Djerba island tunisia time is now. Djerba is a sunny island in the southeast of Tunisia. Djerba Island – summer never ends

October 10, 2017, 10:12 am 24.2k Views

Shared:

One of famous resorts Tunisia - the island of Djerba. The hospitable place is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and is in great demand among tourists every year. Climatic conditions allow vacationers to soak up the sun and swim until mid-autumn. The average air temperature on the island is 2-4 degrees higher than that of the inhabitants of the continent.

Djerba ranks first in size among the islands of the Mediterranean coast of Africa . But the area of ​​514 km² can easily be explored during your vacation. It will take about 6 hours to get from one end of Djerba to the other.

The article is visited by those who have chosen Tunisia and the island of Djerba for their vacation. What kind of place is this, does it live up to the brochures presented and is it perfect? First things first.

When planning your vacation, pay special attention to the geographic subtleties of the resort. If you like the hotel prices or the cost of a trip in the Zaris region, do not rush to pay for everything right away. Pay attention to its location.

Although it is formally considered part of Djerba, in fact it is located on the Tunisian mainland. Be careful and take into account this feature of the resort area.

How to get to paradise island?

Today, visitors have three available options:

• water trip. A ferry runs regularly on the route mainland - Admim;
• overland travel. Between the island and mainland Tunisia built a causeway;
• air travel. Maximum comfort for tourists will be provided by a quick plane flight directly to their desired vacation spot.

Our journey began from Moscow Domodevo airport. Airline flight North wind took 4.5 hours. We were pleased with the comfortable trip. Belarus, Hungary and Italy are left far behind. After an hour of flight, a pretty flight attendant came out to us.

A snack along the way could be a nice addition. There were a variety of cold and hot drinks to choose from. Then the main course came out. In a large, bright and promising box there was a small and nondescript sandwich.

Local airport of Djerba island

1. There is one small airport to receive vacationers on the island. It is located 15 minutes by car from the capital of Djerba - Houmt Souk. Just nine kilometers separate Melita or Djerba Zaris airport from the main town of the resort island.
2. By local standards, the airport is considered large, despite having only one runway. Work is underway both on receiving domestic flights and on international routes. Djerba Zarissuda Airport also welcomes guests from Russia. You will definitely get to know it if you have chosen Tunisia and the island of Djerba for your holiday.
3. After landing, every tourist is in a hurry to leave their heavy suitcases at the booked hotel. The best way to get there is to take a taxi. Drivers wait for fellow travelers right at the airport exit. Yellow cars stand in an even formation, waiting for tourists.
4. For those who like to book everything in advance, there are online services. You can order a car from the airport to your destination via the Internet. Enough to lead contact information with your flight number and the driver will be waiting for you at the exit. A sign with your initials will help you accurately identify the greeter.

Preparing documents for the trip

A mandatory condition for flying to Tunisia is that you have an international passport. You do not need to apply for a special visa to enter. Russian tourists are required by law to stay for 90 days. Upon landing, visiting guests must fill out a migration card. Everything is absolutely free; everything necessary for issuing a card is provided right at the Tunis airport.

The map consists of two parts. One for you, one for the border guards. After you fill out and submit the required paperwork, your passport is stamped. Be careful and do not lose your part of the card; you will need it when flying back home.

Money and currency exchange in the resort of Djerba

1. Take care of currency exchange in advance. Rubles on the island of Djerba are absolutely useless. You can only exchange the Tunisian dinar for local money, the euro, the dollar, the pound, but not the ruble. Unlike European countries The best exchange rate is at Djerba Zaris airport. Of course, your hotel will also have an exchange office. The experience of tourists recommends not to put off exchanging money; you are unlikely to find a better offer than at the airport.
2. After a monetary transaction, be sure to save the receipt you receive. Only by presenting it on departure will you be able to perform the reverse operation, that is, exchange dinars for dollars, euros, pounds or other convenient currency.
3. If you take a large sum with you, you should not immediately transfer it entirely into Tunisian dinars. Prices on the island are not high and you are unlikely to spend all the money you brought. Plus, when exchanging money back into your currency, some of the money is lost due to exchange rate differences. And there is no point in returning home with local dinars.

How to get around the island

Yellow taxi cars have become the optimal way to travel for visiting tourists. It won't be difficult to call her. If desired, you can pre-order transport at the hotel reception. This method of transportation is the most comfortable and not too expensive.

Calculate approximate price You can travel on your own. It all depends on the distance and time. Taxi drivers use meters at the rate of 1 kilometer - half a dinar. Please note that 0.450 Dinars are automatically added to the resulting amount. Most likely this is the landing price.

Local beaches and sea

Arriving on the island and looking at the beach, you will immediately find differences with the advertising brochures. The paradise oasis with date palms is actually a little more modest. The clean, snow-white sand from the pictures is found only in the tourist part of the island of Djerba, in the hotel area.

• Most of the beaches are pebbles and something of unknown origin. Looking for the perfect beach holiday It's worth heading to the Midoun region. Most of it is concentrated here expensive hotels and the most developed infrastructure islands. Local beaches were photographed as the basis for promotional brochures;
• sunbathing on the beach at the hotel, don’t be surprised high concentration of people. In Tunisia, any beach is public and open to the public according to the law. According to the rules, any beach within 30 meters of the sea is a public property and cannot be occupied by private property;
• While sunbathing, you will most likely encounter local residents selling sweets, fruits or souvenirs. You can buy a dog, camel or horse right on the beach. If you wish, you can take a photo with your favorite animal or ride a horse along the shore. A camel ride will cost only 15 dinars;

Despite the public nature of the beach area, hotel workers pay close attention to the nearest beach. They regularly remove garbage, level the sand, clear the area of ​​algae, and carefully arrange umbrellas and sun loungers. Therefore, when going to the beach, look for a good hotel in advance. How better hotel, the more pleasant the beach.

My family vacationed at the Djerba Plaza 4* hotel. I definitely recommend the local beach.

Quality of beaches within walking distance

Large animals are often found on the beaches: horses, camels. It is not surprising that after them tourists find not the most pleasant surprises. We were lucky. The employees of the Djerba Plaza 4* hotel approach their territory responsibly. The fate of the vacationers was not so successful three star hotels. On local beaches feces are not uncommon.

The downside of most beaches was the unpleasant smell. Most likely a consequence of rotting algae.

You will find security guards on every beach. They keep order. But there is no need to relax. It is not recommended to leave valuable personal items unattended. Local security will not guarantee the safety of your expensive camera or wallet.

In most cases, the bulk of the people on the beach are vacationers. You don't see local residents often. After all, most hotels are located at a considerable distance from populated areas. You are more likely to meet with sellers than with native Tunisians.

Sea baths on the island of Djerba

Lovers water procedures will be satisfied with the quality of the water. Transparent water of a magical blue color confirms everything promised by advertising brochures. Swimming near the shore you can meet a school of small fish. Unfortunately, such beauty does not reign on the island all day long. Frequent and strong waves are not a rare event on Djerba. The color and quality of water directly depends on local weather conditions.

Excellent conditions have been created for adults and children to enter the water. The slopes are gentle, the bottom smoothly disappears from under your feet, there are no sudden changes in height. The water temperature in October is comfortable, on average up to +25 degrees. From time to time, algae appears in the water near the shore. Such meetings happen where hotels do not pay too much attention to the beaches.

Inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea near the island of Djerba

You can safely swim in the sea. It is possible to meet a neighbor in the form of a jellyfish, but very often. Thanks to large size and the bright coloring of the animal immediately catches your eye, you can easily swim away and avoid a collision.

Cute crabs can be found on the sandy or pebble shore, and schools of fry swim in the water. The local inhabitants do not disturb tourists and serve as a nice addition to the local nature.

What to do on the beach of Djerba island?

• after swimming and sunbathing, a tourist can ride a camel or take a horseback ride along the beach;
• Among the water activities available to guests of Tunisia: scuba diving, flying hot-air balloon over the Mediterranean Sea, jet skiing. average price fun leisure activities from 20 to 30 dollars for two for 20 minutes;
• if extreme entertainment is not for you, you can just play badminton or beach volleyball. All necessary accessories in the form of a ball or rackets are sold in local stores.

