A jewel of southern Tunisia, Djerba is a 514 km² Mediterranean island bathed in a unique light that has inspired painters and writers for centuries.
A jewel of southern Tunisia, Djerba is a 514 km² Mediterranean island bathed in a unique light that has inspired painters and writers for centuries. White sandy beaches, authentic medinas, palm groves, pink flamingo lagoons, Berber potter villages and an ancient synagogue: this multi-faceted island offers a genuine cultural mosaic where Muslims, Jews and Christians have always lived side by side. Its mild climate year-round makes it one of the preferred destinations for European travellers.
Inhabited since the Neolithic, Djerba — ancient Meninx — was a Phoenician trading post from the 8th century BC before becoming Roman. Identified by some with Homer's Island of the Lotus-eaters, it prospered under the Roman Empire thanks to the trade in purple extracted from murex and tuna fishing. Several ancient remains still bear witness to this era, notably the Roman causeway connecting the island to the mainland, still visible in calm weather near El Kantara.
In the 7th century, the Arab Islamic conquest gradually Islamised the island, but Djerba remained a stronghold of the Ibadi movement, a minority branch of Islam of Kharijite origin, marked by its rigour and egalitarianism. The island became a refuge for persecuted communities: the La Ghriba synagogue in Hara Seghira — one of the oldest in the world — testifies to a Jewish presence dating back, according to tradition, to 586 BC. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Djerba suffered raids from Spanish and Ottoman corsairs: the infamous Borj El Ghazi Mustapha in Houmt Souk preserves the memory of battles between Charles V and Dragut.
Under French protectorate rule (1881–1956), Djerba gradually opened up to tourism. After independence, tourism development intensified from the 1960s onwards with the construction of Djerba-Zarzis international airport (1970) and the development of the hotel zone in Midoun and Sidi Mahrez. Today, the island welcomes over a million visitors per year. The medina of Houmt Souk, the Fadhloun Mosque and the Turkish House were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 under the designation « Djerba: testimony to a model of occupation of an island territory ».
10 must-see sites selected by our local team.
The oldest synagogue in Africa according to tradition (6th century BC), it houses sacred manuscripts and hosts a major pilgrimage each year at Lag Ba'omer. Stunning interior architecture with blue ceramic tiles and antique chandeliers.
Former trading post listed by UNESCO in 2023. Covered souks (jewellers, weavers, grocers), Ottoman fundouqs converted into charming hotels, mosques and fountains. The morning fish auction market is quite a spectacle.
13th-century coastal fortress enlarged by the Spanish and Ottomans. Theatre of the sinister episode of the « Borj el-Roussian » (Tower of Skulls) in 1560 when Dragut massacred the Spanish garrison. Panoramic views over the port.
10 km of fine sand on the north-east coast, shallow turquoise waters perfect for children. Water sports centres, sun loungers and beachfront restaurants. Tunisia's longest beach.
Sandbank accessible by pirate boat or catamaran from Houmt Souk. Crystal-clear waters, snorkelling, grilled fish lunch on the beach. Colonies of flamingos and seagulls.
Ancient potter's village in the south of the island. Traditional workshops where artisans shape jars, gargoyles and amphorae using techniques inherited from the Phoenicians. Museum of Arts and Traditions of Djerba.
Fortified mosque from the 14th century in the heart of the palm grove. Minimalist Ibadi architecture with underground cistern, Quranic school and watchtower minaret. UNESCO 2023.
A 500 km² lagoon between Djerba and the mainland, a kitesurfing paradise thanks to its constant winds and shallow water. Many flamingos in winter.
Jewish village transformed into an open-air urban art museum since 2014: 250 murals by international street artists adorn the whitewashed walls.
Africa's largest crocodile farm with 400 reptiles, flamingo lagoon, Djerban heritage museum and reconstruction of the traditional Houch.
A journey through the ages that shaped Djerba.
Rebuilt several times on its ancient foundations, La Ghriba ('the solitary') houses one of the oldest Torah in the world. The inner sanctuary is adorned with blue Persian ceramics and precious wood. A major Jewish pilgrimage site, it welcomes thousands of pilgrims from around the world each May for the Lag Ba'omer festival.
Historic centre of the island classified UNESCO in 2023. Its 17th-century funduqs (caravanserais), now converted into charming hotels, tell the story of Djerba's commercial history. Hedi Chaker Square houses several mosques, including the Mosque of Foreigners (1763) with Ottoman architecture.
Fortress originally Hafsid, greatly enlarged by Roger de Lluria (Sicily, 1289) then by the Spanish and Ottomans. In 1560, Dragut massacred the Spanish garrison here. The soldiers' skulls were stacked to form a pyramid, the Borj El Roussian, only dismantled in 1848.
