The sea appears at the end of many streets in Monastir, giving the headland town a breezy charm and holiday vibe. The main beach unfurls to the west, where major hotels and resorts cluster behind miles of golden sands and the dazzling blue Mediterranean. In town, the ancient Ribat fortress is one of the oldest in North Africa, dating back to 796 AD. It’s home to a museum, lovely stone architecture and boasts views from the lookout tower across the medina to the sea.

Monastir’s convenient location makes it the ideal seaside base for interesting forays to historical gems such as El Jem and Kairouan inland or Sousse and Mahdia on the coast. Monastir is also the birthplace of the late president Habib Bourguiba, known as the father of Tunisian Independence, and is home to the elaborate mausoleum which honours his life.

Top three things to do in Monastir

Climb the tower in Monastir’s ribat

A ribat was used as a combination of fortress and place of worship, and many were dotted along the coast for defensive reasons. The ribat of Monastir is one of the largest and best preserved in Tunisia. It overlooks the harbour, and when you climb the watchtower you’ll be able to see for miles.

Discover Tunisia’s history

Monastir is perfectly located for easy trips to El Jem for its Roman amphitheatre and Kairouan for one of the world’s oldest mosques. These two historical heavyweights can also be combined into one trip. Kairouan is the fourth most holy city in the Muslim world, with a clutch of impressive sights, while El Jem’s colosseum rivals that of Rome.

Cruise to Kuriat Island

Less than 20km offshore from Monastir sit a pair of small, low-lying islands. The wild beaches are the major draw, but today there is also an emphasis on conservation. A turtle rescue station has been set up to monitor nesting activities, and an underwater information trail teaches snorkellers and divers about marine life and the protection efforts.