a stone on a beach
Destination

Djerba

Discover the best hotel in Djerba

If you are looking for a peaceful, authentic destination in Tunisia with all the comforts of home, then come and explore the island of Djerba (also known as Jerba). Located on the southeast coast of Tunisia, in the Gulf of Gabés, and with an area of 514 m², this enchanting island is the perfect place to spend your next holiday in North Africa. To help you make the most of your holidays in Tunisia, you can access one of the best hotels in Djerba.

The island of Djerba is a corner of North Africa that has managed to combine its historical roots with the demands of tourists. Full of photogenic landscapes and tradition, this magical enclave will leave you pleasantly surprised.

With a Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman past and a population of Berber origin, Djerba was conquered by the Arabs in the 6th century and still today has one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, settled in the towns of Hara Kbira and Hara Seghira (or Er-Riadh). In the 15th century it was a refuge for pirates, and in the 19th century, it became a French colony.

So, what are you waiting for? Comer and discover these and other fascinating chapters of its history!

What to see in Djerba

A good place to start touring the island is the capital, Houmt El Souk. Crammed full of little white houses with blue doors and a lively morning market, this small town also hosts the interesting Coopérative Artisanale and the Museum of Popular Arts. Just 10 km away, there is the Ras Rmel Peninsula, where pink flamingo colonies abound from Spain and France, and where you have the chance to contemplate magnificent sunsets.

Some 22 km southwest of Houmt El Souk is Ajim, which houses both the main port and the largest palm grove in Djerba. A short distance away, you can see a small whitewashed building that was used in the filming of Episode IV of the Star Wars saga.

In the east, in the resort of Aghir, you can see the Borj El Kastil, a fort built in 1285 by the sailor Roger of Lauria. From there, a dirt track leads visitors to the vestiges of another fort called Borj El Jilliji. Located 18 km from Houmt Souk on a rocky slope, it was constructed in 1745 at the request of Ali Pacha and finished half a century later, coinciding with the reign of Hammuda ibn Ali.

Another defensive structure that you can't miss is Borj El Kebir, which has foundations dating back to Roman times. It is the largest and best preserved local castle, and is one of the most visited historical sites on the island.

In the south, we recommend visiting the charming village of Guellala which has an authentic outdoor pottery workshop and a museum, located on a hill, showing insights into the local customs of Djerba.

Of course, this list wouldn't be complete without the town of Midoun, where the Iberostar Mehari Djerba hotel can be found. Located 5 km northwest of Aghir, it has a lively market of crafts and agricultural products that takes place on Thursdays and Fridays, and is said to be one of the best on the island. In the outskirts of town, you will find an old maassera, a unique underground oil mill, where oil is still produced following traditional methods. Not far from there, you will run into the Jemaa Fadholoûn Mosque, which was built in the Wahabi style and is now abandoned. A stone's throw away from that is the Borj Ben Ayâd, a palace built in 1810 by order of the governor of Djerba.

What to do in Djerba

One of the principal tourist attractions in Djerba are the beach resorts. Its 125 km of fine sand coastline, bathed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean, are the ideal option for those who want peace and relaxation during their holidays in Tunisia. On many of them the intense turquoise blue sea is overlooked by palm trees and vegetation.

Djerba is also a perfect destination for active tourism enthusiasts. With proposals ranging from bike or horseback rides to hot air balloon trips or quad routes, the island is an ideal place for an active family holiday.

Moreover, the markets of Tunisia are ideal to buy seasonal fruit, spices and basket ware produced in the town of Sedouikech, and a host of other typical Tunisian products such as straw hats.

After an intense day of sightseeing or a day of bargaining, there is nothing better than tasting the best of Tunisian cuisine. Their dishes are prepared with typical local ingredients, such as vegetables, lamb or beef and pastries. The most popular specialty is of course couscous, a classic Mediterranean dish which can be made using many different methods and ingredients.

Book your hotel in Djerba

At Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, the aim for your trip to Djerba is to leave you with the best possible impression. Check it out and stay at the Iberostar Mehari Djerba resort. Enjoy a luxurious beachfront hotel, with both a children's pool and another outdoor pool, a concierge service, spa, babysitting services, an in-house doctor (for an extra charge), a gym, hair and beauty salon and one of the best golf courses in Djerba is just a short trip away.

So that you can really enjoy your holiday in Djerba, Tunisia, we offer All-inclusive packages, or if you prefer, you can also opt for the full or half board.

However if you are planning a business trip to Tunisia, this hotel has a choice of meeting rooms, perfect for organizing talks, conferences, presentations and corporate events. The team of Iberostar professionals will make sure they satisfy even your most demanding expectations.

