Sousse mart city which country. Sousse is the most youthful resort in Tunisia. What is the best way to get around the city

Sousse is called the capital of the eastern part of Tunisia. This is a very beautiful place with a developed entertainment infrastructure, hotels on the seashore, well-preserved old streets medina(the ancient part of the city) and sprawling olive groves.

Sousse is located in a picturesque bay south of Hammamet. In the north, the city borders on a popular resort area. Port El Kantaoui. In Sousse, it is quite convenient to get to the country's airports: 12 km to Monastir airport, 140 km to Tunisian.

Climate and weather

Tunisia is a country with a subtropical Mediterranean climate. Sousse, like most Tunisian cities, pleases its residents and guests with mild and warm weather. It has warm summers, with average temperatures in the range +25…+30 °С. The holiday season in Sousse begins at the end of April, and ends only in October-November. In winter, it is also quite warm here - +5…+12 °С.

Nature

Sousse is a very bright city. Here, the mild maritime climate and fine sandy beaches are simply a paradise for tourists. As in other cities of Tunisia, there is a lot of greenery here, gardens with exotic plants are especially interesting.

Attractions

Must visit in Sousse Ribat. This is a monastery-fortress, which was founded in 780 and fully completed in 821. From the inside of the Ribat along its perimeter there are galleries of cells. Closer to the southeastern part is a sentinel tower nador, to which 73 steps lead.

Sousse is very beautiful medina. It is surrounded by walls with observation towers. The walls are 2.25 km long and 8 m high.

The medina in Sousse is known for its towerKalef Al Fata, which was built in 859, once it was a lighthouse. The height of the tower is 30 m. If you climb it, you will see a beautiful panorama of the city.

Also a beautiful architectural monument of the 10th century is Grand Mosque, which was erected by the Arab dynasty of the Aghlabids. Watchtowers rise in the corners of the mosque. On the inside of the courtyard is a gallery.

IN Sousse Museum a large number of mosaics are presented. It contains perhaps the most beautiful and unusual mosaic collection in the world.

Antique finds can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Sousse in Fortress of the Kasbah.

In the vicinity of the city, the remains of Christian catacombs, Roman houses, Phoenician tombs and Byzantine fortifications have been preserved.

Every year in August Sousse hosts the Festival " D'Ossu”, known for its carnival processions.

Nutrition

You can have a cheap and tasty meal in Sousse restaurants: fish Le Pacha And mediterranee, as well as in an institution with Tunisian cuisine La Caprice. Many popular Arabic cafes, where you can always smoke hookah and taste local drinks, are located in Port El Kantaoui.

In addition, in Sousse you can visit the Ice Cream House ( Casa Delgelata). This is just a paradise for tourists with a sweet tooth. It offers about 100 varieties of different ice cream.

Accommodation

Many new hotels are being built in Sousse, so sometimes the hotels here are separated from each other by hundreds of meters of wasteland. All of them are located on the beach. The longest distance from the hotel to the sea is 100 meters.

In Sousse, prices for 4 and 5 star hotels fluctuate within 500-800 $ per person per week. But you can choose hotels with 3 stars - albeit more modest, but very neat and clean. Umbrellas in hotels are issued free of charge. Sunbeds cost about $1. They can be taken for the whole day along with the mattress.

Entertainment and recreation

In Sousse, one of the most popular tourist destinations is Port El Kantaoui. This is a prestigious resort that has a zoo, an artificial marina, a water park, a 27-hole golf course and an amusement park.

The sandy beaches in Sousse are some of the best in Tunisia.

Close to Sousse in a small town Hergla entertainment complex is located Hergla Park, where there is an amusement park and a go-kart track.

At the casino caraibe there are more than 300 slot machines, you can also play baccarat, poker, roulette and blackjack here. Entrance strictly by passport, the visitor must be at least 21 years old.

The most popular discos in Sousse are Samara King And Maracana.

In the city you can not only relax, but also improve your health - in the centers of thalassotherapy Hasdrubal Talassa And Abou Navas Boujafar.

Purchases

The best places for shopping are oriental bazaars. Here you can buy products made of olive wood and leather, gold, silver, bronze and copper, carpets, dresses, antiques, shoes and many other interesting things. Remember that in Sousse, as in any Arab city, you need to bargain. Then you will not only save money, but also behave in accordance with local traditions.

Sousse shops are open every day (except Sunday) from 9:00 to 19:00. Usually the lunch break is from 12:00 to 14:00.

Soul Center is the largest shopping center in Sousse. Here prices are fixed.

Transport

The railway station is located in the city center. By train it will be very convenient to get, for example, to the capital of Tunisia. And it only costs $8. There are also luxury trains running here.

They go through Sousse and electric trains, which for some reason the locals call "metro".

The bus station is located on Souq el Ahad. The cost of tickets for public transport is the same as in other cities. For example, a ticket to El Jema, where the Roman amphitheater is located, will cost $ 3, and to Tunisia - $ 6.

Connection

A call from a hotel room will cost three times as much as from pay phones on the streets of Sousse. To communicate with other countries, it is better to use payphones in international call centers Taxiphones Internationales .

Payphones accept 1 DT ($0.62), half a dinar ($0.31) and 100 millime ($0.062) coins. Dinars can be exchanged for small coins from the attendants working in call centers.

During conversations, do not forget to monitor the payphone counter and add coins to it in advance. Payment starts after the 14th second of communication, even if you just hang on the line, waiting for a response. Pay phones operate from 08:00 to 22:00.