Hotels in Djerba resort

1. When you decide to go on vacation to the island of Djerba, pay special attention to choosing a hotel. The more stars and positive reviews it has, the more comfortable your trip will be.
2. Majority local hotels work according to the All included system. This type of work is due to the lack of bars and restaurants in the resort area. It's a real rarity to come across a decent cafe. The accommodation and conditions in the Midoun region are considered the most comfortable and popular.
3. Finding a delicious lunch outside the hotel is difficult. If you are lucky enough to meet a restaurant along the way, the menu will not be large, but the price will be high
4. Your vacation will directly depend on the level of the hotel. How better hotel, the higher the quality of service, cleaner beach, more entertainment and more comfortable rooms.

Weather in mid-autumn

1. Our trip to the island of Djerba took place in the second half of October. Like most tourists, we began to prepare for the trip in advance. My favorite website, Gismeteo, helped me get acquainted with the long-term weather forecast on the island.
2. The promises were promising - several rainy days and the average air temperature is +20 degrees. The water temperature is + 23. Naturally, the suitcase contained sweatshirts, pants and even sweaters. In fact, we didn’t need any warm clothes.
3. We were lucky and there were no dogs at all. The temperature turned out to be higher than promised, up to +30 degrees. The water in the sea exceeded all expectations, on average +24 degrees. Now we recommend everyone to choose for a holiday in Djerba in mid-autumn. There are already significantly fewer people in the resorts of Tunisia at this time, the air and water temperatures are very comfortable.

The only downside was the insects. Autumn is the time to harvest dates. Whole flocks of flies flock to the sweet ripe fruit.

From the end of September to the beginning of October, the date ripening season begins, so the number of flies on the island increases.

Local beauties of the island of Djerba

• Having carefully studied the advertising brochures on the island of Djerba, the tourist prepares to meet not only blue water and white sand. According to the booklet the island is favorite place Pink flamingos.
• In fact, they are rare guests here. Only in certain seasons, if you are lucky, can you catch them at the resort. The plumage of the birds is also very different from the images in the pictures. It is not bright pink at all, but rather grey. There are also pale pink flamingos. The color directly depends on the animal’s nutrition;
• You won’t even find thickets of date palms on Djerba. The vast majority of trees are olives. The resort area is rich in trees and shrubs. Leaving the tourist part, you are unlikely to find an abundance of green spaces; unfortunately, next to the hotels, in the cities of Djerba there is a sad environmental situation.
• Locals They store waste on roadsides and streets. The houses of local residents are in deplorable condition. Which is quite predictable, considering economic situation African continent. According to reviews from travelers, the urban part of the resort resembles land after the apocalypse.

Thalassotherapy on the island of Djerba

One of the main sources of replenishment of the island's treasury is tourism. Thalassotherapy is very popular. The purely main components of the country's economic base include income from agriculture, inbound tourism and fishing.

The Ministry of Health of Djerba is responsible for the development and promotion of thalassotherapy. Visitors from different countries people around the world choose the island as a place to restore health and improve immunity.

1. You can easily book a thalassotherapy session in every hotel. There are also separate buildings on the island where healing procedures based on sea water and the natural resources of the region are carried out. Everyone will be able to undergo complex treatment or order several separate procedures. The price of pleasure is moderate - 3000 rubles for a full wellness complex.
2. We are this popular destination did not use alternative medicine. I can judge the effectiveness of the procedures from the reviews of my hotel neighbors. I really liked the friendly staff of the medical centers and the price of pleasure. The quality of the procedures themselves left much to be desired.
3. It is not surprising that the shops of the island of Djerba are filled with thalasso-cosmetics. The composition of cosmetics makes them in demand and popular all over the world. For production, only natural substances are used, for example, black cumin seeds or cactus. The price of the product is quite social. Thirty milliliters of cumin oil will cost 7 dinars.
4. You can buy almost any cosmetics: toothpaste, cream, cleansers for the face and body, hair masks, balms and shampoos.
5. For visitors there are special trips on a free basis to get acquainted with the thalasso boutique. The cosmetics store provides a wide selection of natural cosmetics at reasonable prices. If you did not have time to visit the boutique, you can purchase all the products in stores or markets. Their prices will be less favorable.

On excursions to Thalasso, tourists have the opportunity to pay for goods in their native currency. Even rubles are accepted here. But the course is extremely unprofitable. If you want to save money, take dinars with you.

The local concept of a boutique is very different from the usual European term. Due to the modest size of the frame, several stores in one building are already called shopping center. Small shops familiar to us can receive boutique status.

Alcoholic drinks and hookahs in Djerba resort

In Tunisia, tourists can try local beer or wine. The taste of the drinks is difficult to distinguish from the ones we are used to. The island's liqueurs have original tastes. The bitter taste will find its connoisseurs. Liqueurs Tibarin and Cedratin resemble absinthe and have a lemon flavor. National alcoholic drink became Bukha vodka. Its strength is 36-40 degrees. Thanks to the unique recipe, the strength is not felt at all.

Local drinks are often taken home as gifts to friends and relatives.

Smoking hookah is a favorite pastime of local residents. Its quality is excellent and is in great demand among guests of the island. Almost every cafe and restaurant provides a hookah smoking service.

Shopping on the resort island

Those who love shopping will be disappointed. The island is not aimed at shopping fans.

Tourists take with them classic refrigerator magnets, postcards and other Chinese nonsense as souvenirs. Interesting gifts include ceramic dishes from the local potters' village. The place is called Gellala. There is a wide selection of plates, pots, vases, figurines and souvenirs to suit every taste. Products can be purchased not only in the village itself, but also in many shops on the island.

Tourists take natural products as souvenirs. Olive oil is popular. The main task is to choose locally produced products. Cosmetics are also exported. Budget tourists take local spices, coffee, tea, and alcohol as gifts.

All local products are suitable as a souvenir:

• carpets, leather goods, jackets, bags;
• They take with them confectionery products: halva, bedspreads and carpets, fig or cactus jam. Food unusual for Europeans is in demand.

We took a couple of jars of halva with us. Tasty and moderately sweet, we really liked it. Next time we will definitely take more

Bazaars: what and where to buy?

A logical continuation of the topic of shopping and souvenirs would be the question of local shops and markets. Where and what is best to buy?

• You will find all the necessary goods right next to the hotel. Lovers hiking They can also walk to the nearest town. You will find the best value for money in eastern markets. The cost of the goods will be minimal, and the range will be the widest;
• The largest market on the island is located in the capital city of Houmt Souk. Bazaars are also found in big cities X. For example, in Midun - this is the closest city to the most developed tourist center. The atmosphere of the shopping area is absolutely original. Everyone should visit such a place;
• if not because of the goods, then because of the amazing atmosphere. It is at the market that tourists will be able to get acquainted with east side islands. Be sure to take time and go to the local market.

Local cafes and restaurants

The majority of establishments are located in the cities of Djerba. They are not particularly popular among tourists. The fact is that most visitors choose the all-inclusive system.

Going to a cafe means trying Turkish coffee and the famous hookah. The goal is not food, but local flavor. Pizzerias are in demand. Large portions at a reasonable price are always appreciated.

Tipping in Tunisia

1. Whether or not to tip the local staff is entirely your own free will. Nobody obliges you to do this. By personal experience I recommend not to skimp and leave a few dinars. It's a small thing, but sometimes it works wonders.
2. The average salary of Tunisians is 150-200 dollars. The income is very modest. For local residents, even a small tip will be a good help.
3. We didn't hesitate to leave a couple of coins for the service staff. Tipping on the island is truly deserved. Employees of hotels, cafes and restaurants try to do their work as efficiently as possible. The people are friendly and welcoming. Plus, the poverty of local residents encourages them to leave a couple of dinars and help in some way.

Prices for goods place of production

Shopping on the island is not the most popular activity. If you are in the mood to make a few purchases, the prices will pleasantly surprise you. A bag made of genuine leather will cost you 25-40 dinars. The price depends on the size of the product.

• A glass of natural juice with pulp sells for only 3 dinars. Exotic cactus jam averages about 4 dinars per 220 grams. Halva costs 4 dinars per 350 grams. Among food products, olive oil is in demand;
• one liter will cost you 8 dinars. For comparison, a similar can in Moscow supermarkets already costs 1,680 rubles, as in all resorts the price depends on the place of purchase. The closer to tourist area, the more expensive;
• Those who like to bargain should definitely visit the local oriental market. Sellers will happily sell the item at a lower price. Thanks to a well-constructed conversation, the price of a product can fall by 2-4 times.

