Originally named after a monastery which was built in the year 797 by the religious Islamics, Monastir lies on the central coastal shores of Tunisia. Many of the hotels offer wonderful views of the clear blue Mediterranean Sea and the fine, white sandy beaches.
Once a famous fishing port of Tunisia, these days the marina is nice to wander along the promenade and take in the sights. As in many resorts in Tunisia, public transport in and around Monastir is fairly limited. For excursions to Sousse or Mahdia there is a local train. A must visit whilst on holiday in Monastir would be the Ribat of Harthema, an 8th century fortress built on the coast.
The smaller restaurants often serve a better quality of food than the larger ones, which cater more for tourists looking for `International` cuisine. In Monastir, as in all of the resorts in Tunisia, you can find Moorish cafes, traditionally furnished and selling Turkish coffee.