Sousse in 2 days
The medina, the ribat and the kasbah on the first morning, El Jem by train on the second — two days done from a hotel on the beach, which turn an all-inclusive week into Tunisia.
- How long
- 2 mornings from a hotel on the beach
- Rhythm
- Out from eight to one
- Book ahead
- Nothing
Sousse in two days is two mornings away from the hotel: the first for the medina, walked in two hours before the groups arrive, the second for El Jem by train, an hour south, with a change of train for Monastir on the way back. The afternoons are the beach — and it is the only plan on the coast that puts Tunisia and a holiday in the same week without a driver.
The medina in the morning, the beach in the afternoon, Boujaffar at night
A taxi from the hotel to Bab el Bahr, the medina's sea gate, while the groups are still at breakfast.
The ribat: the courtyard, the cells and the 27-metre tower with the view of the medina and the sea. Entry €2.37, an hour, with the light from the east.
The Great Mosque from outside, then the souk uphill towards the kasbah — tourist in the first street, genuine further on. Buying happens in the upper part; the lower part is for looking only.
The archaeological museum in the kasbah: the mosaics of Hadrumetum, second in the country only to the Bardo, and regularly empty. Entry €2.97, 1 h 30; closed on Mondays.
Lunch in the medina — lablabi or a brik — or back to the hotel.
The beach; Boujaffar if the hotel is in town, the hotel's if it is Kantaoui.
The Boujaffar promenade and dinner on the quay, fish by the kilo; a taxi back to Kantaoui.
El Jem by train, Monastir with a change
The train from the station in the centre south, about 1 h to El Jem, at the counter. A louage from the louage station is the alternative, faster and leaving when full.
Fifteen minutes' walk from the station to the amphitheatre, visible as soon as you step out. Three tiers of arcades, the arena, the underground level — entry with the museum €6, an hour and a half before the sun enters the arena.
The mosaic museum a kilometre on, same ticket, air-conditioned and empty. An hour.
The train back to Sousse, then the other line (the Sahel one) on to Monastir, arriving around 14:00: the ribat by the sea — better known from films than Sousse's — and Bourguiba's mausoleum with its gold dome, where nothing is charged. An hour and a half to look around.
Train or taxi to Sousse, twenty minutes; the beach until sunset.
Dinner at the Kantaoui marina or in town; tomorrow is the beach all day.
Three things that wreck the plan
- The medina at noon with a group. Hotel groups arrive at ten and walk the same street; whoever starts at half past eight has the medina to themselves until eleven.
- El Jem on a hotel excursion. The same arena, a higher price and an hour in a carpet shop on the way back; the train goes when it suits you and stops fifteen minutes from the amphitheatre.
- Kairouan squeezed into the same day. An hour and a half from El Jem in the other direction, it needs a driver and a full day — the plan above runs by train and finishes on the beach by afternoon.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
How many days does Sousse need?
The medina and the kasbah on the first morning, El Jem by train before noon and Monastir on a change at Sousse on the second — the beach is left for late afternoon. A third day, if added, goes to Kairouan with a driver.
How do you get to El Jem from Sousse?
By train from the station in the centre of Sousse, about 1 h; from El Jem station to the amphitheatre is fifteen minutes' walk. The louage is faster and leaves when full. The hotel excursion stops at a shop and costs more.
Is the Sousse medina worth it if you are going to Kairouan?
It is, and it is different: coastal, with the ribat and walls by the sea, and a mosaic museum in the kasbah. Kairouan is a religious town inland; both are done, and not on the same day.
Ready for Sousse?
Where to next
Day trips from Sousse
→El Jem by train, Monastir by train, Kairouan with a driver and Mahdia for fish — four trips from Sousse…
Monastir · 18 km
→The ribat from the film sets, the gold dome of the first president's mausoleum and a marina of yachts, all within reach of the Sahel's own airport.
How well does Sousse suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
Front row for the next trip
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