The Star Wars filming location is the island of Djerba on the map. Djerba - a sunny island in the southeast of Tunisia Advantages of holidays in Tunisia Djerba island

The small, mythical island of Djerba, framed by palm trees, is beautiful, but there are many tourists here who flock not only to relax on the wonderful beaches, but also to explore the unique houses and mosques. The island has many date farms and olive groves. Whitewashed mosques with strong walls (this is unusual for Tunisia) shine under the bright rays of the sun. Cycling around the island is an excellent way to experience its charm.

Thrives in Djerba fishing, and fish are still caught using traditional methods. In the port you can see long rows of terracotta pots strung on string, each in the shape of a turnip and about 45 cm high. At the top of each pot there is a string tied around the rim. Fishermen leave the pots tied to one another in the sea several miles from the coast. For some inexplicable reason, these pots literally attract octopuses - they have been caught this way since the Phoenicians discovered this method of fishing 3,000 years ago.

The island of Djerba is connected to the mainland by a 6.5 km long causeway, which is believed to remain from Roman times. They say that this island is the very mysterious place where Odysseus met lotus eaters, “lotus eaters.” Unlike Odysseus, many of the vacationers who have ever visited Djerba come here again. The climate here is very pleasant, the people are friendly, the beaches are beautiful and extensive, and far from the coast, despite all the pressure of seaside mass tourism, traditional provincial Tunisia is still preserved. Water supply is now provided by two main pipelines coming from the mainland.

Djerba and its population followed a different development path than the rest of Tunisia. As on the mainland, Djerba was initially inhabited exclusively by Berbers. But, unlike other regions of Tunisia, the Arab conquerors were unable to either displace or assimilate the local tribes. The Berbers of Djerba belong to a special Islamic religious community - the Ibadis. They reject any entertainment and luxury, lead a very modest and unpretentious lifestyle and do not build large mosques for themselves. Families gather for prayer in simple rural chapels in their own farmsteads (menzelach).

The architecture of the Ibadis of Djerba is also different from what we see in the cities. Menzels and mosques are built of clay and whitewashed on the outside. Each such structure is like a small fortress: it is surrounded by high walls and has a reservoir into which water from scanty rains is collected. A soft building material does not allow for straight lines or right angles, and therefore architectural forms appear very soft, fluid and alive.

The most striking feature of the Ibadis is their tendency to live as “individuals.” The local peasants never settled in villages, but built their menzels at a considerable distance from their neighbors. And, as a result, there have never been large cities on the island. And those that exist today arose from the bazaars where traders from the mainland settled. This method of settlement is also surprising because Djerba was endlessly subjected to threats and attacks: after the Arab conquest (VII century) the Normans followed (XII century) and the Spaniards (XVI century). Then pirates, supported by the Ottomans, settled on the island. All the conquerors tried to settle on the coast, but almost no one touched the Ibadis, who lived in the center of the island.

Two towns, Hara Segira and Hara Kebira, were founded by Jews who are believed to have settled in Djerba as early as the 6th century BC. e. Written references to the Jewish community on the island of Djerba have been known since the 11th century.

Houmt Souk

Houmt Souk (Houmt Souk)- is the capital of the island, and for a long time it was the only large settlement on Djerba. The market was held here, hence the name houmt souk, “market quarter”. Despite all its importance for trade, these days this bazaar occupies a rather modest area. When Djerba residents go shopping, they prefer modern shops or the Libyan Market on the outskirts of town, where they sell a mixture of second-hand goods and bootleg goods.

It is best to enter the bazaar from the east side, from Abdel Hamid el-Qadi Street (Rue Abdel Hamid el-Khadi). On the sides of the narrow entrance to Old city there are two mosques. Foreigners Mosque (Mosquee des Etrangers) with a square minaret and white domes over the prayer hall, as its name implies, it was intended for the “newcomers” visiting Khumt Souk.

Opposite it stands the Ibrahim el-Jemni Mosque, founded in 1674. (Ibrahim el-Jemni), with its own hammam located a few steps away. Along a narrow alley you can go to the pretty Hedi Shaker Square (Place Hedi Chucker) and further to Farhat Hashed Square (Place Farhat Hached), where cafes and restaurants await guests between blooming bougainvillea and hibiscus bushes. On the way you will meet caravanserais (foundouk), for which Houmt Souk is so famous. Traders used to stay in caravanserais: goods and pack animals were placed on the first floor, and rooms for guests were located on the second. Today, in hotels such as the Er-Riadh or the Touring Club, you can taste this caravanserai atmosphere - provided you are willing to give up the shower in your room.

To the north of both squares lies the bazaar (Souk), partly indoors, where you can find many jewelry shops. From time immemorial, residents of Djerba of Jewish origin have worked with gold, because the Berbers consider this metal unclean. In addition to jewelry, the bazaar sells woven carpets, pottery and clothing, but everything is quite expensive. high prices. If you come here in the morning, you can get to the fish auction. Freshly caught fish are praised at the top of their voices, the seller holds a whole bunch of them high above his head, resellers jostle, offer prices, and shout.

