Our most recommended things to do in Matmata

Djerba: 1-Night Desert Tent Safari

1. Djerba: 1-Night Desert Tent Safari

Day 1: Your tour will begin as you depart from your hotel to Tataouine. You will then begin by crossing Roman Road, the structure that connects the island to continental Africa. You will then take a break at the salt lake of Chahbania to enjoy the view and to take photos. Following this, you will enjoy a 40-minute stroll in the streets of Tataouine's market to discover the Berber products and spices for sale. You will then head to the village of Chenini, where you will enjoy a walk to discover it with a local guide. At midday, you will taste the flavors of a local meal in a Berber restaurant. Following lunch, you will cross the Erg (or the desert of rocks) and head to Ksar Ghilane. Upon your arrival you can enjoy a swim in its natural water spray, in an area located between the greenery of the oasis and the yellow color of the sand dunes. Whilst at this location there will also be the possibility of taking a camel ride tour or a quad-bike tour of the dunes (not included). By the end of the day, you will go to your camp to enjoy one of the best sunsets of Southern Tunisia. At the camp, you will have a tent, be able to take a shower, and can also experience the preparation of "sand bread" just before dinner. Following dinner, you will enjoy free time to admire the starry sky in the silence of the desert. Day 2: Following breakfast, you will head to Matmata, the troglodyte village. Your first stop will be to the Berber village of Tamazret, where you can taste an "amandes" tea. Following the break, you will visit a Berber family at their underground house, where you will enjoy an authentic local lunch. Following lunch you will head to Sidi Idriss, a troglodyte hotel where some scenes of the Star Wars film had been shot, and where we can still find some film decor. The final visit of the day will be to the Berber village of Toujane, which is hidden between two mountains and famous for handmade carpets and honey. At the end of the day, you will be returned safely to your hotel with a head full of great memories.

From Djerba: Full-Day Ksar Ghilane Hot Spring and Villages

2. From Djerba: Full-Day Ksar Ghilane Hot Spring and Villages

Get off the beaten track and discover the oasis of Ksar Ghilane. Enjoy scenic views as you travel along the Roman road, and keep an eye out for flocks of sheep and even camels. Visit local villages and savor a freshly made tea at a local's home. After pickup at your hotel, leave the island of Djerba and travel to Ksar Ghilane. Upon arrival, take a swim in the thermal spring nestled amid a grove of date palms. Relax completely in water that's warm enough to be utterly soothing yet still offers respite from the desert heat. Next, enjoy some free time to take a walk on the dunes, go for a camel ride, or explore the dunes on a quad tour before sitting down to a local meal around the hot spring. After lunch, return to the jeep and head to the Berber village of Matmata. Stop in the village of Tamazret, a village flooded in 1969 where only a few families still live. Continue to discover a troglodyte home where your Berber host will welcome you with a warming tea of rosemary, olive oil, and honey that he has prepared himself. After this meeting, make your way to Djerba with a final stop at Toujane, a Berber village of ocher color hidden discreetly between two mountains.

2 Days Sahara Tour From Hammamet

3. 2 Days Sahara Tour From Hammamet

First a pickup From your hôtel or résidence, then heading to El jem Collisuim (visit), Going to thé south till Matmata where you discover the underground caves. You Will be received by a berber Family. Sée Star Wars site ( Sidi Driss hôtel) Thé last 100km to reach Douz where you go by a track to Sahara ( 25km deep) to spend an Overnight in dunes ( tente sleeping bags bed camp blankets camp WC are available) A Private camp made for you ! A night around campfire - dinner - music Day2 : breakfast in the camp- go to thé Salt Lake - visit the old médina of Tozeur - visit of Mos Espa star Wars site - the Oasis of Chebika Return black North to thé North (Hammamet ; Sousse or Tunis) Meals included Private Jeep

