Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Sousse for Skyline Swims
Words by
Mehdi Chaieb
Sousse sits on a stretch of Mediterranean coast where the old medina's ochre walls glow at sunset and the Gulf of Hammamet stretches out like hammered blue metal. If you are hunting for the best hotels with rooftop pools in Sousse, you are in luck because this resort belt is surprisingly rich in skyline swims. Forget horizontal poolside lounging. Up here, between the minarets and the Marina wound by diving board silence, the water feels more infinite blurring soundwater below, swimming blurs together sea and sky to a Sousse height.
Below are the rooftop pool hotels that stand out personally tested over the last few years, mainly dusk and off-season bookings where I tried to find out what rooftop pool hotel Sousse actually means when the August crowds thin out.
Riviera Sousse
What to Order / See / Do:
Request a room on floors 5 or 6 if you can. There the pool outside your door gives you a proper view of the medina rooftops on one side and the harbor breakwater bending the horizon on the other hand. On weekends, the pool bar downstairs serves sangria specials that taste a little stronger than mid-week, something about the bartender on Saturday night loves his orange liqueur.
Best Time:
Go poolside after 4 PM. The mid-afternoon sun on the deck is brutal during July and August, plastic chairs become hot pressing onto skin like a brand. Cooler with a backdrop, the stones hold a little pool deck until about 7 to 8 o'clock.
The Vibe:
The rooftop area is compact on any day of the year but rarely overcrowded. Lifeguards are mostly absent on the upper deck, families of guests appreciate the enclosed railings. Towels at the side of the pool by 11 are gone and you might have to ask at the pool bar, a minor inconvenience, but not uncommon here anymore.
Local Tip:
On Fridays after morning prayer ending around 1 PM, most of Sousse, the beach traffic and taxi horns shift from bark to a low hum in town and the rooftop pool in Sousse rarely has more than six people scattered about. This is when I like to swim here.
How it Connects to character:
Riviera was built where the old Corniche boardwalk used to curl into a quiet fisherman's path. Downstairs, near the bar you can still see a thin layer of round, worn-stone foundation by the front steps. A reminder that Sousse was not always about infinity pools and imported cocktails.
Numera Hotel & Beach Resort, La Medina Area
What to Order / See / Do:
Drink the house mezze. The rooftop menu is limited but the hummus and brik scattered bread with anchovies tastes fresher here in the evening. Have a plate by the pool's edge, then lean over the low wall and watch the fishermen mending nets along the shore at dusk, that is worth the price of the drink alone.
Best Time:
Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon are ideal. Weekends fill up extra with locals from Tunis or Sfax and the hotel rooftop resembles a small outdoor wedding, waiters rushing more slowly rather than faster after the rush.
The Vibe:
Low-key energy, sunbeds are not the modern lounger type. If you have ever sat on plastic mesh stretched over an aluminum frame you know what I mean. Not charming, but the pool is clean and the view of the ramparts is real.
Local Tip:
On cooler days from November to March, the rooftop pool stays sunny hours longer than ground-level pools tucked under the balcony rows because of the way the building bends above the second floor. If you arrive shivering by 11, the air at altitude catches the sun quickly.
How it Connects to character:
The Rammed or mud brick walls of the medina are visible behind you when you climb the top deck stairs. The contrast of tiled pool water against brown walls tells you what Sousse has always been about. One foot in the new tourist footprint, the other knee still deep in North African tradition.
Hotel Marhaba Sousse
What to Order / See / Do:
Order an espresso from the upstairs cafe before your first lap, the coffee tastes better here than what you would find in many sidewalk stalls along Boulevard 7 Novembre. If you want a real skip of culture, join the early morning aqua-gym classes from Saturday to Wednesday in summer, the instructor alternates between Arabic and French in every sentence.
Best Time:
Sunset angle is slightly favored toward west, but the rooftops cast a long medina shadow after 6 PM. If you swim then, your shadow stretches across the water like a blue postcard.
The Vibe:
The deck is smoother than most rooftop areas in Sousse. No broken tiles, no chipped paint. Housekeeping follows a stricter schedule, management enforces noise by 10 PM but small kids do dominate one side of the shallow corner.
Local Tip:
Every few years before Ramadan repainting season the hotel offers discounted packages to locals. That is when you find Sousse families treated like royalty. Join them, you will hear stories about the old Marhaba that used to be a cinema in the 1970s.
How it Connects to character:
Marhaba sits on the edge of the old French quarter, where colonial balconies still lean over narrow streets. The rooftop pool hotel Sousse experience here is a quiet echo of that era, a place where European design meets Tunisian hospitality without trying too hard.
Hotel El Ksar, Sousse
What to Order / See / Do:
Try the rooftop mint tea with pine nuts. It is a small detail but the nuts are toasted on-site, not scooped from a bag. Pair it with a plate of makroudh from the pastry tray, the semolina and date filling is sticky in the best way.
Best Time:
Late afternoon between 5 and 7 PM. The pool catches the last direct sunlight before the surrounding buildings block it. The water turns a shade of turquoise that no filter can replicate.
The Vibe:
El Ksar feels like a place that has been here longer than it actually has. The decor leans toward traditional Tunisian patterns, zellige tiles line the pool edges, and the lounge chairs are wrapped in fabric that matches the medina's color palette. It is not flashy, but it is consistent.
Local Tip:
Ask the front desk about the rooftop access policy for non-guests. Some days they allow day passes for a small fee, especially mid-week when occupancy drops. This is not advertised online, you have to ask in person.
How it Connects to character:
The hotel's name references the fortified granaries that dot southern Tunisia. While this is not a ksar in the architectural sense, the design language borrows from that heritage. The rooftop pool becomes a modern oasis, a quiet nod to the water scarcity that shaped much of Tunisia's history.
