Touristic life in Monastir revolves around its ancient centre, lingering now on the dusty banks of the Mediterranean Sea for more than 2,000 years. Crowned by the magnificent sandstone Ribat and its looming towers and bulwarks, still adorned with their ancient battlements and Arabesque gateways, the town is a veritable must for any history buffs making their way through Tunisia.
Be sure to ask your Monastir tourist guide for a walking route around the old town that encompasses all of the major points of interest, from the looming domes of the honorific Bourguiba Mausoleum, to the interior courtyards of the great Ribat fortress—where it’s possible to see filming locations used by Monty Python and many others looking to mimic the ancient authenticity of the Middle East.
But it’s not all about the past here either, and travellers looking to sample a more off-the-beaten-track style of Tunisian bazaar town will enjoy wandering the cobbled streets of the centre, with its carpet stalls and crafts merchants. Then there’s Skanes just a stone’s throw to the north-west, with its beaches and golf courses and excellent family hotels.