Sousse
The pearl of the Sahel
Sousse is a sizeable city of around 173,000 inhabitants, about 140km south of Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis. Located on the coast in the central east of the country, it borders the Gulf of Hammamet which is part of the Mediterranean Sea. Sousse has a long history, dating back over 2,800 years, and has a great deal of character.It was developed in the 1960s as a tourist destination and now has a great deal to offer from its historic Old Town and Medina to the busy port and local sandy beaches.
Note : The Sahel is a coastal region in central Tunisia. It is known for its olive groves, the textile industry and tourism. It is among the most beautiful cities in Tunisia. Its main cities are called: Sousse, Monastir and Mahdia.
The city is considered the capital of the Tunisian Sahel. It is a Mediterranean town, pleasant with a pretty beach, an old Arab-Muslim medina surrounded by ramparts and souks, a fishing and commercial port and modern seaside districts and it is one of the main tourist poles of the country. With its typical charm, its extensive beaches of fine golden sand until you reach the famous port of El Kantaoui, make the city a very affable center with typical beauty. To make the most of the days and moments we can play sports, where there are maritime activities, hotels in which there are tennis courts also activities for adults and children during the day as well as in the evening ...
The city of Sousse is the capital of the governorate bearing the same name, and its municipality is divided into four districts, we find The Medina and the city of Riadh, Sousse North and South. Sousse is during three thousand years of history, was conceived as an architectural and historical heritage of incomparable richness keeping its grandeur between the ramparts of its Medina which is registered with the world heritage of Unesco; the Ribat, the great mosque, the archaeological museum and also the surprising historical sites of the Catacombs which its exceptional beauty the souks of its medina which adopts shops intended for tourists and visitors of the country, and the walk in its very pleasant alleys and winding.
Sousse, city of contrasts, is both a modern and lively city but also a city rich in history. Its still intact medina leaves a vivid impression, thanks to its high stone ramparts overlooking a magnificent sea view, its souks and its alleys, its monuments anchored by time, while the modern districts show a dynamism with avenues lined with palm trees , the port and the many shops and entertainment venues.
Apart from its monuments, the city has other assets to seduce its visitors such as its mild Mediterranean climate, its tourist area endowed with splendid hotels and luxurious tourist complexes, its very rich activities, its seaside resort and its discotheques which make it is a very privileged destination.
History
Founded in the 9th century BC as the Phoenician outpost of Hadrumète, Sousse fell under the sway of Carthage from the middle of the 6th century BC. The famous Carthaginian general Hannibal used the town as his base against the Romans in the final stages of the Second Punic War in 202 BC. The town allied itself with Rome during the Third (and final) Punic War (see History, p24 ), but Hadrumètum, as it became known, later chose the wrong side when it became Pompey’s base during the Roman civil war, and suffered badly after his forces were defeated by Julius Caesar at the Battle of Thapsus in AD 46. Sousse’s formidable defences proved of little use when it was levelled, wall and all, by Okba ibn Nafaa al-Fihri, falling to the Arabs in the late 7th century. Rebuilt as the Arab town of Soussa, it became the main port of the 9th-century Aghlabid dynasty based in Kairouan. By the time the French arrived in 1881, it had declined to a modest settlement of just 8000 people
Tourism
It is easy to see why Sousse has become a favourite tourist destination. It has a good climate, a beautiful medina, hotels of all classes, good restaurants (try the fish!!!), a stunning beach and many options for enjoying day-trips. The northern beach is lined with purpose built hotels, all built in the same style with a bar, restaurant and swimming pool, these hotels stretch all the way to the port.
Conveniently located, just across the main road from the hotels, is the beach. The beach closest to the centre of Sousse is extremely crowded in peak season, mainly by Tunisians coming here as extended family groups. It’s easy to meet local people here, and the attitude is friendly and easygoing. The beach at the city end of Sousse (its famous and called Boujaafar) is very pleasant for swimming and sunbathing, even if it does get crowded in the afternoons. Local people are friendly, open, and if you go swimming, don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself in a ball game with the locals!
Where to go
Popular Attractions
Top Beaches
The beaches of Sousse, one of Tunisia's most popular resorts, are located along the city's coastline and extend beyond its borders. It's always crowded and quite dirty on the municipal beaches in summer. There are many locals among the holidaymakers. Hotel beaches differ in purity of coastal waters and territory covered with fine white sand. Entry into the water is sloping gently. The bottom is sandy. The sea is calm.
Where to eat
Restaurants, Cafes
The city of Sousse is known for its many chic pubs and restaurants. In summer and winter, day and night, the city is on the move ... The Soussiens are undoubtedly good people, they like to have fun and give a special place to gastronomy. Discover our selection of restaurants which have built their image and their notoriety thanks to the tasty dishes they offer, but also thanks to their pleasant surroundings and the impeccable quality of service.
Bars, Nightclubs
The night is even prettier. Discover our selection of chic and trendy places, which will make you vibrate and dance during your stay in Sousse.
What to do
Entertainment and Events
Events
Main cultural events in Sousse
Culturally, the summer season is marked, every July 24, the eve of the feast of the Republic, by the great festival of Aoussou (an annual festive and cultural event), starting with its famous carnival. Along the beach of the Corniche de Boujaafar and up Avenue Habib Bourguiba towards the medina, floats symbolizing the environment, education and communications parade alongside Tunisian and foreign folk troupes.
Aoussou, is a term for the heat wave in August according to the Berber calendar. In Roman times, there was a pagan festival celebrating Neptune, the god of the sea, which dates back to the Phoenicians. This cult has changed over time and lost all religious connotations.
Organized by the Aoussou Carnival Association, the first session of the Aoussou festival took place in 1958. After an interruption in 2011 (following the “Tunisian revolution” of 2011), the Ministry of Culture announces the return of the festival in 2014.
Other cultural events are also organized. We cite among the most important:
- The Sousse International Festival: Organized annually during the summer holidays. The shows generally take place at the Sidi Edhaher Theater, the Municipal Theater and the Cultural Center
- Printemps de Sousse organized annually during the spring school holidays from March 13 until March 27
- Medina Festival organized during the month of Ramadan
- International Festival of Films for Children and Youth
Transport
The Sahel Transport Company (STS) provides a public bus transport service. The city of Sousse is connected to the cities of the country by a network of hire and taxis which ensures the fluidity of the movement of people. Sousse is also served by a national railway line (connecting it to Tunis and Sfax) and regional, the Sahel Metro, connects Sousse to Monastir and Mahdia.