PLACES TO GO

NAME: Jerba or Djerba (Arabic), Meninx (Phoenician).
LOCATION AND ACCESS: The Isle of Djerba is situated in the south-east of Tunisia on the Gulf of Gabes. Its capital Houmt Souk is located 108km east of Gabes, 326 km east of Tozeur and the chott el Jerid, 245 km south of Sfax, 372 km south of Sousse, 513 km south of Tunis. Excellent surfaced roads. Ferry at Ajim (fee paying; every 15 mns in the tourist season). International airport on north-west of the island (tel. 650-223).
DIALING CODE: 05.
HOTELS: A large number of hotels, holiday clubs, boarding houses, etc. (see Hotels Interactive Guide).
RESTAURANTS: Haroun (fish and seafood specialities), Houmt Souk port (tel. 650-488); Les Flamants roses, ile des Flamants roses (swimiming in the sea and boat trips, tel. 650-488).
SOUVENIRS: Craft goods (pottery, carpets, jewelery, perfumes), and sponges, in the Midoun souks, in Homnt Souk and in the hotel boutiques.
LEISURE: Karts Handermann and Hafez (near to the Djerba lighthouse).
TOURIST INFORMATION: Commissariat général au tourisme. Houmt Souk (tel. 650-016/ 581/544). Syndicat d'initiative. Houmt Souk (tel. 650-915). Syndicat d'initiative, Midoun (tel. 657-114).
AMENITIES: Banks (ATB, BS, BNT, BT, BIAT, CFCT, STB, UIB) in Midoun and Houmt Souk, regional hospital in Houmt Souk, hospital in Midoun, pharmacies, food stores, service stations, restaurants, markets (Midoun and Houmt Souk souks), car hire (Hertz, place Mongi Bali in Houmt Souk, tel. 650-196; Djerba-Melita airport post 8, tel. 650-233; Dar Jerba, tel. 657-158).

An island of ten thousand palm trees rising from the sea like a mirage. This Polynesia of the Mediterranean is ringed by miles of fine sandy beaches and luxury hotels, ultra modern or built in the fashion of the traditional Djerbian "menzel", stand ready to welcome the traveller.

Splendid in its diversity Djerba offers a variety of sea sports, Roman sites and a pirates castle, the ancient synagogue of the Griba , and the fortress like mosques , potters and silversmiths still faithful to the art of their craft, the bustle of the open air markets. Discover the shady gardens of the interior, orchards of fig, apple and pomegranate, wander through groves of olive trees, gnarled trunks bearing witness to the centuries past.

Restaurants throughout this island serve seafood famed for its freshness and traditional dishes that can be savored on shady patios or on cool waterside patios.

The magnificent weather, clement in winter, warm in summer lends itself to a variety of sports and activities, sail to the island of the pink Flamingo, windsurf year round or tour the island by bicycle in the Spring and Fall.

Hospitable and friendly Djerba welcomes you to participate in its festivals - watch the "Gougou" dancers in Midoun, join a wedding procession following the bride hidden high on a camel and preceded by the joyous music of tambourines and flutes. Steal a few precious moments to share the splendor of a Mediterranean sunset with fishermen casting their nets. Refreshed and relaxed return again and again.

For more information, consult the brochures corner