Things to do in Tozeur, Tunisia - 11 tips for a great desert city

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated August 2026 | What to see and do in Tozeur, Tunisia? This desert city, located in the southwest of the country, serves as a starting point for desert adventures and visits to oases or Star Wars filming locations. Here you will find our best personal tips for things to see and do in this exciting part of Tunisia.

Tozeur in Tunisia

Tozeur is one of the main cities in the southern part of Tunisia. It is where many of the tourists who make two- or three-day excursions from their charter hotels come. We came here on a press trip, via Douz, and it was the second time in our lives that we got to know this pleasant city.

The climate in this part of Tunisia is more extreme compared to the coast and the northern parts, and in summer temperatures can rise well above 40 degrees. Many people work in tourism in various ways, while others work in crafts such as basket weaving. Still others live traditional Bedouin lives 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.

Things to see and do in Tozeur

Here we offer a number of tips on 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'll find meat and fish counters, among other things. Outside, you'll find fruit and vegetables, pickled olives and dates in long rows, but also carpets, clothes, wicker baskets, ceramics, jewellery and much more.

2. Strolling in the medina in Tozeur

Tozeur also has an old town, the medina, which is interesting to explore. Here you can walk among historic buildings, stroll through winding alleyways and check out the special brick buildings. Brick is also used in other parts of Tunisia, but the Djerid area, especially 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. Take a break at a cosy café in the medina

Inside the old medina, you'll find a super cosy square, with carpets and other items spilling out from the two adjacent shops. If you go into the carpet shop, you can certainly look at the carpets and handicrafts, but you can also take the stairs up into the building.

At the top awaits both delicious views of the city and a café that is so cosy that you immediately get a strong urge to sit down and drink tea or fruit juice. If we had not had a time to fit, we would definitely have done it ... Next time!

4. Lunch at Tisouros

One day we had lunch at Tisouros, which means Tozeur in the Berber language. Here we were served a hearty and traditional meal with, for us, some new elements. We got to try beans with homemade harissa, quail, small tasty sausages, squid stew and a large bowl of homemade pasta mixed with eggs, nuts and fruit. Tasty and nice it was!

5. Learn about dates at Eden Palm

At Eden Palm there is a small museum that focuses entirely on dates. The museum is simple and not particularly large, but if you have a guide it can still be an exciting visit. Among other things, we learnt that the palm is actually a grass (not a tree!) and that only female palms bear dates.

After the tour, it was time to do some tasting. We tasted both fresh dates and a variety of products in the form of jams, creams and syrups. Some even tried so-called ”date coffee”, which is made from roasted date seeds.

6. Enjoy good food at Chak Wak

Chak Wak is a kind of quiet park where there are supposed to be exhibitions or sculptures with an evolution theme, but we saw none of this. We focused entirely on lunch and the relaxing environment under the palm trees.

As usual, there was a lot of food brought in, starting with the salads: the classic salad mechouia as well as a wide range of other salads and dressings, accompanied by bread of course. Very tasty!

After the salads, it was time for a classic steak (deep-fried baked dumpling with filling) and then both chicken and couscous with cooked vegetables.

Dessert was a date ice cream. Fun with all the creative ideas on how to use the wide variety of fresh dates! The ice cream was delicious too, as was everything else.

7. experience the Chebika oasis

About five miles north of Tozeur is the oasis of Chebika, or Shabikah as it is sometimes spelt. When we arrived at the oasis, we immediately saw the verdant date palms, and the water that is led from the Atlas Mountains in an efficient irrigation system. There is also a café and vendors with stones and all kinds of crafts.

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

If you continue further, as we did last time we were here, there are new heights to reach. The most fascinating thing here is the nature and the view, over mountain ridges and old and new settlements. Despite being barren, it is magically beautiful.

We spent a long time here, and when we stopped talking for a while, we could take in the total silence around us.

8. Relax in the Tamerza oasis

We continued our journey by car to the next oasis, located just south of Chebika. Tamerza, or Tameghza as the oasis can also be called, also offers a pleasant visit. At first glance, you can see a small waterfall, and considering that you are in the desert, it is fascinating that there can be so much water.

There are also plenty of vendors selling everything from souvenirs to tea, juice and ice cream.

