Skanes Travel Guide

Skanes, with its beautiful and seemingly endless sandy beach, is a suburb of the Tunisian Mediterranean port town of Monastir. The town has happily given itself up as a tourist Mecca, centred on a modern marina and a revamped Medina crammed with souvenir shops and restaurants. Even its ancient Ribat (fort) has been rebuilt and glamorised by being used as the setting for several movies such as Monty Python's , as well as

The historic city of Monastir retains its ancient air of having been Tunisia's holiest place, and an important strategic stronghold that was once used as a base by Julius Caesar. Just a few miles from the centre of Monastir lies the extravagant stretch of grand hotels that have been built along the coast in the area known as Skanes. These magnificent architectural delights are set in acres of lush gardens, most of them encompassing their own patch of well-maintained sandy beach.

The Skanes hotels are well connected to Monastir and other nearby resort towns, such as Sousse, by a tourist road train and a plethora of taxis. Monastir also has the advantage of having its own international airport. Parasols and umbrellas pepper the beaches, along with the stands of local vendors and watersports equipment renters.

Shopping

Like everywhere in Tunisia a great deal of fun can be had haggling for bargains in the local medina. Monastir and Skanes are also well supplied with modern shopping centres catering to tourist needs.

Restaurants

Most dining in Skanes is confined to the hotel restaurants geared towards holidaymakers. But those wanting a change of eating venue are spoilt for choice in nearby Monastir, particularly around the marina and its adjacent shopping centre.

Here, restaurants, cafes, pizza parlours, and snack bars abound. Most of these establishments are aimed at European tastes and alcohol is served. Many even happily accept Euros in payment. Those wanting to try genuine local fare won't have to venture far and can enjoy the spicy dishes served with unleavened bread at far more affordable prices.

Nightlife

Holidaymakers will find that the nightlife in Skanes mainly centres on live entertainment and dancing provided 'in house' by the various hotels.

Holiday activities

There is no need to move off the hotel beach to have an action-packed holiday in Skanes, with a wide variety of watersports on offer from jet skiing to paragliding. Those needing a break from the sun, however, will find plenty of interest in exploring the 8th-century Ribat, or fort, in Monastir, which houses an interesting museum containing a collection of ancient Islamic fabrics, pottery and other artefacts.

Also worth a visit is the mausoleum of Habib Bourgiba, the first president of Tunisia, with its magnificent gilded dome. Most visitors enjoy a cruise in a felucca (sailing ship) or a camel safari into the local countryside. Golfers are in seventh heaven with a choice between the renowned Palm Links and Flamingo 18-hole courses.

Any negatives?

Vendors and shopkeepers often pester tourists to buy their wares. There is little for children to do apart from enjoying the sandy beaches.