Safety

Photography is prohibited in Sousse:

• women in veils;
• those who pray;
• policemen;
• presidential apartments;
• objects with the state flag.

Be as polite as possible with the local population - Eastern people value culture and tact more than anyone else.

Walking around Sousse, do not forget that it is forbidden to drink bottled wine and beer in cans on the streets. If possible, do not drink alcohol on the street at all, since the Arabs, although hospitable people, are disapproving of alcohol.

Business climate

In Sousse, as in other cities of Tunisia, it is very profitable to start your own business. For a foreign businessman, the local government can offer:

1. Regulated banking sector.
2. modern legal framework.
3. Favorable taxation.
4. Developed infrastructure.
5. Opportunity to cooperate with both European and Arab countries.
6. Qualified workforce.
7. Fairly high standard of living.

Since Sousse is a resort city, it is quite profitable to open various cafes, restaurants, and retail outlets here. You can also build hotels or rent out real estate (houses by the sea) to visitors. In addition, it is profitable to open companies in the field of information technology.

Real estate

Sousse is famous for its snow-white houses in oriental style. Very often, palm trees grow right in the yards, which creates the feeling that you are living in an oriental fairy tale. Houses usually combine traditional oriental luxury and modern elements inside. They always have a lot of light and space.

Absolutely any foreigner can buy his own house in Sousse without any problems. The cost will depend not only on the footage, but also on how close the object is to the sea. True, with the purchase of land plots it will be more difficult, since it will not be possible to acquire land in ownership - you can only rent a plot for 40 years (with the possibility of a subsequent extension of the contract for another 40 years).

Going to rest in Sousse is good both in summer and in winter. Even at this time, the weather is always warm here and you can properly relax and unwind. True, in this case, do not forget to take an umbrella with you - precipitation is possible in Sousse in winter.

During your vacation, be sure to check out the coastal resort, which bears the name Port El Kantaoui. Here you can not only soak up the beach, but also rent one of the yachts, play on the golf course, have fun in the water park and rides or go to the zoo.

This is one of the most popular resorts in the African country with white sandy beaches, a hot climate and an active nightlife. The thousand-year history of the city will please not only lovers of the Mediterranean coast, but also active seekers of adventure and mysteries of history.

In contact with

Many Russians choose this particular resort for the perfect seaside vacation and fun entertainment in the evening.

The resort and its history

Sousse is a small town, its population does not exceed six hundred thousand people. Founded by the ancient Phoenicians in the ninth century BC, the city was the center of culture and trade in Ancient Greece. Subsequently, it frequently changed both its name and its rulers. It was conquered by the Roman Empire, Byzantium, Arab civilization, Spain. Finally, becoming a French colony in the middle of the 19th century, the city acquired its modern name - Sousse.

Sus is divided into two parts. The old city with ancient buildings and sights and a tourist center in the north, 13 km - Port El Kantaoui, with many restaurants, nightclubs and other activities. Tourist transport runs daily between them - from buses to taxis. A real gift for a tourist is the opportunity to plunge into ancient history, as well as enjoy the beautiful sea.

Hot climate and location

If you look at the map - Tunisia is located in Africa, there is almost always good, hot weather. Best time to visit Sousse- this is spring and autumn, it is at this time that the sea water is still warm, and the air is not so hot. In summer, the temperature reaches its maximum of +35 degrees. Now the September weather is still pleased with +30 degrees, while it is not so unbearably hot. In late autumn, the fruits of Tunisia ripen - dates, grapes and melons.

The air temperature does not exceed +20 degrees, and the swimming season ends, in such weather it is best to enjoy the ancient history of Sousse and book a sightseeing tour. In December it gets quite cool, so tourists come with warm clothes. But at any time of the year, Sousse is attractive for tourists: in summer with its beaches, in winter with tourist programs. The snow-white beach of Sousse is shown in the photo.

The city is located near the airports of Tunisia: 20 km from Monstir, and 30 km from Enfid. Tunis International Airport is 140 km away. You can get to Sousse by bus, minibus or train. Things to do in Sousse on vacation:

• visit the Ancient Medina in the old city;
• go for thalassotherapy in one of the spa centers in Sousse;
• dance the night away at the best discos in the city;
• eat delicious fresh fish in local restaurants;
• haggle with vendors for colorful items at the market in the old town.
• take a photo against the backdrop of the snow-white old city.

The city's attractions

As mentioned above, Sousse is not only a resort town, but also center of ancient culture. One of the main attractions is Medina, an architectural complex of fortresses built in the 8th-9th centuries. and served to protect the Ottoman Empire from foreign invaders. Medina is included in the UNESCO heritage list. The Medina of Soussa is shown in the photo.

Mosques, fortresses, catacombs and other monuments of ancient art and architecture are located on the territory of the ensemble. Also in the city you can visit the catacombs with Christian burials, a Catholic church, as well as various museums of the city with ancient mosaics and sculptures. One of the most unusual places is the former home of a once wealthy family, now the Dar Essid Museum.

Holidays in Sousse, Tunisia

Fans of night, incendiary parties on the coast will be happy with the abundance of discos and entertainment in Sousse. Discos and open-air are held both in the hotels themselves and nearby. The most popular dance venues are Bora-Bora, Taj Sultan, Marabout. Here you can meet companies from all over the world, including Russia. Every year, at the end of summer, the city hosts the Aussu festival with carnival elements, songs and dances. In addition to nightlife, the city has:

• bowling;
• golf Club;
• karting;
• amusement park.