Resort Island Security

1. Video reports and news reports often scare tourists about the high crime rate on the island. In fact, the situation in Djerba is quite calm. The bulk of visitors are vacationers from France, Germany and England. Today, the situation on the island of Djerba is considered the safest in all of Tunisia.
2. The city streets are patrolled by military vehicles. These measures are necessary due to the dangerous proximity to Libya. The locals themselves are friendly to guests of the country. After all, the success of the country’s economy and, consequently, their well-being depend on tourists.
3. The only nuance of staying on the island is the dress code. Pay attention to your appearance when leaving the hotel. Don't expose yourself too much, show modesty. You should not provoke Tunisians by violating their cultural customs. As in any unfamiliar country, you should not walk in unfamiliar places at night. Don't get into arguments or conversations with strangers.

Russian language at the resort

Surprisingly, the Russian language in Djerba is familiar to many Tunisians. In all shops, restaurants, markets, hotels and inns, island residents are familiar with Russian. Everyone involved in tourism activities is trying to establish contact with visitors and learn to speak their native language.

Knowledge of German, English or French will not be superfluous for a Russian tourist. Owning at least one is a guarantee of easy communication with others. Local residents are actively studying languages. If you tell them a few phrases in Russian, they will definitely remember them and use them in communication.

Spending time on the island of Djerba

At the resort, everyone will find something to their liking. Visit, active entertainment or sightseeing tour- your choice. detailed information about leisure activities was presented in the previous article. In order not to repeat ourselves, we will not re-describe all the available entertainment on the island.

Let's remember just a few of the most memorable places:

Cozy park Djerba Explore. A modest, well-kept place to relax.

If you get tired of relaxing in the shade of trees, check out the crocodile farm. Here guests will see real Nile crocodiles feeding.

There is an interesting attraction in the park - the city museum under open air. A traditional Djerbian village with houses of national architecture was created. In the small park there is another museum of traditions and crafts.

Djerba potters' village of Gellala. Here tourists will find several interesting attractions. You can see with your own eyes the process of creating national ceramic products. The workshop opens its doors to everyone. Guests will also see clay caves - the source of material extraction.

The next attraction is the Guellala Ethnographic Museum, perhaps the best on the island. Visitors will get acquainted with an exhibition telling about the traditions of Tunisians.

The center of Gellaly itself will delight tourists with many souvenir shops and shops. The product directly from the manufacturer is ready to please visitors at a very reasonable price.

Once on the island of Djerba, you definitely need to get to the capital - the city of Houmt Souk.

To feel the oriental flavor, you just need to visit the local bazaar. Shopping lovers will definitely be pleased.

Of cultural interest are the Ghazi Mustafa Fort, mosques and amphitheater.

A special place to visit was the synagogue in the city of Riyadh.

Which cities in Djerba are worth visiting for tourists?

1. The main city of Djerba is the capital Houmt Souk. This is the cultural and business center of the island. It is number one on the list of cities to visit.
2. In second place is the city of Midoun. It is near the main tourist area.
3. The top three includes Azhim. The main fishing port is located here. Guests of the island will be able to walk along the embankment and see with their own eyes the process of catching sea sponges and octopuses.

Personal opinion about the resort of Djerba

The overall impression of the holiday is positive. There is something interesting for everyone. For fans of water treatments - good beaches and warm sea, for lovers of cultural recreation - excursion programs and attractions for active recreation - sports and extreme entertainment.

Phrygia Zoo in Tunisia – detailed information

The island of Djerba cannot boast big amount large-scale architectural and historical objects. Those located at the resort can be viewed within sightseeing tour around the island, or, if you do it yourself, getting to know interesting places will take 1-2 days.

Houmt Souk is the capital of Djerba, and there are quite a lot of attractions and simply interesting places to visit. The city itself, although a tourist destination, has retained its originality and national flavor, which can be felt while walking among the low blue and white houses along the winding narrow streets.

In the center of the city there is an extensive market of authentic souvenirs and jewelry, where, after heated bargaining with shopkeepers, tourists buy unusual and memorable items.

Turkish Jamaa Ettruk Mosque;
the main mosque of the Ibadis, Eh Sheikh;
Mosque of followers of Malekism Jamaa el-Ghorb.

Near the island's capital on the coast is the fort of Bordjel Kebir, built in 1284 to defend against Spanish and Norman invaders. You can visit it every day, except Friday, from 9.00 to 18.00, ticket price is 4 dinars.

On the beach, opposite the fort, there is an obelisk erected in memory of the destroyed Borj el-Rus tower. Access to it is 24/7 and free.

An interesting place to visit is the local history museum, which is located in the Sidi Zituni mausoleum on the outskirts of the city. Among the exhibits are traditional clothing, folk crafts, wonderful examples of jewelry made of silver and precious stones.

After exploring the city, you can relax in numerous cafes and restaurants, drink delicious mint tea with pine nuts, and enjoy oriental sweets.

Seven kilometers southwest of Houmt Souk there is a small village - the Jewish settlement of Er Riadh. There is the oldest Jewish shrine and place of pilgrimage - the El Ghriba synagogue. It is the oldest in Africa - built in the 6th century BC, the last reconstruction was made in 1920.
The construction of the synagogue is shrouded in secrets and legends. One of the legends says that two and a half thousand years ago there was a big fire at this place, in which a young girl, Grib, died. Despite the raging flames, the body of the deceased remained untouched; local residents recognized her as a saint, and a synagogue was built in her honor.
Another version says that El Ghriba appeared on the site of the paradise stone that fell from heaven. And as soon as the last Jew disappears from the island, the key to the shrine will return to heaven.

Every year, Jews from all countries make a massive pilgrimage here, because the synagogue houses one of the most important artifacts of the Jewish faith - the Torah scroll. True, you cannot see it - it is hidden from the eyes of visitors in a silver casket. Also in El Ghriba are the relics of Shimon Bar Yashai, one of the authors of the Torah.
Built in the Moorish style, El Ghriba amazes with its architectural sophistication and rich interior decoration. Travelers are greeted by forged gates decorated with rivets, behind which stands a white stone building with blue trim and bars. Inside the synagogue there are walls covered with patterned tiles, arches, bright colored stained glass windows, and columns. Pilgrims can stay in guest rooms on its territory; synagogue employees live in the same building.

It should be remembered that you cannot enter El Ghriba wearing open clothes or with your head uncovered. You can take a scarf or kippah at the entrance; shoes should be taken off here. It is also strictly forbidden to photograph people praying.
Tourists can visit the shrine every day except Saturday. Admission is free, but it is recommended to buy at least one postcard near the exit, and these funds will go towards El Ghriba.

On the eastern part of the island, not far from the city of Midun, there is a unique educational entertainment center Djerba Explore. You can spend the whole day on its territory of 12 hectares, and it will be interesting for both children and adults.

The complex consists of five parts:
themed traditional Tunisian village with cafes and restaurants national cuisine and an open-air Arab souvenir market;
crocodile farm;
museum;
Heritage Village;
residential complex, which includes a five-star hotel, a residence and an apart-hotel.
The crocodile farm is the largest in Mediterranean coast, and has more than 400 crocodiles, mostly brought from Madagascar. Around the animal pool there are tables with chairs where visitors can sit and watch the life of the reptiles. Every day after 16.00 the animals are fed, in which tourists can also participate for an additional fee.
Lella Hadria is a museum of Tunisian folk traditions. In 15 exhibition halls, more than a thousand unique exhibits are presented, showing 14 centuries of Islamic and Tunisian art.

The most notable of them:

Original jewelry;

Manuscripts and calligraphy;

Ottoman and Persian kaftans;
fragment of a curtain from the Kaaba stone from Mecca;
Berber pottery;
carpets of the finest work.

The Heritage Village shows the history and architecture of the Tunisian people in everyday life and production. Here you can see the traditional dwelling “menzel” (or “khush”), in which various household items are collected, as well as visit a weaving factory and a pottery workshop. Few people are indifferent to the camel pumping water from a deep well, and you are also allowed to take a photo with it (for an additional fee).
Djerba Explore works all year round, in season from 9.00 to 20.00, and in winter - from 9.00 to 18.00. A single ticket to visit the farm, village and museum will cost 15 dinars, for children under 12 years old - 8 dinars.

