Many tourists traveling abroad for a sea holiday know the resorts located in the north-eastern part of Tunisia: Sousse, Hammamet, Monastir, Mahdia, etc. I myself vacationed here for the first time with my family in September 2006 (Royal Salem Hotel).

But, as it turned out, there is another comfortable holiday destination in this country, by the way, the very first one in Tunisia, which is where it all began. It's called - Djerba island. Only foreigners, mostly French, always vacationed here. Since the summer of 2016, the island was massively opened and became accessible to Russians.

Geographical information.

Djerba is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, located in the Gulf of Gabes. The largest island off the Mediterranean coast of Africa, area - 514 km². Population is about 150 thousand people.

Djerba is connected to the mainland by a single unique causeway, which was built by the ancient Romans about 2000 years ago. All tourists are brought here during a sightseeing tour. But driving along the “Roman road” is only possible when you travel outside of Djerba.

The stones used in the original construction still lie along the roadside.

Since Djerba is now popular in our country and probably next year (despite how things turn out in Egypt and Turkey) there will be a new wave of vacationers, I decided to give detailed description on the main points. These are my impressions :)

It is very convenient that direct charters fly to Djerba from different cities of Russia; the island has its own, quite modern airport. The length of the island is no more than 29 km, which means convenient logistics. You won’t have to, even taking into account transportation to other hotels, get to yours for more than an hour (as happens in a number of other countries).

I was also pleased that you don’t have to pay anything (visa, fees) at the airport upon arrival or, for example, in the Dominican Republic before flying home.

We were here for 10 nights and it turned out that exactly the same number full days. Some people are lucky and they are picked up not at 0:30 at night like us, but during the day or even in the evening, and then they get more per day at the same cost of a trip. Therefore, the main advice: remember, do not leave buying souvenirs, taking photographs, etc. until the last day.
It’s good that I managed to see at least one sunrise. The second one fell apart because of the Pegasus company...

Okay, I won’t talk about the sad things, I’d rather talk about the positive moments :)

Our hotel on the island was called Caribbean World Djerba 4*. At the end of the holiday, I can confidently state that our family of three people was satisfied with it.

Despite the fact that while in the Caribbean I lived on a ship, this Tunisian hotel really reminded me of those places, and at the same time Turkey and Egypt :)
Strong animation, cozy area, decent food.

I will only write about the main points. The beaches in Djerba, and throughout the country, are common. The only difference is that there is fine white sand here, not to be confused with snow-white :)

The second thing that catches your eye on the beach is the large number of horses and camels riding tourists.

Despite one aesthetic point, I don’t consider it a minus. Firstly, it is always interesting for children, and secondly, it is simply beautiful. Personally, I didn't mind.

You should have seen the camels walking there: in hats, bright blankets, with little camels. In short, be sure to take your children for a ride.

In second place among beach activities is parasailing. I can’t decide on it yet, I’m putting it off until next time :)

Now, as for the sea. For us, tourists living in the central zone of Russia, a thousand kilometers from the Sea of ​​Azov, the word “sea” itself sounds magical and soothing.

What can we say about the Mediterranean Sea, especially in the ecological region that is Djerba. On the east coast of the island, the water is clear. The color of the water, as you understand, depends on the depth and lighting.

I won’t hide it, the shores were clean for several days, then small waves and plants (not algae) appeared. At our hotel the beach was cleaned almost every day, so there were no problems with that. I've seen hotels with a lot of grass. The photo below shows a neutral (unowned) territory. What do you think of the guy on the right? The height is clearly more than 2 meters. He shouldn’t be offering sea excursions, but playing basketball :)

At the end of the vacation, the sea grass was in the water (the first 2-3 meters from the shore). I have long convinced myself, and this is most likely true, that thanks to these plants a large amount of natural iodine and various useful microelements appears in the sea. In this case, it is important not to know the truth, but to believe. The placebo effect has not been canceled :)

Having forgotten about the sad experience of walking barefoot along the shore in Sri Lanka, my wife and I still decided to take a walk along the sea. First we walked 3 km to the right, the next day we walked more than 5 km in the other direction. So we explored almost the entire tourist hotel area from the sea side. There were even places where there were no people at all.

I was surprised by the large number of abandoned hotels. As I understand it, after the terrorist attacks in the north of the country (on the beach and in the Bardo Museum), many foreign companies canceled flights and the number of tourists decreased sharply. A number of hotels went bankrupt.

Next to ours is the Sirena Hotel.

This is a cool place for lovers thrills, especially in the evening after sunset. Green water in the pool, rusty swings, crumbling plaster. Some areas are overgrown with grass or bushes. An ideal subject for photo shoots.

I think in general terms about the sea and relaxation it became clear to you. If you are not spoiled by the UAE and the Maldives, then you should like it here.

Yes, I forgot to write about the cool climate. The temperature here feels several degrees lower than the actual temperature on the thermometer. Another big plus is the fact that in the evening, like in the desert, the heat drops sharply and if during the day, for example, it was 35, then at night it could be 20. We even slept without the air conditioner on, which happens extremely rarely for the Mediterranean summer.

Now I want to move on to an important part of the trip - cultural educational leisure or excursions on the island of Djerba.

I bought two short sightseeing tours around the island from the hotel guide. The first one is called "Amazing Djerba". I recommend it to you as entertainment for the whole family.

It costs $26 without discounts ($14 for children). The first thing we visited was Djerba Explorer Park. There is a museum of arts and crafts here, which displays the works of folk craftsmen and shows the cultural features of the island's inhabitants.

We liked it here, especially since we got to feed.

The last stop was unusual. We were brought to the city of artists. I already told you about him

My second excursion was simply called “Tour of the Island of Djerba”. The price is the same as the previous program. I liked that the visited objects did not intersect.

The first point was a really interesting ethnographic museum in the village of Gelala.

I took dozens of pictures here. Everything is very clear and there are a lot of bright details.

