djerba_en

Population:130 000

Currency:TND (Tunisian Dinar)

Opening hours:In general public services, banks,museums and shops are openfrom 8.00 to 12.00 noon and from14.00 to 17.00.During the summer the afternoonhours can be from 15.00 to 18.00.Some banks may be opennon-stop from 8.00 to 16.15 fromMonday to Friday. Museums closeon Monday and for Bank Holidays.Shops close on Sunday and BankHolidays.Internet:www.tunisietourisme.com.tnwww.cometotunisia.co.ukwww.tunisiaonline.comwww.tunisiaguide.comwww.tunisia.nu

Newspapers:Le RenouveauLe QuotidienEssahafaEmergency numbers:Police: 197Fire Brigade: 197Ambulance: +216 75 650 018 or190Tourist information:Tourist officeCommissariat Régional autourismeBd de l’environnementHoumt SoukTel: +216 75 650 544/016

DJERBAPUBLISHING DATE: 2009-03-09 | COUNTRY CODE: TNContents: The City, Do & See, Eating, Cafés, Bars & Nightlife, Shopping,Sleeping, Essential Information, Maps

Copyright © 2007 Fastcheck AB. All rights reserved. For more information visit: www.arrivalguides.com

DJERBADjerba, the largest island of North Africa, is situatedsouth-east of Tunisia on the Gulf of Gabes, and is ringed bymiles of sandy beaches and luxury hotels. With its idealtemperate climate, this is another very popular Tunisiandestination. The many resort hotels provide anything youneed from lazy bronzing days to a wide range of intenseactivities like thalasso or water sports. But you’ll also findmuch more to do and see in Djerba! With its hundreds ofmosques its five hundred thousand olive trees hundredsyears of history influenced by the Roman, Ottoman, Berberand Jewish empires this oasis at the doors of Sahara haseverything to give your stay a real change of scenery!

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THE CITY #THECITY#

Djerba is first known for its exceptionalbeaches, landscape and hotels; as well asits shooting location for the Tatoine’s MosEisley exterior scenes in the famous StarWars movie. The main tourist zone issituated on the east side, along SidiMahrez and Seguia beaches (aroundMidoun).

Touring the island is very affordable.Wherever you go, you’ll never be morethan thirty minutes from your hotel, andyou will be surprised how splendid Djerbais in its diversity. The main centre is thecity of Houmt Souk, with its beautiful livelymarkets and suqs, and traditional hotelswith vault rooms, the “funduqs”. Most ofthe hotels have been built aroundcourtyards and are very atmospheric. Therest of the island is a series of villages andsmall places, often ignored by tourists, yetauthentic and picturesque, such as Guellalawhich houses a huge pottery and ceramicproduction centre. You’ll also be amazedby the atypical mosques, some are veryold and built like fortresses, and thetraditional architecture of the “menzels”,farms made up of square whitewashedhouses.

Touring Djerba is also an opportunity tomeet its inhabitants, the Kharijites (thethird sect in Islam), known for theirhospitality towards other communities.There are still some Christians as well, andalso one thousand Jews living there, whose

main synagogue in Hara Sghira is theoldest and most famous in the world!

Enjoy startling Djerba, one of Tunisia’sbest kept secrets!

DO & SEE #DOANDSEE#

Houmt SoukDjerba’s main town houses an amazingfortress (Boor El-Kebir), located down bythe sea and built in the 15th century toprotect Djerba from Spanish invasion. Atour in town is also recommended to get aglimpse of Tunisian life, from the fishingport to the lively markets, and thebeautiful “funduqs” houses (some arehundred of years old). There is also aspecial small church and two notablemosques (Mosque of the Turks and Mosqueof the Strangers).

Price: 3 TND (Fortress entrance)Internet: www.tourismtunisia.com

Musée des Arts et TraditionsPopulairesThe museum features beautiful collectionsof traditional costumes, Jewish and Muslimjewels…

Address: Zaouia Sidi ZitouniPhone: +216 75 65 05 40Internet: www.tourismtunisia.com

Musée des Traditions GuellalaThe picturesque village of Guellala isrenowned for its ceramics. The Museumpresents the richness of Derjba’straditions. Built on a hill, it’s also one ofthe best views over the island!

|DESTINATION: DJERBAPUBLISHING DATE: 2009-03-09


Address: GuellalaInternet: www.tourismtunisia.com

The Ghriba SynagogueSituated in the village of Er Riadh, thesynagogue serves as the focal point ofJews in North Africa. It has been a holyplace for 1400 years!

