Sousse – Short History

Sousse city is also called the Pearl of the Sahel.

Phoenicians founded Sousse almost 3 000 years ago. It was an important port then called Hadrumetum. Later it was ruled by Roman Emperor Hadrian. Vandals took over the city and changed its name to Hunerikopolis.

When Byzantine Emperor Justinian ruled this region, the place got the new name Justinianpolis.

Finally, Arabs gave today’s name to the city. According to the stories, sergeant Soussa, with another one hundred soldiers, took over the city and gave it a name by his name.

Things To Do In Sousse

Sousse is popular and prized by tourists for its beaches and resorts. In addition, one will eventually stumble upon many historical sites throughout the city center. While walking on the streets of Sousse, local hustlers offered us to visit shops or restaurants.

Beaches & Resorts

Sousse has a 4 km (2,5 mi) long beach from the city center almost all the way up to Port El Kantaoui in the north. Resort after resort is on this long stretch of white sand beach with straw sun umbrellas and blue Mediterrane sea.

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Shopping

Tunisians are, among other things, salesmen and like to invite you to their shops. It was happening to us throughout Tunisia and not just in Sousse. Shops cover every spot in the country where tourists mingle.

Medina De Sousse

The Medina Of Sousse is a historical quarter of the city and a typical example of Islam’s architecture in the Maghreb. Inside are many small shops in traditional souks or what we would describe as small narrow maze-like streets.

Sousse Ribat

Ribat is a small fortification built along a frontier and a home for the guardians. Later changed its function from military to commercial. Here were caravanserais or places where caravans could rest or overnight.

Statue of Habibe Bourguiba

Habib Bourguiba was the first president of independent Tunisia. One cannot miss the statue while walking the streets of Sousse to the Medina.

Sousse – Our Story

Just the mention of Tunisia and Sousse brings smiles back to our faces. Also, it reminds us of many good memories and a few thrills always unavoidable in travel.

Tunisia was our first long-distance travel as a couple. So, I did not know what to expect from my girlfriend. Spoiler alert. She passed the test.

Even Before The Journey Story

Although, I have to admit I was worried even before our journey. One day we stopped by the tourist agency office to ask about destinations. There, we met a woman that just returned from Tunisia.

Casually, I asked her about the impression and she was full of positive memories. However, I made a mistake and asked about the Sahara tour as an optional activity for the whole travel package.

She did not take the tour personally, but she had the impression that those who took it were exhausted after three days of escapades. I bit my tongue and had to talk a lot to convince my wife to take this tour. She later admitted that, although the trip was demanding, she never regretted going on the tour.

Ramadan And Presidential Elections Story

To say the least, we visited Tunisia during exciting times. It was the month of Ramadan, the presidential elections, and almost the end of the tourists’ summer season.

It was interesting to be there and see with our own eyes how the holy month was celebrated with prayer and fastening.

Our three days Sahara tour bus drivers amazed us and how they managed to drive the whole day without drinking water or eating. To pay respect whenever we wanted to drink water or eat, we did it without them seeing us.

Presidential Elections

Presidential elections had their nuances. For example, Tunisians could come to the Sousse center and visit a big tent where were many posters of the current president and they could take photos “with him”.

We received an explanation that the presidential candidates campaigned that they were good candidates. However, all stated that it was in Tunisia’s best interest that the majority vote for the current president.

If things have changed after the Arab Spring, we do not know. However, this is for Tunisians to decide after all. We wish them the best of luck.

Tunisia Shopping With The Twist

A day before our trip to Tunis City, the country’s capital, I went out to the medina for shopping with some friends but without my girlfriend.

I found my girlfriend in a state of shock when I got back to the hotel. The tour guide (Toma) called her in the middle of the night. He told her about the anonymous call he had received. The story goes as I had trouble in the city (street fight) and ended up in an emergency hospital.

None of this was true since there was no material evidence to confirm such allegations. So this was a bad practical joke from someone.

The morning after, tour guide Toma talked to me. He realized immediately that none was true and that I did not belong to such a world. In the end, we became good friends and had many common interests.

It is nice when everything finishes with a happy ending.

Places Nearby Sousse

Sousse has a great location to further explore Tunisia’s north, south, or west directions. Why not use this advantage to your benefit and visit many attractive locations around Sousse?

We have visited some of them and would like to share our impressions with you. Follow us and enjoy.

Port El Kantaoui

We took a funny-colored pinky-violetish tuk-tuk from Sousse to Port el Kantaoui. It is a short ride just 10 km (6,2 mi) north of Sousse.

Port el Kantaoui is a fashionable spot. We would describe it as Tunisian Saint Tropez.

