Monastir holidays

Holidays to Monastir showcase old and new Tunisia, with ruins, restaurants and sandy beaches on the doorstep.

Seaside town

Trace your finger down the east coast of Tunisia and you’ll hit Monastir about a third of the way down. The town sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Hammamet, about an hour’s drive south of Sousse. It’s a popular stop-off for the yacht crowd, with a smart café-and-restaurant-edged marina.

History lesson

Monastir’s old medina has been revamped a few times over the years, but some of the original walls that loop around it are still standing, as are the impressive gates. The town’s biggest historical draw is the Ribat, a honey-coloured fortress that used to house religious soldiers. It’s still in pretty good condition, and has provided a Biblical backdrop in films like Jesus of Nazareth and Life of Brian.

Sightseeing

Dominating Monastir’s skyline are the domes and minarets of the opulent Bourguiba mausoleum, a gleaming shrine to the town’s most famous resident – former president, Habib Bourguiba. Another sight to cross off your list is the 9^th-century Great Mosque, which sits next-door to the Ribat.

Exploring the area

The Sahara desert, the giant street market in Nebeul, and the ruins of Carthage are some of Monastir’s daytripping options. You’re also just an hour’s drive from El Jem Amphitheatre, the biggest in North Africa.