At the northern end of the bazaar, near Arisha Square (Place Arisha) another caravanserai and a Catholic church will be discovered, in which services have now been resumed.

Tayeb Mhiri Street (Rue Taieb M"hiri) leads past the seven domes and round minaret of the Turkish Mosque (Jamaa et Trouk) to the northern outskirts of Houmt Souk and towards the port. Here, dominating everything, rises the fort of Ghazi Mustafa (Fort Ghazi Mustapha), built in the 15th century on Roman foundations. It served as the scene of one of the most terrible atrocities of the notorious corsair Dragut, who began his career in the service of the Ottomans, but soon broke away and terrorized his Mediterranean neighbors with his fleet. In 1560, when Dragut stormed this fortress, about 6,000 Spaniards took refuge in the fort. They were captured and beheaded. From their skulls, Dragut ordered to build an ominous tower in front of the fort, which travelers talked about back in the 19th century. The obelisk reminds us of this today.

Opposite and diagonally there is the Haroun restaurant, which used to be considered the best in Djerba. You can have a great time here, but the price and quality clearly do not correspond to each other. The same “Nagoip” organizes sightseeing trips to Flamingo Island (lie des Flamants). On this peninsula, camp tablecloths are laid out and Tunisian delicacies are served, while flamingos serenely wander through the water, looking for food at the bottom.

It will be very interesting to visit the Houmt Souqa Museum, located in the halls of the zawiya on Abdel-Hamid el-Qadi Street. Zawiya is religious center Muslim community. Most often, a zawiya consists of the tomb of its founder, a mosque and premises where pilgrims can stay. The museum displays traditional clothing and wonderful jewelry from Djerba. In the kubba - mausoleum, where two saints are buried at once, one is amazed by the completely unique design of the dome made of cylindrical ceramic tubes inserted into each other.

Hotel zones

Hotels are concentrated on the north-eastern promontory of Djerba around the cape of Ras Tagernes (Ras Taguerness).

IN westward from the lighthouse at the cape (the entrance to which is closed) Sidi Mahres beach extends (Plage de Sidi Mahres), to the south, hotels and restaurants line Segia Beach (Plage de la Seguia) towards Agir (Aghir). Hotel guests can find endless sandy beaches everywhere. There are a couple of rocky areas on Segia beach, and the beach itself is not as wide as Sidi Mahres. Closer to hotels high sand dunes form a natural protective wall against the often blowing winds from the sea.

At the foot of the lighthouse there is a shallow lagoon where many seabirds gather and where it is very good to walk and watch our feathered brothers.

Equally close to the lighthouse is wonderful site golf course, a green, slightly uneven 27-hole course where beginners can take an introductory course for a small fee. In addition, there is a large casino here.

The latest in island entertainment - theme park Djerba Explore (next to the lighthouse), representing architecture, culture (at the Lalla Hadria Museum) and the way of life of the Ibadis. Cafes and souvenir shops add some variety to a walk through the recreated Djerba Heritage village with its traditional houses and workshops. At the big crocodile farm (“Crocod"iles”) near the village you can admire these prehistoric reptiles. Feeding the crocodiles is pretty impressive sight, it starts at approximately 5 p.m.

In the hotel area of ​​Sidi Mahres beach, on the edge facing Houmt Souk, you will find several simpler hotels and boarding houses.

Island tour

Djerba is not a very large island, with an area of ​​only 514 km², and is also almost completely flat. Its highest place is the clayey hills near the village of Gellala (Guellala) (55 m). This makes the island ideal for cycling. Bicycles can be rented from hotels and in Houmt Souk.

A sightseeing tour of the island in most cases begins in one of two tourist areas: Sidi Mahres or Segia. The district center and at the same time a popular destination for tourists from hotels is the lively town of Midoun (Midoun) there used to be a slave market here. This explains the fact that many of the local inhabitants have a darker skin color than other Jerbies.

In the market square, guests will find a huge selection of ceramic dishes and vases. At Cafe de la Jeunesse, men sit in the shade of an old plane tree, sipping coffee, playing dominoes or reading the newspaper. Several good restaurants offer lunch, including the attractive La Coucousserie, which has a surprisingly varied menu of couscous-based dishes. At the stadium, the resourceful head of the tourism department organized a folk festival - a Berber wedding (Manage berbere), which attracts tourists from coastal hotels every Tuesday.

From Midoun there are two options to continue the journey: either turn back to the coast and move along it through Aghir and El Kantara, or go inland. The second route is more beautiful, as it passes through the rural part of Djerba with its hamlets and olive groves. However, before moving west, it is worth deviating a little to the side and driving 4 km along the road towards Khumt Souk to the Fadlun Mosque (Fadhloun). This mosque was abandoned many years ago, but is now open to visitors. Using it you can study the distinctive features of the architecture of Djerba. There is an impluvium in the front yard (sink): A shallow, whitewashed basin with a drainage hole in which rainwater was collected and conveyed to a cistern underneath. Nearby there is a place for ritual ablutions before prayer. Through a narrow passage in the second circumferential wall you enter the mosque's modest courtyard and from there into the unadorned prayer hall, which is supported by four massive columns. You can climb the minaret along a narrow staircase and admire the mosque from above.

