Sousse, Tunisia: Discover Why It Is Called ‘The Pearl of the Sahel’

The view of Sousse and its port, Tunisia - Sousse, 'The Pearl of the Sahel', is a beautiful holiday destination in Tunisia. The Gulf of Hammamet bathes the white shores of this port town with its turquoise waters and the year-round sunny destination allures its visitors. Its stunning white sand beaches and crystalline waters, and the inspiring old town will surely make an your holiday unforgettable.The view of Sousse and its port

Sousse, ‘The Pearl of the Sahel’, is a beautiful destination in Tunisia. The Gulf of Hammamet bathes the white shores of this port town with its turquoise waters and the year-round sunny destination allures its visitors. It is livelier and more interesting than other Tunisian cities. The medieval heart of town is characterized by narrow and twisted alleys, Kasbah, ancient Medina, Ribat Fortress, and the long wall that runs on the Mediterranean.





The modern city with straight and long roads lined with widely spaced buildings, thriving port, shops and restaurants, surround the medina.

A Little Bit of History

This port town boasts a diverse history that dates back thousands of years. It has a diverse array of cultural influences imposed upon it by the various rulers.

It features imposing and grand Roman buildings, extensive Arabic influences, and also effects from the presence of French and Europeans.

Great Mosque of Sousse, Tunisia - This is a fortress-like house of prayer in the old town of Sousse and one of the city's main attractions. This port town boasts a diverse history that dates back thousands of years and it is livelier and more interesting than other Tunisian cities with the white shores and its turquoise waters which is one of the reasons why this Tunisian gem should definitely be on your bucket list.Great Mosque of Sousse

The city was founded by the Phoenicians in the ninth century and then it became a Roman town.

After the Roman decline, the city saw many rulers like the Vandals, Arabs (who made Susa, as they called this place, a main seaport), Normans, Spanish, Venetians and French. The French finally named it Sousse.

After the independence of Tunisia in 1956, the population of this port town has grown considerably.

Dov Alfon, Mohamed Ghannouchi, Primasius of Hadrumetum and Hamadi Jebali are some of the notable people of Sousse.

The city’s small, colorful shops sell a variety of souvenirs such as carpets, woolen blankets, porcelain and copper goods, olive oil, leather bags, and silver jewelry.

Medina of Sousse, Tunisia - It is an old fortified Islamic city with historical and religious monuments of great importance and a great place to stop by all those colorful shops that sell a variety of souvenirs such as carpets, woolen blankets, porcelain and copper goods, olive oil, leather bags, and silver jewelry. This is also a great place to experience the authentic atmosphere of this Tunisian gem.Medina of Sousse

Sousse International Festival is a festival of fun, color and noise. You get the cultural bit with theater shows, dance performances and concerts.

Where is Sousse?

  • 60.5 miles/ 97.5 km from Hammamet, Tunisia
  • 82.6 miles/ 133 km from Sfax, Tunisia
  • 98.7 miles/ 159 km from Aryanah, Tunisia
  • 304.4 miles/ 490 km from Constantine, Algeria
  • 9.8 miles/ 15.8 km from Monastir Airport, Tunisia
  • 30 miles/ 48.4 km from Enfidha-Hammamet Airport, Tunisia

Things to See

  • Medina
  • The Ribat
  • The Great Mosque
  • Catacombs
  • Mosaic Museum
  • The Esplanade
  • Nabuel
  • The Souk
  • Bathhouse
  • Hannibal Park

Beaches

  • The Promenade
  • Coralia Club Palm Beach
  • Occidental Allegro Abou Sofiane
  • Boujaafar Beach

    Excursions

  • Friguia Animal Park
  • Sidi Bou Said
  • Kairouan
  • El Jem





The stunning white sand beaches and crystalline waters, and the inspiring old town will surely make an unforgettable holiday in the sun, while the lively nightlife offered by the new clubs and bars of Sousse attracts young people as well.

We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!