Things to do in Monastir
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Top 10 attractions in Monastir
Ribat of Sousse
Ribat of Sousseis located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Hammamet in the eastern Mediterranean, in Tunisia, and is the historic core of the port city of Sousse. The ancient city was founded in antiquity and, through development across multiple historical periods, has gradually formed a unique urban layout. It features both well-preserved medieval coastal defense architecture and traditional markets full of local life, serving as an important window into understanding the history of Tunisia and Mediterranean culture. A representative view of this ancient city is the coastal defense complex from the Aghlabid dynasty. Visitors can climb the tower to look out over the white streets, the ancient Great Mosque, and the vast Mediterranean Sea. Beyond its historical relics, the ancient city still retains a vibrant daily life. The narrow, winding alleys are lined with shops, offering a dazzling array of goods such as spices, leather products, carpets, and pottery.Sousse Medina · 17.8km from Monastir
Great Mosque of Sousse
Located in the old city of Sousse, the Great Mosque is a religious building of great historical and cultural value. Built in the 9th century, the mosque is one of the exemplary buildings of the Aghlabid dynasty and is known for its simple and solemn design. The exterior of the mosque features solid stone walls and arched doorways, showing the unique style of early Islamic architecture. Visitors can stroll through the courtyard of the mosque and admire its quaint architectural details and tranquil atmosphere. Although the interior of the mosque is only open to Muslims, non-Muslim tourists can still visit the outside and feel its historical atmosphere. The tall tower of the mosque is part of the Sousse skyline and provides an iconic visual focal point. The Great Mosque of Sousse is not far from the city center and can be reached on foot. It has good public transportation connections to other major attractions and is an ideal starting point for understanding Tunisian history and culture.Sousse Medina · 17.7km from Monastir
Ribat of Monastir
Monastir · 635m from downtown
Amphitheatre of El Jem
Amphitheatre of El Jem is located in the town of El Jem in eastern Tunisia. It was built in the 3rd century AD, is grand in scale and magnificent in presence, and even after nearly 2,000 years of weathering, it still stands tall on the open plains. The entire structure is primarily built with massive stone blocks. Supported by layers of arches and a sturdy stone structure, it features a towering three-story facade reaching a height of over 30 m. The amphitheatre's long axis is nearly 150 m, and its short axis exceeds 120 m. It is estimated to have been able to accommodate over 30,000 spectators. Standing in front of the building and looking up, rows of stone arches unfold layer by layer, appearing both solemn and majestic while reflecting the rigorous and precise structural design of ancient Roman architecture. Stepping inside the amphitheatre, visitors can more vividly experience the scenes of ancient competitive events.El Jem · 54.5km from Monastir
Qaraiya Beach
Monastir · 928m from downtown
Archaeological Site of Carthage
Archaeological Site of Carthageis located on the shores of the Gulf of Tunis, northeast of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Nestled between the hills and the sea, it is one of the representative ancient civilization sites in the Mediterranean region. This ancient city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC. With its superior geographical location, prosperous maritime trade, and powerful fleet, it gradually developed into an important city-state that dominated the western Mediterranean. The site is spread over a wide area, and you will need to walk or use transportation to get between attractions. From the remaining columns of the seaside baths to the ancient sacrificial steles, and from the hilltop museum to the once-busy harbor, every ruin carries the memory of Mediterranean civilization. By visiting here, travelers can not only enjoy the magnificent coastal scenery but also gain a deeper understanding of North Africa's important status in the ancient Mediterranean world.Tunisia · Carthage
Medina of Tunis
Medina of Tunis is located in the heart of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Developed over a long period, it has gradually formed a compact urban layout with a maze of streets, where ancient mosques, traditional residences, and bustling markets together create a unique urban landscape. Strolling through it feels like stepping back in time, allowing you to experience the deep historical heritage and vibrant local life of Tunisia. Narrow streets, quaint stone walls, exquisite doors and windows, and courtyards hidden deep within the buildings all showcase the lifestyle of a traditional Arab city.Tunisia · Medina de Tunis
Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said is located in the suburbs of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, and is perched on a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, making it one of the representative coastal towns in Tunisia. It is famous for its blue and white architecture, winding cobblestone streets, and charming Mediterranean scenery. From a distance, the pristine white houses spread out in layers along the hillside, with blue doors and windows echoing the deep blue sea in the distance, creating a tranquil and beautiful Mediterranean landscape. Most of the houses in the town feature white walls, paired with blue doors and windows and wrought-iron decorations, forming a unique architectural style. Walking up the hillside, you can see the open bay and the vast blue sea. Especially in the evening, as the sun slowly sets into the Gulf of Tunis, the golden afterglow spills over the white walls and blue windows, casting a warm glow over the entire town and making the scenery particularly enchanting.Tunisia · Sidi Bou Said