Returning back to Midoun, you can now move deeper into the island through the villages of Mahbubin (Mahboubine) and Bedouin (Bedouine) to Seduikesh (Cedouikech). a patriarchal place that lives on pottery.

But Gellala is better known in this regard (Guellala), a real village of potters. However, don’t bother looking for simple, undecorated clay jugs on the counters and markets of Gellaly, shaped like antique amphorae, which were made here from time immemorial. Tourist taste gives rise to supply, and therefore everything is now filled with ceramics with white-blue-green patterns, which are actually produced in Nabeul. What is made right here is sculpted from clay mined from the depths of the hill below Gellala. Over time, in order to get to the raw materials, it was necessary to dig shafts and adits. In ancient kilns, located half underground, clay products are fired. Some of the ovens in Gellale can be viewed - but you will be expected to buy a souvenir as a sign of gratitude.

A worthwhile museum a little away from Gellala tells not only about pottery, but also about Tunisian folk customs. Next door, the café-restaurant invites you to have a snack and a glass of mint tea.

To the south and to El Kantara you can drive along a well-trodden road along the sea. Along the way, every now and then you come across tops placed in shallow places, and here and there on the shore there are clay jugs tied with rope. The fishermen of Djerba catch their prey in the same way as their counterparts on the Kerkennah Islands: they drive the school between two rows of nets, so that the fish swim in an ever-narrowing passage and are eventually trapped. Octopuses are lured with clay jugs, using their habit of climbing into dark shelters, and then all that remains is to lift up the jugs with the mollusks sitting in them.

In El Cantar (El-Kantara) a dam begins that stretches across the sea strait to the mainland. This jumper appeared in ancient times, and, of course, the Roman road (Chaussee romaine) it was not preserved. Near the dam, water pipes are visible, supplying Djerba with water from the mainland. There are no sources of water on the island itself, and the meager rainfall is barely sufficient for agriculture.

If you move further inland, the road will lead you to El May (El May). Here there is another illustrative example of the peculiar architecture of Ibadi Muslims: the white El-May Mosque, fortified with high walls and powerful buttresses. Rounded corners and smooth lines soften the appearance of this building, which is actually quite inhospitable, and deprive it of any menacing appearance. A similar architectural style can be found in the Mzab group of oases (M"zab) in the Algerian Sahara, where Berbers also live, adherents of one of the strict religious sects.

The town of Hara Segira (Hara Seghira), aka Riyadh (Er-Riadh), is the gateway from the world of Islamic faith to the world of Judaism. This is where the La Ghriba Synagogue is located. (La Ghriba), the oldest in Africa, which annually, 30 days after the Jewish Old Testament Passover, becomes one of largest places pilgrimages of North African Jews.

Jews have lived on Djerba since at least 586. Although historical documents are silent about this, there is a version that Jewish refugees ended up in North Africa no later than 70 AD. e., after the Roman conquest of Jerusalem. Rulers of Islamic dynasties, as a rule, did not touch Jews. Islam recognized Jews as "People of the Book" (The Book meant the Old Testament) and placed it higher than the “pagans.” True, they, like Christians, had to pay special taxes and live in certain areas of the city, called hara or mellah. After the founding of the State of Israel, most Jews left North Africa; Now there are about 1000 of them living in Djerba.

The current synagogue building dates back to 1920. You are only allowed to enter with your head covered. (scarves and hats are available for rent) and without shoes. The interior decoration is dominated by white and blue colors, and elderly men can always be seen sitting in the dim light studying the Holy Scriptures. Precious Torah scrolls are carefully protected from the eyes of visitors. They are probably among the ancient lists Torahs that exist today in the Jewish world.

A charming hotel has recently opened in Riyadh, designed as an alternative to hotel rooms for pilgrims. It is open not only to Jews. Its restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine.

In books and guidebooks about Tunisia, Djerba does not devote much space and information. But this does not mean that the island is a depressed industrial area or a tourist outsider. On the contrary, Djerba (Tunisia) readily welcomes guests all year round. One could even say that in last years tourism has surpassed traditional carpet weaving in terms of profitability. But for many people, the island, lost near the Libyan border, is “terra incognito.” We will try to tell here about this idyllic corner, where, according to legend, among date groves and beaches with the purest sand, Odysseus forgot everything in the world in the arms of the nymph Calypso. Let’s just say that in order to relax and lose the sense of time in Djerba, you don’t need any mermaids, because the gentle sea, thalassotherapy procedures and the hospitality of the locals will do their job.

Geography

The island of Djerba (Tunisia) is small. Its length is only 29 kilometers, and its width is even less - a maximum of 28 km. Also, this piece of land is not high, it rises above the sea by only 55 meters. When we say “island,” we stick to a clear geographical definition, although in order to get there, you don’t have to sail by sea. It comes so close to the mainland that it is connected to it by a bridge. Moreover, this jumper is not an achievement of modern engineering. The bridge was built by the ancient Romans more than two thousand years ago. The island is washed on all sides by azure waters. The coastline of Djerba is 130 kilometers of excellent beaches. Main city islands - Houmt Souk, the bustling commercial center of southern Tunisia. Djerba exports not only wonderfully crafted carpets, but also sponges, soap, pottery and fish.

