Sousse

Sousse is Tunisia's third-largest city and the capital of Sousse Governorate, set on the Gulf of Hammamet along the country's central east coast. Often called the 'Pearl of the Sahel', it combines a long sandy waterfront, a historic UNESCO-listed medina and a lively resort scene around nearby Port El Kantaoui.

Founded by the Phoenicians as Hadrumetum, the city later developed under Roman, Byzantine and Arab rule before becoming the Sousse known today. Its walled medina preserves narrow lanes, souks, the 8th-century Ribat, the Great Mosque and the Kasbah, whose Khalef Tower now houses the Sousse Archaeological Museum with important Roman mosaics.

The old medina is the main historic district, while the seafront corniche and Boujaafar beach anchor the city's tourist side. North of Sousse, Port El Kantaoui offers a purpose-built marina, hotels, golf and leisure facilities, and the modern Sahloul area hosts hospitals, university faculties and business activity.

Sousse is a regional centre for industry, commerce, education and tourism, with strong connections to Monastir, Mahdia and Kairouan. Visitors come for beaches and heritage in one destination, while business travellers use the city for meetings, conferences and access across the Sahel coast.

With markets, seafood restaurants, cafés and a relaxed coastal rhythm, Sousse balances historic character with modern convenience for both leisure and business travellers.