What else can you visit on the island of Djerba:
the ethnographic museum of Guellala in the village of the same name, famous for its pottery art;
Djerba Lagoon, where you can watch the life of pink flamingos in their natural environment;
the village of Azim, where the islanders catch sponges and octopuses, and where the preserved sets from the Star Wars film are located.

Djerba Restaurants

Djerba Island preferred by lovers of calm and quality rest, so catering establishments fully correspond to this level. And this does not always mean that dinner at a restaurant at the resort will cost a pretty penny.

La Lagune

The upscale La Lagune restaurant attracts customers with stunning views of the lagoon and an extensive seafood menu. English-speaking staff warmly welcomes and promptly serves travelers, and the warm atmosphere and pleasant background music help relieve fatigue after a long day. The average bill for two is $50-80.

One of best restaurants on the island is located in the capital Houmt Souk. The freshest seafood dishes are served here, good map wine There is a separate room for non-smokers, which allows all visitors without exception to enjoy dinner. It is not advisable to enter here in beachwear, because this establishment has a dress code. A dinner with seafood and alcohol will cost $60-100 for two.

La Couple

Located in the city of Midoun, La Couple diner allows you to spend time among the locals for little money. The menu here is not particularly diverse - pizzas, sandwiches, salads and snacks, alcohol is not offered. However, many islanders and tourists prefer to sit here in the evening with a cup of mint tea and order a hookah, because the relaxed atmosphere of this place cannot but attract visitors. The average bill is $20-40 for two.

Chez Fatroucha

Not far from Midoun is the creative culinary restaurant Chez Fatrooucha. It offers original Mediterranean cuisine, which makes the establishment very popular among travelers of all nationalities. Lunch or dinner here will cost $70-90 for two people.

Il Papagallo

The best Italian restaurant is located in Houmt Souk. The professional chef at Il Papagallo prepares delicious pizzas, ravioli, pastas, spaghetti and salads. Visitors only need to choose toppings and sauces prepared according to traditional recipes. The average bill is $30-50 for two, opening hours are from 11.00 to 23.00.

Djerba Hotels

Most hotels in Djerba are concentrated in the north east coast islands with a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Most often, they are located on the first line from the beach, have their own territory with swimming pools, restaurants and discos, which allows you to spend your entire vacation without leaving the hotel.

Premium hotels

Hotels of the same chain, Hasdrubal Prestige Djerba 5* ($300 for two per day) and Hasdrubal Thalassa Djerba 5* ($200 per day) offer first-class relaxation in the luxurious interior of hotel rooms, and hotel restaurants will delight guests with delicious food and an upscale center. A relaxing beach time can be diversified with thalasso treatments in hotel spa centers.

The island of Djerba is one of the most famous and perhaps the most beautiful of the islands of Tunisia. This island is known for its stunning beaches and dramatic sunsets. It is connected to the mainland by a road that was built by the Romans in a place where the sea was only 1 meter deep. There is also ferry service between Djerba and some port cities of Tunisia.

Some of the original inhabitants of Djerba are said to have been local Berbers (Djerba is one of the few places in Tunisia where the Berber language is still spoken), black slaves and Jews who fled Jerusalem around 100 BC . The families of the Jewish priests even moved one of the temple gates to Djerba, to El Ghriba, one of the many synagogues in Djerba. It is the oldest synagogue, as it is over 2000 years old!

Djerba is big tourist resort, which originally had names such as Lotophagi Island, Philadelphia Island, and finally Meninx Jirba Island. From the last name the current name Djerba appeared.

According to Greek mythology, Djerba was the home of unique lotuses. During Homer's Odyssey while sailing the Mediterranean Sea, Ulysses nearly lost his men when beautiful girls on the island they were fed lotus flowers. The men stranded on Djerba were so pleasantly intoxicated by the lotus that Odysseus could not find a way to force them to return to their ships!

It is worth noting that throughout its history, Djerba belonged to many states:

1135-1158 and 1284-1333 - Kingdom of Sicily

1521-1524 and 1551-1560 - Spain

1560-1881 - Türkiye

1881-1956 - France

Between 1995 and 2000, more than 400 were opened in Djerba archaeological sites, including many Punic and Roman villas.

Ancient mosques and synagogues, lively markets, Roman ruins, charming villages famous for their pottery, the fortress of Borj el-Kebir and the colorful main city Houmt Souk, with its maze of streets, fishing port, marina, white houses and tempting cafes, is more than enough to give you an idea of ​​what you can spend unforgettable vacation on the island of Djerba in Tunisia!

Where is the island of Djerba

The island of Djerba on the map is located in North Africa. The map of Djerba clearly shows that the island is located very close to Tunisia. Djerba is connected to the rest of the country by a dam along which buses run and a ferry service.

Also on the map of Djerba you can see that there are 2 large cities: Houmt Souk and Ajim. Besides them, there is another significant town, such as Midoun. The map also shows the airport, which is located in the northwestern part of the island. It can also be seen that maximum height above sea level here reaches 53 meters.

Holidays on the island of Djerba

Djerba Island in Tunisia last years has become an important holiday destination. Holidays on the island of Djerba in Tunisia are an unforgettable experience.

Rising prices, complicated reservations and the daunting task of traveling to Djerba are keeping many families away from this amazing island. But why talk yourself out of visiting this island if you know you love it? Moreover, now Djerba has become noticeably closer to Russian tourists, since Russian tour operators in 2016 offered charter flights to this island.

Djerba, the island of Oblivion, is the most big Island in North Africa. It nests like a jewel in the Gulf of Gabes. The island is rich in natural beauty and has a long and interesting history.

About 300 sunny days a year and more than 100 km coastline- this is what attracts those who are looking for paradise to Djerba. Also known as the “land of dreams,” the island is believed to have been created by nature “to captivate the imagination of the human soul.”

Most Big City and the provincial capital is Houmt Souk. Its population is about 60 thousand inhabitants. Houmt Souk delights tourists with its intricate streets, rich in oriental treasures.

Small cafes add provincial charm to the city and the entire island. The local bazaar is a great place to buy clothes worn by many of the local women. Blankets have been prepared here since the time of Hannibal.

Connected to the rest of Tunisia by a long causeway, the island of Djerba has many small towns that invite exploration. El Mae is a colorful market and Fatu is where beautiful wicker baskets and carpets are made. In the city of Guellala you can find exquisite ceramics. All the tiny towns are located in natural places, surrounded by lush vegetation of individual oases. The mosques, which are built in large numbers in Djerba, have a variety of shapes and unique character. Amazingly, white houses built in the traditional domed style appear like pearls between modern houses and hotels.

The rich history of Djerba began with the formation of the ancient Roman city of Gerba. The island is home to more than seven thousand olive trees, some of which are over three thousand years old.

Roman statues and Byzantine mosaics fascinate visitors. Djerba is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. The Grib Synagogue has been preserved here since 586 BC.

Djerba??is home to sophisticated modern tourist complexes on the north and east coasts. These tourist "palaces" are built to mix modern and natural beauty against the backdrop of a calm environment.

Horse riding, golfing, mountain biking, paragliding are just a few of the activities that await you in Djerba. Water sports available here all year round include jet skiing, diving, paragliding, banana boat, jet skis, catamarans, etc. Light breeze during holiday season allows children to safely frolic in calm azure waters.

While exploring the island you can find very interesting attractions such as the museum, local Cultural Center and a crocodile farm where even Nile crocodiles are bred.

Excursions in Djerba

Excursions in Djerba are not as varied as, for example, in Hammamet, Sousse or Monastir. But if you are ready to travel long distances for excursions, then a huge scope opens up for you.

The simplest, paradoxically, is an excursion to the Sahara from Djerba. The thing is that from Djerba to the city of Douz, which is considered the “Gateway of the Sahara”, the journey is much shorter than from others resort regions. But, nevertheless, during such an excursion you will only be able to visit the Sahara and see the underground dwellings of the Berbers in the Matmata area. All others interesting objects, such as the Colosseum in El Jem, the Mosque in Kairouan, the Shebika oasis, you will not see.

Longer excursions include trips to Carthage (the longest excursion), Dougga, Kairouan, El Jem and Sidi Bou Said. These areas are located much north of Djerba, so it will take a very long time to get to them. If you want to explore all the most significant sites in Tunisia, then it would probably be better to book a hotel room for a few days in a city that is close to these attractions, for example in Hammamet or Sousse. From here you can quickly get to Carthage, Tunis, Sidi Bou Said and other interesting places.

