12 WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN DJERBA: A 2 DAY ITINERARY 

Located a few kilometres off the Southern coast of Tunisia, and granted a UNESCO Heritage World sites (alongside many others in Tunisia) sits the island of Djerba surrounded by turquoise waters, ancient traditions and monuments, coast coupled with a laid-back island life is perfect to visit over 2 days. It’s plenty of time to wander through the white-washed villages, reminiscent of Sidi Bou Said in the North, explore the vibrant medina, synagogues and mosques or simply relax on its pristine palm fringed beaches. It’s also perfect for a day trip to see some of the gems of Southern Tunisia. Our comprehensive guide covers the must see sights and best things to do in Djerba in 2 days, to help you make the most of a short but memorable stay on the island. We’ve also included places to eat and stay away a littel inland from the main tourist zone.

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Why Visit Djerba?

Djerba is the biggest Island in North Africa, with Many people historically having visited for the coastal hotels and pristine palm fringed beaches, especially making a great affordable escape for families. For many years its been a great value alternative to the Greek islands with it’s blue and white-washed aesthetics, rich culture; Arab, Berber & Jewish, heritage and cuisine. But we think Djerba is no alternative it’s an interesting destination in it’s own right!

Think long balmy days on the beach, for culture vultures, how about visiting Tunisia’s largest African synagogue, El Ghriba, an ancient fortress, street art, absorbing the architecture of various mosques, perusing local handicrafts and spices at Houmt Souk, taking a day trip to explore the Sahara Desert, scoping out Star Wars filming locations or taking leisurely sunset cruises. Oh and pottery fans cannot miss the colourful products of Guellala.

Is Djerba Safe to Visit?

We found Djerba to be very safe with very friendly locals. It is quite a touristy place in Tunisia and the people are very welcoming. We would always suggest the usual caution with not wandering alone at night and leaving valuables at the hotel. 

The Best Time to Visit Djerba

Depending upon what interest you may have will determine when you visit. The sea is perfect to swim in between May through to October so if you plan to spend more beach time, taking in the weather and relaxing then this is the perfect time for you. The Zone Touristique is a strip along the beach with lots of resorts that back onto a long stretch of sandy beach and turquoise waters. Take into account that July and August are peak times for travel and naturally there will be more crowds. Shoulder season like May through to June and September to October are great if you have the flexibility. We visited at the end of December as part of a 14 day trip around Northern, central and Southern Tunisia and temperatures were perfect at around 18 – 20°C. We did go for a few strolls along the beach but it was not appropriate to swim in the sea or sunbathe!

HARA SGHIRA ER RIADH EXTERIOR & ERRIDAH STREETS

How to Get to Djerba?

Quite a few European countries, have direct flights into Djerba Zarzi international airport, with package holidays being really well priced that will include hotels, flights and transfers. 

If like us, you’re visiting Tunisia as part of a longer trip, it’s possible to get an internal flight from Tunis or one of the other airports in the country. From Tunis, the flight time is only around an hour or so. It’s also possible to get a louage (shared taxi/minbus) or even drive between destinations depending upon where you’re travelling from, especially if you have hired a driver or guide for your trip.

How to Get Around Djerba?

If you are not visiting as part of a larger itinerary and don’t have a driver then we’d recommend using a taxi. They are pretty well regulated on the island and prices are very affordable. Remember to get a metered taxi driver who seem to be pretty knowledgeable and honest in Djerba and aware of most places visitors want to go. You can always have your accommodation call a taxi one way for you if you’re a. little nervous!

RESTAURANT IN ERRIADH, DJERBA

Where to Stay in Djerba?

Many package deals to Djerba will opt for a hotel, manily international brands, which is in the Zone Touristique strip with direct access to the beach via the rear of the hotel. The island has a variety of luxury and budget friendly hotels to suit all tastes. We prefer our money to go into the local economy and therefore  opted for a locally owned luxury guesthouse style property or Dar, as they’re called in Tunisia, with some heritage and in a quieter part of Djerba. 

Dar Dhiafa Hotel, is located in the historic village of Erriadh, close to Djerbahood and is a traditional courtyard property where fours houses have been renovated beautifully to form a calming boutique hotel. Hidden behind the front studded doors it’s hard to believe that this calm tardis like oasis exists. Think Moorish style arches, weighty gnarled wooden doors, Arabian antiques and artefacts, comfy seating and atmospheric lighting in hidden alcoves, Bougainvillea draped over doors and windows, picturesque courtyards with relaxing pastel hues. 