Children will enjoy water park in the center of the resort area. Tunisia is famous for its spas. The famous thalassotherapy procedures are performed at many hotels that can be found on the map. An event for the regeneration of skin cells with seaweed - thalassotherapy, is shown in the photo.

Tour and hotel selection

When choosing a tour and hotel It is better to be guided first of all by comfort. In the old city, hotels are not so comfortable, and it is quite noisy there. It is better to choose a tour to a hotel in the tourist center - in Port El Kantaoui. There is a clear sea, and all the conditions are conducive to a wonderful, perfect vacation. Finding Port El Kantaoui is easy on the map.

Many hotels operate on an all inclusive system, and are also rich in their fish restaurants. It is better to choose 4-5 star hotels. In this case, you should pay attention to the year of opening or reconstruction. Old hotels are not at all pleased with outdated furniture and unsightly design. Among the most popular hotels: El Mouradi Palm Marina 5, Riu Green Parc 4, Movenpick Resort & Marine Spa Sousse, JAZ Tour Khalef Thalasso & Spa. In this case, it is necessary to determine the purpose of the trip, because each hotel, like the tour, has a certain character. There are youth, family and calm, health tours for the elderly.

Excursion tours - one of the most interesting in Africa

Ordering a tour with excursions you can not worry about the cultural and entertainment program. A specially trained guide will show you the most interesting places open to tourists. A guided tour is a great option to learn all the secrets of this city.

There are many souvenir shops in the old town, where any tourist can find a gift to his liking. As in any Arab country, it is customary to bargain in the markets of Sousse, while the shopkeepers here are very persistent. The snow-white old city is clearly visible in the photo.

Choosing a tour in Sousse, you can go for any number of days - the flight will be only 4 hours, so you can enjoy the summer for a few days, even if you don’t get a vacation at work.

The "pearl of the coast" Sousse is the most popular, noisy and youth resort in Tunisia. There are a great many hotels here - from city "kopeck pieces" at a price lower than there is no more luxurious "fives" with modern thalassotherapy centers. From entertainment - daring discos, a colorful port of pleasure boats, golf courses and ranches. The local "excursion" is impressive: a lot of medieval monuments in the city and a whole bunch of Attractions with a capital letter in the vicinity. The city itself is divided into three parts: the historical - medieval medina, the central part with residential buildings and the north, where the tourist area is located. And about 10 km north of Sousse is the resort suburb of Port El Kantaoui.

Sousse's popular Bora-Bora disco is the largest outdoor disco in all of Africa.

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How to get to Sousse

Sousse is 20 km from the airport in Monastir, 30 km from the airport of Enfidha and 140 km from the airport in Tunis. You can get from the airports to the resort by minibus-luage, intercity bus or train.

Between Sousse and Port El Kantaoui, “tourist trains” run (fare 3-5 TND, depending on the distance), taxis (4-8 TND) and scooters with a covered passenger compartment for 6 “tuk-tuk” seats (4 -6 TND depending on distance). Prices on the page are for September 2018.

Search for flights to Hammamet (nearest airport to Sousse)

Thalasso

Thalassotherapy centers operate at Hasdrubal Thalassa & Spa 4* Port El Kantaoui, Abou Nawas Bou Jaafar 4*, Thalassa Sousse 4*, El Mouradi Palace 5*, Tour Khalef 4*, Karthago El Ksar 4*, RIU Bellevue Park 4* and RIU Imperial Marhaba 5*.

Despite the fact that Hammamet firmly holds the palm in the segment of procedures with sea water, the thalasso in Sousse is no worse. It's just that the resort has a different emphasis - on mass recreation in the midst of entertainment.

5 things to do in Sousse

1. Dance until you drop at the Bora-Bora disco.
2. Stock up on souvenirs at the Soula Center tourist supermarket.
3. Climb the Khalifa Tower and view the medina from a bird's eye view.
4. Walk along the bustling Boujaafar promenade on a fine summer evening.
5. See how wealthy Tunisian families lived in the Dar Essid house-museum.

Sousse Hotels

There are no decent quality hotels in the city, besides, it is very noisy and the sea is not the cleanest, but there are many entertainments within walking distance. Worthy “fours” and “fives” cluster closer to Port el Kantaoui, and the surrounding landscape is more colorful there. The most expensive and respectable is the "four" Hasdrubal Thalassa in Port El Kantaoui.

In addition, El Mouradi Palm Marina 5 * with the UALL system, Thalassa Sousse 4 * (a rich selection of seafood), Riu Green Parc 4 *, and other fours are considered worthy: Tej Marhaba, Riu Bellevue Park.

Among the hotels with three stars on the facade, we can recommend Marhaba, Marabout, Golf Residence and Royal Beach. There are comfortable, renovated rooms, good cuisine and animation, in addition, they are on the first line and boast a large territory, one or more pools.

The beaches of Port El Kantaoui are considered among the best in Tunisia and are inferior in quality of sand only to the coast of Mahdia.

Shopping and shops Sousse

An abundance of souvenirs and other local products await tourists in the four-story Soula Center supermarket, located at the entrance to the medina from the Caliph's Tower. A lot of interesting things are sold at the colorful market in the old town - however, shopkeepers offer their goods in a very intrusive way. In addition, each hotel will probably have a gift shop waiting for you.

The medina of Sousse is surrounded by a well-preserved fortress wall, and on its territory there are ancient mosques, towers, a market and catacombs.