Address: Er-Riadh (Harah Sghira) Djerba

The mosquesAmong the many mosques in Djerba’svillages, two should not be missed: TheTurkish Mosque in El May, in the heart ofthe island. With its whitewashed walls, thisfortified mosque is simply beautiful! ElMay’s market is also worth a visit. InMellita, another village near the airport,the 9th century Mosque is one of the oldestin the world.

EATING #EATING#

The national dish is rice and curry,traditionally eaten with the fingers. Cutleryis provided for foreigners. The mealconsists of six or seven plates of fierymeat, fish and chicken served with heapsof rice accompanied by side dishes ofyoghurt and cucumber and vegetablecurries. Roadside stalls also dish up snackslike rotis (pancakes) and malu pan (spicymeat or fish rolls).

EXCLUSIVELa Princesse d’HarounPerhaps the most famous restaurant inDjerba, great Tunisian specialities and

seafood.

Address: Av. Habib Bourguiba, Port Houmt SoukPhone: +216 75 650 488/483

OscarMainly Jewish specialities with Tunisianflavour, another recommended venue inthis category

Phone: +216 75 623 333

MID-RANGELe PhareIn the tourist zone, Le Phare servesexcellent seafood at reasonable prices.

Address: Touristique Djerba MidounPhone: +216 75 757 822

Da MorioA good venue to try the very localspecialities.

Address: Touristique Djerba MidounPhone: +216 75 600 200

BUDGETTebsiInternational food for those who miss it!

Address: Houmt SoukPhone: +216 75 651 339

MéditerrannéenThe recommended place for seafood atvery good value!

Address: Houmt SoukPhone: +216 75 651 767

CAFÉS #CAFES#

Café ConcertAt the Hotel Djerba Palace



Address: Route Touristique Midoun

KalifaAt the Hotel Djerba Saray


Le Grand CaféDjerba Explore


BARS & NIGHTLIFE #BARSANDNIGHTLIFE#

Bars are a relatively new concept althoughthere are some old favourites patronizedby ex-pats and regular visitors. Generallyquiet they erupt into life at the weekendwith live music, good value food and areasonable drinks’ list.

The best nightlife revolves around theupscale hotels where you’ll find bars,nightclubs and karaoke lounges. Dress issmart casual and entry for hotel guests isfree.

Les ArcadesAt the Sofitel Palm Beach

Address: Houmt Souk, Sofitel Palm BeachPhone: +216 (0)75 75 77 77

Le PachaAt the Hotel Rui Royal Garden

Address: Rte Tourist. Hôtel Riu Royal GardenPhone: +216 (0)75 74 57 77

New NewAt the Hotel Djerba Palace

Address: Rte Tourist. Hôtel Djerba PalacePhone: +216 (0)75 73 26 00

ZanzanaAt Hotel Mariqueen

Address: Zone Touristique, MidounPhone: +216 (0)75 73 04 18/75 73 03 52

AdonisAt the Hotel Maritim Yadis Djerba

Address: Route Touristique, BP 84, MidounPhone: +216 (0)75 74 74 10/75 74 72 35

CiaoSidi Bakour Beach at Plage Hotel Palais desIles

Address: Plage Sidi Bakour, Hôtel Palais des IlesPhone: +216 (0)75 73 24 45/75 73 24 44

SHOPPING #SHOPPING#

Modern air-conditioned malls are foundadjacent to top end hotels or in the samevicinity and they’re perfect for souvenirssuch as traditional masks, batik, gems andpresentation packs of the famous Ceylontea. The best shopping area in town isCinnamon Gardens where you can find justabout anything made in Sri Lanka. Checkout Paradise Road, 213 Dharmapala Mw,Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7; for trendyhome décor and a fine selection of fabricsand linens, objets d’art and carvings in agorgeous colonial house. Keep your plasticcard handy when you explore Odels; astylish department store stuffed withdesigner clothing, linens, toys, books andrecords and several cafés (5 AlexandraPlace, Lipton Circus, Cinnamon Gardens,



Colombo 7).

Also in Colombo 7 investigate the ElephantWalk, at 61 Ward Place; with two floors ofinnovative giftware such as silk placematsand cushions, candles and furniture, in thisdelightfully converted colonial villa.

