Monastir

Situated halfway between Sousse and Mahdia, and in the intersection of Kairouan and El Jem, Monastir is distinguished by its location in the central coast of Tunisia. It is an ancient city dating from Phoenician times. Due to its strategic location, it shelters the oldest and the most important ribat in the Maghreb: a lovely fortress that is one of Tunisia's finest examples of Islamic military architecture.
Monastir is also known as a really beautiful and calm city.

ABir27

By plane

Monastir is a three-hour flight from many principal European cities.

Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport

phone: +216 73 521 300

address: Skanes

Getting to the airport: the trip by taxi costs about 5 DT. Getting to the airport is also possible through train between Monastir and Sousse, since "Skanes-Monastir airport station" is 200 m from airport terminal.

By train

There are regular train services to Tunis and Sousse to the north and Mahdia to the south.

Gare Habib Bourguiba Monastir

By bus

Gare Routière de Monastir

The distances between the Medina, Ribat and Marina are small enough to be covered on foot. Taxis for longer distances within the city can be found everywhere and are very cheap (less than DT3 for a trip within the city).

Ad Meskens

Hamed Gamaoun

RibatThis fortified monastery is located next to the sea and provides a great visit with most of the ruins open to clamber over. It may be familiar as it has been used in several films as a stand in for Jerusalem, most notably Monty Python's Life of Brian. You can climb the tower and have a nice view over the coastline and city.

Ribat also houses
Islamic Arts Museum of MonastirContains illuminated manuscripts, Coptic textiles from the fourth to seventh century, textiles from the ninth century, the Fatimid glass of tenth and eleventh centuries, Abbasid pottery, coins of gold and silver from the tenth and eleventh centuries and especially unique: an Arabic astrolabe made in Cordoba in 927 CE.

Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba

phone: +216 71 341 077

address: Skanes

Enormous mausoleum, in the centre of a large cemetery. It holds the remains of former president Habib Bourguiba, the father of Tunisian independence, who died on April 6, 2000.

Museum of Habib Bourguiba

address: Palais Presidentiel de Skanes

It's a house of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president, which was later turned into a museum. It's worth a visit only if you're interested in the modern history of Tunisia, otherwise nothing spectacular.

Museum of folk arts and traditions of MonastirDisplays traditional Tunisian costumes: wedding costumes, adornments, woven domestic items and copper objects.

The Old Port el KahliaOld port with excellent location and panoramic views.

MarinaAdmiring looks, enormous yachts, floating restaurants and luxury hotels. It's also a nice place for a stroll in the sun and for a coffee.

Great Mosque of MonastirBuilt in the 9th century and then enlarged over the centuries. It now includes a prayer room and a minaret, and doesn't have a courtyard inside. Off-limits to non-Muslims.

Zaouia of Sidi Mansour Ba YazidMausoleum of 17th-century Muslim mystic.

Ancient ruins

address: Ghdamsi island

Further away

Lamta Archaeological Museum

address: Avenue Habib Bourguiba, Lamta
The ancient city of Leptiminus is located about 10 km south of Monastir. It was founded by Phoenician sailors around the 12th century BC. The modern city of Lamta was built on top of this ancient city, thus leaving almost nothing of it. Although some remnants from the times of Leptiminus can still be found in this museum.
Ribat Lamta
Museum of Moknine

address: Moknine

Bicycle rental
Karting

phone: +216 23400004

address: Airport Road, Tourist Area
The Palm Karting Monastir offers a great deal for those who are passionate for karting or those who want to try it. Two circuits (adults and kids), a coffee shop, a great Mexican restaurant and a nice party space.
Carriage. You can also go around Monastir with the famous and traditional carriages and of course for a good price.
Touristic train. It is a cheap and original means to discover the city.
Flamingo Golf Course

phone: +216 73 500 283

address: Route de Ouardanine B.P. 40
Palm Links Golf Course

phone: +216 73 521 910
Designed by Californian architect.

MedinaOnly a small section of the original Medina remains but it contains a bazaar selling the usual souvenirs, artisanal jewelry, pottery and carpets. Prices seemed to be generally lower than in nearby Sousse.
MonoprixA large supermarket near the southeast wall of the Medina. You can buy everything here, including alcohol (wine/beer) at the back entrance. Next to Monoprix is a small local market for meat, vegetables, bread, etc.

The infrastructure of hotels is of a remarkable quality and continues to get even better. Classed hotels (from one to five stars) are beyond reproach for hygiene and facilities. Covered swimming pools, sporting facilities, mini-clubs for children and spa centers are very common.

Amir Palace

phone: +216 73 520 900

address: Dkhila
4-star hotel.
Dessole Bella Vista

phone: +216 73 520 555

address: Zone Touristique Dkhila Skanes
4-star hotel.
Delphin Ribat Hotel Monastir

phone: +216 73 466750

address: Av Habib Bourguiba
3-star hotel.
Marina Cap Monastir - Appart Hôtel

phone: +216 73 462 305

address: Port Marina Monastir
Nice studio apartments in the Marina with sea view, private bathroom and small kitchen. You can get a bargain price when booking online through one of the common hotel portals.
El Mouradi Skanes HotelA great hotel close to the beach. It is not a cheap hotel but it is worth the price.

Splurge

Royal Thalassa Monastir

phone: +216 73 520520

address: Skanes
The only hotel with 5 stars in town.

Monastir

Understand

Get in

By plane

By train

By bus

Get around

See

Further away

Do

Buy

Sleep

Splurge

Go next