But you should not ignore the island of Djerba itself, as it has so many attractions that it is impossible to see them in one day.

Djerba Airport

Djerba Airport (Zarzis International Airport) is the main transport hub for all visitors to the island of Djerba, which is one of the most unique tourist places in Tunisia and enjoys a pleasant climate all year round. You can rent a car right at the airport and start your travels around the island.

The airport is located nine kilometers west of the city of Houmt Souk. It was commissioned in 1970 to improve the tourist attraction of the island of Djerba. The facility covers an area of ​​295 hectares and has a capacity of 4 million passengers per year. Its activities are mainly related to the delivery of tourists coming to relax in Djerba and in the surrounding areas. The terminal has an area of ​​73,000 square meters. Also, a new terminal building with an area of ​​57,000 square meters was recently built. on three levels.

It is worth noting that Zarzis International Airport has many amenities and staff who ensure that tourists feel comfortable. For passengers with disabilities there are ramps and designated parking areas and toilets, while mothers with children are provided with special rooms with changing tables.

Djerba Airport has many restaurants for those looking to grab a bite to eat, as well as duty-free shops to buy something for your trip or as a gift. If you need help, the speaker English language staff can contact the main terminal help desk for any question.

Houmt Souk

Houmt Souk is the only place in Djerba, which is really a city. At the same time, by the standards of Tunisia, Houmt Souk is a rather large city. Houmt Souk is located next to the sea and is surrounded by beautiful and lively markets. There are two main markets here: one for selling souvenirs and the other for selling food products. Houmt Souk has quite a few outdoor cafes where both Tunisians and tourists relax.

We can say that Houmt Souk has already turned into tourist town, but this is only partly true. Still, the city has not yet lost its flavor. Among the foreigners here, most of them are German tourists, although Russian voices can be heard in all corners of the city.

Houmt Souk is quite different from any other Tunisian city south of Sidi Bou Said, which can be considered as its brother.

What amazed me was the opportunity to spend a night for 10 dollars (maximum) in a unique guest house. An unforgettable experience awaits you. I myself stayed in such a “hotel” with rooms with vaulted ceilings, lots of green plants and flowers on the territory and a small pool in the center.

Burj El Kebir

Burj El Kebir, sometimes called the Ghazi Mustaf Tower, has had many owners over the years. The Romans began construction of this fortress on the island of Djerba. Only the King of Sicily, Roger de Luria, built the first real fortress here in 1289.

In 1560 the Spaniards (who had replaced the Sicilians here earlier) were driven out by Ottoman Empire. Hundreds, if not thousands of skulls of Spanish soldiers are still kept in the tower.

Most of The fort was restored by the Turks, and, therefore, little remained in the same form in which the Sicilians built the fortress.

Synagogue in Djerba

The small community of Khara Sghira is not very remarkable. This the main street with some grocery stores and two cafes. But there is a mosque here, built in a typical Djerba style. It is also often called the Grib Synagogue. This synagogue is the center of Jews in North Africa. It is the place where "a stone fell from the sky, and where miracles were performed when the sanctuary was once built." In the old days it was Holy place until 1400. The present building is no more than 75 years old. The hostels for pilgrims here are rarely full, but pilgrims from many countries still come here.

Non-Jews can also visit the synagogue if they leave a small gift (money). The interior is only slightly more interesting than the bland exterior.

Relations between the 100 or so Jews and the Muslim majority appear to be improving, but Jews in Djerba are considered very conservative, so they face anti-Jewish acts very often. The last time such an incident occurred was in 1985, when three fans were shot in a synagogue.

Turkish Mother Mosque

The appearance of the Turkish Mother Mosque is somewhat disappointing, mainly due to the blatant gas station a few meters away from her. Many photographers who cannot go inside because they are not Muslims must cut out the wires strung above the mosque, leading to neighboring houses, as well as the red gas station that dominates the background, in order to get a more or less normal photo of the mosque.

The mosque in its current form is small but very beautiful. The minaret is no more than 5-6 meters in size, and all the walls are white, like a cake covered with cream.

The village of El Maya is quite calm, but during rush hour the main road is slightly crowded with cars. El Mai Market is a small and cozy bazaar, which is located about 200 meters from the Turkish Mother Mosque.

Underground oil presses

Somewhat less exotic today are oil presses. Imagine that previously a camel was used for this purpose, walking in a circle and squeezing out olive oil. But now the camel has "retired" and a simple machine does the job. However, there are underground oil presses in Djerba, reminiscent of those in the Matmata area. The oil presses were placed underground to take care of humidity, which is vital for olive oil production during the winter. Today, the city of Midoun has one underground oil press, which can be viewed during the winter months (November to January).

Midoun City is too close to the Tourist Area, so people here have long been accustomed to being photographed and lightly dressed by foreign tourists. Visitors mainly go to local shops to buy regular souvenirs. The town returns to its old life on Fridays, which is market day.

Traveling and relaxing on the island of Djerba in Tunisia, located in the Mediterranean Sea, is not as popular among our compatriots as tours to the more popular resort of this country. Meanwhile, this is an absolutely amazing natural area with stunning white sandy beaches, beautiful sights, and the purest sea ​​water and amazing thalassotherapy.

Djerba Island is a year-round resort in Tunisia, and it is located a few kilometers from the coast in the Gulf of Gabes, and you can get there by walking along the isthmus through which it is connected to the land. The island itself measures twenty-nine by twenty-eight kilometers, its coastline, washed by the Mediterranean Sea, stretches for one hundred and fourteen kilometers. The capital of Djerba and the largest locality is Houmt Souk, if you translate the name, you get “Grand Bazaar”. Holidays on the island of Djerba attract tourists these days beautiful beaches with snow-white sand, fine and pleasant to the touch, crystal clear sea water, magnificent groves of olives and palm trees, men love it for its excellent diving and fishing, and women for its amazing thalassotherapy. If you're into myths Ancient Greece, then, for sure, you will recognize in the island of Djerba the place where Odysseus met with the nymph Calypso; it was here, in the land of “lotophages”, among the fragrant beauties of nature, that the legendary hero forgot for seven years about everything that connected him with the outside world. Now let’s get acquainted with a wonderful corner of Africa and Tunisia - the island of Djerba, learn about its history, attractions, beaches and the best hotels.

History of the island of Djerba

The very first inhabitants of this Mediterranean island, which has changed many names throughout its history: Lotofagov, Philadelphia, Meninx Jirba, located next to the African continent, were the ancient Phoenicians, who sailed here in the eighth century BC. Here they settled, began to engage in various crafts, and trade with neighboring peoples. Soon, part of the island was inhabited by Berbers, who still live here today, preserving their originality and authenticity. Some of the Berbers became pirates, and on the island they set up a base for wintering and repairing ships. The geography of the island contributed to this, because Djerba is protected by natural Coral reefs, treacherous shallows, changeable winds, low tides, which was thoroughly known to the corsairs and made access to the island impossible for their enemies. Many Jews moved to the island, fleeing from the city of Jerusalem in the hundredth year BC after the destruction of the “Temple of Solomon” by the king of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar II, and even took with them the temple gates, which can now be seen in El Ghriba - the oldest synagogue on the island of Djerba . Time passed and the island was taken over by the ubiquitous Roman Empire, during whose power infrastructure began to be built on Djerba, including the island being connected to the mainland via a seven-kilometer causeway bridge. Later, Tunisia and the island of Djerba belonged to different peoples: Vandals, Carthaginians, Byzantines, Normans, Sicilians, Arabs, Spaniards, Turks, French. By the way, during the rule of the Ottomans, all the ships sailing along the local coast more than once suffered from attacks by the formidable Turkish pirate Turgut Reis, his fleet was based precisely on Djerba. Local residents say that this filibuster buried his wealth, which he plundered countless times during his life, just somewhere on the island. It was truly scary man, uncompromising and merciless towards his enemies, he is said to have killed hundreds of people. So in 1560, he ordered the construction of a tower, the building materials for which were five thousand skulls of his enemies, the Spaniards, who were trying to recapture the island, the structure was named “Borj el Rus”, interestingly, it stood even after the death of the pirate, until 1848 years when they decided to dismantle it for the burial of human remains. In addition, the island of Djerba was a filibuster base for other famous sea corsairs, including Captain Urouge, Captain Barbarossa. Local authorities were completely loyal to the corsairs, because with their help trade developed and Djerba became rich. Pirates brought looted wealth here and sold it for nothing, while they paid duties and various fees, and presented gifts to local authorities. Then the goods purchased for pennies were resold to foreign merchants from Tunisia, Turkey, Egypt, but for more high price. This state of affairs suited everyone, and the island of Djerba flourished. Local residents grew dates, olives, grapes, figs, pears, apples, plums, apricots, citrons, oranges here - all this was also sold. After numerous “owners,” the island of Djerba in Tunisia boasts a variety of architectural and historical attractions, including those from very distant times, such as Roman villas and buildings of the Punic period.

