Before booking your trip to Sousse, these ten points sum up everything you need to know as a Gulf traveler, whether you're coming for the beach, the history, or both.

1. You probably don't need a visa Citizens of Saudi Arabia and other GCC states are exempt from visa requirements for tourism, with a stay of up to 90 days on a valid passport alone. Non-national Gulf residents get a 15-day visa on arrival under specific conditions (passport valid 6 months, Gulf residence permit valid 3 months, return ticket and hotel booking).

2. The dinar is a closed currency The Tunisian dinar cannot legally be brought in or taken out of the country. Exchange dollars or euros after arrival, and keep your exchange receipt to convert any surplus back before departure, right before passport control after check-in.

3. There's no international airport in Sousse itself The nearest are Monastir International (geographically closer) and Tunis-Carthage International, reached by direct flights from Jeddah via Saudia and Tunisair in around 5 hours.

4. Summer is crowded and pricey, but not your only option If you want the beach exclusively, summer is your season. But if you'd like to combine the beach with the medina and El Jem in calmer, cheaper conditions, spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are excellent choices.

5. The security picture is generally good in tourist areas Sousse, Port El Kantaoui, and El Jem are among Tunisia's busiest tourist areas and see a generally good security level. The extra caution some international advisories recommend concerns areas well off the tourist track, near the Libyan border and the western mountains.

6. The medina deserves a day even if you're here for the beach Sousse's medina has been UNESCO-listed since 1988, and includes the Ribat (821 CE) and the Great Mosque (851 CE), among the oldest architectural evidence of the early Islamic era in North Africa.

7. Language and communication Arabic is the official language, French is widely used in tourist areas, and hotel staff and guides in Sousse often speak decent English given the historically heavy European tourism there.

8. Modest dress when visiting the Ribat and mosque Sousse is a relatively open tourist city, but when entering the Ribat or Great Mosque, avoid very short clothing, and female visitors may be asked to cover their head at certain entrances.

9. El Jem is nearly a full-day trip Remember the amphitheater is about 65 km away, so allow at least half a day round-trip including your visit time — don't try to squeeze it in at the end of a tiring beach day.

10. Bargaining and local markets In Sousse's old-town markets, listed prices are usually negotiable, especially for souvenirs and handicrafts, so don't hesitate to bargain politely.