Gelala is also the pottery center of the island of Djerba. In addition to purchasing appropriate colorful souvenirs, we were shown the process of making a number of products.

Then there was a very worthy and significant place within not only the island and the country, but even the continent.

It was a discovery for me that Djerba is home to one of the oldest synagogues on Earth. Its age is almost 2500 years. It is the oldest in Africa.

The El Ghriba Synagogue houses one of the oldest Torah Scrolls in the world.

At the end of the excursion we arrived in the capital of Djerba, the city of Houmt Souk. We were driven around a small town and given free time at the central market.

I immediately ran to the fish department, where you can watch a unique phenomenon - a seafood auction. Of course, I really love such events.

I traveled outside of Djerba only once during a one-day excursion to Tatooine. The island is a convenient place to travel around the southern part of Tunisia.

The most popular excursion on Djerba is “Sahara 2 days” ($100-120). Since in 2006 I went on a similar tour from the city of Sousse, this time I did not waste the already small number of free days.

Djerba version of the Sahara the more interesting it is, that it is in this desert region that you spend much more time.

That's basically all, I briefly told you about Djerba. I would like to end with a reminder that, according to ancient legends, the island of Djerba is the place where the beautiful nymph Calypso sought reciprocity from Odysseus for seven years. It was Homer who gave the island the name Oligia.

I wish you to see for yourself the attractiveness of Djerba. To do this, you, unlike Odysseus, only need seven vacation days:) Have a nice and beautiful holiday!

The small, mythical island of Djerba, framed by palm trees, is beautiful, but there are many tourists here who flock not only to relax on the wonderful beaches, but also to explore the unique houses and mosques. The island has many date farms and olive groves. Whitewashed mosques with strong walls (this is unusual for Tunisia) shine under the bright rays of the sun. Cycling around the island is an excellent way to experience its charm.

Fishing flourishes in Djerba, and fish are still caught using traditional methods. In the port you can see long rows of terracotta pots strung on string, each in the shape of a turnip and about 45 cm high. At the top of each pot there is a string tied around the rim. Fishermen leave the pots tied to one another in the sea several miles from the coast. For some inexplicable reason, these pots literally attract octopuses - they have been caught this way since the Phoenicians discovered this method of fishing 3,000 years ago.

The island of Djerba is connected to the mainland by a 6.5 km long causeway, which is believed to remain from Roman times. They say that this island is the very mysterious place where Odysseus met lotus eaters, “lotus eaters.” Unlike Odysseus, many of the vacationers who have ever visited Djerba come here again. The climate here is very pleasant, the people are friendly, the beaches are beautiful and extensive, and far from the coast, despite all the pressure of seaside mass tourism, traditional provincial Tunisia is still preserved. Water supply is now provided by two main pipelines coming from the mainland.

Djerba and its population followed a different development path than the rest of Tunisia. As on the mainland, Djerba was initially inhabited exclusively by Berbers. But, unlike other regions of Tunisia, the Arab conquerors were unable to either displace or assimilate the local tribes. The Berbers of Djerba belong to a special Islamic religious community - the Ibadis. They reject any entertainment and luxury, lead a very modest and unpretentious lifestyle and do not build large mosques for themselves. Families gather for prayer in simple rural chapels in their own farmsteads (menzelach).

The architecture of the Ibadis of Djerba is also different from what we see in the cities. Menzels and mosques are built of clay and whitewashed on the outside. Each such structure is like a small fortress: it is surrounded by high walls and has a reservoir into which water from scanty rains is collected. Soft building material does not allow you to get straight lines or right angles, and therefore architectural forms appear very soft, fluid and alive.

The most striking feature of the Ibadis is their tendency to live as “individuals.” The local peasants never settled in villages, but built their menzels at a considerable distance from their neighbors. And, as a result, there have never been large cities on the island. And those that exist today arose from the bazaars where traders from the mainland settled. This method of settlement is also surprising because Djerba was endlessly subjected to threats and attacks: after the Arab conquest (VII century) the Normans followed (XII century) and the Spaniards (XVI century). Then pirates, supported by the Ottomans, settled on the island. All the conquerors tried to settle on the coast, but almost no one touched the Ibadis, who lived in the center of the island.

Two towns, Hara Segira and Hara Kebira, were founded by Jews who are believed to have settled in Djerba as early as the 6th century BC. e. Written references to the Jewish community on the island of Djerba have been known since the 11th century.

Houmt Souk

Houmt Souk (Houmt Souk) is the capital of the island, and for a long time it was the only large settlement on Djerba. The market was held here, hence the name houmt souk, “market quarter”. Despite all its importance for trade, these days this bazaar occupies a rather modest area. When Djerba residents go shopping, they prefer modern shops or the Libyan Market on the outskirts of town, where they sell a mixture of second-hand goods and bootleg goods.

It is best to enter the bazaar from the east side, from Abdel Hamid el-Qadi Street (Rue Abdel Hamid el-Khadi). On the sides of the narrow entrance to Old city there are two mosques. Foreigners Mosque (Mosquee des Etrangers) with a square minaret and white domes over the prayer hall, as its name implies, it was intended for the “newcomers” visiting Khumt Souk.

Opposite it stands the Ibrahim el-Jemni Mosque, founded in 1674. (Ibrahim el-Jemni), with its own hammam located a few steps away. Along a narrow alley you can go to the pretty Hedi Shaker Square (Place Hedi Chucker) and further to Farhat Hashed Square (Place Farhat Hached), where cafes and restaurants await guests between blooming bougainvillea and hibiscus bushes. On the way you will meet caravanserais (foundouk), for which Houmt Souk is so famous. Traders used to stay in caravanserais: goods and pack animals were placed on the first floor, and rooms for guests were on the second. Today, in hotels such as the Er-Riadh or the Touring Club, you can taste this caravanserai atmosphere - provided you are willing to give up the shower in your room.