Maps of Sousse

Cuisine and restaurants

Good restaurants in Sousse are fish Le Pacha, Lido and Mediterrannee, as well as establishments with national Tunisian cuisine La Сaprise, Les Emirs. Italian cuisine can be tasted at La Scoperta. The cost of a lunch-dinner with wine for two is 70-100 TND.

You can just sit down to drink coffee or smoke a hookah in one of the Arab cafes that Port El Kantaoui is full of. One of the most popular is the bar-restaurant with its own brewery Golf Brau.

Entertainment and attractions of Sousse

Medina Sousse is surrounded by a well-preserved fortress wall, and on its territory there are ancient mosques, towers, a market and catacombs with burials of the early Christian era. In the medieval fortress of Ribat you can see the Khalifa Tower, and in the city museum of Sousse, which is in the old castle, you can see the collections of masks, statues and mosaics. Also of interest are the Museum of Archeology and the botanical garden Oasis Park El Kantaoui.

Other attractions: The old city with an abundance of souvenir shops, the catacombs of the Good Shepherd with early Christian burials in the upper part of the medina, Dar Essid - a traditional house of a wealthy Tunisian family turned into a museum, a Catholic church near the central station.

The nightlife of Sousse is diverse: there is a bowling alley, a golf club, the Hergla Park entertainment complex with karting and an amusement park (25 km from Sousse in the town of Hergla). Little tourists will be interested in visiting the Aqua Palace water park in Port el Kantaoui, the Hannibal Park children's amusement park and the botanical zoo.

When I first came to Sousse, I was amazed at its Europeanized appearance. Indeed, of all the cities in Tunisia, where I visited after the capital, this is the most European city. There are many brand new high-rise buildings, wide avenues, large shopping centers, bars, discos, cinemas (which is rare for Tunisia), restaurants, cafes.

Like any Arab city, it grew from the medina (the old part of the city) to the Ribat, a fortress that used to protect the inhabitants from the raids of warlike neighbors. Now it is one of the very large cities of Tunisia, the capital of the vilayet of the same name. In combination, it is also one of the most popular resorts among vacationers from all over the world with an extensive tourist area in Port El Kantawi.

This city has a European look, but with an oriental twist that makes it so special and unforgettable.

As in Ancient Babylon, on its streets all year round you can meet people of different nationalities: French, Germans, Russians, Ukrainians, Algerians, Libyans, etc. Someone came here to enjoy the bright sun, warm sea and the comfort of hotels; someone - to find a new life here; someone - to see his Ancient Ribat with the Kasbah and the Grand Mosque. The goals are different, but all of them are united by an interest in an amazing city.

By plane

There is no airport in Sousse. Airports closest to the city:

• Enfidha near the city in an hour by taxi (fare - from 20 EUR). There are no buses there, and it's hard to get a taxi.
• Habib Bourguiba Airport near the city, 20 minutes by taxi (from 10 EUR) or by bus / minibus (1–2 EUR).

Both receive a large number of Russian charters that can fly to Tunisia during the season (it lasts from May to September). You can search for airline offers, and this one will look for tours and compare prices from different tour operators.

If you fly them, then most likely your point of arrival will be Carthage airport near the capital, Tunisia. It is very far from Sousse: almost 2.5 hours by car, if you are lucky enough not to get stuck in a traffic jam in the capital. At this airport, you can immediately rent a car (30–40 EUR per day). You will need a passport and driving license. You can see what distributors are in the city and compare their prices.

You can get from the airport by bus (5 EUR for a ticket there) or by train (3–5 EUR for a ticket there), but first you have to get to the bus stop or train station from the airport. The cost of a taxi will cost 5 EUR.

From the airport to the capital itself, except for a taxi, you can get in 2 ways:

• On the "metro" (here they call the ground electric trains circulating around the city) - a stop not far from the airport (200 meters); the fare is less than 1 EUR.
• By bus - stop near the airport; fare - about 0.5 EUR; There are 2 types of buses: CHT (departure every 30 minutes) and TUT (departure every 15 minutes).

By train

Like any major city, Sousse is connected by rail to other cities. Tickets can be purchased directly on Gare de Sousse train station.

You can get from the capital by train for 5 EUR (11 TND).

You can also get from Monastir by train, which is called “Metro” here, for 2 EUR and half an hour.

There is also a train from Hammamet to Sousse: about 3 hours on the way. The ticket costs 4 EUR.

I already wrote what Tunisian trains are like in my pro, so you should not count on special comfort here. The schedule can be viewed on theirs. Trains here tend to be late, so departure and arrival times may vary.

By bus

From the capital there are buses to Sousse, but first you need to get there by taxi from the airport. A one-way ticket costs 5 EUR (11 TND). You can get from Monastir by minibus or bus (1–2 EUR). They depart regularly directly from the airport. There is also a bus from Hammamet, but it goes once a day (5 EUR).

By the time of departure of the bus, it is worth approaching in advance, as usually there is a queue for boarding immediately. Luggage can be placed separately.

Once I observed how one Russian lady, traveling alone, ran only to the immediate departure time of the bus. There was no place for her, and the driver ran and looked for her. As a result, the bus was delayed by 15 minutes. They found a place for her, but we later left.

By car

If you go from the airport, you can take a taxi. In Tunisia, they are all the same yellow color. The fare will be from 5 EUR (10 TND). Trade boldly. Seeing a foreigner, taxi drivers will try to squeeze as much money out of him as possible.

