Sousse: Ribats and Beaches

The central section of Tunisia’s Mediterranean coast has some of the country’s finest beaches, making it an attractive place to relax at the end of a tour. The area is also noted for its impressive chain of coastal fortresses (Ribats) and historic old medinas.

Sousse (ancient Hadrumetum), originally a Phoenician settlement, is a popular resort town with dazzling white sandy beaches. The town’s impressive walled medina, Grand Mosque, and fortified Ribat dating from the 9th-century Aghlabid period are best explored on foot. Sousse’s important museum is housed in the kasbah and contains some of Tunisia’s finest examples of mosaics. Sousse’s extensive medieval souqs offer excellent shopping opportunities.

Monastir is located on a beautiful stretch of coast that is justly popular for beach holidays. In 46 BC, the town was Julius Caesar’s headquarters in his war against Pompey the Great. However, Monastir is now more popularly associated with Habib Bourguiba – the first President of the Tunisian Republic – who was born and buried here. Bourguiba’s impressive mausoleum, with its 18-carat central golden dome, dominates the city centre. Nearby is the attractive and imposing fortified Ribat and the walled medina.

Mahdia is a scenic whitewashed town on a narrow peninsula that juts into the Mediterranean Sea. The town is named after Obaid Allah, the founder of the Fatimid dynasty known as the Mahdi, who moved his capital to Madhia in 916 AD to secure a stronghold which could be defended against his enemies. A walk through the historic town centre with its cafes and small shops usually begins at the heavily fortified Skifa el Kahla gate. It continues past the 10th-century Great Mosque to the imposing Ottoman-period castle, the Borj el Kebir.