December – AIDS LifeCycle Day: The Tunisian HIV/AIDS Association organises every year a bicycle tour to raise awareness on this condition. Children and grown-ups ride through the centre of town and, when the tour ends, they release red balloons into the sky across the medina.

Sports in Sousse

Sousse offers a wide array of sports to active travel enthusiasts. Tourists can get fit while enjoying the beauty of the landscapes on this part of the African coast, caressed by the Mediterranean Sea. Diving, sailing, golf, and even horse riding… Sousse is an ideal place to do sports in Tunisia.

Sports in Sousse

  • Sailing in Port El Kantaoui: The pearl of the Sahel features one of the most important marinas on this part of the coast of Tunisia. In a touristy area only 10km from the centre of Sousse, the marina opens out to the sea with 350 berths. Visitors can rent yachts and sailboats and enjoy the views of Sousse from the sea or take sailing lessons for beginners.
  • Diving in Sousse: Also in Port El Kantaoui there are several diving spots where tourists can rent diving equipment, go out at sea in groups of divers or take lessons for beginners in the Tunisian Mediterranean Sea.
  • Playing golf north of Sousse: A 5-minute drive will get you from the centre of Sousse to a beach resort that boasts two large, fully-equipped golf courses with circuits for golfers of varying skill levels, from beginners to pros.
  • Getting fit in the centre of Sousse: As it is one of the main cities on this coastal area of Tunisia, Sousse has many sports facilities, from a large sports hall with all types of courts to smaller gyms across the centre of town. Some offer day passes for tourists.
  • Riding a horse in Monastir: Horse racing fans have the chance to visit the racecourse in Monastir. Horseback tours or horseback riding can be booked at the racecourse. In addition, on the coastline and around Sousse there are many horse riding centres.
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