This is true for Monastir, but from Hammamet or the capital it makes sense to rent a car. It costs 25–32.5 EUR (50–65 TND) per day in the off season, but in the season 40 EUR (80 TND). To do this, you only need your passport and a Russian license, which you can safely drive here.

Do not forget that motorways in Tunisia are tolled: from 0.5 to 1 EUR (1–2 TND). But they are more or less comfortable, renovated, with toilets and cafes along the way.

By ferry

There are no ferries to Sousse, but if funds allow, you can hire a boat or yacht and go on a short sea voyage from Monastir or Hammamet. Rental price - from 750 EUR (1 500 TND).

Clue:

Suss - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 2

Kazan 2

Samara 3

Yekaterinburg 4

Novosibirsk 6

Vladivostok 9

When is the season. When is the best time to go

The season in Sousse runs from May to early October. At this time, there is a continuous flow of tourists. The peak of the season is in July - August, when the average air temperature reaches +35 °C.

If you are not a fan of intense heat and large crowds, then come in May - early June, when the tourist season is just beginning, or in late August - September, when it is already coming to an end, but it is still moderately hot during the day, and the sea is warm.

Sousse in summer

Summer begins in the city from mid-May, when you can safely wear T-shirts and light blouses on the street, and some even begin to swim, although the sea has not yet fully warmed up. But since the end of May, you can safely swim and sunbathe on the beach (water temperature +24, +28 °C).

July and August are the hottest months. At this time, it’s hard to be on the street during the day, you just want to lie on the beach.

September is still quite hot, and the sea, heated in the previous months, is quite suitable for swimming (water temperature +24 °C).

Sousse in autumn

Autumn begins in October. The temperature drops to +25 °C, +15 °C. Sometimes heavy rains are possible, as well as winds. In the evening and at night the temperature drops slightly.

Sousse in spring

Spring starts at the end of March. The temperature is already +20–25 °C. Rains are still possible, but they are more the exception than the rule. Some locals are already swimming, but the sea is still cool (the average water temperature is +14–17 °C).

Sousse - monthly weather

Clue:

Sousse - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

I have identified three districts in Sousse, each of which will be convenient for recreation.

City center

There are few decent hotels in the center of Sousse, but there are all shops, restaurants, cafes and the historical part of the city within walking distance.

Yes, and, plus, in the summer there are many guests from Libya and Algeria, as well as from the south of Tunisia, who do not always behave adequately.

Of the expensive and luxurious hotels, Movenpick is located here - a sort of variation on the Arabic theme, but in a modern way.

Nearby there is even something like a Chinese garden.

Area Port El-Kantaoui

The tourist zone, as is usual in such resorts, is outside the city limits - almost 20-25 minutes by car. This area is called Port El-Kantaoui.

Basically, there are only hotels, restaurants, bars, a golf course, and if you drive further, you can see a huge variety of villas: from those built in a purely Arabic style to a kind of glass and concrete palaces with incredible architecture.

If you have a good budget, you can choose Hasdrubal Thalassa, Thalassa Sousse 4 * (they also offer excellent thalasso and balneotherapy courses) or Riu Green Parc 4 *, Tej Marhaba, Riu Bellevue Park. All of them provide excellent service, well-equipped rooms and a standard set of entertainment: a pool, beaches, an animation program, etc. You can book on, but you can check if prices are better somewhere.

Of the more budget options, you can choose among Golf Residence, Royal Beach, Marhaba, Marabout, Chams El Hana 3 *, etc. Their service is not so high, but it is quite acceptable. Discos and animation shows are also present. You can search for offers.

Magnificent villas for rent in the same area. They are rented mainly by Europeans who come to relax in the summer. They are well equipped. Some even have a private beach. The owners can also offer their housekeeper, so the house will be cleaned no less often than a hotel room.

Area Sahloul

Another housing option: rent an apartment. The Sahloul area is a good option, where there are many new, high-rise buildings with private parking, and you can find a well-furnished apartment. You can search for an option for yourself.

Within walking distance in the area: shops, restaurants, cafes. But it is located far from the city center - almost half an hour by car if there are no traffic jams.

What are the prices for holidays

Housing

In five-star and four-star hotels, the price ceiling is 200-250 EUR / day, and the average price fluctuates around 100 EUR. Three-star hotels are cheaper: the average price per room is 25–35 EUR/day.

Renting a villa for a month costs from 500 EUR, and for a week from 250 EUR. In addition to this, you must leave a deposit in the amount of a monthly or weekly fee, which is returned at the end if the owner is satisfied with the external and internal appearance of the house. Electricity and water are paid separately.

An apartment costs, on average, 200–250 EUR per month, and 100–150 EUR per week. A deposit is also left, and light / water / electricity are paid separately.

Taxi

For a taxi, you pay from 0.5 to 1-3 EUR, depending on the distance.

Nutrition

In a restaurant, the average price tag is around 20-50 EUR, and in a cafe from 5 to 10 EUR. To save money, it is better to choose restaurants or cafes somewhere in the city center, where you can find very high-quality options, but in the tourist area they can offer a higher price tag - from 70 EUR.

You can buy food in supermarkets or small shops. Tunisia has very cheap vegetables and fruits (from 1 EUR per kilogram), as well as seafood (from 5 EUR per kilogram). All of them are fresh and natural. A bottle of mineral water will cost less than 1 EUR, and a couple of pies for 1–2 EUR.

