Houmt Souk as a Base for Several Days
Staying several days in Houmt Souk lets you see the town properly and then branch out. Three outlines follow, from a short island stay to a longer plan that includes the south of Tunisia. Journey times and prices for the southern loop depend on the operator, so ask for both in writing.
| Stay | Focus | Transport |
|---|---|---|
| 2 nights | Town and nearby villages | Taxi, bicycle |
| 3 nights | Island loop plus a boat day | Taxi, bicycle, boat |
| 5 nights | Island plus a southern 4x4 loop of 2 to 3 nights | Taxi, licensed 4x4 operator |
Two nights: the town and its neighbours
Spend the first day inside the souk quarter: Souk Errbaa, the jewellers’ lanes, the fish market and the port. Add Borj El Kebir and the Museum of the Traditional Heritage of Djerba, both of which charge 8 TND for non-residents and are closed on Fridays. On the second day take a taxi to Erriadh, about 8 km away, for the Djerbahood murals, and continue to Guellala, about 20 km away, for pottery workshops.
Three nights: add the coast and the lagoon
Use a third day for Midoun and the east-coast beaches, or for the Ras Rmel boat trip, which sails from the Houmt Souk port or marina. Flamingos feed on the flats from October to May but are never guaranteed. Spa hotels on the east-coast tourist strip, including Hasdrubal Prestige Thalassa & Spa and Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso, are an option for a rest day.
Five nights: add the south
An operator-led 4x4 loop of two to three nights through southern Tunisia can follow your island days. Typical stops are Matmata, with its underground courtyards and cave dwellings, the ksour near Tataouine, the hilltop villages of Chenini and Douiret, and optionally Douz and Ksar Ghilane. The drive to Tataouine town is some 130 to 145 km from Houmt Souk. Choose a licensed operator, and check the UK FCDO map before you book. The warnings include the Libya border band around Ben Guerdane, Remada and Dehiba, and the operator should keep the route well clear of it.
Where to stay
Houmt Souk has restored funduqs, the old courtyard inns. Larger hotels sit along the east coast.
Getting around between stops
- Metered taxis are easy to find in town. Check the meter is on.
- Cars, scooters and bicycles can be hired for the flat island. Cycle early in summer.
- Louages from the Houmt Souk station serve Zarzis, Medenine, Gabes and Tataouine.
- The El Kantara causeway and the Ajim-Jorf ferry link the island to the mainland, and ferry queues grow in bad weather.
Cash and heat
Carry dinars (TND) in cash, since cards and euros work at some hotels only, and keep exchange slips. Summer heat is severe, so carry water on every outing.
Compare rooms and stays on Booking.com . The FCDO travel advice has the regional map, and the UNESCO listing describes Djerba’s settlement pattern.
Read more: Day trips , romantic getaways and the 3-day Djerba itinerary