SUITE WINDOW & COURTYARD AT DAR DHIAFA

The boutique hotel has 12 ensuite rooms, all  individually designed in a local style with linens, cushions and throws decorated with Tunisian handwoven techniques and colourful rugs. Artwork is by local painters on the island or close by in the Southern parts of the country. 

SUITE BATHROOM AND SWIMMING POOL AT DAR DHIAFA

The hotels has two small swimming pool, a restaurant serving traditional local Tunisan and Mediterranean cuisines with the option of eating in indoors or by the pool. There is also a small bar area with plenty of communal secret alcoves where you can enjoy sipping on drinks and relaxing after a day of sightseeing. 

SEATING AREA & BED IN SUITE AT DAR DHIAFA

We had a beautiful suite with a seating area, bedroom and large bathroom which opened up onto a bright communal courtyard. We loved how discreet but excellent the service was at Dar Dhiafa and how helpful and accommodating the staff are at showing off their beautiful hotel, island and culture.

Map Location: Dar Dhiafa

Things to Do in Djerba in 2 Days

If you’re short of time and would prefer to see all the highlights of the island with a local guide then this Djerba Express: The Essentials of the Island in Half a Day is a great choice. This 4 hour tour, covers the pottery village of Guellala, El Ghriba Synagogue, Houmt Souk, Djerbahood and a few other stops.

Day 1: Morning

Following breakfast at Dar Dhiafa, the majority of hotels include a lovely mix of hot and cold breakfasts in Tunisia as part of the room rate, spend the morning taking a leisurely self guided walking tour or why not opt for a small group guided walking tour with a guide from the island.

1. Wander the Houmt Souk

Situated in Djerba’s Old Town, a cultural immersion into the Houmt Souk is a must! Houmt Souk means ‘marketplace’ and once was the island’s well known trading port, under the Roman empire. Although today it is quite a touristy spot to visit, it’s definitely one worth meandering through taking in the sights, smells and local artisanal handicrafts. The souk is full of white washed buildings synonymous with the local architecture.

HOUMT SOUK

As well as Tunisian handicrafts, we visited Jewish family owned jewellery shops, spice stores, tailors as well as a food market selling fruit and vegetables, live chickens and other meats. There are a few seafood stalls where fish can be bought and then taken to another grill stall to have it cooked. We loved the occasional pieces of street art around the souk, we found many colourful murals as we strolled. 

Also if you fancy a coffee, head to Cafe Zaraa in the souk which is renowned for its fresh juices, strong coffee and mint tea, served in a traditional Tunisian cafe style. The cafe has had mixed reviews in the past for service but it’s well worth a try. Unfortunately we ran out of time but if you’re in the Houmt Souk and need a drink, this is an option. 

Map Location: Houmt Souk

Be-lavie Tip: Many of the larger shops in the souk accept credit cards but we’d suggest cash for smaller retailers, especially food stalls. Oh and remember, never to pay full price, haggling is most definitely encouraged here! There is no fixed price with handicrafts but beware not to go too low as it can mean the craftsmen and women are not making enough to make ends meet. If you are travelling with a guide, they can help or we used to try and compare it to prices back home and come to a realistic amount.

2. Explore The Djerba Traditional Heritage Museum 

Housed in two white washed eighteenth century zaouias (religious centres) the museum delves into the history of Djerba local life through the times. The Djerba Traditional Heritage Museum houses artefacts like traditional dress that was once worn in Djerba,  jewellery, ceramics as well as gold and silverware. The museum is pretty small so it doesn’t take long to have a walk around and gain a backstory about the island. Entrance fee is around 6 TND (£1.50 GBP).

Map Location: Djerba Traditional Heritage Museum

3. Visit The Ghazi Mustapha Fortress 

Located within the Houmt Souk, The Ghazi Mustapha Fortress also referred to as the Borj El Kebir, this was an old defence fort that may be worth a visit if you love history. There is small fee of 8 – 10 TND (£2 GBP) to enter and it’ s possible to see a few marble statues but we’d recommend heading straight for the roof with it’s Mediterranean sea views.

Map Location: Ghazi Mustapha Fortress

4. Look Around El Ghriba Synagogue 

El Ghriba synagogue is the largest synagogue in Tunisia and one of great significance as an important place for pilgrimage in the whole of Africa. Rebuilt in the 1920s on an ancient site where tradition says that a holy stone fell from the sky. The synagogue is located on the site of the former Jewish village of Hara Sghira, a few kilometres from the Houmt Souk and local tradition states that El Ghriba Synagogue was founded following the destruction of King Soloman’s temple in 586 BC however modern scholars think it is more realistic it was founded after the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD! A little history for you guys, if you want to go and research for yourself as to who is correct!