To the north of both squares lies the bazaar (Souk), partly indoors, where you can find many jewelry shops. From time immemorial, residents of Djerba of Jewish origin have worked with gold, because the Berbers consider this metal unclean. In addition to jewelry, the bazaar sells woven carpets, pottery and clothing, but everything is quite expensive. high prices. If you come here in the morning, you can get to the fish auction. Freshly caught fish are praised at the top of their voices, the seller holds a whole bunch of them high above his head, resellers jostle, offer prices, and shout.

At the northern end of the bazaar, near Arisha Square (Place Arisha) another caravanserai will appear and Catholic Church, which has now resumed services.

Tayeb Mhiri Street (Rue Taieb M"hiri) leads past the seven domes and round minaret of the Turkish Mosque (Jamaa et Trouk) to the northern outskirts of Houmt Souk and towards the port. Here, dominating everything, rises the fort of Ghazi Mustafa (Fort Ghazi Mustapha), built in the 15th century on Roman foundations. It served as the scene of one of the most terrible atrocities of the notorious corsair Dragut, who began his career in the service of the Ottomans, but soon broke away and terrorized his Mediterranean neighbors with his fleet. In 1560, when Dragut stormed this fortress, about 6,000 Spaniards took refuge in the fort. They were captured and beheaded. From their skulls, Dragut ordered to build an ominous tower in front of the fort, which travelers talked about back in the 19th century. The obelisk reminds us of this today.

Opposite and diagonally there is the Haroun restaurant, which used to be considered the best in Djerba. You can have a great time here, but the price and quality clearly do not correspond to each other. The same “Nagoip” organizes excursion trips to Flamingo Island (lie des Flamants). On this peninsula, camp tablecloths are laid out and Tunisian delicacies are served, while flamingos serenely wander through the water, looking for food at the bottom.

It will be very interesting to visit the Houmt Souqa Museum, located in the halls of the zawiya on Abdel-Hamid el-Qadi Street. The Zawiya is the religious center of the Muslim community. Most often, a zawiya consists of the tomb of its founder, a mosque and premises where pilgrims can stay. The museum displays traditional clothing and wonderful jewelry from Djerba. In the kubba - mausoleum, where two saints are buried at once, one is amazed by the completely unique design of the dome made of cylindrical ceramic tubes inserted into each other.

Hotel zones

Hotels are concentrated on the north-eastern promontory of Djerba around the cape of Ras Tagernes (Ras Taguerness).

Heading west from the Cape Lighthouse (the entrance to which is closed) Sidi Mahres beach extends (Plage de Sidi Mahres), to the south, hotels and restaurants line Segia Beach (Plage de la Seguia) towards Agir (Aghir). Hotel guests can find endless sandy beaches everywhere. There are a couple of rocky areas on Segia beach, and the beach itself is not as wide as Sidi Mahres. Closer to the hotels, high sand dunes form a natural protective wall against the frequent winds blowing from the sea.

At the foot of the lighthouse there is a shallow lagoon where many seabirds gather and where it is very good to walk and watch our feathered brothers.

Equally close to the lighthouse is an excellent golf course, a green, slightly uneven 27-hole course where beginners can take an introductory course for a small fee. In addition, there is a large casino here.

The latest in island entertainment is Djerba Explore. (next to the lighthouse), representing architecture, culture (at the Lalla Hadria Museum) and the way of life of the Ibadis. Cafes and souvenir shops add some variety to a walk through the recreated Djerba Heritage village with its traditional houses and workshops. At the big crocodile farm (“Crocod"iles”) near the village you can admire these prehistoric reptiles. The feeding of the crocodiles is quite an impressive spectacle and begins at approximately 17:00.

In the hotel area of ​​Sidi Mahres beach, on the edge facing Houmt Souk, you will find several simpler hotels and boarding houses.

Island tour

Djerba is not a very large island, with an area of ​​only 514 km², and is also almost completely flat. Its highest place is the clayey hills near the village of Gellala (Guellala) (55 m). This makes the island ideal for cycling. Bicycles can be rented from hotels and in Houmt Souk.

A sightseeing tour of the island in most cases begins in one of two tourist areas: Sidi Mahres or Segia. The district center and at the same time a popular destination for tourists from hotels is the lively town of Midoun (Midoun) there used to be a slave market here. This explains the fact that many of the local inhabitants have a darker skin color than other Jerbies.

On market square Guests will find a great selection of ceramic dishes and vases. At Cafe de la Jeunesse, men sit in the shade of an old plane tree, sipping coffee, playing dominoes or reading the newspaper. Several good restaurants offer lunch, including the attractive La Coucousserie, which has a surprisingly varied menu of couscous-based dishes. At the stadium, the resourceful head of the tourism department organized a folk festival - a Berber wedding (Manage berbere), which attracts tourists from coastal hotels every Tuesday.

From Midoun there are two options to continue the journey: either turn back to the coast and move along it through Aghir and El Kantara, or go inland. The second route is more beautiful, as it passes through the rural part of Djerba with its hamlets and olive groves. However, before moving west, it is worth deviating a little to the side and driving 4 km along the road towards Khumt Souk to the Fadlun Mosque (Fadhloun). This mosque was abandoned many years ago, but is now open to visitors. You can study it distinctive features architecture of Djerba. There is an impluvium in the front yard (sink): A shallow, whitewashed basin with a drainage hole in which rainwater was collected and conveyed to a cistern underneath. Nearby there is a place for ritual ablutions before prayer. Through a narrow passage in the second circumferential wall you enter the mosque's modest courtyard and from there into the unadorned prayer hall, which is supported by four massive columns. You can climb the minaret along a narrow staircase and admire the mosque from above.

Having returned back to Midoun, you can now move deeper into the island through the villages of Mahbubin (Mahboubine) and Bedouin (Bedouine) to Seduikesh (Cedouikech). a patriarchal place that lives on pottery.