This time we didn't go further than this, but last time we penetrated further into the gorge, and memory says it was a nice experience.

9. Admire the view at Midès

Midès is a small oasis village, very close to the Algerian border, about 60 kilometres north-east of Tozeur. The gorge is known above all for the spectacular ravine commonly called Mides Canyon.

The gorge feels a bit like a mini version of the Grand Canyon and is deep, narrow and winding. Thanks to the setting, some films have actually been shot here, including The English patient (1996) and scenes from The hunt for the missing treasure (1981).

We were content to stand up there and look down at the view, but we saw people walking down there, so that is obviously also possible. At the site you will also find vendors selling ”desert rose”, which is a form of crystal formation, found at Chott el Djerid, among other places.

10. See the 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 lived as slaves.

The place is both fascinating and odd. The buildings are weathered by now, and they are completely free to visit. However, be prepared to encounter locals trying to make a buck by selling fridge magnets or giving tourists a ride on a dromedary.

11. Photographing at Chott el Djerid

Chott el Djerid is a salt lake in Tunisia, 120 kilometres west of the town of Gabès. There may be water in the deepest parts, but large parts of the lake are usually dry, with a parched, crisp surface. The road between Douz and Tozeur passes right over the lake, and you can stop at a well-chosen spot for a break or to take photos.

Its unique setting has captured the imagination of writers and film-makers alike. It has been used for filming Star Wars and has been described by author Jules Verne. Legend has it that the Greek goddess Athena was born here. Today, the area is an important source of phosphate, which is one of Tunisia's export products.

Where to stay 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 receive short-term guests during their excursions from various charter destinations in the country.

Luxurious: Tamerza Palace by Odyssée

On our last visit to Tozeur, we stayed at the Tamerza Palace, which is an hour from Tamerza by car. If you're planning to visit Tozeur, the distance might seem a bit far, but if you want to enjoy the tranquillity, hang out in the nice outdoor pool, watch the sunrise and sunset over the mountains and maybe visit one of the oases nearby - then this is a perfect place.

The rooms are large and nice, with modern furnishings and large lovely windows, in our case facing the mountains. The bathroom is also very nice and modern.

There's a gym with a view and a nice spa area, where you can also book a variety of treatments. The hotel feels luxurious overall, and the only thing that pulls the rating down a bit is the restaurant. It's buffet style, and no-one in our group was particularly impressed with what was on offer, although it was possible to pick out some treats.

Boutique hotels: Diar Abou Habibi

We also checked out the boutique hotel Mr Abou Habibi, which is a bit more central in Tozeur. Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to stay here, but this really looks like a dream place. You live in small wooden houses on stilts and if you are lucky you can even pick dates from the trees, right from the balcony.

There are 17 rooms in total, all of which are very tastefully decorated.

There is also a small swimming pool and a small restaurant. We dream of staying here next time!

Good standard: Hotel Raz el Ain

Last time we were in Tozeur we stayed at the hotel Raz el Ain. This hotel had a relaxed atmosphere with nice pools both indoor and outdoor. Breakfast was perhaps a little more traditional than international, but it is a buffet so you can of course choose what suits you. Our room was also large and nice, although we complained a bit about the lack of electrical outlets to charge mobiles and computers.

Good standard: Palm Beach Palace

Last time we visited Tozeur we checked out another hotel, where we had lunch, in the form of Palm Beach Palace. This hotel had a beautiful entrance, and we had lunch in the quiet outdoor courtyard. It was buffet style, 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, beyond our tips. Here are a few more suggestions.

•  Dar Cherait Museum is housed in a beautifully restored building and showcases historical and traditional artefacts.
• Dar Deda Restaurant is a restaurant with local Tunisian food and dishes from the Berber cuisine, which we were told about, but did not have time to try.
• Guided excursions to different places, or to ride dromedaries or drive quad bikes.
• Nefta water reservoir looks to be very green.

Video from Tozeur

Peter has put together a short film from our visit to Tozeur. You can see it below. You can find even more films at Youtube on @freedomtravel_se.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Have you visited Tozeur and want to experience more of Tunisia? Here you will find more reports and tips:

• Douz
• Spend the night in a tent at the gateway to the Sahara
• Djerba
• Star Wars sites in Tunisia
• Tunisian dishes

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!