Welcome to your first encounter with an island you’ve probably never heard of. This charming Mediterranean isle is off the southeastern coast of Tunisia and a stark reminder of the stillness and beauty of the country. Although it feels small, Djerba is actually the largest island in North Africa and yet remains authentic and underdeveloped for mass tourism. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and will walk you through the best things to do in Djerba in this post.

How to get there

Djerba has an international airport, the Djerba–Zarzis Airport, that connects directly to the capital city of Tunis and other major international destinations, mostly in Europe. Once you arrive, you will be greeted by plenty of taxis that service you to your final destination.

Where to stay

Figuring out where to stay in Djerba largely depends on what you’d like to do while on the island. Our favorite stays are always smaller boutique hotels run by locals, which tend to be more authentic. In Djerbahood, we had an absolutely wonderful time being hosted at Dar Dhiafa. The town is twenty minutes away from the airport and more or less in the center of the island making it a bit out of the way from most beaches. Despite the distance, we highly recommend the neighborhood for a relaxing and secluded stay. Other boutique accommodations include Dar Bibine or Dar Lily.

If you prefer to stay right on the water, find accommodation in the Hotel Zone, which is a strip of large resorts and hotels adjacent to the turquoise water. We stayed at the Radisson Blu!

Things to do in Djerba

Erriadh village

The heart of Djerba lies within Erriadh where Muslim and Jewish communities beautifully bring together their respective religions and cultures into one treasured space. In the Jewish quarter, Hara Sghira, you can easily pick out Jewish adobes from the fish paintings and décor in front of their doors.

On the outskirts of the village is Synagogue Ghriba, the oldest synagogue in Africa and a popular Jewish destination for pilgrimage even today. The synagogue dates back around 500 B.C. and is said to have been built by Jews who had fled after the Roman destruction of the First Temple of Jerusalem. In fact, Djerba hosts the largest enclave of Jews in the region, many of whom fled to the island for refuge over the last several centuries.

Just a short walk away is the Fadhloun Mosque. A remarkable site from the 14th century that embodies unique Islamic architecture in Tunisia. It’s quite a captivating building and we highly recommend a quick visit to explore it.

Djerbahood

Within Erriadh, is Djerbahood a small sliver of the town dedicated to showcasing art and graffiti from artists from all over the world. Think of it as an open-air exhibit. Stroll through the narrow alleys and discover the beauty of art and the simplicity of living among these immaculate drawings.

In Djerbahood, check out La Placette, a small shop that serves small local dishes and fresh lemonade.

Houmt Souk

Visit the massive outdoor market and stroll through dozens of shops and cafes. Here you can find authentic Tunisian made goods, hand-woven baskets, pottery and traditional “babouches” or “balgha” slippers.

In the market, do not miss the opportunity to indulge a lunch or dinner at Al Fondouk Restaurant, an open-air space that mixes authentic features of Tunisian architecture with modern aesthetics and décor. Check out their art shop and gallery as well for local souvenirs.

Visit the Ghazi Mustapha Tower, locally known as Borj El Kebir, just north of Houmt Souk and near the marina.  The tower was built in the 14^th century but is more so known for being occupied by French troops when they invaded the island in 1881. Today it’s a museum and serves as a memory of the occupation as well as the liberation of Tunisia.

In the marina, pop by Restaurant Haroun, which is set up in an old wooden ship. Haroun offers exquisite fresh seafood and Tunisian delicacies but also a beautiful view of the sea. It is certainly unskippable.

Guellala

At the very southern tip of the island is the town of Guellala, where the Guellala Museum is perched atop a hill overseeing the island. The museum is dedicated to the folk art and traditions of Djerba’s inhabitants and has several exhibits showcasing traditional Tunisian customs, music and clothing.

Tataouine

Now it wouldn’t be a complete guide without an extraordinary excursion and we will deliver just that. Pack your bag, we are going to walk you through a day trip to Tataouine. Now, this is a two-hour trek from Houmt Souk or essentially any other part of the island, but the trip is well worth it.

Within the governorate of Tataouine, is the famed Ksar Ouled Soltane, fortified vaults atop a hill, that was built by Berber communities in 1699. Besides its historical significance, the site was also featured in the film Star Wars – making it a major tourist destination in the region.

Just 30 minutes away is yet another ancient fortified site, Ksar Hadada, which was built in the 12^th century. This particular site now has a replica of the ksar which operates as a hotel.

Here is the tour we did and highly recommend because it requires little planning from your end and a comfortable ride since the trip is a full day. If you want to see more of the area and visit Chenini as well, consider this tour here. For reference, we skipped out on Chenini because we had a late flight to catch from Djerba, otherwise, we would have tacked it on.