TUNISIA

Sousse

The following Sousse travel guide is based on our own experience and therefore description given in the guide necessarily contains an element of subjective opinion which may not reflect your own experience on another occasion.

Sousse in short - Key Attractions

Sousse Medina and pavement cafes
Ribat and the view from the watch tower
The Great Mosque
Catacombs
Sousse Museum
Walk along miles of white sandy beach
Excursions on the sea - onboard the pirate ship
Close proximity to Port El Kantaoui

About Sousse

It is very easy to fall in love with Sousse - “the pearl of the Sahel”. It has everything the holidaymakers may need on their holidays - miles of white sandy beaches, clear turquoise water, historic sites (the earliest archaeological finds dating from 6th century BC) and the most importantly - it offers fantastic sunny weather almost all year round. Its close proximity to Europe and relatively cheap prices - comparing to European countries - make Sousse one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean region.

What to see in Sousse?

Ribat

In our opinion Ribat with its watch tower is a ‘must see place’. It is one of the most popular historic sites visited by numerous tourist year after year. The word ‘ribat’ derives from the Arabic verb ‘rabata’ which means - to be garrisoned. The ribat of Sousse is the oldest monument in Sousse. Some inscriptions suggest that it was build in 821 AD - as one of a chain of fortresses - a highly complex defence system which stretched along the Mediterranean coast to defend North Africa from European invaders.

Ribat is located at the entry to the Medina (from the Place des Martyrs) - just beside the Great Mosque. From the tower you may enjoy stunning view over the Medina, the Great Mosque and the port. The admission fee in July 2008 was 4.000 DT per person - if you would like to take photos in the Ribat you will also have to pay small photo permission fee of 1.000 DT per camera. We strongly recommend that you visit it during your stay in Sousse.

Catacombs

It is estimated that Sousse has approximately 15,000 underground burial chambers. A network of underground passages, chambers and tombs is dated from the 2nd to the 5th centuries (the early Christian period) spread throughout a 5.5 km. Catacombs which ones were used by the Christians to bury the dead who were persecuted by the ruling empire and also used for worshipping have nowadays became a popular tourist attraction.

Catacombs are located in in the western part of the city - about 1 km west of the Medina (off rue Abdou Hamed el Ghazali). Only a small section of catacombs is open to the public.

Sousse Medina

Sousse Medina which is the old heart of Sousse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Medina is best entered from the Place des Martyrs. This is the place where most likely you taxi will stop and let you explore the old city. The main shopping lanes runs from east (Bab El Jerid) to west ( Bab El Gharbi) selling everything from food, clothes and shoes to jewellery and perfumes. To get the best deals go to almost the end of the Medina (close to Souk El Kaied). Shops located there offer a lot cheaper souvenirs / leather bags and shoes - some prices are fixed - and shop assistants are very helpful and friendly. On rue Souk El Kaied you will also find ‘Le Caid Drink’ shop selling the best orange juice in Sousse - it is run by very friendly mr Amor Ghanem. If you Mr Amor please say hello from Geographic Adventures.

The Great Mosque

If you would like to visit the Great Mosque you will have to wear respectful dress. The Great Mosque from outside looks like a small fortress with its thick, rough stone walls crowned with merlons and with large round towers at the corners. It was built in 850 AD by a freed slave called Mudam on the order of the Aghlabid Emir Abou El Abbes Mohamed.

The Great Mosque is located at the entrance to the Medina (from the Place des Martyrs) and can be visited daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (excluding Friday - it is closed from 12, it is also closed on Sunday).

Sea Excursions

If you like pirate ships and sailing you will definitively find excursions on the Mediterranean Sea on the pirate boat attractive. The half day excursions (3 hours) start from the port - just a few steps away from the Medina. Apart from sailing you will enjoy local meal - Tunisian salad, grilled fish or escallop, soda drinks or sparkling water - and onboard entertainment. The ship leaves twice a day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Did you know?

City of Sousse changed its name many times in the past. It was first known as Hadrumetum then under the Vandals it changed its name to Hunericopolis. Under the Byzantines it changed to Justianeapolis and finally the Arabs changed it to Sousse.

The first Indiana Jones movie (1981) was filmed in old part of Sousse, where Sousse represented Cairo. What is interesting that the architectural styles of Sousse - white-washed houses with blue details, bear no resemblance to the actual architecture of Cairo.

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Published on 28th February 2010

By Arek Zasowski

Photographs by Viola and Arek Zasowski

Few points worth considering

Taxis and Tuk-Tuk - are very cheap and very convenient way of transport in Sousse. It costs only few dinars (2.000 DT per person - Tuk-Tuk price per person in July 2008) to go to Port El Kantaoui. Before you enter the taxi you can agree the price with the driver (we always do this). If you are not happy with the price and not in great hurry you can catch another taxi and try your luck. It is very common to negotiate / agree the price with the taxi driver before you go.
Sousse Market - each Sunday you may visit large open-air market which stretches along Sousse-Sfax road. Although we have never visited the market, we have heard stories that it is possible to buy practically anything from a car to camel there.
Exploring Tunisia on your own - if you are thinking to explore Tunisia on your own you may consider travelling by the train. Sousse has frequent train service with the capital city Tunis and other cities.
Haggling - if you do not like haggling and do not want to be literally dragged into every shop you pass by in the Medina try to speak in French. Even if you are not fluent or do not know French at all to learn a few words (before you visit Tunisia) and speak to your friend in French and pretend you are French. You will not be interrupted too often as Tunisians seem to have some respect towards French nationals. It worked almost every time we have tried this approach.
Haggling - try to act and play a bit with sellers as they do so. They seem to enjoy this way of trading. And remember never accept first offer - try to divide it by 3 and then try to reach the consensus. If you do not intend to buy anything do not waste your and their time as there are so many other interesting things to do in Sousse.
Fixed price shop - at the Place des Martyrs (before the entrance to the Medina) is a fixed price shop - the only fixed price shop we managed to find (excluding some supermarkets in Port El Kantaoui). Go to visit it if you do not wish to haggle.
Tourist information - just a few minutes walk from the Medina and literally few steps away from the bus station (Place Farhat Hached) you will find a tourist information office where you can get a map of Sousse and other important information. Very helpful!