But Gellala is better known in this regard (Guellala), a real village of potters. However, don’t bother looking for simple, undecorated clay jugs on the counters and markets of Gellaly, shaped like antique amphorae, which were made here from time immemorial. Tourist taste gives rise to supply, and therefore everything is now filled with ceramics with white-blue-green patterns, which are actually produced in Nabeul. What is made right here is sculpted from clay mined from the depths of the hill below Gellala. Over time, in order to get to the raw materials, it was necessary to dig shafts and adits. IN ancient ovens, located half underground, clay products are fired. Some of the ovens in Gellale can be viewed - but you will be expected to buy a souvenir as a sign of gratitude.

A noteworthy museum a little away from Gellala tells not only about pottery, but also about Tunisian folk customs. Next door, the café-restaurant invites you to have a snack and a glass of mint tea.

To the south and to El Kantara you can drive along a well-trodden road along the sea. Along the way, every now and then you come across tops placed in shallow places, and here and there on the shore there are clay jugs tied with rope. The fishermen of Djerba catch their prey in the same way as their counterparts on the Kerkennah Islands: they drive the school between two rows of nets, so that the fish swim in an ever-narrowing passage and are eventually trapped. Octopuses are lured with clay jugs, using their habit of climbing into dark shelters, and then all that remains is to lift up the jugs with the mollusks sitting in them.

In El Cantar (El-Kantara) a dam begins that stretches across the sea strait to the mainland. This jumper appeared in ancient times, and, of course, the Roman road (Chaussee romaine) it was not preserved. Near the dam, water pipes are visible, supplying Djerba with water from the mainland. There are no sources of water on the island itself, and the meager rainfall is barely enough to Agriculture.

If you move further inland, the road will lead you to El May (El May). Here there is another illustrative example of the peculiar architecture of Ibadi Muslims: the white El-May Mosque, fortified with high walls and powerful buttresses. Rounded corners and smooth lines soften the appearance of this building, which is actually quite inhospitable, and deprive it of any menacing appearance. Like architectural style can be found in the Mzab group of oases (M"zab) in the Algerian Sahara, where Berbers also live, adherents of one of the strict religious sects.

The town of Hara Segira (Hara Seghira), aka Riyadh (Er-Riadh), is the gateway from the world of Islamic faith to the world of Judaism. This is where the La Ghriba Synagogue is located. (La Ghriba), the oldest in Africa, which annually, 30 days after the Jewish Old Testament Passover, becomes one of the largest places of pilgrimage for North African Jews.

Jews have lived on Djerba since at least 586. Although historical documents are silent about this, there is a version that Jewish refugees ended up in North Africa no later than 70 AD. e., after the Roman conquest of Jerusalem. Rulers of Islamic dynasties, as a rule, did not touch Jews. Islam recognized Jews as "People of the Book" (by Book meant Old Testament) and placed it higher than the “pagans.” True, they, like Christians, had to pay special taxes and live in certain areas of the city, called hara or mellah. After the founding of the State of Israel, most Jews left North Africa; Now there are about 1000 of them living in Djerba.

The current synagogue building dates back to 1920. You are only allowed to enter with your head covered. (scarves and hats are available for rent) and without shoes. In interior decoration the predominant colors are white and blue, and elderly men can always be seen sitting in the dim light studying the Holy Scriptures. Precious Torah scrolls are carefully protected from the eyes of visitors. They are probably among the ancient lists Torahs that exist today in the Jewish world.

A charming hotel has recently opened in Riyadh, designed as an alternative to hotel rooms for pilgrims. It is open not only to Jews. Its restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine.

The island is often called “Mediterranean Tahiti”: people come here to swim in the clear sea, relax in excellent hotels, and enjoy the oriental flavor at reasonable prices per tour.

Djerba has been known since ancient times. Homer in his "Odyssey" mentioned it as the Island of lotus eaters - eaters of lotus flowers - the island of earthly pleasures and bliss. Djerba served as a base for the formidable Berber pirates, terrifying the entire Mediterranean, and became home to representatives of many religions.

Very tasty dates and olives are grown here, fish and octopuses are caught - the patriarchal way of life of Djerba has not changed for centuries.

How to get there

Djerba has its own airport “Djerba (Zarzis)”. It is located next to the island's capital, Houmt Souk. During the tourist season, charters from Russia land here. Flight time from Moscow to Djerba is approximately 4.5 hours. Transfer to hotels does not take much time - on average, about an hour. Djerba is connected to the mainland by a bridge and ferry. The ferry crosses a small strait in 15 minutes.

Tours to Djerba

Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.

Beaches

The best parts of the Djerba coastline are located in the northeast. Most of the hotels are located here, almost each of which has its own long section. It is cleared of algae and marine debris, and the safety of tourists is monitored. The sand on Djerba is light and soft, the entrance to the water in tourist areas is gentle. The hotel beaches are well equipped, there are umbrellas, sun loungers, and a range of water activities (parasailing, jet skis, “bananas” and “cheesecakes”).

Hotels

Most hotels in Djerba are located on Cape Ras Tagernes, in the north and east of the island. Most often, Russian tourists choose to stay in 4-star hotels.

There are representatives of Vincci Hotels, Radisson, Seabel and others on the island. The all-inclusive food system is popular in hotels.

Attractions

Djerba is an island with a rich history, so there are plenty of attractions here. The most famous - . The powerful walls of the fortress have stood on the seashore for more than 600 years. Bloody sieges and battles took place here - for example, the pirate Turgut Reis attacked the Spaniards and ordered the construction of a monstrous pyramid tower from the skulls of defeated enemies, which stood for almost 300 years. Now there is an obelisk in its place, and 9,000 skulls have found eternal rest in the cemetery.

The old town of Houmt Souk is one large bazaar, the entrance to which is guarded by two impressive mosques: the Mosque of Foreigners (Jamaa al-Ghorba) and the Ibrahim el-Jemni Mosque, both of which are almost a thousand years old.

