About Monastir
Monastir, also called Mestir, is a city on the central coast of Tunisia, in the Sahel area, some 20 kilometres south of Sousse and 162 kilometres south of Tunis. Traditionally a fishing port, Monastir is now a major tourist resort. Its population is about 93,306. It is the capital of Monastir Governorate.
Places to visit in Monastir
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Ribat of Monastir
HistoricAn eighth-century fortified building on the coast, used as a lookout and defensive base. Climb the watchtower for views of the city and sea, and visit the small museum inside.
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Bourguiba Mausoleum
LandmarkThe grand tomb of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president, with golden domes and twin minarets. Dress modestly, and visit the small exhibit on his life inside.
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Great Mosque of Monastir
Religious · 8 mi from centreA ninth-century mosque near the Ribat, with a simple and elegant prayer hall. Non-Muslims can only view it from outside, so combine it with the nearby Ribat.
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Medina of Sousse
Historic · 11 mi from centreA walled old town in nearby Sousse, with a ribat, mosque and busy souks. Take the light rail or a taxi from Monastir, and bargain for goods in the market.
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Amphitheatre of El Jem
Historic · 34 mi from centreOne of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world, located inland south of Monastir. Plan a half-day trip, and bring water and sun protection for exploring the arena.
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Port El Kantaoui
Entertainment · 15 mi from centreA resort marina north of Sousse with restaurants, shops and boat trips. Walk around the harbor in the evening, and look out for the colorful pirate ship cruises.
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Kuriat Islands
NatureTwo small, low-lying islands off the coast of Monastir with sandy beaches and clear water. Boat trips leave from the marina, and the islands are protected nesting sites for sea turtles.
Things to do in Monastir by type
22 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 12 experiences Berber Villages - Full-Day Tour -
Art & culture 7 experiences Berber Villages - Full-Day Tour -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 4 experiences Caravane and Quad Bike COMBO - Half-Day Tour Without Lunch -
Cruise & Water Tours 4 experiences Half Day Boat Excursion from Monastir - Skanes
- 3-6 hours 9
- Over 6 hours 6
- 1-3 hours 2
Top experiences in Monastir
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 22 available.
Northern Tunis: Carthage and Sidi Bousaid - Full-Day Tour
From $84 per adult
Kairouan, El Jem and Monastir - Full-Day Tour
From $87 per adult
Kairouan - Half-Day Tour
From $55 per adult
Friguia Parc - Half-Day Tour
From $47 per adult
Tunisia Countryside by Quad Bike - Half-Day Tour
From $38 per adult
Caravane Experience - Hal-Day Tour
From $38 per adult
Shahrazed Night - Dinner Show with Transfers
From $76 per adult
Pirate Boat - Half-Day Trip
From $35 per adult
Nabeul and Hammamet - Half-Day Tour
From $52 per adult
Tunisian Coastline by Catamaran - Half-Day Trip
From $58 per adult
Caravane and Quad Bike COMBO - Half-Day Tour Without Lunch
From $76 per adult
Quad Bike and Caravan Experience COMBO - Full-Day Tour with With Lunch
From $82 per adult
Where to stay in Monastir
Popular hotels in Monastir, out of 31 properties you can book.
Vincci Helya Beach
From $66 per night
Iberostar Selection Kuriat Palace
From $148 per night
Les Palmiers
From $38 per night
Delphin El Habib
From $54 per night
Marina Cap Monastir Appart Hotel
From $33 per night
Regency Hotel & Spa
From $85 per night
Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort
From $93 per night
Rosa Beach
Sahara Beach Aquapark Resort
Shems Holiday Village & Aquapark
Amir Palace
Houda Golf and Beach Club
Best time to visit Monastir
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Monastir is April to May and October to November, when average daytime highs are around 70–81°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Monastir weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 80° 72° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 76° 69° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 79° 67° 9%
- Sat 24 Oct 76° 64° 19%
- Sun 25 Oct 76° 58° 12%
- Mon 26 Oct 79° 64° 20%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Tunisian dinar (TND)1 US dollar ≈ د.ت3.00
- Language
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +216
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Africa/TunisUTC+1
- Capital
- Tunis
Upcoming public holidays in Tunisia
- Revolution Dayعيد الثورة
- New Year's Dayرأس السنة الميلادية
- Independence Dayعيد الاستقلال
- Martyrs' Dayعيد الشهداء
- Labour Dayعيد الشغل
- Republic Dayعيد الجمهورية
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Monastir
These are the airports closest to central Monastir. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- MIR Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
Getting around 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).
Monastir travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Monastir?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Monastir is April to May and October to November, when average daytime highs are around 70–81°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Monastir?
July is usually the warmest month in Monastir, with average highs of 93°F (34°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 52°F (11°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 60 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Monastir?
Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport (MIR) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of Monastir.
What currency is used in Monastir?
Monastir uses the Tunisian dinar (TND). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ د.ت3.00.
What time zone is Monastir in?
Monastir uses the Africa/Tunis time zone (currently UTC+1). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around 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).
What are the best places to visit in Monastir?
Top sights in Monastir include Ribat of Monastir, Bourguiba Mausoleum, Great Mosque of Monastir and Medina of Sousse. An eighth-century fortified building on the coast, used as a lookout and defensive base. Climb the watchtower for views of the city and sea, and visit the small museum inside.
What are the top things to do in Monastir?
Popular experiences you can book in Monastir include Northern Tunis: Carthage and Sidi Bousaid - Full-Day Tour, Kairouan, El Jem and Monastir - Full-Day Tour and Kairouan - Half-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 22 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Monastir?
The most popular types of experiences in Monastir are day trips & excursions (12), art & culture (7), outdoor activities & adventure (4) and cruise & water tours (4). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Monastir?
Popular areas for hotels in Monastir include Monastir and Skanes. Well-reviewed options include Vincci Helya Beach and Iberostar Selection Kuriat Palace.
How many hotels can I book in Monastir?
Destina Holidays currently lists 31 properties in and around Monastir, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
