Djerba

Djerba, Tunisia

Djerba, the largest island of North Africa, is situated southeast of Tunisia on the Gulf of Gabes, and is ringed by miles of sandy beaches and luxury hotels. With its ideal temperate climate, this is another very popular Tunisian destination. The many resort hotels provide anything you need for lazy days of sunbathing, plus a wide range of activities like thalassotherapy or water sports.

Population:

139,000

Currency:

TND (Tunisian Dinar)

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 197
Fire Brigade: 197
Ambulance: +216 75 650 018 / 190

Opening Hours:

In general public services, banks, museums and shops are open from 8.00 to 12.00 noon and from 14.00 to 17.00. During the summer the afternoon hours can be from 15.00 to 18.00. Some banks open non-stop from 8.00 to 16.15, Monday to Friday. Museums close on Monday and Bank Holidays. Shops close on Sunday and Bank Holidays.

Newspapers:

Le Renouveau
Le Quotidien
Essahafa

The City

Djerba is first and foremost known for its exceptional beaches, landscape and hotels, as well as its shooting location for the Tatoine’s Mos Eisley exterior scenes in the famous Star Wars movie. The main tourist zone is situated on the east side, along Sidi Mahrez and Seguia beaches (around Midoun).

Touring the island is affordable. Wherever you go, you’ll never be more than thirty minutes from your hotel, and you will be surprised how splendid Djerba is in its diversity. The main centre is the city of Houmt Souk, with its beautiful lively markets and souks, and traditional hotels with vault rooms – the "funduqs." Most of the hotels have been built around courtyards and are very atmospheric. The rest of the island is a series of villages and small places, often ignored by tourists, yet authentic and picturesque – such as Guellala which houses a huge pottery and ceramic production centre.

You’ll be amazed by the atypical mosques, some are very old and built like fortresses, and the traditional architecture of the "menzels," farms made up of square whitewashed houses.

Do & See

With hundreds of mosques, five hundred thousand olive trees and hundreds years of history influenced by the Roman, Ottoman, Berber and Jewish empires, this oasis at the doors of Sahara has everything to give your stay a real change of scenery!

Dining

The national dish is rice and curry, traditionally eaten with your fingers. Cutlery is provided for foreigners. The meal consists of six or seven plates of fiery meat, fish and chicken served with heaps of rice accompanied by side dishes of yoghurt and cucumber and vegetable curries. Roadside stalls also dish up snacks like rotis (pancakes) and malu pan (spicy meat or fish rolls).

Cafes

Djerba offers some wonderful oceanview cafes to rest your feet and discuss further actions for the day. Grab a tea or coffee in the afternoon and come back in the evening for cocktails. Most offer you spacious terraces with tables in the shadow to enjoy your time.