Where to go

Most often, guests of Djerba go on a pirate ship cruise to Flamingo Island. In winter, these beautiful birds nest here, and in summer, tourists sunbathe on the snow-white sand. The cruise lasts about 4 hours, time on the island is 2 hours. On the way, tourists are entertained by animators with a special pirate show.

The second most popular place for excursions is the crocodile farm in. Several dozen Nile crocodiles live here.

You can visit the potters' village of Gelallu on a guided tour. In Gelalla, clay is mined and beautiful jugs are sculpted, reminiscent of ancient amphorae. Be careful - ceramics in blue and white tones are made in, and modest and unpainted plates are made in Gelalle. Works interesting museum cultural heritage. In August, the village hosts a festival where you can try your hand at the pottery wheel.

From Djerba it is convenient to get to, go on excursions to the dwellings of troglodytes and

Souvenirs

For souvenirs in Djerba, go to the capital of the island, the city of Houmt Souk. The name of the city is telling; it translates as “shopping quarter”. Local markets have a wide variety of goods - ceramics, leather goods, small souvenirs, spices, cosmetics based on olive or argan oil, hookahs, glassware, carpets... Pay attention to the ceramics from Gelalla - simple but elegant jugs, similar on ancient amphoras.

Tourists note that prices for souvenirs in Djerba are on average higher than in other Tunisian resorts. Djerba is an island, so most goods are not made locally, but are brought from other cities. Hence the difference in cost. We recommend that you bargain when buying a souvenir you like; sellers often inflate the price several times.

Kitchen

Most of the dishes served in hotel restaurants and cafes are no different from those eaten at other resorts. There will definitely be a spicy soup called shorba, stuffed with meat, on the table. Bell pepper, the famous tagine (roast lamb), couscous with vegetables.

There is also a “marine accent” in the cuisine of Djerba. In coastal restaurants you should try freshly caught grilled fish or octopus.

October 10, 2017, 10:12 am 20.3k Views

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One of the famous resorts of Tunisia is the island of Djerba. The hospitable place is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and is in great demand among tourists every year. Climatic conditions allow vacationers to enjoy the sun and swim until mid-autumn. The average air temperature on the island is 2-4 degrees higher than that of the inhabitants of the continent.

Djerba ranks first in size among the islands of the Mediterranean coast of Africa . But the area of ​​514 km² can easily be explored during your vacation. It will take about 6 hours to get from one end of Djerba to the other.

The article is visited by those who have chosen Tunisia and the island of Djerba for their vacation. What kind of place is this, does it live up to the brochures presented and is it perfect? First things first.

When planning your vacation, pay special attention to the geographical subtleties of the resort. If you like the hotel prices or the cost of a trip in the Zaris region, do not rush to pay for everything at once. Pay attention to its location.

Although it is formally considered part of Djerba, in fact it is located on the Tunisian mainland. Be careful and take into account this feature of the resort area.

How to get to paradise island?

Today, visitors have three available options:

• water trip. A ferry runs regularly on the route mainland - Admim;
• overland travel. There is a causeway between the island and the Tunisian mainland;
• air travel. Maximum comfort for tourists will be provided by a quick plane flight directly to their desired vacation spot.

Our journey began from Moscow Domodevo airport. The flight with North Wind airline took 4.5 hours. We were pleased with the comfortable trip. Belarus, Hungary and Italy are left far behind. After an hour of flight, a pretty flight attendant came out to us.

A snack along the way could be a nice addition. There were a variety of cold and hot drinks to choose from. Then the main course came out. In a large, bright and promising box there was a small and nondescript sandwich.

Local airport of Djerba island

1. There is one small airport to receive vacationers on the island. It is located 15 minutes by car from the capital of Djerba - Houmt Souk. Just nine kilometers separate Melita or Djerba Zaris airport from the main town of the resort island.
2. By local standards, the airport is considered large, despite having only one runway. Work is underway both on domestic flights and on international routes. Djerba Zarissuda Airport also welcomes guests from Russia. You will definitely get to know it if you have chosen Tunisia and the island of Djerba for your holiday.
3. After landing, every tourist is in a hurry to leave their heavy suitcases at the booked hotel. The best way to get there is to take a taxi. Drivers wait for fellow travelers right at the airport exit. Cars yellow color stand in an even formation, waiting for tourists.
4. For those who like to book everything in advance, there are online services. You can order a car from the airport to your destination via the Internet. All you need to do is provide your contact information with your flight number and the driver will be waiting for you at the exit. A sign with your initials will help you accurately identify the greeter.

Preparing documents for the trip

A mandatory condition for flying to Tunisia is that you have an international passport. You do not need to apply for a special visa to enter. Russian tourists are required by law to stay for 90 days. Upon landing, visiting guests must fill out a migration card. Everything is absolutely free; everything necessary for issuing a card is provided right at the Tunis airport.

The map consists of two parts. One for you, one for the border guards. After you fill out and submit the required paperwork, your passport is stamped. Be careful and do not lose your part of the card, you will need it when flying back home.

Money and currency exchange in the resort of Djerba

1. Take care of currency exchange in advance. Rubles on the island of Djerba are absolutely useless. You can only exchange the Tunisian dinar for local money, the euro, the dollar, the pound, but not the ruble. Unlike European countries The best exchange rate is at Djerba Zaris airport. Of course, your hotel will also have an exchange office. The experience of tourists recommends not to put off exchanging money; you are unlikely to find a better offer than at the airport.
2. After a monetary transaction, be sure to save the receipt you receive. Only by presenting it on departure will you be able to perform the reverse operation, that is, exchange dinars for dollars, euros, pounds or other convenient currency.
3. If you took with you a large sum, you should not immediately convert it entirely into Tunisian dinars. Prices on the island are not high and you are unlikely to spend all the money you brought. Plus, when exchanging money back into your currency, some of the money is lost due to exchange rate differences. And there is no point in returning home with local dinars.

