Sousse & Monastir: Private Tour with Local Guide & Pickup

Summary

Explore Sousse and Monastir’s medina, ribat, mausoleum and port

You’ll wander Sousse’s winding medina streets with a local guide, climb ancient steps at Monastir’s Ribat for sweeping sea views, and pause in Bourguiba’s golden-domed mausoleum. With private transport included and someone local leading you through hidden corners and stories, you’ll feel both welcomed and quietly awed by Tunisia’s Sahel coast.

What’s the experience like?

We were already weaving through the alleys of Sousse’s medina when I realized how much life fits into these old walls. Our guide, Sami, kept pointing out little details — a faded tile here, the way the light hit the mosque’s stone at noon. There was this smell of fresh bread somewhere (I never found the bakery), mixed with incense drifting from a shop doorway. I tried to keep up but honestly got distracted by a cat perched on a blue window ledge. Sami just grinned and waited for me to catch up — he seemed to know everyone in the market.

The drive down to Monastir wasn’t long — maybe half an hour? — but you could feel the air shift as we got closer to the sea. The Ribat loomed ahead, all honey-colored stone and sharp shadows. Climbing those spiral steps was harder than I’d admit (my legs still remind me), but standing at the top, wind tugging at my shirt, I could see all of Monastir spread below. Sami told us about how they used to send signals from tower to tower at night — I tried to imagine it, lanterns flickering across the coast.

Lunch was quick — just a sandwich from a café near the marina — but sitting outside watching people pass by felt like its own kind of sightseeing. Later we wandered through Bourguiba’s mausoleum; gold domes glinting in afternoon sun, green tiles everywhere. There was this hush inside that made me slow down without really thinking about it. Sami explained some of the traditions (I probably mispronounced every name), but he didn’t seem to mind.

I didn’t expect to be so taken by mosaics at the Sousse Archaeological Museum either — some of them looked almost alive under dusty glass. By late afternoon my feet were sore and my head full of stories I’ll probably forget half of, but there’s something about seeing these places with someone who grew up nearby that sticks with you. The tour includes pickup and private transport so you don’t have to think about logistics — which is good because I definitely wouldn’t have found half these corners on my own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Sousse and Monastir highlights

• Visit the marina port of call
• See Bourguiba's mausoleum
• Tour the historic Ribat fortress
• Explore Sousse medina UNESCO site
• Visit Sousse Archaeological Museum
• Walk around the port village

Top questions

How long does it take to travel from Sousse to Monastir?

The drive between Sousse and Monastir takes about 30 minutes by car.

Is hotel pickup included in this Sousse & Monastir tour?

Yes, private transportation with pickup is included in your tour.

Are entry fees covered for sites like the Ribat or museum?

All entry fees and taxes are included in this guided tour package.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants or small children join this day trip?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed.

Will we have free time in Sousse or Monastir?

The itinerary allows time for wandering markets or relaxing at cafés during stops.

What is included in the private wine tour Bordeaux experience?

This specific tour focuses on Sousse & Monastir; wine tours are not part of this itinerary.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transport with pickup, all entry fees for monuments like the Ribat and archaeological museum, WiFi onboard if you want it, plus flexibility for lunch stops along the way before returning comfortably back after exploring both cities.