Monastir

Monastir is a pleasant seaside resort 160 km from Tunis, featuring a superb coastline with blue sea and long golden sandy beaches. The city combines a historical medina with traditional fishing port and marina, all under the protection of an impressive ribat fortress—one of Tunisia's finest examples of Islamic military architecture. It's one of the best tourist destinations in Northern Africa, offering a calmer alternative to larger coastal cities.

Situated halfway between Sousse and Mahdia, at the intersection of Kairouan and El Jem, Monastir occupies a strategic position on Tunisia's central coast. The city dates from Phoenician times and shelters the oldest and most important ribat in the Maghreb—a fortress that has appeared in several films, most notably Monty Python's Life of Brian as a stand-in for Jerusalem. Monastir is known as a beautiful and calm city.

Monastir is accessible by air via Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport (located in Skanes, 9 km from the city center), by rail via Gare Habib Bourguiba Monastir railway station, and by bus via Gare Routière de Monastir. The airport serves international flights and connects the city to European destinations.

Distances between the Medina, Ribat, and Marina are small enough to be covered on foot. Taxis for longer distances within the city are very cheap, costing less than DT3 for a trip within the city. Traditional carriages and a touristic train offer more scenic ways to explore the city.

The Ribat is a fortified monastery next to the sea with most ruins open to clamber over—familiar from Monty Python's Life of Brian—and offers tower climbing with views over the coastline. The Islamic Arts Museum contains illuminated manuscripts, Coptic textiles from the 4th-7th centuries, Fatimid glass from the 10th-11th centuries, and an Arabic astrolabe made in Cordoba in 927 CE. The Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba (free entry) holds Tunisia's first president's remains in a large cemetery at Skanes. The Great Mosque, built in the 9th century and enlarged over centuries, is off-limits to non-Muslims.

Bicycle rental is available at 5 DT/hour. The Palm Karting Monastir near Sahara Beach Hotel offers adult and kids circuits at 20 DT for 15 minutes or 30 DT for 30 minutes, open 10:00-02:00 in summer. Golf options include Flamingo Golf Course and Palm Links Golf Course designed by a Californian architect. Traditional carriages and a touristic train provide original means to discover the city.

The Medina contains a small bazaar selling souvenirs, artisanal jewelry, pottery, and carpets with prices generally lower than in nearby Sousse. Monoprix supermarket near the southeast wall of the Medina is open 8:30AM-10PM and sells everything including alcohol at the back entrance. A small local market next to Monoprix offers meat, vegetables, and bread.

Monastir's hotel infrastructure is of remarkable quality, with classed hotels from one to five stars featuring covered swimming pools, sporting facilities, mini-clubs for children, and spa centers. Options range from the 3-star Delphin Ribat Hotel Monastir (from 100 DT double) to the 5-star Royal Thalassa Monastir (from 250 DT double). Budget-friendly options include Marina Cap Monastir apartments (from 80 DT) with sea views and private kitchenettes.

From Monastir, you can visit Sousse (north), Kairouan (inland), and El Jem (south). Sousse offers another historic medina and ribat. Kairouan is one of Islam's holiest cities with great mosques. El Jem features the best-preserved Roman amphitheater in North Africa.