Climate

North African heat, softened by fresh breath Atlantic Ocean, Djerba promises you excellent, thanks to its geographical location, it can boast that on the island the temperature is always 2-3 degrees higher than on the mainland. And yet this is not Egypt. Despite the assurances of travel agencies that you can sunbathe and swim in Djerba all year round, there is a “low season” here. These are three winter months. The coldest time is January. The air temperature stays at +15°C, and in February and December - +17°C. Reviews call the best time to relax in Djerba the off-season with its comfortable +22-26°C. The Mediterranean climate has created small island various landscapes. The lush greenery of olive and date groves here contrasts with the desert landscapes.

"Land of Lotophagi"

The island of Djerba (Tunisia) is so beautiful that it is not surprising that many legends circle around it. Homer invented the first one. From the Odyssey we learn that Ulysses sailed from the burning Troy and, after long adventures, reached a deserted shore inhabited by inhabitants who knew no grief. They ate lotus flowers that grew in abundance here. For this, Odysseus called the island “the land of lot eaters.” The brave navigator met the nymph Calypso here. She gave him nectar to drink from, and this drug intoxicated Odysseus so much that he forgot the purpose of his journey and remained on the island (in love bliss, of course) for seven whole years. Homer gives the island the name Oligia. It is not difficult to believe in this myth, because even today the atmosphere reigning in Djerba is saturated with a certain intoxicating sweet ether. Already on the second day, even the most collected and pedantic person loses the sense of time and plunges into blissful languor.

Story

In reality, everything was somewhat more prosaic, but no less interesting. The discoverers of the island were the Phoenicians. In the distant eighth century BC they brought here the beginnings of trade and crafts. But Tunisia, the island of Djerba and the oases of Western Sahara were inhabited by local Barbary tribes. They have still retained their identity, although they coexist side by side with other nationalities of the country. The island received a powerful economic boost during the reign of the Roman Empire. An embankment bridge was built across a two-kilometer strait, connecting Djerba to the mainland. The island is small homeland Emperors Valerian and Gallienus. Later, Tunisia was ruled by the Byzantines, Normans, Arabs, Spaniards, and Turks. In the 16th century, the name of the terrible pirate Drogut Reis, who had one of his bases on the island, resounded here. There is an opinion that the filibuster hid his treasures somewhere here. In 1560, a pirate erected a tower of five thousand skulls of his enemies. Borj el-Rus stood until 1848, after which it was dismantled and the human remains were buried.

How to get there

Hotels on the island of Djerba (Tunisia) attract travelers, but the road to them, especially from our penates, can be long. In high season from Russia airline Nouvelair carries out charter flights. But at other times you will have to travel with transfers. The local airport Djerba-Zarzis regularly receives only domestic flights. You can fly to the capital of the state, the city of Tunis, and then take advantage of one of the offers of local airlines (a one-way ticket will cost about one hundred dinars). The journey in the “luazh”, an intercity minibus, will be longer, but four times cheaper. They move away from the stops as they fill up. An alternative to them are buses. More expensive, but comfortable, with air conditioning. And they go on schedule.

Tunisia, Djerba Island: hotels

The hotel base of the local resorts allows a wide variety of categories of tourists to relax. Most hotels are concentrated in the northern and west coasts, as well as in the city of Houmt Souk. At the south-eastern tip of the island, the excellent resort of Midoun thrives. If we consider hotels by star rating, then the vast majority are “fours”. Moreover, the quality of service in them exceeds the Turkish “five”. Here are some well-known chain hotels in Europe (Magic Life, Iberostar, Caribbean World and others), and local, with a unique flavor and buildings in the Barbary style. Five-star hotels in Djerba (Tunisia) offer their guests life-giving thalassotherapy courses. These are such oases of bliss as Hasdrubal Thalassa & Spa Prestige, Ulysse Palace, Movenpick Ulysse, Vincci Al Kantara, Radisson Blu. Among the worthy “three rubles” we can recommend Miramar, Garden Park, Mehari and Palma.

Popular excursions

The island of Djerba (Tunisia) is unique place, where the Christian West and Muslim East, African beliefs and Jewish wisdom intertwine. Here, as if in a time machine, you can go to the medieval medina and wander for hours along the shady narrow streets. Tourists are offered a large number of excursions both around the island and mainland Tunisia. Which one to choose? Reviews highly praise the organized two-day trip to the Sahara with a stop at the Barbary settlements of Ksar and the Tataouine area. By the way, those who watched the film epic “Star Wars” will probably recognize in this desert landscape a fictional planet with the same name. Yes, Tataouine was filmed here, and at the same time they borrowed the name. Children will be interested in visiting the crocodile farm and the Laguna Nature Reserve, where lotuses grow and flocks of pink flamingos live. You will have an unforgettable experience after visiting the lunar landscapes of Matmata.