How to get around the island

Yellow taxi cars have become the optimal way to travel for visiting tourists. It won't be difficult to call her. If desired, you can pre-order transport at the hotel reception. This method of transportation is the most comfortable and not too expensive.

You can calculate the approximate cost of the trip yourself. It all depends on the distance and time. Taxi drivers use meters at the rate of 1 kilometer - half a dinar. Please note that 0.450 Dinars are automatically added to the resulting amount. Most likely this is the landing price.

Local beaches and sea

Arriving on the island and looking at the beach, you will immediately find differences with the advertising brochures. The paradise oasis with date palms is actually a little more modest. The clean, snow-white sand from the pictures is found only in the tourist part of the island of Djerba, in the hotel area.

• Most of the beaches are pebbles and something of unknown origin. Looking for the perfect beach holiday It's worth heading to the Midoun region. Most of the expensive hotels and the most developed infrastructure of the island are concentrated here. Local beaches were photographed as the basis for promotional brochures;
• When sunbathing on the beach at the hotel, do not be surprised by the large concentration of people. In Tunisia, any beach is public and open to the public according to the law. According to the rules, any beach within 30 meters of the sea is a public property and cannot be occupied by private property;
• While sunbathing, you will most likely encounter local residents selling sweets, fruits or souvenirs. You can buy a dog, camel or horse right on the beach. If you wish, you can take a photo with your favorite animal or ride a horse along the shore. A camel ride will cost only 15 dinars;

Despite public character Beach area hotel workers pay close attention to the nearest beach. They regularly remove garbage, level the sand, clear the area of ​​algae, and carefully arrange umbrellas and sun loungers. Therefore, when going to the beach, look for a good hotel in advance. The better the hotel, the nicer the beach.

My family vacationed at the Djerba Plaza 4* hotel. I definitely recommend the local beach.

Quality of beaches within walking distance

Large animals are often found on the beaches: horses, camels. It is not surprising that after them tourists find not the most pleasant surprises. We were lucky. The employees of the Djerba Plaza 4* hotel approach their territory responsibly. The fate of vacationers in three-star hotels was not so successful. Feces are not uncommon on local beaches.

The downside of most beaches is bad smell. Most likely a consequence of rotting algae.

You will find security guards on every beach. They keep order. But there is no need to relax. It is not recommended to leave valuable personal items unattended. Local security will not guarantee the safety of your expensive camera or wallet.

In most cases, the bulk of the people on the beach are vacationers. You don't see local residents often. After all, most hotels are located at a considerable distance from populated areas. You are more likely to meet with sellers than with native Tunisians.

Sea baths on the island of Djerba

Fans of water procedures will be satisfied with the quality of the water. Transparent water of magic blue color confirms everything promised by advertising brochures. Swimming near the shore you can meet a school of small fish. Unfortunately, such beauty does not reign on the island all day long. Frequent and strong waves are not a rare occurrence in Djerba. The color and quality of water directly depends on local weather conditions.

Excellent conditions have been created for adults and children to enter the water. The slopes are gentle, the bottom smoothly disappears from under your feet, there are no sudden changes in height. The water temperature in October is comfortable, on average up to +25 degrees. From time to time, algae appears in the water near the shore. Such meetings happen where hotels do not pay too much attention to the beaches.

Inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea near the island of Djerba

You can safely swim in the sea. It is possible to meet a neighbor in the form of a jellyfish, but very often. Due to its large size and bright coloring, the animal immediately catches your eye, you can easily swim away and avoid a collision.

Cute crabs can be found on the sandy or pebble shore, and schools of fry swim in the water. The local inhabitants do not disturb tourists and serve as a nice addition to the local nature.

What to do on the beach of Djerba island?

• after swimming and sunbathing, a tourist can ride a camel or take a horseback ride along the beach;
• Among the water activities available to guests of Tunisia: scuba diving, flying hot-air balloon over the Mediterranean Sea, jet skiing. The average price of fun leisure is from 20 to 30 dollars for two for 20 minutes;
• if extreme entertainment is not for you, you can just play badminton or Beach volleyball. All necessary accessories in the form of a ball or rackets are sold in local stores.

Hotels in Djerba resort

1. When you decide to go on vacation to the island of Djerba, pay special attention to choosing a hotel. The more stars he has and positive feedback, the more comfortable your trip will be.
2. Most local hotels operate on an All included system. This type of work is due to the lack of bars and restaurants in the resort area. It's a real rarity to come across a decent cafe. The accommodation and conditions in the Midoun region are considered the most comfortable and popular.
3. Finding a delicious lunch outside the hotel is difficult. If you are lucky enough to meet a restaurant along the way, the menu will not be large, but the price will be high
4. Your vacation will directly depend on the level of the hotel. The better the hotel, the higher the quality of service, the cleaner the beach, the more entertainment and the more comfortable the rooms.

Weather in mid-autumn

1. Our trip to the island of Djerba took place in the second half of October. Like most tourists, we began to prepare for the trip in advance. My favorite website, Gismeteo, helped me get acquainted with the long-term weather forecast on the island.
2. The promises were promising - several rainy days and the average air temperature is +20 degrees. The water temperature is + 23. Naturally, the suitcase contained sweatshirts, pants and even sweaters. In fact, we didn’t need any warm clothes.
3. We were lucky and there were no dogs at all. The temperature turned out to be higher than promised, up to +30 degrees. The water in the sea exceeded all expectations, on average +24 degrees. Now we recommend everyone to choose for a holiday in Djerba in mid-autumn. There are already significantly fewer people in the resorts of Tunisia at this time, the air and water temperatures are very comfortable.

The only downside was the insects. Autumn is the time to harvest dates. Whole flocks of flies flock to the sweet ripe fruit.

From the end of September to the beginning of October, the date ripening season begins, so the number of flies on the island increases.

