Tozeur in Tunisia - oases, adventure and Star Wars

Located in the western part of Tunisia, Tozeur serves as a base for desert adventures and visits to Star Wars filming locations. Here are our top tips for things to see and do in this exciting part of Tunisia.

Tozeur in Tunisia

Tozeur can be said to be something of a 'capital' of the southern part of Tunisia. Many of the tourists who make two- or three-day excursions from their charter hotels come here.

The climate in this part of Tunisia is more extreme, and in the summer temperatures can rise well above 40 degrees centigrade. Many people work in tourism in various ways and others work in crafts such as basket weaving. Still others live a traditional Bedouin life with their camels.

Tozeur is about 45 kilometres southwest of the capital Tunis. The city lies between the usually dry salt lakes of Chott el Djerid and Chott el Gharsa.

Six things to see and do in Tozeur

Here are six tips for things to see and do in Tozeur, as well as stories about our own experiences!

1. Discovering the souk in Tozeur

Discovering the souk in Tozeur is interesting and exciting. Inside, you will find fish and meat counters, among other things.

Outside you'll find fruit and vegetables, but also clothes, baskets, ceramics and other crafts. The cutest was the little girl who had a bicycle saddle made from a plastic tray (pictured below)!

2. Strolling in the medina in Tozeur

Tozeur also has an old neighbourhood, the medina, which is interesting to discover. Here you can stroll among the old buildings, wander the winding alleys and check out the unique brick buildings.

Brick is also used in other parts of Tunisia, but the Djerid area, particularly Tozeur and Nefta, is specifically known for its brick decorations.

The architecture dates back to the 17th century, and the brick decorations can be seen on the facades and arches of the houses. The decorations are mainly of different geometric shapes but, depending on the interpretation one chooses to believe, they can also have different magical or religious meanings.

3. Experience the oasis of Chebika

About five kilometres north of Tozeur is the oasis of Chebika, or Shabikah as it is sometimes called. Our first pictures are from the road, when we stopped to photograph some camels. The animals roam freely across the plains, although they always belong to an owner.

When we arrived at the oasis, we immediately saw the verdant date palms and the water that is channelled from the Atlas Mountains in an efficient irrigation system. There is also a café and vendors selling stones and all kinds of handicrafts.

As you walk on, you'll come across an intensely green lake, where lively frogs hop back and forth.

If you continue further, there are new heights to reach. The most fascinating thing here is the nature and the view. Despite its barrenness, it is magically beautiful.

You can look out over the ridges, over the old settlements, and over the new ones. We spent a long time here, and when we stopped talking for a while, we could absorb the total silence around us.

Our guide Mohammed said "Look into that roll, it will be a good photo!". Will it? Yes, but it actually was!

4. Relax in the oasis of Tamerza

We continued the car journey to the next oasis, located just south of Chebika. Tamerza, or Tameghza as the oasis can also be called, also offers a nice visit. The first sight was not so impressive, but the deeper we went into the gorges the more dramatic it became.

The nature here is beautiful, and there is also an incredible peacefulness. If you have water and a packed lunch, you can spend a few hours here.

If you want, you can continue further and further into the gorge ...

5. See Star Wars filming location

Do you like Star Wars? Then you may need to take an extra deep breath right now. Just outside Tozeur, in an area known as Onk Jemel, you'll find a filming location from what is supposed to be the planet Tatooine. And it sure feels like the famous Star Wars planet when you get here!

The location is known in the film world as Mos Espa, a settlement controlled by the Hutt clan. It was here that Anakin Skywalker and his mother Schmi were slaves, and it was also where Anakin ran his race in Episode 1 - The Dark Threat.

The place is both fascinating and odd. The buildings are by now weather-beaten, and they are completely free to visit, as requested by director George Lucas. As you stroll around, you'll meet more or less determined locals who do their best to earn a living by selling handicrafts or letting tourists ride camels or quad bikes.

If you visit on a hot and sunny day, it's a good idea to arrive in the last 40 minutes before sunset, when it starts to cool down. On the way back to Tozeur, you may need to drive carefully to give any stray camels time to cross the road ...

6. Take a break at Chott el Djerid

Chott el Djerid is a salt lake in Tunisia, 120 kilometres west of the city of Gabès. Apparently there can be some water here in the winter, but all we saw when we were here was a dried out crispy surface. The road from Tozeur to Douz goes straight across the lake and we stopped at the appropriate place for a picnic: baguettes with chicken, water and fruit brought from the hotel.

The dried-up lake offers spectacular views that can be photographed, and has sparked the imagination of writers and film-makers alike. It was filmed for Star Wars and described by author Jules Verne. According to legend, it was also the birthplace of the Greek goddess Athena. Today the area is an important source of phosphatewhich is one of Tunisia's export products.

Hotels in Tozeur

So, where to stay in Tozeur? There are, of course, many different hotels to choose from and most of them are so-called 'transit hotels' that accommodate short-term guests during their excursions from various charter destinations in the country.

Hotel Raz el Ain

We stayed at hotel Raz el Ain. This hotel had a relaxed atmosphere with nice pools both outdoor and indoor.

Our room was large and pleasant, although we did complain about the lack of electrical outlets for charging mobiles and computers.

The breakfast was perhaps a little more traditional than international, but it is a buffet so you can of course choose what suits you.

Palm Beach Palace

One day we had lunch at another hotel, the Palm Beach Palace.

This hotel had a beautiful entrance, and we had lunch in the quiet courtyard. The buffet was served here, and we had no problem finding fresh treats.

More to see and do in Tozeur

There is of course more to see and do in Tozeur. In addition to the oases we have mentioned, there are other oases, including one named Mides. There are also various museums in Tozeur. Chak Wak is an evolution-themed park where you can see full-size dinosaurs, among other things. Dar Cherait Museum is housed in a beautifully restored building and showcases historical and traditional artefacts.

It is of course possible to book various guided tours and excursions, and if you want to, you can ride a camel or make quad bike rides.

We were also tipped off about the restaurant Dar Deda Restaurant, which we did not have time to visit but which will serve both local Tunisian food and dishes from Berber cuisine. If we understood it correctly, there are also Swedish owners here. In the picture below you see a small beautiful water reservoir in the Nefta.

Video from Tozeur

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

From Tozeur, it's not too far to travel to Douz, where you can go camel riding, take quad bike rides or spend the night in tents at the gateway to the Sahara. If you want to travel further, we recommend continuing to the beautiful and exciting island of Djerba.

Have you visited Tozeur?

Have you visited this part of Tunisia? Do you have even more tips on what to see and do in Tozeur? Let us know!

Facts about Tozeur

• Country: Tunisia
• Guvernement: Tozeur
• Location: Western Tunisia, about 45 kilometres southwest of Tunis. The city lies between the salt lakes of Chott el Djerid and Chott el Gharsa.
• Population: More than 37 000 (2014)

Travelling to Tozeur

• Flight: You can fly to Tozeur-Nefta International Airport. Flights run from the capital Tunis, among others.
• Car: The car journey from Tunis is about 45 miles. Expect about 6.5 - 7 hours of driving.
• Excursions: Excursions to Tozeur are organised from most charter hotels around the country.