Sousse

A fortified medina above a busy port.

Behind the beaches, Sousse holds one of the finest medinas in the country, listed by UNESCO in 1988. Its ribat, a fortified monastery, and its Great Mosque date from the early centuries of Islam in North Africa; climb the ribat's watchtower for a view over the rooftops to the sea.

In the kasbah, the Sousse Archaeological Museum displays a remarkable collection of Roman mosaics. Then lose yourself in the souks, where the city feels most itself.

Highlights

• The ribat

• The Great Mosque

• Sousse Archaeological Museum

Best for: History, city life, beaches

Photo: Amal Bourkhis / Unsplash