Things to see and do Djerba & Area

Absolute heartthrob for this project, which alone justifies a visit to Erriadh and perhaps even Djerba! Open-air street art museum or work of art in itself, the Djerbahood project initially landed in Erriadh in 2014, accompanied by 150 artists from some 30 countries. Here the works of art dress the walls of a village yet well and truly inhabited. This unprecedented artistic and human project comes from Mehdi Ben Cheikh, a French-Tunisian urban art gallery owner. He proposed to the inhabitants of Erriadh, located in the heart of the island, an unusual experience: to make their village an open-air museum of street art . A total and collective work of art anchored in its environment to sublimate it. Djerbahood has allowed the restoration of the architectural heritage of Erriadh, source of a committed and sustainable tourism. In 2014 and again in 2022, masters of urban frescoes have taken possession of the walls, alleys and nooks of the village, to leave a mark, a thought, a message. In total, more than 200 murals have been created even if some have disappeared due to the wear and tear of time and the renovation of certain buildings. Djerbahood offers a bold vision of the renewal and diversification of tourism that can be achieved through the art of the twenty-first century. In perpetual evolution, this universal project has not finished revealing its inventiveness. An initiative to discover absolutely during your visit to Djerba!

If the island has about twenty synagogues, the synagogue of Ghriba deserves a visit during your stay in Djerba. This place of prayer carries a legend that all Djerbians know: a foreigner would have come to settle in this place, alone with her tent. One night, during a storm, her tent caught fire and she died of asphyxiation, but her body remained intact and untouched. The synagogue was built on the site of the miracle and is called La Ghriba in memory of this stranger. The date of creation of the synagogue is uncertain and, another legend or reality, some say that the first stone of the building would come from the temple of Solomon. The current state of the building dates from its last renovation in 1938. The exterior architecture, in the colors of Tunisia, white and blue, does not present any real interest. By respecting the conditions of access, crossing the security portico and covering the head and shoulders, one enters this very oriental decor of glazed tiles, baroque woodwork, gold objects, silver ornaments and colored stained glass. The light is subdued and there is a smell of incense. In this spiritual atmosphere, rabbis spent (and sometimes still spend) their day chanting and singing. Comfortably seated in relaxed attitudes, they seem to ignore visitors. The Ghriba houses one of the oldest Torahs in the world: the scrolls of the Pentateuch that contain the essence of the Mosaic Law, the Jewish Law. It is locked up in the synagogue throughout the week. On Saturday, the Sabbath, the chief rabbi opens the carved wooden doors adorned with chiseled jewels that protect it, takes out the Torah and comments on it before the faithful. According to the rabbis of the Ghriba synagogue, the Jews of the island have been living in Djerba since 586 BC, the date on which Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem. Taking with them certain manuscripts of the Tables of the Law, Jewish communities settled all over the world, mainly in North Africa. In 539, Cyrus, king of the Persians, authorized the return of the Jews to the holy city. Many returned, others remained where they were, notably in Djerba. While retaining their religion, they became Arabs, adopted Arab names and language, but did not convert to Islam. Early Arab literature includes some of the finest works written by Jewish poets and singers. More than 2,000 years passed until a significant decline in the community was felt with the proclamation of the State of Israel in 1948. The current Jewish community has only 650 members, almost all of whom are gathered in Er Riadh. In Djerba, the understanding between Jews and Muslims is perfect, you will probably have the opportunity to notice it by yourself in the Souks of the Jewelers or in the Jewish quarter where you may go to eat a brik. A pilgrimage is held every year at La Ghriba, three weeks after the Jewish Passover. For two days, the Tables of the Law are carried across the island. This event attracts many believers from all over the world, it is also a very popular festival for all Djerbians, whether Jews, Muslims or Christians, who meet here to celebrate together a message of love and peace. This is another illustration of the extraordinary way in which people live together in Djerba.

A pretty white museum with beautiful gardens showing scenes of daily life in Djerba. All the steps of the wedding are reconstituted: from the preparation of the bride to the festivities. We also explain the crushing of olives by a dromedary, the Sufi dances, the circumcision and many other traditions. The museography is a bit old, but the overall structure of the museum teaches a lot. The presence of a guide can be appreciated. The museum's café offers a very nice view, it is the highest point of the island with 52 m!

Numerous mosques of great purity are spread throughout Djerba. They are self-contained, unlike those that prevail elsewhere in the medinas of the Maghreb. The oldest mosques date back to the end of the 8th century and are ibadhite. Ibadhism is a movement of Islam advocating the virtue of work, egalitarian principles and the moral and spiritual qualities required of the guides elected by their peers. This assembly of wise men, the Azzabas, was in charge of the religious and social organization of the community's life.