Fortified mosque typical of Djerban Ibadi architecture: thick whitewashed walls without decoration, rectangular minaret used as a watchtower, underground cistern for ablutions. Spiritual centre and Quranic school for centuries.
Built by foreign merchants of the medina, it illustrates provincial Ottoman architecture: octagonal minaret topped with a dome, domed prayer hall. Today a rare example of non-Ibadi religious architecture in Djerba.
North Africa's largest Jewish pilgrimage. During Lag Ba'omer, thousands of pilgrims from around the world converge on the synagogue for 3 days of prayers, processions and celebrations.
Tunisian music concerts, malouf, folk dancing and open-air theatre in the Houmt Souk amphitheatre.
Demonstrations, exhibitions and competitions bring together the island's finest craftspeople to showcase their millennia-old expertise.
You're here! Djerba is an island connected to the mainland by the Roman causeway of El Kantara (8 km) or by ferry from Jorf (25 mins, free). Djerba-Zarzis international airport is 8 km from Houmt Souk with direct flights from Paris, Brussels, Geneva, Frankfurt and many other European capitals.
Louages (shared taxis) between villages: 1–2 DT. Individual taxis: 5–15 DT per journey. Car hire recommended for free exploration (25–35 €/day). Electric bikes increasingly available in the hotel zone.
Plan a minimum of 4 days to make the most of it: 1 day for medina and culture (Houmt Souk, La Ghriba, Guellala), 1 day for water activities (Flamingo Island, kitesurfing or catamaran), 1 day for beach relaxation and hammam, 1 day desert excursion south (Matmata, Tataouine or Ksar Ghilane).
Very safe, one of the Mediterranean's most secure destinations. Welcoming population, low crime. The only risks are common scams (fake guides, unmetered taxis) — stay alert around tourist sites.
No. EU, Swiss, British, American and Canadian nationals can enter without a visa for tourist stays of up to 3 months. Valid passport required (6 months after return date).
Subtropical Mediterranean: mild and sunny year-round. Winter: 12–18°C, water 16°C. Summer: 28–35°C, water 26°C. 320 days of sunshine per year. Avoid July–August (possible heatwave) and prefer shoulder seasons (April–June, September–October).
Guellala pottery (jars, dishes), Tataouine Berber carpets, local olive oil, Deglet Nour dates, black soap with musk, artisanal harissa, amber and jasmine perfumes from the medina, silver hand-of-Fatma jewellery.
Yes in tourist hotels, licensed restaurants and specialist shops (General and Magasin Général). Local Celtia beer (3 DT). Decent Tunisian wines: Magon, Selian, Vieux Magon. Outside tourist zones, be discreet.
6 hotels (5★ + 4★) · 15 guesthouses & dar · 1 villa · from luxury thalasso to the medina of Erriadh.
📍 Sidi Mehrez
5-star resort · thalasso centre · 184m² kids' club · oriental décor with feet in the water.
📍 Sidi Mehrez
One of the island's most beautiful hotels, recently renovated · renowned thalassotherapy centre.
📍 Sidi Mehrez
Nestled in a 14-hectare garden · 4 restaurants including 3 à la carte · multiple activities.
📍 Sidi Mehrez
Set on 19 hectares by the Mediterranean coastline · high-end oriental setting.
📍 Sidi Mehrez
2,000 m² swimming pool · several restaurants · thalassotherapy centre · lush vegetation.
📍 Erriadh
Djerbahood medina · 5 rooms with white/blue décor · swimming pool · free bicycles · generous breakfast.
📍 Erriadh
Restored traditional houch (selection 2024) · rooftop jacuzzi for sunset views.
📍 Erriadh
Restored houch · swimming pool · sauna · billiards · kitchenettes · heritage charm + modern comfort.
📍 Erriadh
Boutique hotel with 2 swimming pools · 10 minutes from Houmt Souk · free WiFi · air conditioning.
📍 Houmt Souk
In the heart of the medina (old town) · rooftop terraces · authentic souk atmosphere.
📍 Midoun
Typical Djerbian style · private swimming pool · barbecue terrace · close to beaches.
📍 Aghir
5 air-conditioned rooms · swimming pool with sun loungers · 3 minutes' walk from the sea.
📍 Sidi Jmour
Wild west coast · sea views · swimming pool overlooking the ocean · bicycles available.
📍 Wild Coast
7 traditional rooms perched above the water · meditation and retreat space.
📍 Mezraya
6 rooms with kitchenettes · garden of palm and olive trees · swimming pool.
📍 Sidi Mehrez
4 independent houses with traditional Djerbian décor · private kitchen · pool or sea views.
Our local team designs your ideal Djerba programme. Private car or group place, the cheapest on the market.