Local beauties of the island of Djerba

• Having carefully studied the advertising brochures on the island of Djerba, the tourist prepares to meet not only blue water and white sand. According to the booklet, the island is a favorite place for Pink Flamingos.
• In fact, they are rare guests here. Only in certain seasons, if you are lucky, can you catch them at the resort. The plumage of the birds is also very different from the images in the pictures. It is not bright pink at all, but rather grey. There are also pale pink flamingos. The color directly depends on the animal’s nutrition;
• You won’t even find thickets of date palms on Djerba. The vast majority of trees are olives. The resort area is rich in trees and shrubs. Leaving the tourist part, you are unlikely to find an abundance of green spaces; unfortunately, next to the hotels, in the cities of Djerba there is a sad environmental situation.
• Local residents store garbage on roadsides and streets. The houses of local residents are in deplorable condition. Which is very predictable, given the economic situation of the African continent. According to reviews from travelers, the urban part of the resort resembles land after the apocalypse.

Thalassotherapy on the island of Djerba

One of the main sources of replenishment of the island's treasury is tourism. Thalassotherapy is very popular. The purely main components of the country's economic base include income from agriculture, inbound tourism and fishing.

The Ministry of Health of Djerba is responsible for the development and promotion of thalassotherapy. Visitors from around the world choose the island as a place to restore health and improve immunity.

1. You can easily book a thalassotherapy session in every hotel. There are also separate buildings on the island where healing procedures based on sea water and the natural resources of the region are carried out. Everyone will be able to undergo complex treatment or order several separate procedures. The price of pleasure is moderate - 3000 rubles for a full wellness complex.
2. We did not take advantage of this popular area of ​​alternative medicine. I can judge the effectiveness of the procedures from the reviews of my hotel neighbors. I really liked the friendly staff of the medical centers and the price of pleasure. The quality of the procedures themselves left much to be desired.
3. It is not surprising that the shops of the island of Djerba are filled with thalasso-cosmetics. The composition of cosmetics makes them in demand and popular all over the world. For production, only natural substances are used, for example, black cumin seeds or cactus. The price of the product is quite social. Thirty milliliters of cumin oil will cost 7 dinars.
4. You can buy almost any cosmetics: toothpaste, cream, cleansers for the face and body, hair masks, balms and shampoos.
5. For visitors there are special trips on a free basis to get acquainted with the thalasso boutique. The cosmetics store provides a wide selection of natural cosmetics at reasonable prices. If you did not have time to visit the boutique, you can purchase all the products in stores or markets. Their prices will be less favorable.

On excursions to Thalasso, tourists have the opportunity to pay for goods in their native currency. Even rubles are accepted here. But the course is extremely unprofitable. If you want to save money, take dinars with you.

The local concept of a boutique is very different from the usual European term. Due to the modest size of the structure, several stores in one building are already called a shopping center. Small shops familiar to us can receive boutique status.

Alcoholic drinks and hookahs in Djerba resort

In Tunisia, tourists can try local beer or wine. The taste of the drinks is difficult to distinguish from the ones we are used to. The island's liqueurs have original tastes. The bitter taste will find its connoisseurs. Liqueurs Tibarin and Cedratin resemble absinthe and have a lemon flavor. Bukha vodka became the national alcoholic drink. Its strength is 36-40 degrees. Thanks to the unique recipe, the strength is not felt at all.

Local drinks are often taken home as gifts to friends and relatives.

Smoking hookah is a favorite pastime of local residents. Its quality is excellent and is in great demand among guests of the island. Almost every cafe and restaurant provides a hookah smoking service.

Shopping on the resort island

Those who love shopping will be disappointed. The island is not aimed at shopping fans.

Tourists take with them classic refrigerator magnets, postcards and other Chinese nonsense as souvenirs. Interesting gifts include ceramic dishes from the local potters' village. The place is called Gellala. There is a wide selection of plates, pots, vases, figurines and souvenirs to suit every taste. Products can be purchased not only in the village itself, but also in many shops on the island.

Tourists take natural products as souvenirs. Olive oil is popular. The main task is to choose locally produced products. Cosmetics are also exported. Budget tourists take local spices, coffee, tea, and alcohol as gifts.

All local products are suitable as a souvenir:

• carpets, leather goods, jackets, bags;
• They take with them confectionery products: halva, bedspreads and carpets, fig or cactus jam. Food unusual for Europeans is in demand.

We took a couple of jars of halva with us. Tasty and moderately sweet, we really liked it. Next time we'll definitely take more

Bazaars: what and where to buy?

A logical continuation of the topic of shopping and souvenirs would be the question of local shops and markets. Where and what is better to buy?

• You will find all the necessary goods right next to the hotel. Hikers can also take a walk to the nearest town. You will find the best value for money in eastern markets. The cost of the goods will be minimal, and the range will be the widest;
• The largest market on the island is located in the capital city of Houmt Souk. Bazaars are also found in small towns. For example, Midoun is the closest city to the most developed tourist center. The atmosphere of the shopping area is absolutely original. Everyone should visit such a place;
• if not because of the goods, then because of the amazing atmosphere. It is at the market that tourists will be able to get acquainted with the eastern side of the island. Be sure to take time and go to the local market.

Local cafes and restaurants

The majority of establishments are located in the cities of Djerba. They are not particularly popular among tourists. The fact is that most visitors choose the all-inclusive system.

Going to a cafe means trying Turkish coffee and the famous hookah. The goal is not food, but local flavor. Pizzerias are in demand. Large portions at a reasonable price are always appreciated.

Tipping in Tunisia

1. Whether to tip the local staff or not is entirely up to you. good will. Nobody obliges you to do this. By personal experience I recommend not to skimp and leave a few dinars. It's a small thing, but sometimes it works wonders.
2. Average wage Tunisians 150-200 dollars. The income is very modest. For local residents, even a small tip will be a good help.
3. We didn't hesitate to leave a couple of coins for the service staff. Tipping on the island is truly deserved. Employees of hotels, cafes and restaurants try to do their work as efficiently as possible. The people are friendly and welcoming. Plus, the poverty of local residents encourages them to leave a couple of dinars and help at least in some way.