Independent travel

It should be noted right away that taxi prices here are higher than in the mainland of Tunisia. The island of Djerba is small, but its attractions are still far from each other. If you are lucky enough to be holidaying in Houmt Souk, go to the medina. This is the name given to a walled medieval quarter in the Arab world. Besides the noisy ones, where can you buy beautiful Jewelry, embossing, carpets and pottery, you will see many characteristic houses with white walls and domed roofs. These are “menzels” - the traditional dwellings of the inhabitants of Djerba. Thanks to this design of the building, it always remains cool. In the labyrinths of the medina there are also three main mosques that are worth visiting: Jamaa Ettruk, Esh Sheikh and Jemaa el Ghorba. But the main attraction of the old city is the Borj el-Kebir fortress. In the Jewish town of Hara-Segira is the oldest synagogue, La Griba (Amazing). According to legend, she is already two thousand six hundred years old. And in the town of Meninx the ruins of an ancient Roman settlement have been preserved.

Souvenirs

What to bring as a souvenir of the island of Djerba (Tunisia)? Reviews advise, in addition to carpets, to buy excellent local wines. The French colonialists instilled a taste for fine drinks in the local population, so you won't be disappointed. Palm trees grow everywhere on the island, so alcoholic drinks are made from dates. A bottle of liqueur will be very useful, as will a package of excellent olive oil. For exotic lovers, we recommend buying a melhafa, a traditional orange striped bedspread, at the bazaar in the medina. Fine ceramics are sold in the town of Gellale.

The island is often called “Mediterranean Tahiti”: people come here to swim in the clear sea, relax in excellent hotels, and enjoy the oriental flavor at reasonable prices per tour.

Djerba has been known since ancient times. Homer in his "Odyssey" mentioned it as the Island of lotus eaters - eaters of lotus flowers - the island of earthly pleasures and bliss. Djerba served as a base for the formidable Berber pirates, terrifying the entire Mediterranean, and became home to representatives of many religions.

Very tasty dates and olives are grown here, fish and octopuses are caught - the patriarchal way of life of Djerba has not changed for centuries.

How to get there

Djerba has its own airport “Djerba (Zarzis)”. It is located next to the island's capital, Houmt Souk. During tourist season Charters from Russia land here. Flight time from Moscow to Djerba is approximately 4.5 hours. Transfer to hotels does not take much time - on average about an hour. Djerba is connected to the mainland by a bridge and ferry crossing. The ferry crosses a small strait in 15 minutes.

Tours to Djerba

Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.

Beaches

The best parts of the Djerba coastline are located in the northeast. Most of the hotels are located here, almost each of which has its own long section. It is cleared of algae and marine debris, and the safety of tourists is monitored. The sand on Djerba is light and soft, the entrance to the water in tourist areas is gentle. The hotel beaches are well equipped, there are umbrellas, sun loungers, and a range of water activities (parasailing, jet skis, “bananas” and “cheesecakes”).

Hotels

Most hotels in Djerba are located on Cape Ras Tagernes, in the north and east of the island. Most often, Russian tourists choose to stay in 4-star hotels.

There are representatives of Vincci Hotels, Radisson, Seabel and others on the island. The all-inclusive food system is popular in hotels.

Attractions

Djerba - an island with rich history, so there are plenty of attractions here. The most famous - . The powerful walls of the fortress have stood on the seashore for more than 600 years. Bloody sieges and battles took place here - for example, the pirate Turgut Reis attacked the Spaniards and ordered the construction of a monstrous pyramid tower from the skulls of defeated enemies, which stood for almost 300 years. Now there is an obelisk in its place, and 9,000 skulls have found eternal rest in the cemetery.

The old town of Houmt Souk is one large bazaar, the entrance to which is guarded by two impressive mosques: the Mosque of Foreigners (Jamaa al-Ghorba) and the Ibrahim el-Jemni Mosque, both of which are almost a thousand years old.

Where to go

Most often, guests of Djerba go on a pirate ship cruise to Flamingo Island. In winter these nest here beautiful birds, and in summer tourists sunbathe on the snow-white sand. The cruise lasts about 4 hours, time on the island is 2 hours. On the way, tourists are entertained by animators with a special pirate show.

The second most popular place for excursions is the crocodile farm in. Several dozen Nile crocodiles live here.

You can visit the potters' village of Gelallu on a guided tour. In Gelalla, clay is mined and beautiful jugs are sculpted, reminiscent of ancient amphorae. Be careful - ceramics in blue and white tones are made in, and modest and unpainted plates are made in Gelalle. Works interesting museum cultural heritage. In August, the village hosts a festival where you can try your hand at the pottery wheel.

From Djerba it is convenient to get to, go on excursions to the dwellings of troglodytes and

Souvenirs

For souvenirs in Djerba, go to the capital of the island, the city of Houmt Souk. The name of the city is telling, it translates as “ shopping district" Local markets have a wide variety of goods - ceramics, leather goods, small souvenirs, spices, cosmetics based on olive or argan oil, hookahs, glassware, carpets... Pay attention to the ceramics from Gelalla - simple but elegant jugs, similar on ancient amphoras.