From Tunis: 2 Day Sahara Express Experience

4. From Tunis: 2 Day Sahara Express Experience

Day 01 : Pick up from your place of residence and departure to El Jem, visit of its coliseum , measuring 148 meters long, 122 wide and 36 meters high, served during two centuries. Its capacity estimated at 35,000 spectators and its imposing size class unquestionably among the largest amphitheatres in the world. This building dating from the third century, shows the greatness of the Roman Empire. Continuation to Matmata located at 40 km west of Gabes, on a mountainside, it is a Berber village of 1800 inhabitants, at an altitude of 600 meters. The name Matmata came from a Berber tribe originating from Morocco, descendant of the Temzit. Matmata is very well known for its troglodyts houses. Troglodyte homes are homes built into the ground as a way to escape the heat of the summer sun, creating their own natural air conditioning. As you walk around on the surface of the ground, you can peer down into these craters, which are the courtyards of these homes. Some of the courtyards have sheer drops of up to 30 feet deep. These courtyards have rooms cut into the ground where residents live. Typical Tunisian lunch in Matmata Departure after the lunch towards Douz also called the desert gate, discovery of the city, check in at your hotel, dinner and accommodation Day 02 : Early breakfast and departure for Chott El Djerid to experience the sunrise on this beautiful salt lake, located between the Gulf of Gabes and the Algerian border, for nearly 300 km, the desert is covered with Chotts, desert areas covered with salt deposits that rest on a mass of mud. When it rains, the chott is covered with water and becomes a kind of inland sea. The mirages are frequent on this salted plain, of a brilliant whiteness. Departure for chebika via Dgueche, picturesque small village of the Tunisian south. Arrival in Chebika, discovery of this mountain oasis, formerly a Berber village that was washed away. Visit of Ong Jmal, known as the setting for the famous 'Star Wars' saga. But Ong Jmal is above all a magnificent place, completely disconnected from time and space. Visit of "Mos Espa" Proceed to Gafsa where you will have lunch On the way back to Tunis, panoramic visit of Kairouan a fascinating city still anchored in a distant past. One of Islam’s holy cities, it was the first capital of the Maghreb. Designated a Unesco World Heritage site, it conceals several marvels and it is also Known as Capital of traditional hand made Carpets Back to your place of Residence.

From Hammamet: Desert Safari with Overnight Camping

5. From Hammamet: Desert Safari with Overnight Camping

Enjoy dinner and live entertainment around the campfire under a canopy of stars on this private desert escape. The tour starts with hotel pickup in Hammamet. Travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle to Douz, the gateway to the Sahara. Enjoy lunch, shop for handicrafts in the local market, and see the city before venturing into the dunes. Watch the surroundings change from green palms to golden dunes as you near your camp. Once settled, enjoy a delicious dinner at the luxury desert campsite. Unwind while listening to traditional drum music around the campfire. The next day, enjoy breakfast at the campsite before departing for Matmata for the underground Troglodyte visit. Explore the desert site where scenes from Star Wars were filmed and even have lunch in one of the Berber underground houses before the return transfer to Hammamet.

From Sousse: 2-Day Full Board Sahara Express Experience

6. From Sousse: 2-Day Full Board Sahara Express Experience

Day 01 : Pick up from your place of residence and departure to El Jem, visit of its coliseum , measuring 148 meters long, 122 wide and 36 meters high, served during two centuries. Its capacity estimated at 35,000 spectators and its imposing size class unquestionably among the largest amphitheatres in the world. This building dating from the third century, shows the greatness of the Roman Empire. Continuation to Matmata located at 40 km west of Gabes, on a mountainside, it is a Berber village of 1800 inhabitants, at an altitude of 600 meters. The name Matmata came from a Berber tribe originating from Morocco, descendant of the Temzit. Matmata is very well known for its troglodyts houses. Troglodyte homes are homes built into the ground as a way to escape the heat of the summer sun, creating their own natural air conditioning. As you walk around on the surface of the ground, you can peer down into these craters, which are the courtyards of these homes. Some of the courtyards have sheer drops of up to 30 feet deep. These courtyards have rooms cut into the ground where residents live. Typical Tunisian lunch in Matmata Departure after the lunch towards Douz also called the desert gate, discovery of the city, check in at your hotel, dinner and accommodation Day 02 : Early breakfast and departure for Chott El Djerid to experience the sunrise on this beautiful salt lake, located between the Gulf of Gabes and the Algerian border, for nearly 300 km, the desert is covered with Chotts, desert areas covered with salt deposits that rest on a mass of mud. When it rains, the chott is covered with water and becomes a kind of inland sea. The mirages are frequent on this salted plain, of a brilliant whiteness. Departure for chebika via Dgueche, picturesque small village of the Tunisian south. Arrival in Chebika, discovery of this mountain oasis, formerly a Berber village that was washed away. Visit of Ong Jmal, known as the setting for the famous 'Star Wars' saga. But Ong Jmal is above all a magnificent place, completely disconnected from time and space. Visit of "Mos Espa" Proceed to Gafsa where you will have lunch On the way back to Tunis, panoramic visit of Kairouan a fascinating city still anchored in a distant past. One of Islam’s holy cities, it was the first capital of the Maghreb. Designated a Unesco World Heritage site, it conceals several marvels and it is also Known as Capital of traditional hand made Carpets Back to your place of Residence.