Today we can see 3 types of mosques in Djerba: the mosques of the coastline, which constituted a first line of defense; within earshot of each other, they ensured a primary role of surveillance. The fortified mosques, with their massive appearance, formed a second line of rear defense. Finally, the inland mosques, sometimes underground to serve as a refuge, were dedicated, in addition to the functions of worship, to teaching and the organization of civic life. The mosques of Houmt Souk are very interesting. Their visit is forbidden to non-Muslims and we will be satisfied with admiring the exterior. The zaouia of Sidi Brahim (named after the saint who rests there) reminds a little of the Fatimid mosques. The tile dome has an original bell shape. Opposite, the mosque of the Foreigners is recognized by its multiple domes. Finally, that of the Turks, dated from the 18th century, has a minaret with a typical Turkish lantern.

Hacker of the public space since the 1990s, the street artist and mosaicist Invader has invested the island of Djerba since 2019. The artist has laid 58 pixelated mosaics forming a pathway to discover the island in its every corner. Each one is inspired by the place where it is placed, illustrating the details of local culture: a watermelon on a market, a sheet of brick on a restaurant, a jar in Guellala, an authentic village of potters or the greatest singer of the Arab world, Oum Kalthoum. To be discovered in Houmt Souk and on the island!

If you only had one craft workshop to visit on your visit to Djerba, it would be that of Chadleya and Adel Ben Mahmoud on the main street of Guellala. This pair of potters is remarkable in more ways than one. Adel is a potters from father to son, and loves passing on his art. Chadleya is Djerba's only female potter. In a society where women are still too often relegated to domestic tasks, her husband Adel is proud to have her at his side in the workshop they share. While they both mold (beautiful) one-off pieces, it's only she who decorates them with superb Amazigh (Berber) motifs. It's easy to see why "Amazighs" means free men and women in the Berber language. As well as being artists, they're also incredible hosts, having welcomed ministers and heads of state, and they're just as happy to welcome the passing traveler. There's no obligation to buy anything here: they'll insist on serving you a cup of tea, or even breakfast! You can also try your hand at making your own pottery, using the couple's potter's wheel free of charge for as long as you like. Beautiful one-off pieces of pottery are on sale in the workshop at rock-bottom prices: you'll find candleholders and small mugs from 3 DT a piece. Don't forget to set aside some time for your visit - you'll find it hard to leave!

An original park that includes the Lalla Hadria Museum, Djerba Héritage and the Crocodile Park: what a pleasant and enriching moment. The impressive Museum of Art and History of the Arab World covers a period of 13 centuries. This collection of more than 1,000 pieces demonstrates the influence of Islamic art from the Mediterranean Basin to the borders of Asia. Thought with a funnel logic, the collections go from the vast Muslim world to the arts of the Maghreb and the tribes of Tunisia. One will admire among others the Koranic scroll of Kairouan, the fragments of the Kaaba hanging, a superb collection of Tunisian costumes as well as masterpieces of calligraphy.

Djerba Héritage is a successful reconstruction of the typical habitats of Djerba. In this open-air space, it's time for history! In this traditional menzel, we are invited to discover the customs, crafts and habitat of the island through a living demonstration of practices such as pottery or weaving.

We are then guided to the park where 400 Nile crocodiles were brought back from Madagascar in 1998. Today 800 reptiles flourish there. The climate of Djerba allows the Nile crocodiles to live outside most of the year. You will learn many things. The 24 year old crocodiles present here measure on average 4.5 meters and weigh 500 kg. Despite these measurements, the animals only eat 4 kg of meat per week... but they will lose more than 3,000 teeth throughout their lives!

It's the sound of African music that lets you move towards outdoor pools and tropical greenhouse where swimming - or rather paressent in the sun - 400 crocodiles from the Nile, brought back from Madagascar. Do not miss crocodile meal, at 16 p. m. each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and summer at 17 p. m. every day. The climate of Djerba allows crocodiles in the Nile to live outside most of the year.

The island of pink flamingos is actually a peninsula accessible by sailboat and 4x4. On the land route from Houmt Souk are the preserved wetlands, which protect the habitats of migratory birds. By sea, you can reach the island of pink flamingos during a sea excursion from the port of Houmt Souk. The crossing to this deserted beach is a change of scenery. To see the pink flamingos, come in April or October. It is also a place where turtles lay their eggs. You may even see dolphins during the navigation.

