Sousse Day Trip Planner: Monastir, El Jem, Hergla

Always check the latest US State Department and UK FCDO advice for Tunisia before leaving Sousse. Parts of the border and military areas are closed to tourists, and Sbeitla in Kasserine is essential-travel-only. The trips below sit outside the FCDO warning zones.

Day trips from Sousse are easy, since trains, the Sahel Metro and louages fan out along the coast. Ranking them by effort:

1. Monastir (short)

The metro leaves from Sousse Bab Jedid station, about a kilometre from the main station. The Ribat is open all week, with winter hours of 08:30 to 17:30 and summer hours of 08:00 to 19:00. Its pre-April-2026 fee was 8 TND. The Bourguiba Mausoleum is free, although published hours vary. Film fans may know the Ribat from Life of Brian.

2. Hergla (short)

About 24 km north-west, Hergla is a cliff-top town of white houses with blue doors and an 18th-century mosque. The lagoon at Halk el Menzel attracts migratory birds, including flamingos, at some times of year. It suits a relaxed half day.

3. El Jem (medium)

The main-line train takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes, with just a few departures a day. The amphitheatre measures 147.9 by 122.2 m, stands 36 m high and has an arena of 64 by 39 m. Official hours are 07:30 to 17:00 in winter and 07:00 to 18:30 in summer. Expect fees of about 20 to 30 TND under the April 2026 tariff, and a further rise in January 2027.

4. Mahdia (medium)

Reached by metro or louage, Mahdia was founded from 916 and opened as the Fatimid capital in 921. See the 10th-century Skifa Kahla gate and the Great Mosque, rebuilt in the 1960s. Ask locally about the Borj el Kebir fortress.

5. Kairouan (long)

About 60 km west by road. Non-Muslims see the Great Mosque courtyard only, and the Aghlabid Basins are under restoration, so access should be checked. See the Kairouan guides for monument details.

Not day trips

Tozeur, Douz and Djerba are too far, and the dunes start over 350 km away. Sbeitla, Chaambi, Salloum and the border belts are places to stay away from.

Tips

  • Check SNCFT and metro timetables before you set out, since services are not frequent on all lines.
  • Carry TND cash for louages and entry.
  • Start early in summer.

You can compare Sousse day tours if you would rather not navigate yourself, and the heritage agency’s El Jem page gives hours.

Read more: Sousse sightseeing and the 3 day Sousse plan .