excursion d'une journee a Ksar Ghilane en 4x4

7. excursion d'une journee a Ksar Ghilane en 4x4

Discover the wonders of the Tunisian desert on this full-day excursion. Explore the Star Wars filming sites, including the famous Mos Espa and Lars homestead. Relax in the natural hot springs of Ksar Ghilane oasis and enjoy a camel ride through the sand dunes. You will also discover the traditional troglodyte houses of Matmata. Throughout the excursion, a professional guide will be at your disposal to answer all your questions. Itinerary: Pick-up from your hotel or a central meeting point Guided tour of the Star Wars filming sites at Mos Espa and Lars homestead Discover the Ksar Ghilane oasis and swim in the natural hot springs Camel ride through the sand dunes Discover the traditional troglodyte houses of Matmata Return to your hotel or a central meeting point

Sahara Desert: 2-Day Tour with Food and a Night in a Tent

8. Sahara Desert: 2-Day Tour with Food and a Night in a Tent

Day 1 : In the morning, our driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel and the adventure will begin. Leave the island via the ferry and head to Matmata the cave village. Take the time to visit a troglodyte house dug underground and meet a Berber family. Enjoy a nice rosemary tea served with olive oil and honey. Continue to the Berber village of Tamazret and enjoy a coffee break. Head, then, to Douz, the door of the desert where you will enjoy a good lunch in a local restaurant. Possibility to book a quad ride on the dunes (paying on site with local providers) Continue to meet Bedouins and camels and leave the vehicle to begin an authentic experience. The camel ride will begin and you will go to the heart of the dunes with the camel drivers. After 2 hours, stop and help set up the tent between the dunes. The camel drivers will look for wood to light the fire and you will take the time to stroll in the dunes and admire the unique sunset. At the beginning of the evening, around the fire, watch the preparation of the sand bread (bread baked under the sand and the embers). Enjoy a good dinner prepared over a wood fire and spend the evening dancing to the rhythm of Bedouin music. Night in a tent under the stars Day 2: When you wake up, try not to miss the moment of the sunrise. Then, enjoy a good breakfast on the dunes and go back to your 4wd. Thank the camel drivers and continue your return adventure. Visit Sidi Idriss the filming location of Star Wars. Continue to the Berber village of Toujane and visit one of the best Ksours of the Tunisia south. Enjoy a local Tunisian lunch and return to the island of Djerba via the Roman causeway

4 Days Tour to Tozeur, Douz, Jeep 4x4, Camel Ride, El Jem

9. 4 Days Tour to Tozeur, Douz, Jeep 4x4, Camel Ride, El Jem

Day 1: Tunis/Hammamet/Sousse - Kairouan - Gafsa- Tozeur Get picked up from your accommodation and head to Kairouan, the holy city. Visit the famous mosque of Okbaa Ibn Nafaa, the mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi, and Aghlabide's Basins before continuing on to the Roman ruins of Sufetula. After touring the archeological site and having lunch, head to Tozeur, known as the oasis paradise. Stroll through the alleys of the old medina before checking in to a 5-star hotel for the night. Dinner Day 2 : Tozeur - Jeep 4x4 - Oasis Tour Head out in the morning to discover the incredible mountain oases of the area. Make a first stop at the village of Chebika, famous for its water source that springs from the side of the mountain. Afterwards, visit the gorgeous Tamerza Waterfall and the Mides Canyons. Journey over the sand dunes, through the old rally track, and cross the salt lake of Chott El Gharsa to reach the famous village of Mos Espa where much of the Star Wars movies were shot. Take in the intense colors of the sunset and enjoy a walk in the Mos Espa village before getting back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 3: Tozeur - city tour - Optional Quad tour or Bedouine night or Spa and relax Breakfast and we will make city tour of Tozeur and free time. Optioanla you can go on a quad tour in the dunes. Day 4 : Tozeur - Chott Djerid - Douz - Matmata - El Jem - Tunis Leave Tozeur early in the morning and head to the salt lake of Chott Djerid, the largest salt lake in Northern Africa. Stop to admire the sunrise and see the first rays of sunshine land on a layer of salt stretching as far as the eye can see. Continue to Douz, the gateway to the desert where you will have time to take a camel-ride. Next stop is Matmata, an ancient troglodyte village. Visit a local host and enjoy a cup of rosemary tea served with olive oil and honey to tide you over until lunch. Stop for lunch on your way to the amphitheater of El Jem, an impressive Roman monument that rivals the Roman Colosseum. After touring the amphitheater, get returned to Tunis or Hammamet or Sousse