Tourists note that prices for souvenirs in Djerba are on average higher than in other Tunisian resorts. Djerba is an island, so most goods are not made locally, but are brought from other cities. Hence the difference in cost. We recommend that you bargain when buying a souvenir you like; sellers often inflate the price several times.

Kitchen

Most of the food served in hotel restaurants and cafes is no different from what is eaten at other resorts. On the table there will definitely be spicy shorba soup, sweet peppers stuffed with meat, the famous tagine (roast lamb), couscous with vegetables.

There is also a “marine accent” in the cuisine of Djerba. In coastal restaurants you should try freshly caught grilled fish or octopus.

Hi all!

The island of Djerba is a fairly young holiday destination, and in this review I want to orient those who are thinking about a holiday in this place.

Backstory or how I got to the island. Djerba.

It was July 2016….I was visiting and listening to enthusiastic stories about holidays on this island - about snow-white beaches and turquoise water, that this island is as safe as in Israel and the inclusiveness is no worse than in Turkey. When two weeks later the question arose about choosing a holiday destination in very limited conditions, there was no doubt left - we were flying to Djerba. Firstly, Tunisia is a new country for us, secondly, you don’t need a visa to go there, and the most obvious thing is that the flight from Moscow is only 4.5 hours.

Hotel chosen, tickets purchased

Speaking of hotels, the locals assured that best hotel on the island - this is Radisson, we stayed in another five-star hotel, I will leave a link to the review below.

Beaches on the island of Djerba and the area behind the hotel.

The biggest disappointment in Djerba was the sea. Dirty, muddy and with big amount algae thrown out every day beach line. The beaches here are municipal, and Americans don’t pamper this place with their presence, so….

Just look at the photo.

I’m a squeamish person, so I swam exclusively in the pool throughout my vacation.

And yes, the Mediterranean Sea is cold in these places. Even in early September, getting into the water is extremely unpleasant. Of course, if you take a few glasses of strong drinks, this will not be a problem for you.

The area behind the hotel was also quite disappointing - we tried to take a walk several times, but our attempts were not particularly successful - there are simply no sidewalks in many places - you have to walk along the road on earth and sand, this type is accompanied by spontaneous garbage dumps that are simply lying along the road, and no one is in a hurry to get him out of here. There are practically no decent cafes on the island either, and most likely you will have to take a taxi to get to them; there are no souvenir shops.

The general impression is an ownerless, abandoned territory that has no owner. But what potential...many compare Tunisia with Egypt, but for me Tunisia is more alive, here at least something grows on its own along coastline.

The island looked much more presentable if they cleaned it up, but apparently no one did. An additional contribution is made by abandoned hotels, of which there were plenty on the island in 2016

Shopping that doesn't exist

Several times we made taxi trips to the capital of Djerba - the city of Houmt Souk, but there was nothing to do there besides visiting the market. In the evening, no bars, no clubs, no shopping centers. It’s partly understandable, the country is Muslim, but here everything is somehow completely bad.

In the evening there is not a single tourist on the streets, only local men gather in open cafes to watch football together. You feel very uncomfortable. I would like to quickly take a taxi and return to the hotel, at least there is some life there.

In general, there is nowhere to go out in the evening, there is no life outside the hotel

The market (open only during the day) also won’t surprise you with anything special - leather, mirrors with doors, olive oils, and so on.

We found a more or less decent store in the city of Midoun - there is a large French supermarket, a pharmacy and a Yves Rocher store. Not by any means, but better than the local noname.

My humble shopping trip from the mentioned pharmacy

You shouldn't count on duty free on the island either. It is very small there with an extremely poor choice, although we still took two bottles of Jack Daniels at a very attractive price from there.

Incident at a restaurant in Djerba

Disappointed with shopping, we decided to try seafood and visit the Princess Haroun restaurant, which is considered almost the best on the island.

The restaurant is located on a ship near the port, the view from the deck is very depressing:

We ordered langoustine, couscous ( National dish) and something else for a total of $120. They also brought a dish with water, as is usually the case when ordering seafood. Then something incredible happened.

No, we are dressed in luxury brands, speak good English and in general everything is clear to us, but the waiter gave out “not drink” along with the dish. To say that we were shocked is an understatement. To our round eyes and silent shock, he turned around and left.

We never returned to this place again.

Is it true that Djerba is as safe as Israel?

There is an opinion that since the island is connected to the mainland by one single bridge, and there is a checkpoint on it, there is nothing to worry about.

But, I was in Israel and believe me, the difference in security is just heaven and earth. If in Israel they can easily come to you in tourist bus military men with machine guns, here such buses do not slow down at all for inspection, and taxis on the island at checkpoints also do not slow down. Everyone just nods to each other and moves on.

So I can’t say that it’s very safe here compared to mainland Tunisia.

