Monastir

A ribat on the sea and a town tied to modern Tunisia's story.

Monastir's ribat is one of the most impressive in North Africa, its ramparts rising straight from the shore. Founded in the late 8th century, it was a fortress and a place of retreat, and its towers still frame the sea beautifully.

The town is the birthplace of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president, whose gold-domed mausoleum stands nearby. Together they make Monastir a compact lesson in the country's long history.

Highlights

• The ribat

• The Bourguiba Mausoleum

• The seafront

Best for: History, seaside walks

Photo: Habib M'henni / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0