The beautiful wild coastline stretches along the west coast of Djerba. Here, there are no buildings on the seafront, except for a few mosques that were once used as watchtowers. Take the road along the coast from Ajim in the late afternoon, heading north: you will have the setting sun in front of you and will be able to appreciate the wild landscape between the Mediterranean and the rocky landscape planted with palm trees! Stop at the beach of Sidi Jmour with its small eponymous mosque, about 16 km north of Ajim. Built at the beginning of the 17th century, the Sidi Jmour mosque owes its massive appearance to the military role it played for a long time. Indeed, the 18 mosques built on the coast of Djerba also had a defensive role. To remain discreet, these mosques had no minaret and were rather "packed", they are sometimes called dwarf mosques. They were topped with a lantern that served to send messages from one mosque to another in case of attack. This same lantern is lit today at the time of the prayer. All along the coast are also small beaches of jagged rocks where Djerbian families come to picnic. You will also meet men who practice traditional fishing. They plant palm branches in the sea forming corridors that narrow little by little to reach a trap. These assemblies of branches are judiciously placed by taking into account the marine currents. An art to be observed during your walk along the coast.

The beating heart of Houmt Souk (word for word "the souk district"). The souks in the center sell fabrics, carpets and tourist objects. Around it, the specialized souks: the souk of the boilermakers, the ironworkers and the goldsmiths. In the jewelers' souk, the craftsmen, of Jewish origin, make jewelry as in the time of their ancestors. In the south, the spice souk and the fish market (auction from 10 am to 1 pm) remain very lively, especially during the auction. In the surrounding restaurants, Djerbians cook their freshly bought fish!

Superb view from the guard roads! Built around 1392 on the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Girba (now Houmt Souk), whose vestiges are used in the construction of the work. Around 1450, it was extended. Nearby is Borj Er Rous, where the massacre perpetrated by the troops of the Turk Dragut took place: here was built the "tower of skulls", the pirate having piled the skulls of his enemies. In 1848 it was replaced by an obelisk of 9 m.

Here is a "free lance" guide that comes to your hotel. The program visits Houmt-Souk and tour of the island. He loves his island and makes you share this love, with the qualities of a good guide: punctual, cultivated and honest. Faycal can negotiate your excursions like the flamingos island and quad towers, horse or slug.

Dating from the 14th century, the Fadhloun mosque is one of the most amazing on the island. The monument is composed of three sub-assemblies: a prayer hall built in the middle of a fenced courtyard whose floor is covered with lime, interior dependencies including a main room dedicated to Quranic teaching and two minor rooms intended one for housing, the other for food reserves, and finally exterior dependencies for ritual ablutions and a Quranic school. Finally, the complex includes an underground grain mill and bakery!

Located at the exit of the city, this museum has just been successfully renovated. With rich collections well presented, it offers a vision of the artisanal past of Djerba under its various aspects. The occupation of the island's space with a very educational model of a menzel, different types of fishing or the craft know-how with costumes, jewelry, carpets and various objects made of earth or carved wood: you will learn here many things about the rich Djerbian culture!

At the end of the day, one of the most beautiful views of the sunset! Palm trees, coquillages cliffs and bird thefts.

It is not known for tourists and hotels do not offer this place. Beautiful mosque.

Nestled in a 400 year old workshop, Amor will give you the opportunity to learn about the art of potters, crushing, mixing, and molding techniques. Jars, "Jeddiwa" (oil pot), dishes, "Rwabi" (container intended to contain or curdle milk), vases or "Serbya" (water container with a filter), Amor works all sizes. This know-how passed down from father to son can be enhanced by a short practical session.

With its 514 square kilometers, the island of Djerba has long been both a crossroads of trade and a place of refuge and settlement for populations of various origins. Over the centuries, its strategic location and flat topography have exposed it to all the covetousness of invaders coming from more or less far. An exceptional urbanism developed there from the 9th to the 18th century. This urbanism was guided by the imperative of defense and by the need to make the best use of scarce resources, whether water or food. The result was a deliberately dispersed urbanism, shaping the territory according to a division into neighborhoods(houma) and creating an original landscape. Each houma is composed of a series of menzels, which are areas of daily life and agricultural activities of 2 to 4 hectares. Dwelling, well, threshing floor, storage rooms... The whole of these houma with their menzel is structured around numerous tortuous tracks and paths spread all over the island of Djerba. If there are still menzels in activity today in Djerba, and that one can possibly cross some at random, it is not obvious to visit some. It remains above all places of private life. An excellent way to discover them is to visit the reconstructed menzel in the Djerba Heritage section of Djerba Explore. At the time of writing this guide, for the quality of its urban landscapes, Djerba is a candidate for inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage List!