An introduction to Tunisia - Djerba

Floating just off Tunisia’s southern shoreline, Djerba has only recently started making waves on the world’s travel circuit. But that’s not to say it hasn’t been turning heads since, well, time began. Homer famously described this place as ‘the island of 10,000 palms’. And, more recently, Hollywood called in. Djerba’s sands provided the backdrop for most of the desert scenes in the first Star Wars movie.

These days, though, it’s the beaches that really put the island on the map. Long ribbons of pale sand wrap their way around the coast, and shelve gently into the Mediterranean Sea. For the best stretches, head to the island’s northeast coast, also known as the Zone Touristique. The ivory sands here come with a supporting line-up of luxury hotels, restaurants and watersports. If you like your beaches a bit quieter, check out the sandy swathes between Aghir and El Kantara.

Away from the coast, life in Djerba revolves around the capital, Houmt Souk. Translated, it means ‘Market Neighbourhood’, which gives you an idea of the kinds of things you’ll find here. Traditional Moorish buildings look out over pretty cobbled squares, winding lanes are fringed with craft shops and antique dens, and Berber traders haggle with the locals over ceramics, jewellery and spices.