Djerba · Excursions
To get off the island for a day, head to southern Tunisia and the Tataouine region, about 2.5 hours' drive from Djerba via the El Kantara Roman causeway. This is where some of the most spectacular landscapes in the south of the country are concentrated — and a good part of the visual world of the planet Tatooine in Star Wars. Fortified Berber ksour, perched troglodyte villages and film sets turned cult favourites make up a circuit almost always done as an organised excursion. Here is our complete guide to planning this day away from Djerba.
The classic circuit: Berber ksour and Star Wars film sets
The typical circuit strings together four main stops. First, Ksar Ouled Soltane, a 15th-century Berber collective granary with up to 400 ghorfas spread across four storeys — widely presented as having inspired and served as a set for the slave quarters of Mos Espa in "The Phantom Menace." Next comes Ksar Hadada, another ksar-turned-film-set now a hotel-restaurant, then Chenini, a perched troglodyte village offering one of the region's finest panoramas. Many circuits add a stop at Matmata, home to the famous Sidi Driss hotel — Luke Skywalker's "Lars homestead" in the original film. A small nod for fans in a hurry: Ajim, on Djerba itself, also served as a set for Mos Eisley in Episode IV. So there's no need to go all the way to Tataouine for a first taste of the Star Wars atmosphere, but the full circuit in the south remains unmatched for the scale of its landscapes and the authenticity of its Berber architecture, miles from any standardised tourist development.
Ksar Ouled Soltane, a 15th-century Berber collective granary
Planning your day: practical tips
This excursion is sold by numerous different agencies in Djerba, with fairly similar packages: allow a full day, between 10 and 12 hours, departing generally between 6.30 and 7.30am given the distance to cover. Lunch is most often included in the price, around €60 to €90 per person depending on the agency and package. Better to book an organised excursion, with transport and a guide, than to drive solo: the road is decent, but the sites are scattered and not always well signposted, with distances measured in tens of kilometres between each stop. Remember to bring plenty of water, as the sites are very exposed to direct sun with little shade. A good pair of closed shoes is also recommended for scrambling around the ghorfas and Chenini's alleyways.