Climate of Djerba island

The local climate is very mild and warm, thanks to its proximity to the Sahara Desert, the sun shines here all year round, making this a year-round holiday destination. The wind from the desert brings heat and warms up the air masses more than on the mainland. In winter, the air temperature does not drop below twenty degrees, and the water does not cool below eighteen degrees, and many seasoned tourists prefer to come here from December to February, but most travelers begin to come for sea ​​holidays to the island of Djerba between April and November. Since April, the water in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Djerba warms up to twenty-two degrees, in June - to twenty-five, in July, August and September - to twenty-eight degrees, in October - to twenty-six, by November it cools down to twenty-two degrees.

This is the most charming corner coast of the island of Djerba, known among tourists as “Flamingo Island”. The beach is located seventeen kilometers from the island capital and stretches along the peninsula, only with the tide turning into a full-fledged mini-island. Almost all tourists vacationing in Djerba come here to see the pink flamingos living here, who are not at all afraid of curious people, but are busily searching for food. Here you will find sugar-white sand, a flat entry into bright turquoise sea water, long shallow waters, however, sunbeds and umbrellas are paid. You can also get to this beach as part of a sea excursion, which are offered in different travel agencies islands.

This magnificent beach stretches for seventeen kilometers along the northern island coast and is famous for its excellent infrastructure. The beach is simply gorgeous, it is framed by rows of slender palm trees, casting a blessed shadow on the blinding white sand. The sea here is transparent and has a bright blue color; you can see colorful fish through the water. There are sun loungers and umbrellas that belong to the property of certain beach hotels. Since the coast belongs to hotels, algae is regularly removed here and sand is sifted. There are a lot of families with children on this beach, because the entrance to the sea here is flat, smooth, without stones, the depth increases slowly and gradually.

But the neighboring beach of Sidi Mehrez - El Ashen beach, although attractive with its clean water and white sand, is considered wild, no one cleans it up, so the algae thrown out by the wave remain to rot on the shore, which makes entering the sea uncomfortable. That is why the beach is extremely uncrowded. Only one part of this beach, assigned to the Radisson Blu Ulysse hotel, is well-groomed and equipped for relaxation, there are sun loungers, cafes, and entertainment, and then the “wild” beach begins.

This five-kilometer beach belongs to the southeastern tip of Djerba; Tunisians themselves love to relax here, but there are very few foreign tourists here. The infrastructure for recreation is not so developed here, but it is very quiet, which attracts local residents who are tired of crowds of noisy travelers. But here you can admire the stunning beauty of the lagoon. For families with children it will also be very comfortable here, because the entrance to the sea is sandy and the depth increases slowly.

A three-kilometer beach on the east coast of Djerba, where well-groomed stretches of coastline owned by hotels give way to unkempt “wild” areas covered with rotting algae and silt. On the territory of this beach there are numerous piers that are used by islander fishermen. Most often, holidays on this beach are preferred by older people who come here in search of silence and unity with nature.

Ideal corner west coast Djerba, sparsely populated and incredibly beautiful. Couples in love love to retire here, despite the fact that there is no infrastructure for recreation and entertainment. To get to the beach you need to take a taxi, because it is located far from towns and cities, there are no hotels here, and in addition, the road surface leaves much to be desired.

Many tourists note that this is the most best beach of the island of Djerba, it is located in its northeastern tip. This is an ideal place with white sand, there is a sea of ​​incredible beauty and color where fish swim. The entrance is without boulders and stones, also very pleasant sandy. Infrastructure for recreation at a high level.

Sights of the island of Djerba

The Bordj el-Kebir citadel is often called the “Tower of Ghazi Mustafa”; this structure is the most frequently visited tourist attraction on the island of Djerba. There is nothing surprising here, because the fortress dates back to the Middle Ages and has seen many trials in its lifetime. It is located on the seashore near the island capital Houmt Souk, in the port area. The date of construction was lost in 1284, when the Byzantines erected this citadel in order to protect themselves from the attacks of Spanish or Norman conquerors. By 1560, the Spaniards, who were already in full possession of the fortress, were driven out of there by desperate filibusters under the command of the pirate Turgut Reis, a close friend Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Seven years passed and the fort began to be rebuilt, then the construction was already led by Gazhi Mustafa, who replaced Turgut Reis at the post, which is why the second name of the citadel is “Borj Gazhi Mustafa”. This rectangular-shaped fortress has four-meter thick walls made of huge stone blocks, and it is surrounded by a deep ditch. Today you can see the ruins of the very first fortress built by the Byzantines, in addition, you can see rusty cannon muzzles at the bottom of the ditch and the cannonball. There are no interesting exhibits inside the citadel, however, many tourists visit its territory. Opening hours of the Borj el-Kebir Fortress: from September to March - from half past ten in the morning to half past five in the evening; in the period from April to August - from eight in the morning to seven in the evening, on Friday - a day off. The entrance ticket price is four Tunisian dinars or ninety-five Russian rubles.

This beautiful mausoleum houses the interesting Museum of Local History of the city of Houmt Souk, where tourists have the opportunity to get acquainted with the authentic clothing of the islanders, their traditional jewelry, including those made of precious metals, see samples of ceramic and wooden utensils, household items, thus learning the culture of Djerba . The museum has been open since 1986, and more and more tourists visit it every holiday season.

The history of the construction of this ascetic forty-meter structure, the interior of which is painted with intricate patterns, decorated with wood carvings and decorated with multi-colored stained glass windows, is steeped in legends and secrets. It’s worth starting with the fact that it was built for Sufis - these are followers of one of the Islamic religious movements, incredibly popular among the Turks. According to ancient legend, Sufis were the first to respond to the call of the Prophet Muhammad, becoming his followers. They brought sermons to people about the need to lead an ascetic life, to love everything that God created, and to try to know him through hidden knowledge. This knowledge is still shrouded in mystery; a very narrow circle of people is dedicated to it. As for the Jamaa Ettruk Mosque, it became not only a stronghold of faith, but also a real citadel for the protection of the islanders who hid in its thick walls during periods of armed skirmishes. In the mosque, people could learn about history, jurisprudence, and religion. To this day, tourists visiting the mosque note its special mystical atmosphere, imbued with the spirit of antiquity. The snow-white building with seven domes and a round sixteenth-century minaret, standing on Rue Taieb M'hiri, is definitely worth a visit, its interiors are truly stunning.

This is an incredibly simple and even inconspicuous mosque, which was built for the followers of the ancient movement of Islam - the Ibadis, who were part of the Kharijite communities, since the seventh century. Why does this mosque still stand on the island of Djerba? - this is surprising, because the Ibadis are considered heretics among Muslims. The Ash Sheikh Mosque is a very ascetic clay building, its interior is also simple and unadorned, because according to the beliefs of the Ibadis, no luxury is needed to communicate with God, so that it does not distract from the essence.

In the area of ​​the Houmt Souk medina - the old city with narrow, tangled streets - there is the "Foreigners" mosque, built for followers of the moderate Islamic movement of Sunnism - Malekism. The building was named after the discoverer of this religious and legal school - Malik Ibn Anas, who was born in the ninety-third year of our era. The Jemaa el Ghorba Mosque stands among the most beautiful traditional houses of the islanders - menzels - square structures covered with domes.

This is the oldest synagogue in Tunisia and the island of Djerba, which was built in the distant sixth century BC and to this day is a place of Jewish worship, attracting Jewish believers from all over the world. Associated with the construction of the synagogue ancient legend: the young girl Grib died in a fire at this place, however, when people put out the fire, they saw that the body was not burned at all, they thought that this was a sign from above and that it was necessary to build a holy place here to worship God. Today El Ghriba is the oldest Jewish shrine, located in the small village of Hara Segira, where mainly Jews live. The original building itself has not been preserved since ancient times, so in 1920 new walls grew right around the ancient foundation and unique ruins of the first Ghriba synagogue. To this day, the synagogue houses unique relics - Torah scrolls - one of the oldest sacred books on the planet. Here is also the tomb of Shimon Bar Yashai, a man who participated in writing the Talmud. Every spring Jews from different countries come to venerate his ashes. There is a hotel on the territory of the synagogue.