Prices for goods place of production

Shopping on the island is not the most popular activity. If you are in the mood to make a few purchases, the prices will pleasantly surprise you. A bag made of genuine leather will cost you 25-40 dinars. The price depends on the size of the product.

• A glass of natural juice with pulp sells for only 3 dinars. Exotic cactus jam averages about 4 dinars per 220 grams. Halva costs 4 dinars per 350 grams. Among food products, olive oil is in demand;
• one liter will cost you 8 dinars. For comparison, a similar can in Moscow supermarkets already costs 1,680 rubles, as in all resorts the price depends on the place of purchase. The closer to the tourist area, the more expensive;
• Those who like to bargain should definitely visit the local oriental market. Sellers will happily sell the item at a lower price. Thanks to a well-structured conversation, the price of a product can fall by 2-4 times.

Resort Island Security

1. Video reports and news reports often scare tourists about the high crime rate on the island. In fact, the situation in Djerba is quite calm. The bulk of visitors are vacationers from France, Germany and England. Today, the situation on the island of Djerba is considered the safest in all of Tunisia.
2. The city streets are patrolled by military vehicles. These measures are necessary due to the dangerous proximity to Libya. The locals themselves are friendly to guests of the country. After all, the success of the country’s economy and, consequently, their well-being depend on tourists.
3. The only nuance of staying on the island is the dress code. Pay attention to your appearance when leaving the hotel. Don't expose yourself too much, show modesty. You should not provoke Tunisians by violating their cultural customs. As in any unfamiliar country, you should not walk in unfamiliar places at night. Don't get into arguments or conversations with strangers.

Russian language at the resort

Surprisingly, the Russian language in Djerba is familiar to many Tunisians. In all shops, restaurants, markets, hotels and inns, island residents are familiar with Russian. Everyone involved in tourism activities is trying to establish contact with visitors and learn to speak their native language.

Knowledge of German, English or French. Owning at least one is a guarantee of easy communication with others. Local residents are actively studying languages. If you tell them a few phrases in Russian, they will definitely remember them and use them in communication.

Spending time on the island of Djerba

At the resort, everyone will find something to their liking. A visit, active entertainment or excursion tour - your choice. Detailed information about leisure activities was presented in the previous article. In order not to repeat ourselves, we will not re-describe all the available entertainment on the island.

Let's remember just a few of the most memorable places:

Cozy park Djerba Explore. A modest, well-kept place to relax.

If you get tired of relaxing in the shade of trees, check out the crocodile farm. Here guests will see real Nile crocodiles feeding.

The park contains an interesting attraction - the city open-air museum. A traditional Djerbian village with houses of national architecture was created. In the small park there is another museum of traditions and crafts.

Djerba potters' village of Gellala. Here tourists will find several interesting attractions. You can see with your own eyes the process of creating national ceramic products. The workshop opens its doors to everyone. Guests will also see clay caves - the source of material extraction.

The next attraction is the Guellala Ethnographic Museum, perhaps the best on the island. Visitors will get acquainted with an exhibition telling about the traditions of Tunisians.

The center of Gellaly itself will delight tourists with many souvenir shops and shops. The product directly from the manufacturer is ready to please visitors at a very reasonable price.

Once on the island of Djerba, you definitely need to get to the capital - the city of Houmt Souk.

To feel the oriental flavor, you just need to visit the local bazaar. Shopping lovers will definitely be pleased.

Of cultural interest are the Ghazi Mustafa Fort, mosques and amphitheater.

A special place to visit was the synagogue in the city of Riyadh.

Which cities in Djerba are worth visiting for tourists?

1. The main city of Djerba is the capital Houmt Souk. This is the cultural and business center of the island. It is number one on the list of cities to visit.
2. In second place is the city of Midoun. It is near the main tourist area.
3. The top three includes Azhim. The main fishing port is located here. Guests of the island will be able to walk along the embankment and see with their own eyes the process of catching sea sponges and octopuses.

Personal opinion about the resort of Djerba

The overall impression of the holiday is positive. There is something interesting for everyone. For fans of water treatments, there are good beaches and a warm sea, for lovers of cultural recreation, excursion programs and attractions, for active recreation, sports and extreme entertainment.

Phrygia Zoo in Tunisia – detailed information

August. By oneself

Tunisia, Djerba island

August. Trip to the island of Djerba.

I went to Hammamet, Tunisia, alone. I like to relax alone, you manage your own time and plan your vacation as you want. This was my first trip to Africa. First impressions - it’s very hot, you can’t breathe and you want to quickly hide somewhere. But this is only true at the beginning; soon you adapt and you practically don’t notice the scorching sun.

As a lover of outdoor activities, during my entire stay in Hammamet, I visited several interesting excursions, including a trip to the island of Djerba. This is a relatively small but very picturesque island located in the Gulf of Gabes.

We visited the small but very beautiful city of Houmt Souk on this island. The city has an ancient synagogue, a beach and a cafe with delicious shawarma and falafel. The guide told us that Djerba is famous for its olives, there are entire plantations there.

I promise that when I get married, I will come here with my whole family!

Julia and Konstantin

July. As a couple

Tunisia, Djerba island

July. A long-awaited trip to Tunisia.

Our long-awaited vacation has finally arrived! We immediately, on the second day of our vacation, bought a last-minute ticket to the Tunisian resort town of Hammamet. My husband and I went to hot Africa for ten whole days!

The vacation was simply unforgettable. A beautiful sunny resort, friendly locals and many excursions... It all felt like a fairy tale. We visited the amazingly beautiful island of Djerba. We saw the poor life of local citizens, whose main income is based on the sale of olives or fish.

Of course, the nature of the island is richer than on the mainland. But we really liked Tunisia! We will definitely come here again and visit places we haven’t been before.