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub Tunisian dinar, DT

Main attractions. What to see

Sousse is rich in various historical sights, and the medina of Sousse is generally included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

As in most Tunisian cities, there is a Ribat here - a fortress that protected the locals from the raids of their neighbors. It also has a good archaeological museum. In addition, there are 3 remarkable mosques, 1 synagogue and 1 Protestant church.

And you can also go to the local catacombs. And how can one not remember here Port El Kantawi with its marina, as well as a zoo with it and an amusement park nearby. I will write more about this and many other things below.

Top 5

Medina Soussa

First of all, of course, I will tell you about the medina of Sousse. Narrow streets leading into the unknown, wild cats drowsily stretching under the sun, as well as the multi-colored doors and windows - that's what appeared before us when we set off to explore the Medina. There are almost no people here, only sometimes boys run through.

Also there we accidentally stumbled upon a pretty square. Near the medina there is an unchanging bazaar, where for the most part they sell all sorts of rubbish, but sometimes you can find interesting souvenirs.

Kasbah and Archaeological Museum

Then you can go to the Kasbah (as the citadel of the city is called in Arabic) - you can enter it through the Archaeological Museum. So, first we visited the museum: it presents interesting mosaics from the time of Roman rule, as well as household items of the first Christians. From the museum you can go out to the courtyard of the Kasbah, which is so nice to walk around calmly. It is clean there, and flowers and various, low trees have been planted around. I especially liked the views that can be observed from the fortress walls: the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, shimmering under the bright rays of the sun; the rooftops of the small houses of the Medina, where the housewives hang their linen; and, of course, the marina of Sousse, where numerous yachts and boats are anchored, as well as several pleasure boats stylized as old ones, which are used by tourists during the season.

Ticket price for the museum and Kasbah: 3.5 EUR.

Opening hours: from September 16 to July 18 - 08:00–17:30; from June 17 to July 17 - 08:00–17:00; from July 19 to September 15 - 08:00–19:00; open daily.

How to get there: The museum with the Kasbah is located on Rue Abou Kacem Echabi Street, opposite the Sousse City Hall (Gouvernorat de Sousse). The majestic structure with towers is simply impossible to miss, so it is easy to quickly find it. If you walk from the Medina, you can get there in 20 minutes. Another option is to take a taxi, as there are no bus stops right next to the museum.

Catacombs of Sousse

The catacombs of Sousse are very interesting. They are located in the city center. Going down, you find yourself as if in another world. The catacombs were built and laid by the first Christians who fled here from the persecution of the Romans.

There is also a museum near the catacombs, where things taken from there are presented. I do not recommend a visit for people suffering from claustrophobia.

Ticket price: 2.5 EUR.

Opening hours: from September 16 to March 31 - 09:00–17:00; from April 1 to August 15 - 09:00–19:00; daily.

How to get there: The entrance to the catacombs is located in Medina, so walking there, you can go there at the same time. Also in the city there are signs for motorists.

Dar Essid

Another interesting attraction is Dar Essid. The Arabic word "dar" means "house". This is a typical Arab house that once belonged to a wealthy citizen. Passing through the suite of rooms, you will be able to see how the Arab family used to live, what surrounded it and what its members did in everyday life. I really liked it there: as if plunging into living history.

Ticket price: about 2 EUR.

Opening hours: daily from 08:30 to 17:30.

How to get there: It is also located in Medina, a little further than the bazaar. If you can't find it, ask the locals. They will gladly show you.

Port El Kantawi

And finally, I'll tell you about Port El Kantaoui. To be honest, I don't understand why it is so praised in some guidebooks. Marina there is smaller than in the same Monastir. Yes, and annoying barkers on their ships, on which tourists ride, spoil the impression.

Next to it there is a small zoo and an amusement park, where again you come across various merchants and barkers who call buyers in Russian and scold them in Arabic.

How to get there: It is already outside the city, 20 minutes by car, next to the town of Hammam Sousse. You can get there by taxi (from 5 EUR), by bus or minibus (0.5–1 EUR).

Beaches. Which is better

The best beaches are, of course, those of Port El Kantaoui. Clean, with white soft sand. The police guard them well: their cars regularly drive there.

The hotels have their own separate beaches, on which sunbeds, umbrellas, and towels are provided, but, unfortunately, there are no public beaches.

We used to go to the beach, which is next to Port El Kantaoui. Where there are only villas, a separate entrance, few locals and very clean.

In the city itself, the beaches are not very good (Bou Jaafar Beach). Firstly, there are a lot of Arab families with noisy, ill-mannered children who do what they want. Secondly, as a result, it is dirty there. Rubbish is scattered everywhere. The smell is just terrible. In general, these beaches are best avoided.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

There are 3 notable mosques in Sousse:

In addition to mosques, Sousse has another Synagogue Keter Torah And Saint Felix Protestant Church. Of these, the church is remarkable: it has a simple, unpretentious architecture, thanks to which it harmoniously fits into the surrounding landscape. You can go there, admission is free.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

I really liked Archaeological Museum at the Kasbah. It is housed in an excellently renovated building and is maintained as well as European museums. Here are high halls, where well-preserved frescoes and household items from the time of the Roman Empire are presented.

The catacombs also have a museum. There are objects that were found in the catacombs themselves. Here you can see firsthand how the first Christians lived in the provinces of the Roman Empire.

And, of course, the museum is Dar Essid about which I wrote above.

parks

Port El Kantaoui has a zoo right next to the entrance to the marina. It is in the "best" Tunisian traditions - dirty, there are few animals, the paths are small and unkempt. In general, nothing special. I didn’t like it there, and the animals look like they are fed at most once a week.

