Sousse, Kairouan & El Jem

Base yourself in the seaside city of Sousse for day trips to El Jem, North Africa's largest Roman amphitheatre, the holy city of Kairouan, Monastir and the old town of Mahdia.

This destination uses Sousse, on Tunisia's east coast, as a base and covers three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Sahel region: the Medina of Sousse, the Holy City of Kairouan and the Amphitheatre of El Jem. Sousse lies about 140 km south of Tunis. Its old town, with the ribat, the Great Mosque and the Archaeological Museum, can be seen in a day, while Port El Kantaoui and Bou Jaafar beach to the north are the main seaside resort areas. Day trips: Kairouan, about 60 km to the west, is the fourth holiest city of Islam; El Jem, about 60 km to the south, has North Africa's largest Roman amphitheatre; Monastir, 20 km to the southeast, has the oldest ribat and the Bourguiba Mausoleum, and in summer you can take a boat out to the Kuriat Islands; further south is Mahdia, the old capital of the Fatimid dynasty. March–May and September–November are best for visiting historic sites; June–September is beach season, but inland Kairouan and El Jem are scorching at midday. Trains from Tunis reach Sousse in about 2 hours; Monastir airport is about 20 minutes from Sousse, and the Sahel light rail links Sousse, Monastir and Mahdia. To get to Kairouan, take a long-distance bus or shared taxi (louage), or hire a car to combine it with El Jem. Plan on 3–4 days. Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting mosques, and note that most are closed to visitors on Fridays. Bargain when shopping in the medina.

Top sights

Amphitheatre of El Jem – The third-largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire, capable of seating around 35,000 people and better preserved than the Colosseum in Rome…
Great Mosque of Kairouan – One of North Africa’s oldest and most important mosques, at the heart of Kairouan, the fourth holiest city in Islam. Its square minaret and…
Medina of Sousse – A World Heritage old town encircled by 9th-century walls, home to the Ribat, the Great Mosque and a labyrinth of market lanes.
Ribat of Sousse – An early Islamic military monastery completed around 821. Climb the cylindrical watchtower inside the square stone fortress for views over…
Medina of Kairouan – The World Heritage old town of Kairouan, the fourth holiest city in Islam, with brick walls, white-walled alleys with blue doors and carpet…
Great Mosque of Sousse – Built in 851 under the Aghlabid dynasty, its fortress-like thick walls, crenellations and austere courtyard are a model of early North Afri…
Sousse Archaeological Museum – Housed in the kasbah at the highest point of the old town, its collection of Roman mosaics is second only to the Bardo Museum.
Port El Kantaoui – A white yacht-harbour resort on Sousse's northern outskirts, with Mediterranean-style buildings around the marina, and restaurants, hotels…
Catacombs of Sousse – Early Christian underground catacombs dating from the 2nd to 4th centuries. Tens of thousands of burial niches line tunnels stretching for…
Dar Essid Museum – A traditional noble mansion turned museum in the medina, furnished as it would have been in the 19th century. A rooftop tower offers 360-de…
Bou Jaafar Beach & Corniche – A fine-sand beach right beside the city centre, stretching for several kilometres along the Corniche. In the evenings it is a favourite spo…
Ribat of Monastir – Built in 796, this is North Africa's oldest ribat. Its golden stone fortress by the sea was a filming location for The Life of Brian and Je…
Bourguiba Mausoleum – The golden-domed mausoleum of Tunisia's founding father Habib Bourguiba. Two tall minarets and a long plaza approach give it an imposing pr…
Kuriat Islands – Two uninhabited islets about 18 km off Monastir, with white sand and clear water. They are a nesting site for loggerhead turtles, and boat…
Mahdia Old Town – The capital of the Fatimid dynasty. Pass through the Gate of Darkness into the narrow old town on a peninsula, where the Fatimid Great Mosq…
Borj El Kebir & Cap Afrique – A 16th-century Ottoman fortress at the tip of the peninsula. From the ramparts you can see the blue sea and a white seaside cemetery, endin…
Aghlabid Basins – A giant polygonal cistern built in the 9th century, about 128 metres in diameter, one of the largest hydraulic works in the medieval Islami…
Mosque of the Barber (Zaouia of Sidi Sahab) – The mausoleum of a companion of the Prophet, said to have carried three of the Prophet's whiskers. Its courtyards are covered in coloured t…
Mosque of the Three Doors – A small mosque built in 866, with Kufic inscriptions and floral reliefs covering the arches over its three doorways. It is considered the e…
Bir Barouta – A 17th-century well in the heart of the old town, where a blindfolded camel walks in circles to turn a waterwheel and draw water. Legend sa…
El Jem Archaeological Museum – Displays fine mosaics excavated from the ancient city of Thysdrus, and recreates a Roman rich man's villa, the House of Africa.

Where to eat

Restaurant du Peuple – Home-style eatery on the north city wall of Sousse's old town, famous for fish couscous and homemade chili sauce, with…
Restaurant Café Seles – Family restaurant beside the West Gate of Sousse's old town, with rooftop terraces overlooking the old town and sea. It…
Makroudh Omrani – Long-established makroudh shop in Kairouan that makes semolina pastries with date filling fresh. You can taste before y…
L'Escargot – Old-established French restaurant on the Bou Jaafar seafront that has operated for nearly 40 years. Its fresh fish and…
Restaurant Sabra (Kairouan) – Small home-style eatery just outside Kairouan's old city gate, serving koucha tajine and couscous, with cheap set meals…

Itineraries

Tunisia Classic North-South Loop – Head south from Tunis to the oases and the Sahara, then return north via El Jem, connecting major World Heritage sites.
In-Depth Tunisia: From the Mediterranean to the Sahara – Explore the north and the Sahel by train, rent a car to head south, and finish with a flight out of Djerba Island.
Algeria & Tunisia Ancient Heritage – Fly across two countries, connecting Tipasa, Timgad, Carthage, Dougga, and Kairouan.