Give Crescat Shopping Centre a visit,adjacent to Cinnamon Grand Hotel,Colombo 3. It features several floors ofshops linked by escalator selling everythingfrom books, clothing, records and a placeto buy tea from the Mlesna Tea Centre onthe first floor. In the basement there’s asupermarket and a large bustling foodcourt.

SLEEPING #SLEEPING#

EXCLUSIVEMövenpick Resort & Thalasso DjerbaWith its great Thalasso centre andrecreation centres this 5-star resort is theideal place for relaxation and reflection.

Address: Plage de Sidi Mehrez, BP 239Phone: +216 (0)75 758 777Internet: www.moevenpick-hotels.com

Vincci Djerba ResortA huge complex and a private beach,Vincci Djerba has also the advantage ofbeing a bit on the edge of the tourist zone.

Address: Route touristique – AghirPhone: +216 75 751 200Internet: www.vinccitunisia.comMore information: Email: [email protected]

MID-RANGEKarthago Hotels DjerbaBuilt in typical local architectural style, it’sa nice and recommended place, includingThalasso facilities.

Address: BP 125 4116 Midoun DjerbaPhone: + 216 75 751 000Internet: www.karthagohotels.comMore information: Email: [email protected]

Hotel Club TelemaqueSituated south-east of Djerba on one ofthe island’s longest beachers, the HotelClub Telemaque is only 12km fromHoumt-Souk, 6 km from Midoun and20.km from the airport. The hotel featuresall modern amenities.

Address: Plage Sidi Mahrez, B.P. 253, DjerbaPhone: +216 (0)758 736More information: E-mail : [email protected]

BASICArichaIf you look for the authenticity of theBerber traditions in an ancestral residence,then Aricha hotel is your place!

Address: 4180 Houmt Souk, DjerbaPhone: + 216 75 650 384Internet: www.hotelarischa.com

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

AirportDjerba-Zarzis International Airport islocated near Mellita just 8 kilometres fromHoumt Souk. Taxis are the most efficientand fastest way to get in town (about 9TND in 15 minutes).



Phone: + 216 75 650 233Internet: www.oaca.nat.tn

FerryFor those who arrive by car, the ferrybetween Jorf and Ajim (south west of theisland) runs every hour from 4am tomidnight and every two hours frommidnight to 4am (free for pedestrians).

Address: Port d’AjimPhone: +216 75 660 002

Public TransportThe best way to get anywhere in Djerba isby taxi. They are cheap and readilyavailable in all main beach resorts,everywhere and at all times of the day ornight. A 15 km ride costs on average about5 TND. Once you find a taxi driver you like,ask for his phone number and he will behappy to come pick you up and give you aride whenever. If you’re a group, anothergood option is to use shared taxis which goto a fixed destination. They leave onlywhen they’re full. If you need a bookingback to the airport, it’s also good to askyour hotel.

Address: Gare Routière (Houmt Souk)Phone: +21675 650 076

If you have time, an original way toexplore Djerba is by bicycle or smallmotorbike. Ask your hotel for more detailsabout rentals.

PostBureau de Poste Houmt Souk

Address: Av. Habib BourguibaPhone: +216 75 65 33 31

PharmacyBenghorbal Abdel Karim

Address: Av. BourguibaPhone: +216 75 65 00 59

DoctorHôpital Houmt Souk

Address: Av. BourguibaPhone: +216 75 650 018

Hôpital Midoun

Address: Bd du 7 novembrePhone: +216 (0)75 730 280/ (0)733 120

TelephoneCountry Code: +216

Area Code: 75

Electricity220 Volts, 50 Hertz

#ESSENTIALINFORMATION#


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HoumtSouk

Ouedrane

El May

Bedouine

Siddi Chammakh

Sanghou

HassiDjerbi

El KantaraContinent

Mellita

Hara Seghira

Abarda

Ajim

Jorf

El Kantara

Fahmine

Guellala

Cedouikach

Aghir

Midoun

Cedriane

Mezraia

Oualegh

HaraKbira

Golfe deBou Grara

Gol fe

de

Gabes

Jelliji

GuettaiaGueblia

Guettaietel Baharia

Borj Jillij

Borj ElKastil

LaGhriba

10 km0

djerba_en

Documents

touring djerba

main centre

luxury hotels

startling djerba

ofthe hotels

resort hotels

or190tourist information

essential information