Tunisia’s Other Side

Just off the North African coast is a big island made up of square whitewashed houses in many villages, but almost no towns. Located in the Gulf of Gabes, located on the northern end of Tunisia, Djerba is the largest island in the country.

Though the largest city is Houmt-Souk, but there are other important cities like Gightis, Adjim, Bordj Djillidj, El Kantara, Guella, Midoun and many more.

These different places in Djerba are famous for Roman sites, sponge-fishing, potter’s village, relaxing resorts and historical monuments.

Houmt-Souk is the main town of Djerba and is the center of lively markets close to the sea. The market quarter has two sections- one vaulted souk and another for the foodstuffs.

In the Folk Museum which is also known as the Musée des Arts et Traditions Popularies where you can see the display of traditional colourful costumes, old jewelry, a potter’s workshop, old marriage chests. The museum is the 18th century old beautiful building Zaouia of Sidi Zitouni with charming stalactitic ceilings.
 
In Gightis, the architecture style found in the excavation site of Gightis marks the influences of Greek, Egyptian and Punic.

The excavation site features Roman baths, a rectangular complex, public buildings, temples of Apollo, Concord, Hercules, Mercury and Dionysus, market and the residences. There is also Capitoline temple in honor of the Egyptian deities Isis and Serapis.

Adjim is Djerba’s most famous place for sponge-fishing center in Djerba.
To the southern tip of Djerba is situated the Bordj Castille. In El Kantaraare are ruins of the ancient Roman town Meninx. El Kantara connects Djerba with the mainland. A Christian basilica was found with a cruciform fountain which is now placed in the Bardo Museum, Tunis.

El Kantara is set in the foundation of Roman ruins. There is also a water pipeline running parallel to the north-east from the mainland.

Midoun has the credit of being the largest market town in Djerba. The inland of Midoun which extends to 5 Km is enclosed by gardens, fruit orchards and groves of date-palms.

The market place of Midoun has notable souvenir shops and on Tuesdays during the main holiday season, you can enjoy a spectacular presentation of traditional wedding celebration.

Jerba has plenty to offer of hotels. Package travelers are placed in one of the many tourist complexes in the northeastern corner of the island. Independent travelers are better off in Houmt Souq, which has plenty of good value hotels to choose from. You can go anywhere outside Jerba by shared taxis and buses.

In and around Jerba, a rented motorbike would do though Jerba's system of buses and small taxis is affordable and convenient.

Ends