This is the oldest and completely unique structure, which is a seven-kilometer embankment connecting the island of Djerba with the mainland of Tunisia. To build this embankment, the Romans had to sink old ships and then fill them with a mixture of stones and sand. And today the ancient Roman road is a kind of bridge, however, now its surface is covered with asphalt, and along it stretches a water supply system, through which fresh water flows to Djerba. This road leads to the Tunisian resort of Zarzis. Driving along the highway, it is very difficult to imagine the antiquity of the structure, but once upon a time African caravans transporting priceless goods walked along it, and huge parties of slaves walked along it, both in the period of Antiquity and in the Middle Ages.

This is the second largest and most visited city on the Tunisian island of Djerba and the main tourist party area. Foreigners love to visit it, because there is a lot of entertainment and interesting sights: Muslim mosques, colorful oriental bazaars, the Lala Hadria Museum and an interesting crocodile farm. The coastal area near Midun is no less attractive, with a large number of hotels of different stars, restaurants, and excellent beaches. This is where tourists come who don’t understand a beach holiday without an eventful nightlife, discos, night clubs. It must be said that there are no such establishments in this party zone great amount, they have both high European level and mid-range eateries.

The excellent entertainment complex “Djerba Explore” is the most visited attraction on the island of Djerba by adults and children. The park covers twelve hectares and is divided into five main parts:

- Authentic village of Tunisia, where there are democratic cafes and restaurants based on cooking local cuisine, souvenir shops in a typical Arab market;

- Crocodile farm– one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea, where four hundred individuals of Madagascar crocodiles live;

- Museum of Folk Traditions of Tunisia “Lella Hadria”, where in fifteen huge halls there are interesting exhibits, from which you can see masterpieces of Islamic art of the fourteenth century, precious jewelry, images of calligraphy and ancient manuscripts, outfits of the Ottomans and Persians, ceramics, carpets and much more;

- Heritage Village- a place where tourists can get acquainted with the history and architecture of Tunisians, see household items, traditional menzeli houses, visit a weaving and pottery workshop, take a photo with a camel;

- Comfortable residential complex, including a luxury five-star hotel, a residence, and an apart-hotel.

You can visit the Djerba Explore park in the summer, spring, and autumn months from nine in the morning to eight in the evening, in the winter months from nine in the morning to six in the evening. A ticket for children under twelve years old costs eight dinars or one hundred and ninety rubles, and an adult ticket costs fifteen dinars or three hundred and fifty rubles.

This most interesting museum of the island of Djerba is located in the small village of Gellal, which has long been famous for the art of pottery. Here tourists can learn a lot interesting facts about the history of Djerba, about its ancient crafts, see how oil was squeezed out of olives, how dishes were made from clay, get acquainted with the everyday life of the islanders, with their unique traditions, rituals, and attend local holidays.

This is one of the most frequently visited attractions in Djerba. A small port village at the southern tip of the island, a place with fantastic natural landscapes, where the Star Wars saga was filmed and the film’s sets stand there to this day. Tourists can not only take stunning photographs against the backdrop of these extraterrestrial scenery, but also watch the fascinating process of catching octopuses and sea sponges by local residents and film it on video. You can get to the village either with an organized excursion or on your own, from the island of Djerba itself and from mainland Tunisia. The mainland and Azhim are connected by ferry; the journey by water takes fifteen minutes.

The ancient Berber people, constantly persecuted, were forced to constantly adapt to difficult natural conditions and to the unkind attitude of other people, so their fortresses became “ksars” - caves hidden among natural landscapes with a predominance of hills. Ksars became not only houses for the Berbers, but also warehouses and defensive citadels from enemies. And now the Barbary ksars are an interesting attraction of the region; the former dwellings house souvenir shops, workshops, retail outlets, and an authentic restaurant.

According to our knowledge of history, Jews settled around the world gradually; in the first wave they settled on the African island of Djerba. This was after Babylonian forces attacked Jerusalem in the sixth century BC and captured the city, driving out the local inhabitants. Then large masses of Jews moved to the island of Djerba, including settling in the village of Es-Souani. Since then, to this day, families of the descendants of these settlers have lived there. On the territory of the village there is an ancient cemetery and a synagogue. Local residents make the best jewelry in Tunisia from precious metals, which invariably attracts tourists who are happy to purchase inexpensive and very stylish gold and silver jewelry as a souvenir of their visit to the island of Djerba.

It is here that numerous tourists from different parts of Tunisia come in October to see the stunning pink flamingos that fly here for the winter. In October, the sea in Djerba still has a temperature quite comfortable for swimming - twenty-three degrees, and the air temperature is twenty-six degrees, so October is a great time to travel to Djerba. As a bonus, tourists will see beautiful pink flamingos in their natural habitat.

No one will be bored on the island of Djerba, because there are plenty of entertainment options here. There are especially many opportunities for activities offered here. aquatic species sports: interesting diving, exciting windsurfing, extreme kayaking, banana boat rides, parachute flights behind a boat over the surface of the sea. It will also be interesting for golf lovers, for whom the island has an excellent course “Djerba Golf Club”, located in the eastern part of Djerba. Some tourists always visit the symbol of Africa - the Sahara Desert; they take great pleasure in conquering the sand dunes in maneuverable jeeps. The island also offers camel and horse riding. There you can also attend exciting horse races, where experienced riders compete on Arabian horses. The most popular entertainment for women on the island of Djerba is visiting thalassotherapy centers, of which there are many and all of them are of a very high level. These centers use water from local thermal springs in treatment and prevention.

This is one of Djerba's popular party spots. The disco takes place in a huge bar, which is located directly on the Sidi Mehrez beach. The establishment is open until two o'clock in the morning. Guests will be entertained by the most fashionable DJs of our time.

The largest club on this island and a place that breaks records for attendance. is one of the most popular on the island. The club is located in Midoun near the Green Palm Golf & Spa hotel. Up to eight hundred guests can visit the establishment at the same time. There is a VIP area, an excellent restaurant, a bar, and a large dance floor. The club starts working from eleven o'clock at night.

This disco is located in Midoun near the Vincci Djerba Resort. The club opens at ten in the evening and closes at five in the morning. Fans of Latin American and European music come here to have fun with fiery rhythms.

Another popular party place among young people is Midoun. It is interesting that the restaurant, in which the establishment operates during the day, is decorated in the style of the Wild West, and in the evenings there is a cheerful disco.

The island has a small territory, so you need to understand that there are not as many hotels here as on the mainland of the Tunisian coast. Hotels are mainly located in the northeastern and eastern extremities of Djerba, more precisely in the tourist areas. There are forty beach hotels on Djerba, of which thirty-four are on the first coastline from the sea. There are hotels of different stars here, including luxury hotels from the Radisson, Movenpick, and Hyatt chains. Most of the island has four-star hotels with good service, but there are several excellent “five” hotels. We have made a selection of the most good hotels Djerba according to tourist reviews.

This is the most magnificent and architecturally luxurious spa hotel on the island of Djerba, located directly on the best sandy beach Sidi Mehrez, directly opposite the island's only casino and next to a huge golf course. The hotel is located eighteen kilometers from the island airport. There are several excellent restaurants, bars, a coffee shop, and high-quality service awaits guests. Accommodation in a room for two people in August at this hotel starts from one hundred and twenty thousand; the final price will depend on the room you choose and the type of food.

A magnificent hotel on the seashore, among beautiful palm thickets in the tourist area of ​​Midoun, fifteen kilometers from the island capital. The hotel is located near the lighthouse. There are swimming pools, restaurants, bars, cafes, a spa, a hammam, a children's club, car rental, bicycle rental, and water equipment. The cost of a week's stay in a hotel for two people costs from one hundred and forty thousand rubles.

Great beach hotel in the center of Midoun, surrounded by a palm park, with its own sandy beach, with numerous restaurants, bars, children's clubs, opportunities to rent vehicles for independent travel, a beauty salon, swimming pools, and play areas. A room for two for a week in August will cost from one hundred thousand rubles.