What do Fr. Djerba and Dominican Republic

If you look at the promotional photo of Djerba, you can easily confuse it with the Dominican Republic - there are white beaches, flamingos and seaweed... But these are just promotional photos that have practically nothing in common with reality.

Flamingo

In the Dominican Republic, probably, these birds live in any self-respecting hotel. There is no need to run after them, hunt them - I walked around the hotel and saw enough.

In Djerba, flamingos can only be seen from the end of September to October (one might say it’s not the season, since it’s already cold there), and not in the hotel, but on the dirty coastline along the road. I was lucky and I still saw them on the way to the airport when we were leaving the island. Naturally, I didn’t have time to take a photo. So don’t count on photos with these pink beauties like your friends on vacation in the Dominican Republic.

Seaweed

There are both here and there. But the Dominican Republic is an American territory where everything is tailored to please tourists from the USA, and Djerba is…..So feel the difference.

Both are beaches of five-star hotels, and both are municipal beaches. But in the Dominican Republic they strictly monitor this,

and in Djerba, cleaning algae is just some kind of holiday. More precisely, on top of the algae, excuse me, camels and horses will shit. The bags were not hung in the proper place, so the animals relieve themselves along the shoreline.

But you, dear tourists, no matter how much you paid for the hotel, bask in this splendor to your health)

Where is the best place to buy souvenirs in Djerba?

It's amazing, but true - the most cheap prices and we met a quality product in ethnographic museum in the village of Gelala at sightseeing tour around the island. So I recommend taking more money with you

Bottom line

Tunisia is very interesting country, but all the sweetest things (Berbers, desert, Carthage, the hotel where the Star Wars episodes were filmed, Sidi Bou Said) are on the mainland. Therefore, in my opinion,

there is nothing to do in Djerba and it is NOT worth going on holiday here, a sightseeing tour of the island is quite enough.

And finally, the answer to the question - why is everything so bad on the island - there is a problem with the economy in the country, and the dream of the average Tunisian is to leave for the French EU as early as possible (Tunisia is a former French colony) and try with all hands and feet to find a foothold in a new place. It’s like the sea, the sun - but you feel depression.....

P.S. My others travel reviews can be read

Review of the hotel where we stayed in Djerba

Thank you for your attention,

Useful information for tourists about the island of Djerba in Tunisia - geographical location, tourism infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Attractions

Guide

Not far from the Mediterranean part of the African coast is one of the most famous Tunisian resorts - the island of Djerba. Its area is just over five hundred square kilometers. There are no mountains or hills on the island. Fresh water is obtained from artesian wells. The island is connected to the continent by a causeway.

Olives, date palms and fig trees are grown on the island, fishing, sponge fishing and, of course, tourism are developed. The latter is not surprising: the swimming season here begins in May and ends in mid-autumn (and even later). In winter, light rain is possible here, and summer is usually dry. In general, the climate of the island can be described as typical Mediterranean, but the proximity of the Sahara also has an effect. It should be noted that the island is usually warmer than other Tunisian resorts (and there are fewer jellyfish in the sea water).

The beginning of the island's history is lost in the mists of time. According to legend, it was here that the nymph Calypso waited for Odysseus. The island was visited by the Phoenicians (they brought a special paint from here - a mixture of pink and purple colors), and the inhabitants of Carthage, and the Romans... Once upon a time there was a base here for the corsair Turgut Reis, who built a tower on the coast from the skulls of his enemies.

Currently, the island is a well-known tourist destination.

Transport


On the island of Djerba is located international Airport. Most comfortable view The means of transport that can be used to get to the resort from Russia is, of course, an airplane. Flight time from the Russian capital is approximately four and a half hours. You will arrive at the airport, located approximately nine kilometers from the city of Houmt Souk. This is the only airport on the island. Although there is only one runway, the airport handles both domestic and international flights.

To get from the airport to the city, you can use a taxi. You don't have to look for a car: taxis usually stand right next to the exit. You will immediately recognize them - these are bright yellow cars.

As for the transport that you can use for other movements around the island, you have little choice: it could be the aforementioned taxi, a bus or a rented car. But keep in mind that buses run quite infrequently. If you decide to use this type of transport, it is better to study the schedule in advance. Advice to those whose choice is a taxi: be vigilant so as not to become a victim of scammers.

Sights and excursions


One of the main attractions of the island is the Borj el-Kebir fortress. It is located near the city of Houmt Souk (the largest on the island). The fortress was built in the 80s of the 13th century. In the 60s of the 16th century it was rebuilt. The structure has the shape of a rectangle. The walls are approximately four meters thick and are surrounded by a moat. In the depths of this ditch you can see ancient cannonballs and cannons covered with rust. Also there you can see the remains of a 13th century fortress. In autumn, winter and early spring the fortress is open from 9:30 to 16:30. In April, the opening hours change: the attraction can be viewed from 8:00 to 19:00, this schedule remains until the end of summer. On Fridays the fortress is closed to visitors.

Not far from the fortress walls there is local history museum, which is also worth a visit. Another attraction located near the fortress is the Bordj el-Rus obelisk. Its history is gloomy: once on this site there was a tower made of the skulls of the Spaniards who died in the battle with Turgut Reis. The tower was “built” in the 60s of the 16th century and stood until the 40s of the 19th century. Then the remains of the Spaniards were buried.

