Legendary home of the "lotus eaters" and Ulysses himself, the sun-drenched island of Djerba has mile upon mile of unspoilt beaches lapped by the clear blue waters of the southern Mediterranean.

Getting There

Some UK tour operators sell package holidays to Djerba, along with optional desert safaris. For independent travellers, there are frequent internal flights to Djerba from Tunis and Tozeur (1 hour) or louage (shared) taxis.

Where to Stay & Eat

Many of Djerba's luxury hotels are located right on the beach in the "Zone Touristique! on the island's north east shore. Budget travellers will love Houmt Souk's more intimate fondouk hotels - old converted hostels that open onto shady courtyards.

Choose from several excellent restaurants that are clustered around the three central squares in Houmt Souk - go a la carte or take the fixed price tourist menu. Octopus and Calarmari are the local specialties.

Don't Miss

• The finest seafood at La Princess d'Haroun restaurant overlooking the port (booking recommended)
• Colourful Fantasia at Midoun with Arabian horseman, traditional music and dancing - held every Tuesday afternoon.
• A boat trip to Flamingo Island with a barbecue of freshly caught fish on the beach.
• Sand yachting across the sand flats at Aghir
• A Hammam steam bath at Hamman Ziadi in Houmt Souk, Djerba's capital
• Local fishermen bringing in the daily octopus catch in terracotta gargoulette pots.
• Thalassotherapy - a health treatment with hot seawater and mud or seaweed and massage.

Exploring

As Djerba is virtually flat with little traffic, a bicycle is a great way to explore, or for the less energetic, a moped. Local buses and taxis are cheap and readily available. Djerba is linked to the mainland by a causeway or by ferries which run half-hourly from Ajim.

• The beautiful Ghriba Synagogue - one of the holiest Jewish buildings in North Africa
• The pottery village of Guellala where potters still craft ceramics by hand.
• Houmt Souk's vibrant and bustling marketplace with its daily fish auction.
• The nooks and crannies of the Borj el Kebir - a 15th century fort that looks out over the sea.
• Desert safaris in the Sahara.

Cultural Events & Festivities

Activities

• Sand surfing
• Go-karting
• Quad-biking
• Offroad four-wheel drive adventures
• Hot air ballooning