Amazing hotel international network hotels The hotel is located on the wonderful sandy beach "Sidi Akkou", it stands among beautiful and fragrant gardens in a tropical style. Guests are offered spa services, a disco, restaurants and bars at the hotel, there is a hairdresser, playgrounds, shops, swimming pools, children's clubs. Accommodation for a week will cost from one hundred and fifteen thousand rubles for a double room.

How to get to the island of Djerba?

By plane:
There are direct flights from Russia to Zarzis Airport on the island of Djerba. The distance from Russia to Djerba is three thousand one hundred and eighty kilometers, travel time is four hours. Airlines operating the flight: " Nordwind Airlines", Aeroflot, departures are made from Moscow airports: Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo. While in mainland Tunisia, you can fly to the island of Djerba by domestic airlines using one of six Tunisian airports.

By bus or car:
The trip along the Roman causeway from the mainland to Djerba takes fifteen minutes on any wheeled vehicle.

On a ferryboat:
The ferry ride takes between ten and fifteen minutes.

You need to look for the island of Djerba on the world map in Gulf of Gabes. It belongs to the pool Mediterranean Sea. Few people know that the island of Jebra is the legendary Oligia, where Odysseus was held captive by the nymph Calypso for more than 7 years.

More than 130 km of the island's coastline consists of beaches covered with white sand. Many episodes of the film " Star Wars».

Djerba on the world map and Tunisia

Djerba is considered the most big island North Africa . This is one of the best resort areas. You can relax on the island all year round. The average annual temperature is +20°C.

The largest city on the island is Houmt Souk, its population is 65 thousand people.

How to get there?

The most convenient way to travel to Djerba is air travel. international Airport Zarzis is located in the northern part of the island. You can get to the island from Russia by plane with 1-2 transfers.

Direct charter flights from Moscow to the island fly from April to October.

Most convenient option flight from Moscow to Djerba - via Munich, and from St. Petersburg - via. Flight time is 4 hours 30 minutes.

You can buy a plane ticket using this search form. Enter cities of departure and arrival, date And number of passengers.

Zarzis Airport has only one runway. He accepts internal and international flights . It is 9 km from Houmt Souk. You can find a taxi at the airport right at the entrance of the terminal.

Island information

Very often called Djerba Island of pink flamingos and thousands of palm trees. Many romantic legends are associated with it.

Story

Djerba has always been a tasty prey for various nations because of its successful geographical location. IN different times the island belonged to Arabs, Spaniards and even pirates. The indigenous island people are the Berbers. These are African tribes that converted to Islam in the 7th century. They have preserved their customs and traditions to this day. The Islam they adopted transformed over time into Ibadism.

The main romantic legend about the island is associated with the name Homer. In his Odyssey, he described the sailing of Ulysses from Troy, who on his journey reached the shores of the island of Djerba, which Homer calls Oligia in the Odyssey.

In reality, the discoverers of the island were Phoenician merchants, they brought crafts and trade to Djerba.

A serious push to economic development The island received during the heyday of the Roman Empire. It is the birthplace of the emperors Valerian and Gallienus. In the 16th century, the island was under the rule of pirates. This period in the history of the island is associated with the name Drogut Reisa. There is a legend that the famous filibuster hid his countless treasures on the island.

The island's inhabitants traditionally settled secludedly on small farms. Large settlements formed around large markets. The name of the capital of the island, Houmt Souk, translated means “market quarter”. For a long time there lived on the island a large Jewish community, most of which were forced to leave him. In memory of this, a synagogue remained in Djerba in Hara Segir, the age of which is estimated at more than 2600 years. Currently, Djerba is part of Tunisia.

General information

About 140 thousand people permanently live on the island. The majority of the island population is Arabs and Berbers. The area of ​​the island is 514 km². The island's main income is agriculture and tourism. It has a well-developed infrastructure, there are many hotels, restaurants, and clubs. The difference with Moscow time is -2 hours.

Climate

The temperature on the island is always 2-3 degrees higher than the mainland. Despite the typical African heat, Djerba has its own “off season”, which occurs in December, January and February. The air temperature on the island during this period is between +15-17°C. The best time recreation considered periods that are commonly called off-season. The average temperature of these months is +22-26°C.

Additional heat is brought to the island by winds from the Sahara Desert. This makes Djerba's climate mild and warm. High season starts on the island in April. The average temperature this month is +22°C. Ends high season In November. The low season lasts from March to March. The air temperature during this period is within +15-17°C, water temperature - +17-20°C.

Tourism

Tourists come to the island in search of quiet beach holiday. Well developed here water activities, has one of the best golf clubs in Africa. Casinos are open for gambling lovers. In the village of Azim, famous for filming episodes of the film “Star Wars,” the scenery has been preserved. This is the best place on the island for catching scallops.

Tourist bureaus operating on the island organize excursions to the mainland and trips around. One of the services on the island is thalassotherapy.

In the process of healing the body in Djerba, thermal springs are used.

Things to do?

Djerba is a unique place in Tunisia. Various cultures and beliefs. This allows tourists to discover the traditions and customs of various peoples and religions on a small piece of land. Modern hotels are located next to the streets filled with the spirit of the Middle Ages.

While traveling around the Sahara, you can get acquainted with life of the Berbers. Tourists on the island cannot but admire the picturesque landscapes. In the Lotus Nature Reserve, there are entire fields of these plants, where pink flamingos walk. The lunar landscapes of Matmata are no less admirable.

Attractions

One of the most popular places to visit among tourists is the fortress Gazi Mustafa. It is located in Houmt Souk. IN summer time its amphitheater hosts various performances. The building dates back to the 9th century. It was built to protect the coast of the island from pirates.

Among popular attractions Djerba:

• Synagogue of La Ghriba. The building was erected in 586 BC. e. Jews who arrived on the island and left Jerusalem after its conquest by Nebuchadnezzar. According to the existing legend, a huge stone that fell from heaven was used in the construction of the synagogue. A woman came out of it and ordered the building of a house for Jewish prayer.
• Djerba Lagoon. It is a bay that, from a bird's eye view, appears pink all year round. This color is given to it by the pink flamingos living in these places. The lagoon is home to the ancient lighthouse of Ras Tagermes and the Djerba Explore amusement park. There are various attractions and museums there, and a crocodile farm is open.
• Borj el-Kebir fortress. The building dates back to the 13th century. Most of the structure has survived to this day in its original form. The fortress is located next to the port of Houmt Souk and the local history museum.
• Guellala village. It is a settlement of potters who have preserved the ancient traditions of making pottery. There is an ethnographic museum here, where you can get acquainted with the national traditions of the peoples inhabiting the island.
• Azhim village. The scenery of the Star Wars film preserved in the settlement allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of space battles. Here you can take part in catching sponges and octopuses using large clay jugs.
• Roman road. Built by the Romans, the causeway connecting the island to the mainland is about 9 km long.

Currently, the road is an asphalt dam, but attracts the interest of tourists with the history of its construction.

Hotels

Local hotels are designed for tourists with different financial capabilities and requirements for the level of service provided. Most hotels are located in the northern and western parts of the island. The most numerous part has 4 stars. In terms of quality of service, Tunisian 4* are significantly superior to Turkish 5*. Top hotels operating on an all-inclusive basis:

1. Hasdrubal Prestige Djerba 5*. The hotel is located on Sidi Mehrez Beach, next to the casino and golf club. The area of ​​the hotel is more than 11 thousand square meters. meters. It has 219 rooms of various comfort classes with an area from 90 to 320 m². For meetings and conferences, the hotel has a special hall and meeting rooms.

   The hotel has:

   • laundry;
   • currency exchange;
   • parking;
   • thalasso center and much more.

Hasdrubal Prestige Djerba has a swimming pool, several restaurants and bars, and a barbecue area.

2. Djerba Plaza Hotel 4* . The hotel is located in Midoun, surrounded by a palm park. It has access to the beach, has its own swimming pool, tennis courts, sauna, Turkish baths and squash area. The hotel restaurant's windows overlook the sea. The hotel rooms have balconies and are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay.
3. Cedriana 3*. The hotel is located in the northern part of the island next to the beach. Has its own garden, swimming pool, spa center, sauna, massage parlor. The hotel rooms can accommodate from 1 to 5 people. The hotel has 2 restaurants, bars, parking, children's playgrounds and rooms, as well as a thalasso center.

see also video about holidays on the island of Djerba:

This is interesting:

Subscribe to our interesting VKontakte group:

In contact with