Planning a trip to Tunisia and want to explore Sousse and Monastir ? You’re in the right place!
Sousse and Monastir are both coastal cities full of history and charm, located along Tunisia’s eastern shore, just over an hour and a half from Tunis.
In this article, I’ll list the best places to see in Sousse and Monastir as well as what to expect, and of course, I listed all the best day trips from to do while in Tunisia at the end of the article.
Let’s dive in and plan the perfect day in Sousse and Monastir!
First things first, how to get to Sousse ? Well it is a one-hour and a half drive from Tunis, and the easiest way to get there is by taking a louage, which is a shared taxi, departing once all seats are filled. I waited between 10-30 minutes for those trips.
The price for Tunis-Sousse is 13,5 dinars per person, which equals to a bit less than 4€. It is the same price for the way back, but you can take a louage directly from Monastir back to Tunis, and this one will cost 14,7 dinars, or 4,3€.
The louage station in Tunis to go to Sousse is Moncef Bey Louage Station, and it is a 10-minute cab drive from the Medina (I paid 6 dinars for the taxi drive).
Alright, now that the logistics are settled, what should you see in Sousse and Monastir ?
Sousse is a lively city with a cute but bustling medina and rich history.
First thing when arriving in Sousse : get to a higher vantage point to admire the city from above by heading to the Ribat of Sousse.
This fortress built in the 8th century is one of Tunisia’s most important Islamic monuments.
Entrance fee : 8 dinars (2,3€).
Opening hours : Everyday from 8am to 5pm.
Next up, walk right in front of the Ribat to the Great Mosque of Sousse. Built in the 9th century, this place of worship is a great example of early Islamic architecture.
Entrance fee : 5 dinars (1,5€).
Opening hours : Everyday from 8am to 3pm, but visits for non-muslims are allowed only outside of the prayer hours. I went after 1:30pm and could enter.
After those cultural visits, head to the UNESCO-listed old town, stroll in the blue and yellow alleys and discover the vibrant atmosphere in the souks:
You will find many cute cafés where you can try the famous mint and pine nuts tea along with some delicious Tunisian pastries.
And of course, what better place than the souks to bring back some souvenirs, whether it is some dates, spices of even traditional rug :
While you are in Sousse, it can be a great idea to take a 20-minute cab to visit Monastir. This coastal town has a beautiful marina and stunning Ribat fortress.
The Ribat of Monastir is a medieval fortress, with impressive views of the marina and the sea.
Entrance fee : 8 dinars (2,3€).
Opening hours : Everyday from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
Next, you can visit the Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba, a huge monument dedicated to Tunisia’s first president, with stunning architecture (see picture 1 & 2).
Entrance fee : Free.
Opening hours : Everyday from 9am to 5:30pm.
On your way back, you can admire the Bourguiba Mosque, also named after Tunisia’s first president, pictured in the last photo above.
The Medina of Monastir is not as nice as Sousse’s, but instead you can enjoy the beach and the marina.
If you are spending a few days in Bizerte but want to explore the nearby cities, these are the places I’d recommend visiting, not too far away and absolutely worth the detour :
- Tunis : From the narrow alleys of the UNESCO-listed Medina to the lively souks and vibrant Central Market, the city offers a lot of history, a wide culinary scene and stunning old town.
- Sidi Bou Said : A picture-perfect village with whitewashed houses, blue doors and vibrant pink bougainvillea. This charming town offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as cute cafés and bambalouni stalls (sweet Tunisian donut).
- Carthage : This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a powerful empire. You can take a journey through time by exploring the numerous Roman ruins in this archeological site.
- Bizerte : A true hidden gem, unknown by tourists but definitely worth visiting. Whether it is its charming old port, beautiful Medina or central market, Bizerte is the perfect day trip for those seeking authenticity off the beaten path.
That’s it for my recommendations on the top places to see in Sousse and Monastir. I had a wonderful time exploring the Medina, Ribat and Great Mosque, and I’m sure you will too !
If you plan on visiting Tunisia any time soon, check out my article about the top places to see in Tunis and the top places to see in Sidi Bou Said.
If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.
