Sousse Family Holiday Ideas

Advisory notice: check the newest US State Department and UK FCDO advice for Tunisia before you book. Frontier and military areas are closed to tourists. Sousse sits outside the FCDO warning zones, and visible security at hotels and tourist sites is normal.

Families do best in Sousse by picking a few things for each age group and leaving the rest of the day for the beach.

Toddlers and pre-schoolers

  • Beach time: pick a stretch with flags and, where possible, a lifeguard post, and stay within arm’s reach. The FCDO’s advice is that children need watching even when a lifeguard is there.
  • Marina walk: Port El Kantaoui’s quays are pedestrian and flat, which suits strollers. Cafes there change, so choose by the menu.
  • Shade: July and August are very hot, so plan outings for the morning and evening.

Primary-school children

  • Ribat visit: a stone fortress with a corner watchtower reached by a narrow spiral staircase, which works for school-age children but not for anyone nervous in tight spaces. It is open every day.
  • Kasbah museum: mosaics of gods and sea creatures keep younger visitors interested, but it is closed on Mondays. Pupils pay a reduced 2 TND rate at heritage sites under the April 2026 tariff, so bring ID.
  • Pirate-galleon cruise: replica ships sail from Port El Kantaoui for two to four hours, and some trips stop for a swim. Ask about life jackets.
  • Parks: Acqua Palace (a water park) and Hannibal Park (an amusement park) appear in listings. Dates, hours and prices are not published reliably, so check first and respect height limits.

Teenagers

  • Metro to Monastir: the Sahel Metro runs from Sousse Bab Jedid, and the Ribat there was a set for a well-known comedy film.
  • Introductory dive: the dive centre at Port El Kantaoui offers introductory sessions, subject to its own age and health rules.
  • El Jem: the arena has 36 m walls and underground galleries, and the train takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Sea safety in short

Learn the flag colours on the day, since beach systems vary. Jellyfish are common in late summer, and a stung child should go to the lifeguard or a pharmacy. Where there are no flags or lifeguards, ask locally before anyone swims.

What to leave out

Camel and horse rides and dolphin shows are sold along the resort strip. Care standards vary and cannot be judged from a brochure, so they are best skipped. No zoo near Sousse is currently recommended.

Packing and money

Sun cream, hats and water are essential. Tunisian dinars (TND) are needed for everyday purchases, and exchange slips should be kept.

Browse family tours near Sousse or read the FCDO safety advice on beaches.

Read more: Sousse activities and the 4 day Sousse itinerary .