From Djerba: Night at the Desert camp Ksar Ghilane

10. From Djerba: Night at the Desert camp Ksar Ghilane

Day 1 Departure from your accommodation via the Roman road, direction Tataouine. Photo break at the famous salt lake of Chahbania and explanation of the program. Continuation towards the city of Tataouine, free time at the very colorful market then direction the mountainous village of Chenini. Passage by the Ksar Ouled Soltan or similar, collective granary used in the past for the storage of provisions Visit of the dwellings dug horizontally in the mountains in the village of Chenini; Berber village encrusted in the side of the mountain which goes back to the 11th century. Typical lunch at the local restaurant In the afternoon we fasten our belts in the 4x4 for a departure by the sandy tracks "the reg" to reach the oasis of Ksar Ghilane, an exotic oasis; magnificent with its camps and its water source. Possibility of a camel or quad ride (optional and payable on site) on the sand dunes "Erg" to watch the sunset and see the old Roman fort. On the way back, visit of the hot water spring with possibility of swimming (don't forget your bathing suit and towels) continuation in 4x4 to the camp located at the foot of the dunes . Arrival; to attend the sunset installation under tent, dinner and Saharan evening. Day 2 Wake up gently, breakfast, then departure for the mountainous Berber village of Tamezret. Small photo stop and continuation for the village of Matmata known for its houses dug under the ground. We admire its superb lunar landscape (Star Wars movie sets) and visit a family in a troglodytic house. Lunch In the afternoon we take the road back to the village of Toujane, from where we have a panoramic view. Return to the hotel

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What people are saying about Matmata

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 36 reviews

This was an absolutely unforgettable experience, I’m so happy I did it!! As an American woman traveling alone, in my 30s with zero knowledge of French/Arabic, I was worried it would be more awkward than fun- I was wrong, it was so fun! Even though the rest of my group was French, our guide Zu always made sure to explain to me in English where we were / what we were seeing / etc.. He was incredibly kind and very thorough, and I never felt lonely or out of place. The tour itself was amazing. The market of Tataouine was busy and colorful and loud, the drives through the desert were breathtaking, the village of Chenini on top of a mountain was so interesting to see and lunch there was tasty. The campsite at night was very structured/clean and thankfully another tour group had some English-speakers for me to bond with as we watched sand bread get made (it was delicious). The next morning we did a camel ride and it was glorious. Cannot say enough good things about this trip!

The experience is much better than is described or portrayed here on the site. It was the pinnacle of our trip. I have heard from other tours of the hotel we stayed at, that this tour allows you to have much more fun and unique experiences. As it is a tour dedicated to small groups, it makes it much more dynamic and special. It´s very well organized and they help us with everything we need. I highly recommend this experience.

Very professional service. The guide was very attentive and spoke excellent English. The 4WD car was very comfortable. The various sites included stunning desert landscapes, mud walled villages, hot springs, a troglodyte house, Star Wars sets. The camel ride in the tiny sand dunes wasn't very inspiring though. The tent accommodation with shared bathrooms was reasonable. The meals were all outstanding.

An excellent tour that gives you many experiences and insight into Southern Tunisia! We enjoyed all the stops, experiences and our wonderful guide Majid and driver Ali! Thank you

Super varied and interesting tour. The highlight is bathing in the oasis. Guide and driver were great too.