Have a look at our discount promotions and offers of hotels in Tunisia, reserve one of the available rooms and get ready to enjoy an indescribable experience in the beautiful island of Djerba. Check out our all-inclusive deals, rest assured that you will find an unforgettable Tunisian holiday at a great price.

a beach with palm trees and buildings in the background

Main beaches in Djerba

Djerba’s beaches live up to the expectations of holidaymakers from around the world who come to this beautiful island off the coast of Tunisia, the largest island of North Africa, with a coastline stretching along 125km and bright, fine sand beaches. The calm crystal-clear waters and palm trees in Djerba have turned it into a heavenly luxury holiday destination on the Mediterranean coast. Djerba is also known as ‘the golden sand island.’

Main beaches in Djerba

  • Sidi Mahrez beach: It stands out for its beauty and slim palm trees on it. Beachgoers will love the calm and warm jewel-blue waters inviting them for a swim. The beach is 17km long and features nearby facilities, bars and restaurants to relax after a long day in the sun.
  • Seguia beach: This is a rather unspoilt beach of fine white sand, tall palm trees that resemble a wild, idyllic Caribbean landscape. Seguia is perfect for a romantic day with your loved one, away from the noisy touristy places in Djerba.
  • Rass Taguerness beach: It owes its name to the emblematic lighthouse that stands on it. The beach’s longish sand tongue runs onto the Mediterranean welcoming kids, groups of friends or couples. Rass Taguerness has a range of services and facilities, and nearby lively crowded restaurants.
  • Plage des 5000 Ans (5000 Years beach): Situated 8km away from Houmt Souk, the main town of the island of Djerba, 5000 Years beach is the closest beach to the centre of town and has a calm charming atmosphere. It has kept a wild nature and lacks beach umbrellas or lounge chairs. The sands are golden and the waters, calm, as usual in the beaches along the Mediterranean coast.
  • Aghir beach: Located in one of the main touristy areas of Djerba, Aghir is a fine-sand beach featuring a range of facilities and services. It is perfect for families and for doing water sports.
a beach next to the ocean

Activities in Djerba

The activities in Djerba are suitable for people of all ages and act as a complement to the fabulous beaches of the island, showing the best of Djerba’s arts and culture. The town has nice museums and wonderful mosques, old villages like Tataouine or Jewish settlements... There are one thousand sights in Djerba that reveal the interesting culture of the people of this Tunisian island.

What to do and what to see in Djerba

  • El Ghriba Synagogue: This ancient synagogue is one of the prettiest on the island and is among the oldest Jewish temples in the world. It is situated in the Jewish village of Hara Seghira and appears as a bright white space in contrast with its blue windows and doors. The synagogue is the destination of an annual pilgrimage of Tunisian and European Jews.
  • Traditional Heritage Museum of Djerba: This important museum in Djerba exhibits items from the island’s historic and cultural heritage. Also, it displays works of art from Tunisia and owns an important collection of items that highlight the island’s heritage.
  • Menzels: A menzel is a traditional rural estate of the island, actually the centre of the island population’s life. Each menzel consists of a low adobe house painted in white, a nice market garden enclosed with a hedge and a well. A total 5,000 or more menzels stand across the island.
  • Mosque of Sidi Brahim: Situated in the heart of Houmt Souk, this mosque is a symbol of Djerba’s religious art and culture. Built in the eighteenth century, this mosque has a simple, austere design. Djerba boastas as many as 200 mosques.
  • Tataouine: In Marmata, in the heart of Tataouine, stand the peculiar troglodyte belowground cave dwellings. The ancient settlement’s name became famous when the director of Star Wars shot scenes in Tunisia and named the main character’s home planet Tatooine.
  • Guellala Museum: It is an interesting museum in Djerba with information on festivals, traditions, typical costumes, legends, etc. The exhibits are displayed on the four rooms of this centre, the most popular with Tunisians.
  • Djerba Explore Park: This is an amusement park that extends over 12ha on the island. Designed to be a replica desert village it has other attractions too, like a crocodile farm, and gives an idea of the art, crafts and traditions of Djerba’s inhabitants

Experiences in Djerba

The experiences you can enjoy in Djerba combine the right dose of emotion, tradition and fun required to spend a great holiday on the Tunisian coast. Visitors can see the Tunisian locations where Star Wars was shot, go window-shopping in Houmt Souk, get a boat trip to Flamingo Island, etc. Being a luxury island holiday destination, Djerba offers a multiplicity of things to do and places to discover.

