Get your art head on at Gallery Espressioni
Expect displays from local artists, art and design fairs, and even concerts sometimes! The arts and crafts sold are all made by locals, and you can pop in the café for a coffee and chat with a dash of culture.
Get your adrenaline pumping at Spring Land
A fun-filled amusement park with racing cars, kid-friendly coasters, floating rapids and more - plus a café for delish meals and drinks. Choose the order in which you do those things wisely, though.
Get lost in the old Medina
Monastir's Medina or 'Old Town' to you and me, is like a maze of cobbled streets with historic architecture, authentic souks and shops selling everything from spices to textiles.
Get a hole-in-one at Golf Flamingo
This 18-hole golf course is smack-dab in the middle of the city, with well-maintained grounds, around 2,000 olive trees, three water holes, seven cliff holes and a sloped green. Apparently, to someone who plays golf, that means quite a lot. There's also a clubhouse for everything you need - including equipment rental and dining options.
Get your history fix at the Amphitheater of El Jem
Roman colosseum who? This place is about an hour's drive from the centre of Monastir (in the modern-day city of El Djem), but it's well worth it if you like your history the way you like your Insta feed - aesthetic. This oval amphitheatre has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, and it's an absolute beaut.
Get on your bike
Monastir has dedicated promenades and cycling routes right along the coast, so getting in some pedal time is a doddle. You'll also find places to rent your two-wheel ride from -so don't worry about trying to squeeze one in your suitcase, Mary Poppins-style.
What events can I go to in Monastir?
In Monastir, the calendar's as vibrant as a souk on a busy day. Every season rolls out the red carpet for festivals that dazzle and delight. Ready to mark your calendar? Here we go...
The Ksibah Spring Festival (March/April) - welcome spring with open arms at this lively event. It's a blend of cultural exhibitions, traditional music, and dance that showcases the rich heritage of Monastir.
Monastir International Film Festival (April) - film buffs, rejoice! This festival rolls out the red carpet for international and local flicks. It's your ticket to cinematic adventures under the Tunisian stars.
Summer Festival of Monastir (July/August) - summer in Monastir means nights filled with concerts, beach parties, and theatrical performances. It's the ultimate contrast of warm weather and cool tunes.
The Festival of the Sea (August) - salute the sea with this maritime festival. Expect boat races, seafood galore, and activities that celebrate Monastir's bond with the blue beyond.
Raid des Sables (October) - for the adventurers, this off-road rally through the sands offers adrenaline and scenery in equal measure. It's a test of endurance and a feast for the eyes.
The Olive Harvest Festival (November/December) - celebrate the olive - a staple of Tunisian cuisine - with tastings, folk dances, and a look at the local olive oil production process, which we promise is more interesting than it sounds.
Where's the best nightlife in Monastir?
Monastir's nightlife is a vibrant blend of Mediterranean breezes and Tunisian rhythms, perfect for when the night calls for a bit of spice. From beach bars to chic lounges, here's where the magic happens:
Living Bar Monastir - this spot is the heartbeat of Monastir's nightlife, where the tunes are always fresh and the crowd's always ready to dance. It's the place to be if you're looking to mingle and move.
Safari Pub - dive into the wild side at Safari Pub, where themed nights bring the jungle to the beach. It's quirky, it's fun, and it's unforgettable. (Depending how many shots of boukha you have.)
The Lemon Bar - sip cocktails with a twist at this chic spot. With its sleek design and refreshing drinks menu, it's the ideal place to chill and chat under the stars.
Plaza Beach Club - beach by day, club by night, Plaza Beach Club offers the best of both worlds. Dance with your toes in the sand to DJ sets that keep the summer vibe going all year long.
Coco Beach Club - a little slice of paradise where you can lounge on swanky daybeds by the sea, then party the night away as the DJ cranks up the volume. It's classy, it's cool, and it screams holiday mode.
High Square Rooftop - for those who like their drinks with a view, High Square Rooftop offers stunning vistas of Monastir by night. It's the perfect spot for a romantic date night or a boujee night out with friends.
The Saloon Pub - channel your inner cowboy at The Saloon Pub, a western-themed bar that's as much about the ambiance as it is about the drinks. Yee-haw!
Brooklyn Bar - a slice of New York in Monastir, where the urban chic décor and innovative cocktails make for a trendy night out. It's the spot to see and be seen.
What's the food like in Monastir?
Prepare to embark on a taste adventure where spices meet the sea, and every dish tells a story. Here's the scoop on the must-eats of Monastir:
Couscous – a cultural icon! Tuck into these steamed semolina grains served with a hearty stew of meat and veggies.
Brik à l'œuf – a crispy, thin pastry wrapped around a whole egg, tuna, capers, and herbs, then deep-fried to perfection. Just trust us on this one. It's the ultimate snack with a crunch that satisfies.
Grilled seafood – with the Mediterranean lapping at its shores, Monastir's seafood is as fresh as it gets. Most menus will serve it grilled to smoky perfection, seasoned with local herbs, and served with lemon for that zesty zing.
Tunisian salad – refreshing, colourful, and bursting with flavours, this salad mixes tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and a plethora of local veggies, topped with tuna and eggs, dressed in olive oil and lemon. It's like a lighter, deconstructed version of the brik à l'œuf.
Chorba – a savory soup that warms your soul, made with tomatoes, herbs, meat, and sometimes pasta or rice. Each slurp is like a comforting, Tunisian hug.
Makroud – sweet-lovers, rejoice! These semolina cakes are stuffed with dates, then fried, and then soaked in honey. They're the delightful squares of joy that no visit to Monastir is complete without. We don't tell the dentist if you don't.
Lablabi – a humble yet flavourful chickpea soup, often enriched with garlic, cumin, and olive oil, served over pieces of stale bread. It's a street food staple that packs a punch.