Avenue Habib Bourguiba
Avenue Habib Bourguibais located in the heart of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, and is one of the city's important commercial and cultural avenues. With its wide streets and beautiful views, it is lined with cafes, shops, and historic buildings. It is both a microcosm of the city's modern life and an important window into understanding the historical changes and urban landscape of Tunisia. Strolling down the avenue, you can feel the unique atmosphere where European architectural styles blend with North African urban culture. The street is spacious and lined with trees, and the central tree-lined green belt adds a touch of tranquility to the busy city. Hotels, shops, and various historic buildings from different periods line the street, where classical facades complement modern commercial spaces, presenting a distinct urban character.Tunisia · Tunis
Great Mosque of Kairouan
Great Mosque of Kairouan, also known as the Mosque of Uqba, is located in the northeast corner of the old city of Kairouan, a holy city in Tunisia. In 670 AD, the Arab general and founder of Kairouan, Uqba ibn Nafi, ordered the construction of this mosque at the beginning of the city's founding and planned it together with the governor's palace in the city center; after nearly two centuries, especially the large-scale expansion during the Aghlabid dynasty in the 9th century, it took on its current layout. It is one of the oldest surviving places of worship in the Islamic world and provided a model for later mosque architecture in North Africa. The exterior of the mosque resembles a heavy fortress, but stepping inside reveals a different world: a spacious courtyard paved with marble is surrounded by double-arched arcades on all four sides. The columns are mostly made of marble and granite salvaged from Roman and Byzantine buildings, many of which came from Carthage. In the center of the courtyard lies a sundial used to determine prayer times, and not far away is a rainwater collection basin carved in the shape of a horseshoe arch, where rainwater is filtered before flowing into an underground cistern. The three-story square minaret in the center of the north side is over 30m high, and Roman stones with Latin inscriptions are still embedded in its base. This tower is considered the prototype for minarets in North Africa and Spain and is the highest point in the old city, visible from far outside the city walls. The prayer hall on the south side is entered through several carved wooden doors. Inside, the hall is filled with a forest of stone columns and crisscrossing corridors, and the early use of horseshoe arches influenced later North African mosque architecture. ${S2}Kairouan · 66km from Monastir
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More ways to travel from Monastir
Free things to do in Monastir
Ribat of Sousse
Sousse Medina · 17.8km from MonastirGreat Mosque of Sousse
Sousse Medina · 17.7km from MonastirRibat of Monastir
Monastir · 635m from downtownAmphitheatre of El Jem
El Jem · 54.5km from MonastirQaraiya Beach
Monastir · 928m from downtownArchaeological Site of Carthage
Tunisia · CarthageMedina of Tunis
Tunisia · Medina de TunisSidi Bou Said
Tunisia · Sidi Bou SaidAvenue Habib Bourguiba
Tunisia · TunisGreat Mosque of Kairouan
Kairouan · 66km from Monastir
What travellers say about Monastir
Xiaoli_HKY12 August 2019
4.0
The ancient city is not big, but very beautiful. There is no commercial atmosphere yet. The ancient city is close to the sea. There is a small castle in the middle. You can spend 8 dinars to go up and have a look. After going up, you can overlook the whole ancient city. In the evening, you can see the national flag flying on the castle on the distant mountain, and the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea. You can also overlook the African fishermen who are packing up their stalls. The ancient Tunisia is fully displayed to the world.
Ribat of Sousse
老少皆宜（）15 November 2022
5.0
We visited the El Jem Colosseum in Tunisia, which was even more spectacular than the one in Italy. For centuries, the El Jem Colosseum has conquered all visitors with its grandeur, magnificence, scientific layout, and perfect harmony of structure, just like the pyramids in Egypt.
Amphitheatre of El Jem
yccui24 April 2025
5.0
#Drivers drive around Tunisia, North Africa
The ruins of Carthage, once a Mediterranean empire, are now only a remnant of its former glory. However, as a century-old power of workers, its prosperity can still be discerned from the architectural ruins.
Archaeological Site of Carthage
ayutrip21 March 2025
5.0
The Medina of Tunis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of narrow alleys. I visited on a rainy day, and the combination of the old cityscape and the overcast sky created a beautifully nostalgic atmosphere.
Medina of Tunis
Traveler511 March 2023
4.0
Known for its cobbled streets and blue-and-white houses, Sidi Bou Said is a charming town on a promontory overlooking the Mediterranean, with al fresco cafes, Tunisian eateries, and small art galleries. Early-20th-century Ennejma Ezzahra Palace features arches, ornate stucco, and patterned tilework, while Dar El Annabi is a historic house with wax figures in traditional costume.
Sidi Bou Said
小思文20 March 2020
4.0
Bourguiba Avenue is an important tourist street in Tunisia. The block is also the living area for local people. There are many specialty shops and food stores. The tourist shops on both sides of the street are also quite good. You can see a lot of good business atmosphere.
Avenue Habib Bourguiba
想飞的鱼062713 April 2020
4.0
Kairouan, the ancient cultural capital on the way to Tozeur, a desert oasis. Agrabit Cistern, the mausoleum of Saint Sidi Sahab, and the Great Mosque of Kairouan. I like the beautiful mosaics, which were imported from Italy during the Roman period.
Great Mosque of Kairouan