El GHRIBA SYNAGOGUE INTERIORS

Be-lavie Tip: Please note that when entering the Synagogue both men and women will need to cover their heads and remove shoes at the entrance. It’s therefore a good idea you carry a scarf with you. We’d recommend having one in your bag just incase you happen to pop into a mosque courtyard or other religious building. 

EL GHRIBA SYNAGOGUE COURTYARD

Map Location: El Ghriba Synagogue

Day 1: Afternoon 

5. Mooch Around Djerba Marina & Lunch at Restaurant Haroun

We’d suggest that whilst you’re close to the Houmt Souk, just take a short walk to the Djerba Marina, resembling a small fishing port, where you can take a look at the various boats including ones that offer day trips to the surroundings, like Flamingo Island or other small sunset cruises and the like. The area is lined with shops and many restaurants and cafes.

This is the perfect place to maybe stop off and have lunch. We’d suggest Restaurant Haroun which is pretty popular with visitors for their outdoor ship deck space with great views out to the port and pretty interiors. The service is a little upmarket but not stuffy at all and the staff are very friendly and helpful. The restaurant specialises in seafood although they are very accommodating with dietary requirements. We asked about vegetarian dishes and they did come back with some great suggestions including couscous and vegetables in a thick Harissa sauce as well as delicious fresh salads. 

HAROUN RESTAURANT (IMAGES C/O HAROUN RESTAURANT FACEBOOK)

If you decide to visit in the evening, they often have live Tunisiab music and dancers performing. 

Map Locations: Djerba Marina & Haroun Restaurant

6. Look At The Architecture Of Fadhloun Mosque

Look around the city gates of the Houmt Souk as you’ll most probably be in the old town area and you’ll spot the Fadhloun Mosque, which dates back to the fourteenth century with three white domes on top as its distinguishing feature. It’s also enclosed in a surrounding courtyard area that’s worth walking around, a great little stop for architecture lovers much like us.

Map Location: Fadhloun Mosque

7. Wander the Streets of Erriadh

During the mid afternoon, in the summer, the sun would be strong at this time; but we visited in winter so the weather was very bearable, we headed back to the area surrounding our hotel, known as Erriadh. After a short rest we decided to explore the white washed buildings and winding alleyways of the area. It has a very quiet yet local feel about it with small shops, a few small Dars, little tea and juice stores and kids playing in the streets. It’s a laid back area where time truly feels like it slows down. We saw very few tourists here, or maybe that was because of it being winter season but we recommend you come and experience Erriadh and take things slow! This is when we stumbled upon Djerbahood.

ERRIADH STREETS

Map Location: Erriadh

8. Spot Street Art In Djerbahood

We love the story of Djerbahood and honestly we are so grateful to have accidentally found it and discovered such an enriching story. So here, we’ll explain what it’s all about and hope you guys love it as much as we do.

Djerbahood or Ar-Rijad as it’s officially known, is an area in the central part of Djerba but years back prior to 2014, many tourists didn’t really explore inland on the island as they stayed closer to the coast and the resorts situated there. A lot of tourists visited Djerba but never quite made it to see the central parts of the island. If they did come inland, it would be to see the El Ghriba Synagogue.

DJERBAHOOD

In 2014, the streets of this area were about to change and now attract many more visitors to see the beautifully painted walls with street art, no longer leaving them totally white washed. Tunisian born, Paris based artist, Mehdi Ben Cheikl, thought the walls of Ar-Rijad could be transformed into an outdoor art gallery. Vue the creation of Djerbahood. 

Mehdi Ben Cheikh, incited over 100 globally known street artists, spanning 30 countries to come to Ar-Rijad and paint the walls. They took nearly 3 months to paint the walls and collectively created 250 artworks. 

STREET ART IN DJERBAHOOD

Initially much of the local community didn’t warm to the idea but over time, they came onboard and some the locals even dropped special requests to have bespoke murals painted on their properties. Quiet a few of the original murals have faded or been painted over now as they looked old but the project increased visitors to this inland area of Djerba and have helped boost the local economy for business owners.

Be-lavie Tip: There’s no real walking map but just keep walking through the alleyways and streets to stumble upon more and more, including some unusual artworks that look rather like space invaders!

Map Location: Djerbahood

 9. Have Dinner At The Restaurant In Dar Dhiafa

Djerba has plenty of places to eat but one of our memorable meals was at the restaurant at our hotel Dar Dhiafa. They specialised in traditional Tunisian food with mediterranean influences with the use of pasta and French patisserie. Produce is local and bought from the island including fruit, veg, meats, fish as well as Djerba herbs and spices. Reserving a table is a must if you plan to eat there as it can get very busy. 

