Djerba Island: A Hidden Gem Among Mediterranean Islets 2025

Soon, Djerba Island in Tunisia will get the attention of the world.

In this blog post, you will come to know about an island called Djerba in Tunisia.

This place is in the news already and will continue to be so, until the World Capital of Island Cuisine festival in 2025 is over.

Such a cooking, and eating festival is one of the fantastic event in the world of gastronomes.

The dates have been already announced. Prepare for the most awe-inspiring “Island Cuisines” on 18^th and 19^th October 2025.

It is needless to say that highly acclaimed chefs from around the world will go to Tunisia’s Djerba Island to reveal their islands’ cuisines.

That will invite gourmets, foodies, and lifestyle journalists, and food vloggers from near and far.

Imagine tasting hundreds of food samples that are specialties of that many islands.

The food on every island is so different. The cuisines on the islands are truly exotic.

Imagine dishes made, using clams, sea urchins, sturgeon caviar, red frog crab, mollusks, jellyfish, eel, and many more fish species.

The food will contain the best seafood, unheard-of vegetables and fruits, incredibly aromatic spices, soups, and unique sauces.

Well, the event’s 10 months away. Before that, know about the venue island of the Island Cuisines Festival, how to reach Djerba, where to stay, and what else you can do there.

Where is Djerba Island?

It is an island in the Gulf of Gabes, on Tunisia’s east coast. Libya’s Tripoli is only 325 km southeast.

You may already be aware that Tunisia is a North African country, facing the Mediterranean Sea.

Here is a map of Africa, showing Tunisia, bordering Morocco, the Mediterranean Sea, Libya, and Algeria.

You can see the island of Djerba (Jerba) in the Gulf of Gabes.

How to reach Djerba Island?

Tunis is the capital of Tunisia. It is located at the northeast section of the country. It is facing the Gulf of Tunis.

Domestic flights are available to Djerba Island.  From Tunis, you will land in the capital city Houmt Souk in just an hour.

A few European cities also operate direct flights to Djerba Island.

• Paris
• Brussels
• Marseille
• London
• Frankfurt
• Manchester
• Luxumberg
• Zurich
• Madrid
• Verona
• Nice

Wow! This means the island of Djerba is quite popular among European tourists.

Hotels to stay on Djerba Island:

I noticed some big hotel brands that have their presence, such as Radisson.

I foresee the hotels will soon display a “House full” board because of heavy reservations for the world food festival.

Some recommendations are below:

• Radisson Blu Palace
• Hasdrubal Prestuge
• Hotel Abir

I believe the majority of the visitors might choose to stay in Tunis City, visit Djerba Island for the festival, and return to their hotel in Tunis. After all, the flight duration is just 60 minutes.

Top attractions in Djerba Island, Tunisia

Djerba is called the Island of Dreams considering the island’s stunning natural beauty, rich history, and unique culture. In fact, even UNESCO took notice of these traits and declared Djerba as a World Heritage Site.

• More than 150 mosques

You can say that is too many for such a small island. It implies the people of Tunisia are very religious.

Please make it a point to see the following mosques.

• Mosque of the Turks
• Lamaa Fadhloun
• El Ghriba Synagogue-slight different from mosque’s architecture, but both are places of worship. Jews go to synagogues to pray.
• Houmt Souk

This is the famous local market on Djerba Island. The market displays’ star attraction is the colourful pottery.

The market’s location is also named Houmt Souk, the name of the village within the island.

The pottery objects must reflect the people’s culture, and beliefs because they look as if there is a meaning in the shapes.

Apart from ceramics, you can buy traditional garments such as kaftans, and tunics.

You can find silver jewelry in a few shops.

Ladies’ handbags made of leather will make a good souvenir.

Among edible gifts, one can buy very good quality spices and olive oil. Of course, you can always buy different varieties of dates.

Finally, and surprisingly too, coffee is sold widely, and it is said to possess aromatic flavour.

Oh, remember to bargain. You won’t be considered rude. The Tunisians are friendly and treat the tourists with respect.

• Fort Ghazi Mustapha

It’s a historic fort. The architecture is so different and seems to be suitable for a desert climate. Is it the reason that the defensive building is still intact?

The fort’s local name is Borj El Kebir, It is located within the Houmt Souk town. The fort’s age is 500 years.

Interestingly, the site of the fort was once a Roman settlement called “Griba”.

The Tunisians occupied the fort after the Romans. Sadly, again in the year 1888, the French people entered the Fort Gazi Mustapha (note the spelling which is different from Mustafa).

Shortly after the French, the Tunisians reclaimed the fort in 1903.

It is considered a national monument, and well-preserved.

• Djerba Explore Park

This is not only a public park; it has a museum inside. The museum throws light on the local culture, and beliefs.

The art and jewelry displays are interesting to study.

In addition, a crocodile reserve is also located within the park.

These crocodiles are called Nile Crocodiles.

Here’s a video of the Nile Crocodile Park.

You can easily identify the ‘dates’ trees around the pool.

If you linger further in the park, you will come across another reserve where you can see iguanas, and turtles.

For adventure lovers, they can participate in feeding the dangerous crocodiles.

Horseback riding is offered to the children. For adults, a guided ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) also called quad biking tour around the park is offered. This activity indicates that the terrain is rugged.

Djerba Explore Park is obviously a must-see attraction in the Tunisian Islands.

• Visit Ajim

Isn’t it beautiful but at the same time odd amidst a desert landscape?

The site is where an important port is located. Oh, I must add ‘fishing’ before the word ‘port’. It implies that the island of Djerba doesn’t receive any cargo or passenger ships.

An added allure of Ajim is that the place was where the Star Wars movie was filmed. You can still see some evidence there.

• Plage Sidi Maharès

This is the most beautiful beach on Djerba Island. If you find the words, “Sidi Mehrez Beach” in the local tour itinerary, understand it points to this beach.

To access the beach, you have to reach the northeast region of the island.

Almost throughout the year, this beach can be visited for very clear waters and the sky.

This gem of a beach has hotels to stay nearby. Stand-alone restaurants serve, fresh seafood.

Will you go to the World Islands food festival?