Houmt Souk, located near the attractions described above, is also one of tourist places islands. Its blue and white clay houses and narrow streets forming a labyrinth invariably attract travelers. Here you can sit in a cozy cafe, buy souvenirs in a shop or market, and explore one of the three city mosques. In addition, the city has museums and monuments.

One of the most interesting attractions of the island is El Ghriba - an ancient synagogue. It contains one of the oldest scrolls on the planet with the text of the Torah. The synagogue is not only a famous landmark, but also a place of pilgrimage for Tunisian Jews. A hotel has been built for them on the temple grounds. The synagogue building was erected about two thousand years ago. The temple is one of the oldest synagogues in the world. True, the original building has not survived to this day; the current synagogue was erected later (on the site of an ancient building).

Not far from the town of Midoun there is another attraction of the island - a museum and entertainment complex. Here you can view an exhibition dedicated to the culture and history of the country. The ancient dwelling of the islanders has been recreated on the territory of the complex. This is a clay building, whitewashed with lime, divided into rooms. In the museum and entertainment complex you can pet and photograph a live camel (children especially like this). In a separate area of ​​the complex there is a farm where crocodiles are raised. Here you can not only watch the reptiles, but also feed them. During the “high season” the farm is open from 9:00 to 20:00; in other months (from mid-autumn to March) it closes to visitors two hours earlier.

Among the tourist places on the island, the villages of Azim and Guellala should also be mentioned. In addition, it is necessary to mention Jewish settlements and the Roman road (although some tourists consider this route to be a rather dubious attraction).

Beach holiday


It is believed that best beaches and hotels on the island of Djerba are located nearby Midoun. Most hotels on the island operate on an all-inclusive basis. In their surroundings you will not find a variety of cafes and restaurants, so it is especially important to choose a truly comfortable hotel. The better it is, the more comfortable you will spend your vacation.

The island's beaches are wide, with white sand that looks a little like powder. However, this description is true only for those beaches that are located in the tourist area, not far from hotels. In other places the coast is rocky, even clayey in some places.

All beaches on the island are public and admission is free (this is subject to local legislation). You can usually see both tourists and locals on the beaches. Sellers of souvenirs and fruits walk along the surf line. On the beaches you can take a photo with a camel or a horse, as well as ride them: these animals are sometimes brought here by local businessmen.

Although the beaches are public, this does not mean that they are strewn with garbage or covered with algae. Not at all. The beaches on the island are clean. Usually the cleanliness of the beach is maintained by the staff of the hotel located nearby. They also place sun umbrellas and sun loungers on the shore.

By the way, if we talk about the beaches of the island’s tourist area, there are quite a few local residents here. The reason is that many hotels are located at a considerable distance from settlements. But this distance usually does not stop fruit or souvenir sellers: they are on all Djerba beaches.

The entrance to the sea is convenient and gentle. The water is so clear that during calm periods you can see small fish. But when the wind picks up (and this often happens in the afternoon), little can be seen in the waves.

Fans of water activities can fly over the sea with a parachute, ride a jet ski or admire underwater world scuba diving. Those who prefer an active holiday on the shore can play, for example, beach volleyball.

Food and souvenirs


Most tourists eat in hotels. Be prepared for the fact that the food may be unusual. However, different hotels prepare different dishes, so it makes sense to find out in advance what exactly the buffet will be like at your hotel and what food will be served.

If you want to try local traditional cuisine, there will be no problems with this: Tunisians are happy to prepare them for tourists. But keep in mind: one of the features of Tunisian cooking is the large amount of hot sauce added to food. That is, approximately thirty percent of the local cuisine you try may seem very spicy to you. Although it should be noted that this is precisely where some tourists see the main charm of the local cuisine, and even buy hot sauce (harissa) as a “gastronomic souvenir”.

Tunisians also love olive oil, tomato paste and tomatoes. They add all this very generously to food. Tunisian cuisine has a lot of meat dishes. You can also be sure that the hotel will offer you potatoes (fried, baked, mashed or fried), and maybe potato salad. There will be no shortage of pasta either: pasta is not a traditional Tunisian dish, but local residents they love her very much. And, of course, bread - French buns and Arabic flatbreads buffet, most likely, will lie nearby.

But if you like cheeses, cottage cheese and yoghurts, then you will be disappointed: the locals do not like them too much, and they are not particularly tasty here. Oddly enough, there are few seafood dishes on the island. If you order fish, eat it carefully: the fillets are not separated from the bones here. As for sweets, they are usually High Quality, the sad exception is only chocolate.

And, of course, if you are not interested in Tunisian cuisine and want to get familiar food, there will be no problems with this: the island serves many European cuisines.

As for the “gastronomic souvenirs” that are usually brought from the island, these are olive oil, salted lemons, sweets, dates, and alcohol. Among the “inedible” souvenirs, ceramics, cosmetics, blown glass products and much more are popular.

 

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