Sousse or Monastir Walking Tour: Private, Flexible & Hotel Pickup

4.89

(138 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Somewhere between the clang of a metalworker’s hammer in Sousse’s medina and the sudden hush when we ducked into a shaded alley, I realized this wasn’t going to be one of those tours where you just tick off sites. Our guide, Sami, met us right at our hotel—he had that easy way Tunisians have, like he’d known us for ages. He asked if we wanted more history or more food (I said both, obviously). The city felt alive: scooters weaving past, someone selling fresh mint that made the air sharp and sweet. I kept losing track of time because there was always something to look at. At one point Sami stopped to greet an old friend—lots of cheek kisses and fast Arabic—and then explained why everyone in Sousse seems to know each other. It made me smile.

I picked Sousse for the energy, but honestly, part of me wondered what Monastir would’ve been like—Sami said it’s slower there, with sea breeze and wide light around the Ribat. He showed us photos on his phone; you could see how relaxed people looked by the water. Anyway, in Sousse we wandered through tight streets where kids played football against ancient walls. We tried brik from a tiny stall (hot oil smell everywhere), and I burned my tongue but didn’t care. Sami told us how to say “thank you” in Tunisian Arabic—I tried it out and got a laugh from the vendor. It felt good to mess up a little.

The pace was ours; nobody rushed us when I wanted to stop for coffee or take too many photos (Sami offered to snap some for us). There was Wi-Fi if we needed it—though I forgot about my phone most of the time. Lunch was wherever we fancied; Sami just gave suggestions if we asked. It was all so easygoing that when it ended, I almost felt like we should just keep walking. I still think about that cool shadowy corner near the mosque where everything went quiet for a second—you know those moments that stick for no big reason? That was one.