With about 270,000 residents and roughly two hours’ drive from Tunis, Sousse blends a lively urban atmosphere with long, wide, resort beaches extending out to nearby Port El Kantaoui with its yachting marina, cafés, and vibrant nightlife,  But the heart of the city is its Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 8th–9th centuries when Sousse was an important trading port. Enclosed by well-preserved defensive walls, it´s packed with narrow alleys, traditional souks, and major monuments such as the imposing Ribat (pictured here), one of North Africa’s oldest Islamic fortresses, and the austere Great Mosque.

Read more in my post The Tug of Tunisia, and 14 of its Top Destinations.