Hotel Sousse Palace
What to Order / See / Do:
The rooftop bar serves a decent mojito, not the best in Sousse but solid. Order one and walk to the far edge of the pool where the view opens up toward the port. Cargo ships sit low on the horizon, and if you are lucky, a naval patrol boat cuts through the frame.
Best Time:
Early morning before 9 AM. The pool is empty, the water is still, and the only sound is the call to prayer echoing from the nearby mosque. It is the closest thing to a private swim you will get in a city hotel.
The Vibe:
This is a business hotel first, a resort second. The rooftop pool is functional rather than luxurious. The deck furniture is standard issue, and the lighting at night is more fluorescent than atmospheric. But the view is genuine, and the price point is fair.
Local Tip:
If you are staying for more than three nights, negotiate a rate that includes breakfast and rooftop access. The front desk has more flexibility than the booking engines suggest, especially if you mention you are a repeat visitor or traveling for work.
How it Connects to character:
Sousse Palace sits near the city's administrative center, surrounded by government offices and banks. The rooftop pool offers a rare vertical escape from the paperwork energy below. It is a reminder that even in a city known for bureaucracy, there is always a place to float above it.
Iberostar Selection Kantaoui Bay
What to Order / See / Do:
The infinity pool here is the real draw. Swim to the edge and the water spills visually into the bay below. Order a plate of grilled calamari from the poolside menu, it arrives hot and charred, with a wedge of lemon that actually tastes fresh.
Best Time:
Midweek afternoons, especially Tuesday through Thursday. The hotel caters to European package tourists, and weekends are loud. During the week, the pool deck is calmer, and the staff has time to chat.
The Vibe:
This is a proper resort infinity pool hotel Sousse style. The deck is wide, the loungers are padded, and the music is curated to be inoffensive. It is not edgy, but it is comfortable. Families dominate the shallow end, couples claim the far corners.
Local Tip:
The hotel is technically in Port El Kantaoui, about 10 kilometers north of central Sousse. If you want to explore the medina, plan your day around the hotel shuttle or budget for a taxi. The walk is not pleasant along the main road.
How it Connects to character:
Port El Kantaoui was built from scratch in the 1980s as a tourist enclave. It has no medina, no old quarter, no history beyond the resort era. The rooftop pool here is a product of that artificiality, but the view of the natural coastline is undeniably beautiful. It is Sousse's future, for better or worse.
Hotel Les Oliviers
What to Order / See / Do:
The rooftop pool is small but the olive trees planted along the deck perimeter give it a garden feel. Order a glass of local Muscat de Kelibia, a sweet white wine that pairs well with the salt air. Sit under the trees and watch the sun drop behind the hotel across the street.
Best Time:
Evening, after 7 PM. The pool is lit from below, and the olive leaves cast moving shadows on the water. It is not a skyline view in the traditional sense, but it is intimate and green.
The Vibe:
Les Oliviers is a mid-range hotel that punches above its weight. The rooftop area feels like a secret, most guests never find it because the elevator only goes to the sixth floor and you have to take a narrow staircase the rest of the way. The effort is worth it.
Local Tip:
The hotel is on a side street off Avenue Hedi Chaker, one of the main arteries into the medina. If you are walking back from the old town after dark, this street is well-lit and safe, unlike some of the alleys closer to the souks.
How it Connects to character:
The olive tree is Tunisia's silent partner. It appears on coins, in poetry, and in the countryside that surrounds every coastal city. Having actual olive trees on a rooftop pool deck in Sousse is a small but meaningful gesture toward that identity.
When to Go / What to Know
The best months for rooftop pool swimming in Sousse are May, June, September, and October. July and August are hot, often above 35 degrees Celsius at midday, and the pool decks become unbearable without shade. November through March can be pleasant during the day but the pools are rarely heated, so early morning swims require a tolerance for cold.
Most rooftop pools in Sousse are for hotel guests only, but a few allow day passes if you ask politely at reception. Prices range from 15 to 30 Tunisian dinars for non-guests, depending on the hotel. Always carry cash, as some smaller properties do not accept cards for pool access or poolside orders.
Sunscreen is essential. The Mediterranean sun reflects off the water and the white tile, and I have seen more than one tourist turn lobster-red after a single afternoon session. Bring a hat, bring water, and do not underestimate the wind at altitude. It is stronger than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Sousse without feeling rushed?
Three full days are enough to cover the medina, the Ribat, the Great Mosque, the port area, and a half-day trip to Port El Kantaoui. Add a fourth day if you want to visit the Bardo Museum in Tunis, which is about 140 kilometers north by louage or train.
What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Sousse?
A Turkish coffee or espresso at a hotel rooftop bar costs between 5 and 10 Tunisian dinars. A mint tea with pine nuts runs 7 to 12 dinars depending on the venue. Street-side cafes outside the tourist zone charge 2 to 4 dinars for the same drinks.
What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Sousse?
Most hotel restaurants include a 10 to 15 percent service charge on the bill. An additional tip of 5 to 10 percent is appreciated but not expected. At smaller local eateries, rounding up the bill or leaving 1 to 2 dinars is standard practice.
Are credit cards widely accepted across Sousse, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and supermarkets in Sousse. Small shops, taxis, and market vendors operate almost exclusively in cash. Carrying 50 to 100 dinars in small notes for daily expenses is recommended.
Is Sousse expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier traveler should budget 150 to 250 Tunisian dinars per day. This covers a hotel room (80 to 150 dinars), two meals (40 to 60 dinars), local transport (10 to 20 dinars), and incidentals like coffee, water, and entry fees (20 to 30 dinars). Prices rise by 20 to 30 percent during peak summer season.
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