Not far from Sousse there is an ethnographic park "El Zahra". There is a completely recreated typical Berber village. There are even actors who play the inhabitants. There is also a sandstone fortress, an old church, olive groves and performances with camels and horses. The crown of this park is the unique laser show Medinat El Zahra, during which the history of Tunisia is viewed from the beginning to the present day. You can go to the park by car (25 minutes) or as part of an excursion from the hotel.

These are the most remarkable parks in the city. In the city itself, there are so-called green areas in the form of parks, but usually this is a ridiculous heap of garbage and palm trees.

There is also a wonderful zoo near Sousse "Phrygia" that kids will love for sure. It is very large, and a large number of animal species are represented in it, there is even a dolphinarium! There are also performances of folklore, African groups.

It is close to the large Monoprix supermarket.

Opening hours: in summer from 09:00 to 17:00, in winter from 09:00 to 16:00; open daily except Monday. Entrance fee: adults - 5.5 EUR, children - 3 EUR.

tourist streets

The main tourist street is the Bujaafar embankment. Again, many guidebooks sing her praises, but I still add my fly in the ointment.

It stretches for almost 2 km, and from there a beautiful view of the sea opens up and everything would be fine if it were not for guests from friendly Algeria with Libya and from the south of Tunisia. During the day, whole families with a brood of 7-8 children walk there, and at night young people gather and drink beer. In general, as you understand, I didn’t like walking there, maybe you will be a little more lucky.

What to see in 1 day

If you came to Sousse for one day, then I advise you to go to the medina. From there, go to study Ribat and enrich your knowledge in the Archaeological Museum. The catacombs will also be interesting. They, of course, are not like the Parisian ones, but they also make an impression! And in the evening you can take a walk in Port El Kantawi and eat in one of the fish restaurants.

What to see in the surroundings

In the vicinity of Sousse, you can visit Port El Kantawi, which I already wrote about above, as well as the El Zahra Park.

Near Port El Kantawi there is even golf Club hosted by an American. For tourists who love this sport, this is a great opportunity to practice on an excellent course: it is very large, perfectly clean and arranged with a real American style. The club has a bar, a restaurant and a shop. Driving a little further than the Port itself, you will immediately see the spacious green fields of the golf club. On (there is both a French and an English version) you can see the tariffs and opening hours.

And in the small town of Sidi Bou Ali, 25 km from Sousse, there eco farm (EcoVillage). Here you can learn everything about the life of ostriches, as well as get to know them better. Go by car. The journey will take less than half an hour.

It is located near the town of Sidi Bou Ali. The entrance fee is about 15 EUR (this includes a set lunch), it works around the clock, except for holidays.

nearby islands

There are no noteworthy islets near Sousse. The closest to it is already the Italian island of Linosa - volcanic and of little interest, except perhaps for Mediterranean beaches and local flora and fauna. You can get there with a ferry transfer through Sicily. The journey will take about a day.

Food. What to try

The cuisine of Sousse is not much different from purely Tunisian cuisine: the same abundance of pepper, traditional couscous and brand lubia (sauce with beans).

Very tasty pizzas are sold in the city, they are especially tasty in pizzerias where they are baked in real stone ovens.

Among the locals, the shapatti sandwich is popular - this is tuna with vegetables or sausage between two flat cakes. In short, like a hamburger, but in a Tunisian way.

As for drinks, there are also no special differences with the general Tunisian cuisine.

If you want to cook something yourself, then there are many large supermarket chains in Sousse: Magasin Général, Aziza, Carrefour, Monoprix. In the city there are signs with their designation. They sell vegetables, fruits, meat and fish, and other products. There are separate shops specializing in the sale of one of the above. The prices between them are not much different, but the quality of the products is much higher.

Sousse has a rich selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, where they even serve alcohol. The truth is not everywhere. In Port El Kantawi or in the city center, prices are different, but you can already find dishes for every taste and color. Below I will write in more detail about the different establishments where the price and quality of food and service justify themselves.

Budget

Budget establishments offer good meals for only 7.5 EUR (15 TND). For example, there is a restaurant La Nova Marina in Port El Kantaoui. Pleasant environment: you can sit both in the hall and on the street, enjoying the beauty of the marina. They serve Italian dishes, seafood and barbecue, as well as alcoholic drinks.

Another inexpensive restaurant Farmer's Grill. Here you can order excellent steaks with french fries. The price tag can exceed 7.5 EUR if you are a food lover. For vegetarians, there is a large selection of salads, and desserts for those with a sweet tooth. It is made in the style of a Texas ranch.

Just a 2-minute walk from the Medina you can find a wonderful restaurant Le Bonheur, where you can have a bite to eat even for less than 7 EUR. Its name means "happiness" in French. It fully justifies its name: generous portions, as well as a pleasant atmosphere make this place very popular with tourists. The menu includes both purely Tunisian dishes and international ones: pizzas, sandwiches, etc.

Very pleasant cafe Lumiere, where for only 5 EUR you can drink excellent coffee and eat dessert. I was there and I really liked it. The interior is done in muted colors, which are complemented by photographs of Paris, and on the facade of the building there is even an Eiffel Tower, which is being renovated by a little man. The menu is complete and varied. This place is located in the Sahloul district, not far from the clinic.