Experiences in Djerba: What to do

  • Boat trip to Flamingo Island: Get on a period ship at the port of Houmt Souk and set sail towards Flamingo Island, where pink flamingos come to winter. The island boasts a spectacular wild area, Ras Rmel, with docks, flour-like white sand and a beautiful lagoon.
  • Shopping in Houmt Souk: The capital of the island invites visitors to walk the narrow streets and get into the shops to buy authentic take-homes from Djerba. A nice shopping area is the qaysariya, with stalls with nice jewels and silver items on display.
  • Tea houses on Habib Burguiba Avenue: Choosing one of the many traditional tea spots and sipping an exquisite green tea is an experience not to be missed in Djerba. Tea houses with outdoor tables are popular with locals for 5-o’clock tea.
  • Tour of Tataouine: This exotic region in Djerba was the location chosen by filmmaker George Lucas to shoot the desert scenes in the first Star Wars movie. Visitors can travel to the home planet of Anakin Skywalker, Tatooine.
  • Eating out in the port of Djerba: Spicy and truly exotic, the food from Djerba can be sampled in the port of the capital. Djerba-style couscous and same-day caught fish are some of the dishes offered in the restaurants that line the port.
  • A walk through Borj El Kébir: The big fortress (this is what the name means) of the capital is one of the best spots to watch the sun going down in the city of Houmt Souk. Come with your family and walk along the incredible walls, find the catacombs and enjoy the views of the port and you will have a great experience.

Major events in Djerba

The events and popular fiestas in Djerba pack the local calendar. There is music, theatre, dance and gastronomy, sports events or national holidays. On all these days, visitors have the chance to get deep into the culture and traditions of this great country.

Major events in Djerba

  • March – Youth Day: The celebrations are held throughout the country, as it is a national holiday in Tunisia. Djerba too holds different functions and events full of joy and numerous open-air activities.
  • April/May – Jewish Passover: Passover in Tunisia is one of the most important Jewish feasts in Africa, which is why the country is a pilgrimage destination, especially the El Ghriba synagogue. However, the real celebrations are held in the homes, as Passover is more of a family celebration.
  • May – Heritage Month: The entire month is devoted to the commemoration and dissemination of the island of Djerba’s rich heritage, the arts and history, the different cultures that settled here, etc. by means of exhibits and other types of events.
  • July/August – Ulysses Festival: The international festival held in Djerba in the summer includes music, cinema and theatre, plus cultural events aimed at disseminating the local heritage among tourists from other parts of Tunisia and beyond.
  • August – Guellala Festival: This beautiful region in Djerba stages a very nice pottery festival. Visitors can buy lovely articles made by handicraft and watch the best potters of Djerba in action.
  • November – Oasis Marathon: One of the main sports events in Djerba and the Sahara, the Oasis Marathon is a six-stage race across the island that has been held for a decade now. It is considered an international festival for sports travellers and a chance to enjoy interesting cultural events and sights.
  • December – Olive Festival: The festival is very popular with locals, as it celebrates the end of the olive harvest season. Olives are a main staple in Djerba and Tunisia. Try the olive oil produced in Djerba; it is excellent.

Sports in Djerba

Djerba makes the ideal stage to do all kinds of water sports or walk the austere desert paths that run across most of the island. Djerba has facilities for sailing, water skiing or diving, and is perfect for hiking around Tataouine or playing tennis.

Sports in Djerba

  • Running across Tataouine: The area around Tataouine is quite arid, contrasting with the rest of the island, which is known as the garden island. The spectacular landscape and the challenging environment attract a growing number of runners, especially to one of the most popular races in Djerba, the Trail in Tataouine.
  • Windsurfing in Sidi Mahrez: Many people come and try some windsurfing on Djerba’s shore. In the final days of summer the wind blows in for windsurfers and regattas are held on several Djerba’s beaches drawing the world’s best windsurfers.
  • Diving in Houmt Souk: The beaches that lie close to the capital of Djerba are attractive diving spots. Official diving clubs are fully equipped, and the seabed, amazing. Those who prefer snorkelling can sail towards Flamingo Island.
  • Playing tennis in Djerba: The island enjoys nice weather all year round, which enables holidaymakers to play tennis in one of the most exotic landscapes in the Mediterranean. The island features a good number of tennis centres and schools.
  • Playing golf on Djerba’s coast: A pebble’s throw from Djerba’s shore are several golf courses where golf lovers can play their favourite sports by the sea. The clubs are fully equipped, most of them have 18-golf courses and boast everything players might expect from a top golf facility.