Around Djerba and Zarzis

Djerba is made for strolling through, its gentle landscapes are in such complete harmony with the white and rounded traditional architecture: old wells, little mosques hidden in the countryside, large rural properties known as menzels… Visit the Djerba Explore park to experience the life of a rural property, perfectly reconstructed. You will also find there a crocodile farm: watch a feeding and get better acquainted with these impressive reptiles. In Houmt-Souk, take a break by the fishing harbour, visit the fondouk (caravansary) areas and the covered market where fish are sold to the highest bidder. Don’t miss the village of Erriadh to visit one of the most ancient synagogues in the world, the Ghriba, and the living museum of street art, Djerbahood – an astonishing backdrop of traditional architecture appropriated by graffiti artists from around the world. In the village of Guellala, pay a visit to the potters who make large jars reminiscent of the ancient era, follow them down to an underground clay store and try your hand at working the potter’s wheel.

Freshly caught fish and octopus have pride of place in Djerbian gastronomy. The most fun way to try: buy your own sea bream in the Houmt-Souk marketplace and eat it there and then, garnished with salad, in one of the tiny neighbouring restaurants where the sign proclaims: “Bring your fish, I’ll grill it”! Taste another delicious Djerbian speciality: steamed rice with meat, liver, parsley, spinach and herbs. All around the hotels can be found numerous restaurants offering pizza, seafood and Tunisian cuisine; it is also possible to eat Italian or Asian food in some of the hotels. For a successful evening, dine by the port with music and traditional dancing, enjoy quality meat grilled on a wood fire in a cosy atmosphere, or savour a couscous in a former fondouk in Houmt-Souk.

The Carthaginians once founded in Djerba a great city known as Meninx; they also built the road which links the island to the mainland, which is known today as the Roman Road. A Jewish community also settled in Djerba during ancient times: their synagogue, the Ghriba, is one the oldest in the world. Djerba was then producer of purple, the prestigious dye made from shells. In the Middle Ages, the island became covered with little rural mosques, who were also fortresses to protect the inhabitants in the case of invasion. The Normans of Sicily, the Aragons, and then the Turks and Spaniards have all fought over its control. In the 16th century, Djerba was a major base for privateers fighting for the Ottoman empire. In the 19th century, the abolition of slavery created an important black community. In the same era, the Maltese and the Greeks came in droves to practice sponge fishing; the Maltese church is still active in Houmt-Souk.