Port el Kantaoui – Tourists’ Complex Area

The tourist complex area consists of white buildings surrounded by interestingly trimmed trees in different shapes, palm trees, and lots of colorful and beautiful flowers. Lots of red Tunisian flags give an additional contrast to the dominant green and white colors.

Paved pathways with red-white or black-white curbs guided our way to a big fountain and tall stone tower with an arch entrance to the port.

Port el Kantaoui – Port

The port is packed with boats and yachts of different shapes, sizes, and colors. All the vessels were sunbathing and waiting for the owners to start a new journey and epic adventure.

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For us, the yachts were just fantastic decorations to take memorable marina photographs.

Hammamet

It is also known as Yasmine Hammamet due to the jasmine flowers. We stopped by Vincci Lella Baya Hotel to pick up one of our tour guides for the Tunis City Tour.

Unfortunately, there was no time to further explore the place. Although from what we saw, it looked to us like a higher-level tourist destination. Hammamet is worth considering as a base for some of our future visits to Tunisia.

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Tunis

Tunis City is the capital of Tunis. It is a nice blend of oriental architecture with some European influences, especially French. The city has a lot to offer historically, architecturally, culturally, and more.

Just to name a few. Historical quarter Medina of Tunis with a maze of narrow streets and endless shopping offers. Sidi Bou Said is the charming landmark of the city, with its white houses, blue windows, and doors.

Carthage ruins remind us of the worldwide known history of this region. Bardo National Museum has a collection of ancient Roman exhibits. The museum is the second most important, after the Egyptian national treasure.

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Kairouan

Kairouan is most well-known for its carpets advertised as Made In Kairouan and the famous Mosque of Uqba. It is an important Muslim pilgrimage site and is considered the fourth most important holy site.

Kairouan is just one hour drive (55 km or 34 mi west of Sousse). We have described the city in more detail in our – Adventurous Three Days Epic Sahara Tour In Amazing Tunisia With Hidden Gems.

El Jem

We visited El Jem on our Three Day Sahara Tour. The main attraction is a well-preserved ellipse-shaped ancient Roman amphitheater.

It is just one hour drive by car (70 km or 49.7 mi south of Sousse) and worth visiting for historical and educational reasons.

Getting Around in Sousse

Tunisia and Tunisians have their way of organizing, including transportation. So we should be aware of it and respectful.

By Airplane: We arrived in Tunisia by airplane at the Monastir “Habibe Bourguiba” Airport. The airport was well-organized, and we quickly passed the passport control and entered our buses organized by our tour operator. Sousse is 16 km (10 mi.) from the airport.

By Bus: We had bus transport from the airport to the Sousse hotel organized by a tour operator. The same operator organized The Sahara tour and the Tunis City visit with air-conditioned buses. We have not used public transport or intercity bus lines on our own, so we do not have any experience to share with you.

By Train: There is a railway station in Sousse. Sousse is on the main north-south railway line between Tunis City – Gabas (via Sousse & Sfax). However, we have not used the trains, so no personal experience to share with you.

By Tuk-tuk: This is a funny small motorcycle-like vehicle for short rides. We took tuk-tuk rides when we visited Port El Kantaoui. It was a quick and funny short-distance drive from Sousse.

By Foot: We walked from our hotel to the city center very often. It was a half-an-hour pleasurable stroll and pedestrian-friendly. Expect to be hustled by the local shop owners while walking. We politely rejected many of them.

However, if you decide to do the shopping read our article How To Bargain In Maghreb Countries (Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco) And Turkey

Where to stay in Sousse?

El Hana Beach

We booked our hotel El Hana Beach via a travel agency, and it was a great budget option. However, when we checked recently, the hotel is out of business, unfortunately.

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Sousse’s Restaurants and Cafes you have to see!

Our hotel in Sousse arranged all the meals for us. So we did not look around for eating places in Sousse.

Therefore we cannot recommend any restaurant based on our personal experience.

However, we are sure that all our readers will eventually find the best according to their taste.

Best time to visit Sousse

The Mediterranean Sea, sand beaches, sunshine, the Sahara desert, oases, and everything associated with warmth portrays Tunisia.

No wonder our suggestion to visit Tunisia and Sousse is in the summer months between June and even the beginning of October.

We heard that New Years’ Eve celebrations are popular among Europeans. Tourists coming from countries with long winters are especially interested in this offer.

“Patience young Jedi” and maybe you will meet Luk Skywalker or Joda in Starwars village on the Sahara tour.

Costs of traveling in Sousse

We have set a budget estimate that might be helpful while planning your own trip to Sousse.

USD ($) – Budget

EUR (€) – Budget

GBP (£) – Budget

We wish you an epic trip!