The Tunisian city of Monastir in the north-east of the country is best known as beach holiday hotspot with many visitors flocking there for the warm Mediterranean weather. Temperatures in Monastir can reach the mid 30°s in the summer months and stay mild during the winter. The fabulous beaches that serve as such an attraction to visitors contrast with the 9th century city with its preserved sites and old fortress making Monastir an ideal choice for visitors looking for a beach holiday with a traditional slant.
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The beaches are such a draw that Monastir is now largely a tourist resort with many hotels and apartments springing up a couple of miles away from Monastir in the area known as Skanes. Here you will find the white sandy beaches and large hotels that the area is best known for. Skanes is also perfect for watersports enthusiasts with jet skiing, paragliding, windsurfing and much more on offer. If you get tired of sunbathing, Monastir also has traditional Tunisian souks where you can browse stalls selling all sorts of Tunisian goods.
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The relatively small size of Monastir means that you need to enjoy spending time relaxing in the sun to make the most of your time here. The best beaches are found in Skanes and Dkhila which are just a couple of miles away from the centre of Monastir. Here you can find the area's main hotels with beautiful stretches of white sand and clear waters. These areas are particularly popular with Brits and because of this, much of the resort is geared up for British visitors. Skanes hotels may be a couple of miles outside Monastir but they are well connected to it by a road train and cheap taxis which are easily available.
| The beaches are such a draw that Monastir is now largely a tourist resort... |
Visitors looking for a break from the beaches should take time out to explore the 9th century city. Traditionally a fishing port, the modern day Monastir may be much more tourist orientated but there are still ancient sites that are well worth visiting. The Ribat fortress is the city's best known site and any film fans will immediately recognise it as the setting for 'Monty Python's Life of Brian', as well as 'Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Ark'. Here you can find a lookout tower and museum which contains ancient Islamic writings, pottery, fabrics and more. In front of the Ribat you can also find Cap Marina. Here you can find out about the fishing trade which the city was originally built around. The marina is also the best place to try the selection of different food on offer with various restaurants, cafes and snack bars available. Helpfully many of these also accept Euros as well as the normal Tunisian Dinar.
The way to shop in Monastir is to visit the souk which can be found in old part of the city. Here you can find everything from carpets to leather work, jewellery to souvenirs and much more in between. The souks are a hagglers paradise with initial prices usually heavily inflated. As a starting point, offer 50% of what the asking price is and you will probably end up meeting in middle.