Intermediate level

From mid-range restaurants and cafes, I can recommend the following (average price tag - 12.5–15 EUR):

• Le mosaique at the Mövenpick Resort & Marine Spa, in the center of Sousse. Great decor and great service. French, Italian and Tunisian dishes are served here. Finding it is not difficult, but leaving it with an empty stomach is difficult.
• Restaurant red moon also in Port El Kantawi. Beautiful decor, pleasing to the eye menu, where you can find dishes from different countries, as well as a large selection of desserts.
• In the medina of Sousse, you can find an excellent restaurant where you can try almost all the classic recipes of Tunisian cuisine - Restaurant du Peuple. The combination of good quality, low prices and excellent service.
• Another quality restaurant Lido. There are delicious fish and seafood dishes. The portions are very large and the food is amazingly varied. It is located in the city center.

Holidays

Sousse hosts the Aussou festival, during which a whole carnival parade passes through the city, accompanied by songs and dances. Usually it is held every July 24, but in recent years it has sometimes been canceled due to lack of funds.

It has deep historical roots: it used to be a holiday in honor of the god Neptune, when it was a province within the Roman Empire. But then it changed, and now it is a holiday in honor of the onset of abnormally strong heat in the month of August according to the Berber calendar. Actually, the term "Aussu" itself means "peak heat".

Safety. What to watch out for

Like any big city, Sousse is rich in various dangers.

Firstly, of course, you should not go out into the city for a walk alone. This is especially true for girls. The city is full of people from Libya or Algeria, so you need to be careful and either stay on the territory of the hotel or go with someone in the company.

Secondly, be sure to bargain with the sellers in the shops, as they always try to take more money from tourists. This applies only to tourist shops or taxis, as prices in buses, super- and minimarkets are fixed.

Things to do

There are a lot of hotels in Sousse, which, in addition to the standard set of entertainment, offer both thalassotherapy and balneotherapy courses. Depending on your wishes and budget, you will select the right course for a different period of time.

Among other attractions, you can play golf on the golf course (I talked about this in the “Parks” section), go bowling, go karting at Hergla Karting Park or go to the water park (Acqua Palace), the zoo (Kantaoui Zoo) in Port El Kantaoui or an amusement park (Centre de loisirs Hannibal).

Shopping and shops

Sousse has a huge number of shops, including those where they speak Russian. There are many shopping centers and souvenir shops in the tourist area, but prices there are designed for tourists.

There are many large shops in the city center near the Bujaafar embankment and the Medina, for example, Soula Center or Champs Elysées, Slim Center or Plazza Italia (by the way, the last three are in the same place, next to each other). In them you will find souvenirs, and a large selection of clothes, and carpets, and jewelry - in general, everything that a tourist's heart desires.

Of the worthy local chains of stores, I will single out Zen, Hamadi Abid (like H&M, that is, inexpensive clothes at affordable prices).

Small but interesting museum in the center of the medina. This place for a long time served as a place for the overnight stay of pilgrims who, in Sousse, boarded ships to Egypt in order to get to Mecca. Under the French protectorate, the building became a hotel.

This museum does not have the usual halls. The expositions are located in the former rooms of the hotel, and visitors watch them through the doors from the courtyard. The expositions show scenes from the life of Tunisians in the old days. There are many interesting scenes here: cooking couscous, working with yarn, officials and merchants. Of course, a large exposition is devoted to preparations for the wedding.

In the basement of the building you can see the hammam, and on the roof, a dome with curved ribs, unique in Tunisia.

Another small but interesting museum in the medina. Unfortunately, it is located far from the main route, near the western wall. Still need to try to find it.

The museum was created on the basis of the house of a wealthy Turkish official, and it is called “gift”, which is translated from Arabic as “house”.

Inside you can see a collection of furniture, dishes and other household items from the Ottoman era. Imagine how the rich Tunisians of that time lived.

On the top floor, you can sit in a comfortable chair with a cup of tea or coffee, relax and look at the medina from above.

These catacombs are a huge cemetery. It was probably originally an underground Punic necropolis, and in the 2nd-4th centuries it was expanded and Christians began to be buried here.

About 15,000 people are buried in the catacombs. Part of this underground labyrinth is open to visitors. The longest such piece is called “Pasteur”, it is 1.6 kilometers long.

In 2017, the catacombs were completely closed to visitors. We hope they open again. The entrance to the catacombs is located on Rue Abdelhamid Lasska, 1.5 kilometers west of the medina. You can take a taxi for 3-4 dinars.

Port El Kantaoui is located to the west of the city, you can get from Sousse hotels in 5-10 minutes for 5-10 dinars.

In El Kantaoui, you can go to and watch musical shows. All shops and shopping centers of El Kantaoui are at the disposal of vacationers in Sousse. If you drive a little further into the resort area of ​​El Kantaoui, you will find a local one.

In El Kantaoui, the port is also interesting, where you can book a trip on a catamaran, a pirate ship or a boat with a transparent bottom. Local cafes pour beer and wine. Not far from the entrance to the port is a local one where they sell strong alcohol.

From the railway station Bab Jdid (Bab Jdid) in Sousse to Monastir and Mahdia, there is a convenient train.

You can get to Monastir in 30 minutes and 1 dinar. Here you can see, and the Great Mosque, and.

You can get to Mahdia in 1.5 hours and 3 dinars. Here you can see the Black Gate, the fish market and the ancient Arab and Ottoman forts that once protected the coast. The main attraction is the Archaeological Museum of Mahdia, where part of the collection of the Mahdia shipwreck is exhibited.

Perhaps this is the end of our story about the resort of Sousse. Read other interesting articles about Tunisia on our website website ( links below).