DAR DHIAFA RESTAURANT

We had a lovely starter of Tunisian Mezze with lots of harissa and fresh bread of course, followed by a Mediterranean style pasta dish with lots of fresh veggies and ended with a delicious chocolate fondant! By the way, if you didn’t know, Tunisian chocolate is exceptionally good! Even one of the Belgian hoteliers we met on the island agreed!

Be-lavie Tip: If you’re not staying at Dar Dhiafa, we;d recommend booking a table at the restaurant well in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Map Location Dar Dhiafa

Day 2: Morning 

With one more day remaining, we can offer choices of things to do based on our own travels to the island. We’ll go through what we did and then there will be some suggestions of alternative things to do which you can certainly do from Djerba if you’re basing yourself here through your time in Tunisia. 

So following breakfast, we headed to the local pottery village, Guellela.

10. Admire The Pottery In Guellala & See The Potters At Work

Located on the Southern part of the island, Guellela has been a potters village since the ancient times as the area is surrounded by rich deposits of clay. Located at the highest point of Djerba, is a mound (around 56 metres high), the streets of the Guellala are full with colourful traditional Tunisian Pottery including huge plant pots, vases, storage jars, plates, ornaments, bowls and so much more. As well as multi coloured glistening glazes note the traditional Djerba colours of pottery in blue and white. 

GUELLALA POTTERY VILLAGE

The famous ‘Magic Camel’ was invented in Gluellela and they even have a pottery festival here every August so pottery fans need to plan that right!

We watched a family of potters at Ben Mimoune Potteries, demonstrating the old fashioned way of making ashtrays, really fascinating and you can even have a go yourself! We passed on that!! 

Map Location: Guellala

11. Spend The Afternoon Relaxing at Sidi Mahrez Beach 

There are lots of incredible beaches on Djerba island but the most popular beach is Sidi Mahrez and is the one we headed to by car, it was around 25 minutes away from our guesthouse. It’s located on the Northern part of the island with many resorts and hotels lining the beach. There are many cafes and places to eat along the beach as well as watersports rental points. It can seem like the beach is private as many of the resorts spill out onto the beach but this is not the case, it is a public beach. Other beaches that may be a little more quieter includes Seguia (less developed) and Cheikh Yahya (remote location with no 5 star resorts and great for those who love a spot of adventure).

Map Location: Sidi Mahrez Beach

12. Have A Long Leisurely Lunch or Dinner At Restaurant Essofra

If you fancy going somewhere special for lunch or dinner on your last day, we were recommended, Restaurant Essofra, in Midoun which was a 15 – 20 minute drive from our hotel, Dar Dhiafa. 

This is probably hailed one of the best traditional Tunisian food spots on Djerba island and they are very vegetarian and vegan friendly! The chef is very accommodating and can be rather creative and rustle something up short notice. One of his special sweets is a parfait of seasonal fruits!

RESTAURANT ESSOFRA

Map Location: Essofra

Avoid Djerba Explore Park (Unethical Wildlife Tourism)

We opted not to go to the Explore Park as it is a very touristy thing to do but this is an option if you would prefer not to spend the afternoon relaxing or taking things easy. It’s around 20 Km from the old town, made up of a Heritage Zone, Crocodile Farm and the Lalla Hadria Islamic Heritage Museum. Although the museum did sound tempting, we were not keen to explore due to the crocodile farm, where around 400 crocodiles are bred. They were brought over from Madagascar in 1998 and the main draw for visitors is feeding time at 17:00 daily. They also have hands on activity such as touching baby crocodiles during supervised time schedules. We do not actively support unethical animal tourism and choosing not to go, means that it can contribute to reducing demand. 

We didn’t want any of our money to go to having wildlife in captivity so chose against going even though many people visit and don’t head to see the crocodiles. 

It’s a shame as the Explore part does have certain interesting cultural experiences like seeing a traditional Djerban village reconstruction as well as shops, cafes and restaurants to help support local businesses. If it wasn’t for the crocodile farm, we’d have been tempted to go.

As always, please research all wildlife activities thoroughly before partaking, if it looks or sounds wrong, go with your gut!

Where to Eat in Djerba 

As mentioned in the 2 day itinerary above, we would recommend Dar Dhiafa restaurant for mediterranean style food with Tunisian dishes, Restaurant Haroun (which our hotel introduced to us) for it’s Djerba location and big choice on menu and finally for a traditional Tunisian fare a beachside location, Restaurant Essofra.