Things to see and do Houmt Souk

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!

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 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.

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.

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!