Things to see and do Nefta

A walk in this oasis allows you to discover the gardens hidden in the shade of the palm trees. Traditionally maintained for centuries by the various families who own the gardens, they provide fruit, vegetables and cereals. Like its big sister Tozeur, we practice here the three-storey crops (agriculture, fruit trees, palm trees). The oasis is also home to many birds. By car, coming from the city of Nefta, in the direction of Algeria, about 1 km away, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the oasis.

One of the curiosities of Nefta, to be discovered by taking the road of the tourist area. It is a small natural depression, a basin dug in the rock where palm trees are planted. This layout emphasizes in a striking way the contrast offered by the desert landscapes that surround the city and the oasis. The oasis of Nefta was once irrigated by more than one hundred and fifty sources. Some of these springs meet at the bottom of what is called "the Basket". By placing itself at the edge this one, one enjoys a beautiful panorama on the city and the surroundings.

Located 15 km from Nefta, Oung Jemel (or "camel's neck") is famous for the sets of the movie Star Wars, at the GPS point 33° 59' 32" N - 7° 50' 41" in the middle of the chott Garsa. The site is quite surreal. You will see the Chott el-Gharsa, this saline depression generating mirages. You will find Mos Espa, the hometown of Anakin Skywalker (the future Darth Vader) because it is where the first Star Wars movie was shot. The #SaveMosEspa campaign helped save the film's sets from being buried by the advancing dunes, which are moving 50 feet a year.

Nefta is distinguished from Tozeur by its major religious role. Second holy city of Tunisia after Kairouan, it welcomes since the ninth century Sufi pilgrimages. The city has many religious buildings: two mosques and more than a hundred marabouts punctuate its landscape with their white domes. The most famous, located at the edge of the Corbeille, is the marabout of Sidi Bou Ali, a Sufi saint of the XIIIth century. It is the oldest place of pilgrimage of the city. Pilgrims still come from all over the country to venerate him.

Nefta is also known for its white sand dunes, located about 10 km from the city. There are horse-drawn carriages waiting for customers on avenue H.-Bourguiba. It's a bit long by carriage, but very picturesque. You can also go there by car, it is signposted. At the foot of the dunes, camels are waiting to take you to the top of the dune where you will have a breathtaking view of the desert, especially with the light of the sunset and a striking silence. It is also possible to make this walk on foot, about 20 minutes.

The museum is located in a traditional house in the medina of Nefta. The strength of this museum? Its incredible collection of hundreds of photographs illustrating the landscapes of the region and especially the way of life of its inhabitants and their traditions. Thanks to them, and to the comments of the inexhaustible and passionate curator, you will learn everything about the history of Nefta between 1850 and 1950. In the courtyard of the museum are exposed various objects of the local craft industry.