Sousse sits on the central Tunisian coast, facing east into the Gulf of Hammamet, and it has one of the most dependable beach climates in the country. Summers are hot and almost rainless, winters are mild and sunnier than Tunis, and the sea is warm enough for a proper swim from roughly June to October. This guide gives approximate month-by-month figures for Sousse so you can match your dates to what you actually want to do: lie on the beach, walk the medina, or day-trip to El Jem and Kairouan.
Sousse Weather by Month
Approximate monthly averages for Sousse, compiled from long-term climate averages published by Weather2Travel (rounded to whole degrees and millimetres) and cross-checked against Tunisia’s national meteorological institute, the Institut National de la Météorologie. Individual years vary, so treat every figure as approximately typical rather than guaranteed. Sunshine is average hours per day; click a month for our full country guide.
| Month | High | Low | Sea | Rain days | Rainfall | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C | 7°C | 16°C | 7 | 33 mm | 6 h |
| February | 18°C | 8°C | 15°C | 6 | 30 mm | 7 h |
| March | 19°C | 10°C | 15°C | 7 | 32 mm | 7 h |
| April | 22°C | 12°C | 16°C | 6 | 29 mm | 8 h |
| May | 25°C | 15°C | 18°C | 5 | 17 mm | 10 h |
| June | 30°C | 19°C | 22°C | 2 | 8 mm | 11 h |
| July | 33°C | 21°C | 25°C | 1 | 4 mm | 12 h |
| August | 34°C | 22°C | 26°C | 2 | 10 mm | 11 h |
| September | 30°C | 21°C | 26°C | 4 | 35 mm | 9 h |
| October | 26°C | 17°C | 24°C | 6 | 54 mm | 7 h |
| November | 21°C | 12°C | 21°C | 6 | 35 mm | 7 h |
| December | 18°C | 8°C | 18°C | 7 | 43 mm | 6 h |
In short: August is the warmest month (about 34°C by day), January the coolest (about 16°C by day and 7°C at night at the coldest), October the wettest (about 54 mm) and July the driest (about 4 mm). The sea is warmest in August at approximately 26°C.
What Sousse’s climate is really like
Sousse has a classic hot-summer Mediterranean climate. July and August bring daytime highs of around 33-34°C with warm nights of about 21-22°C, and almost no rain. January and February are the coolest months, with highs of roughly 16-18°C and lows of 7-8°C. The coast is breezier and a little less humid than Tunis, and the sea moderates the extremes. Heat waves do happen: when hot air arrives from the Sahara (the sirocco), temperatures can briefly climb well past the averages in the table, so treat the figures as typical conditions rather than limits.
Sea temperature: when you can actually swim
Sea temperature drives most beach decisions. Around Sousse the water is approximately 15-16°C from January to April, which is wetsuit-or-brave territory. It reaches about 22°C in June, peaks near 26°C in August and September, and is still around 24°C in October. Most visitors find the sea comfortable from late May or June through to mid-October. September is the sweet spot: the sea is at its warmest, the air is a degree or three cooler than August and the beaches thin out. Our Sousse beaches guide covers the sand itself.
Rain and winter weather
Sousse is on the drier side of northern Tunisia. Rainfall is approximately 30-35 mm per month in winter and early spring, with the heaviest falls in October (around 54 mm), often as short, sharp storms after the summer heat. From June to August you can expect almost no rain at all. Winter days are often bright but cool enough for a light jacket in the evening, which makes the medina, the Ribat and the museum comfortable to explore on foot at any time of year except the midday peak in July and August.
Best Time to Visit Sousse by Trip Type
- Beach holiday: June, September and early October: warm sea, long sunshine hours, shoulder-season prices after mid-September.
- Sightseeing and day trips: April, May and October: highs of 22-26°C, ideal for the medina, El Jem and Kairouan without the summer heat.
- Cheapest trips: November to March: mild but cool, the sea is too cold for most people, and hotel rates are at their lowest.
- Avoid if you dislike heat: Mid-July to mid-August: highs of 33-34°C, strong sun and the busiest resorts.
For the full picture across the country, see our best time to visit Tunisia guide.
What to Pack for Sousse
In summer pack light cotton, a hat, high-factor sun cream and sandals you can walk the medina in. In winter and spring bring a light waterproof, a fleece for evenings and closed shoes. Between November and March plan for at least one grey, showery day.
Compare Sousse With Nearby Places
Port El Kantaoui, about 10 km north, shares almost exactly the same weather, so the figures here apply to it too; see our Port El Kantaoui weather guide. For comparison, Monastir is practically identical, while Tunis is cooler and wetter in winter.
Plan Your Stay in Sousse
Once you have picked your dates, read the Sousse destination guide for neighbourhoods, sights and practical details, browse the best hotels in Sousse for where to sleep, and see things to do in Sousse for activities. Related reading: Tunis vs Sousse, Monastir vs Sousse, Port El Kantaoui. Rain or shine, a guided Sousse tour is an easy way to cover the medina and nearby sites.