Day Trips From Sousse: The Best Days Out, With Drive Times and Prices
Day trips from Sousse put you closer to El Jem and Kairouan than anywhere else on the coast, and the Monastir ribat is barely 20 minutes away. This guide covers the eight days we run from Sousse and Port El Kantaoui, with the real drive time to each site, the price for the whole car and the order we would book them in.
The Best Day Trips From Sousse at a Glance
Here are our day trips from Sousse, closest first. Prices are the same from Port El Kantaoui and cover the whole car for one to four people, with fuel, tolls and hotel pickup included. Because Sousse sits further south, the inland sites are close, while Carthage and Dougga make for long days.
| Day trip | Drive to first stop | Door to door | Price per car | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sousse, Monastir & Port El Kantaoui | 15 min | 6h30 | €90 | A relaxed day close to your hotel |
| Friguia Park | 30 min | 4h | €90 | Young children, a half day |
| El Jem & Kairouan | 1h15 | 7h15 | €100 | The one day not to miss |
| Zaghouan & the Berber village of Zriba | 1h15 | 7h15 | €100 | Hills and a Berber village |
| Cap Bon: Kelibia, El Haouaria & Korbous | 1h15 | 8h | €130 | Beaches and sea caves |
| Sidi Bou Said & Carthage half day | 1h30 | 5h45 | €120 | Sidi Bou Said in a short day |
| Carthage, Sidi Bou Said & Tunis Medina | 1h30 | 8h | €130 | The capital and Carthage |
| Dougga & Bulla Regia | 2h15 | 9h15 | €150 | Roman history fans, early risers |
Kairouan and El Jem: The Best Value From Sousse
From Sousse, Kairouan is only about 1 h 15 away, so this is the easiest big day on the coast. You see the Great Mosque of Kairouan in the morning, while it is open to visitors, then the El Jem amphitheatre after lunch. You are back at your hotel in the afternoon with time for the beach.
Monastir, Port El Kantaoui and the Sousse Medina
You do not need to go far for a full day. The Sousse medina and its ribat are UNESCO listed, Port El Kantaoui has the marina, and Monastir adds a seafront ribat and the Bourguiba Mausoleum. As a result, this day has the least driving of all and suits a first day or travellers with children.
Carthage and Sidi Bou Said From Sousse
Carthage is about 1 h 30 from Sousse on the motorway, so the full day with the Tunis medina runs to about 8 hours. If you would rather keep the afternoon free, choose the half day with Carthage and Sidi Bou Said only. Either way, leave at 08:00 to beat the traffic into Tunis.
Longer Days: Dougga, Cap Bon and Zaghouan
These three days head north and inland. Dougga is the longest at about 2 h 15 each way, but it rewards you with the best-kept Roman town in North Africa. Cap Bon brings beaches and sea caves, and Zaghouan a quiet Berber village and the Roman Temple of Waters.
How to Plan Day Trips From Sousse in One Week
Most guests book two or three day trips from Sousse in a week and keep the other days for the beach. This order works well, because it starts close and saves the long drive for when you know the rhythm.
| Day | Day trip | Why this order |
|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Kairouan and El Jem | The highlight, only 1 h 15 away. |
| Day 3 | Beach | Rest after the big day. |
| Day 4 | Sousse and Monastir or Friguia Park | An easy day close to the hotel. |
| Day 5 | Beach | Rest before the long drive. |
| Day 6 | Carthage and Sidi Bou Said | The capital, Punic ruins and the blue village. |
Price Your Day Trips From Sousse Now
The form starts from Sousse, so the price you see is the real one for your hotel. Change the day, the date or your group size, and one tap opens the booking with everything filled in. Every other price is on our Tunisia excursion prices page.
- Carthage, Sidi Bou Said & Tunis Medina: €130 per car
- El Jem & Kairouan: €100 per car
- Sidi Bou Said & Carthage half day: €120 per car
- Dougga & Bulla Regia: €150 per car
Day Trips From Sousse: FAQ
Quick answers to what guests in Sousse and Port El Kantaoui ask us most.
How far is El Jem from Sousse?
About 65 km, roughly one hour by road. Most people pair it with Kairouan, which is about the same distance from Sousse, in one full day.
What is the best day trip from Sousse?
Kairouan and El Jem. They are the closest big sites to Sousse, they are both UNESCO listed, and the day leaves you back at your hotel in the afternoon.
Can you visit Tunis and Carthage from Sousse in a day?
Yes. Carthage is about 1 h 30 away, and the full day with the Tunis medina and Sidi Bou Said takes about 8 hours door to door.
Do prices from Port El Kantaoui differ from Sousse?
No. Port El Kantaoui always costs the same as Sousse, and the driver picks you up at your hotel or the marina.
Can we visit Mahdia from Sousse?
Mahdia is not one of our set days, but we can often plan it as a custom day. Send us your idea on WhatsApp and we reply with a price.
Is there a Sahara day trip from Sousse?
Not a real one. The dunes near Douz are about five hours away, so the desert needs at least two days. For one day inland, choose Kairouan and El Jem.
Book Your Day Trips From Sousse
You now know which days are closest, which are worth the drive and what each costs from your hotel. Pick a day in the form above or message us on WhatsApp, pay your driver when you are back, and enjoy the best day trips from Sousse.