Explore Tozeur, Tunisia

In the southwest of Tunisia on the edge of the Sahara Desert, you’ll find the city of Tozeur. A city that offers so much, but a location that may not be on many tourist’s radars in fact, most visitors to Tunisia tend to flock to Hammet, Carthage or Sidi Bou! Yet, Tozeur is a hidden treasure, and if you’re looking for adventure, history, and an authentic Tunisian experience, here are some must-do activities while visiting Tozeur.

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Visit Mos Espa

A must for every Star Wars fan is a visit to Mos Espa This iconic set, used in the Star Wars Episodes I, II, and III prequels and served as the home of young Anakin Skywalker and his mother. This set in the film was Tatooine’s location and as a fun fact, it was named after a nearby Tunisian town, Tataouine. Although not shot there in the original film or the more recent movies and Disney Plus spin-off series. Tatoonie is also the home of Luke Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original movies and where we first met Rey in Rise of the Skywalker.

Mos Espa is situated 40/45 minutes away from the centre of Tozeur, I would recommend either going early in the morning or at sunset not just for those epic Jedi Instagrammable photos, but also to avoid the peak heat as this location is literally in the middle of the desert. Getting there requires hiring a driver, renting a car, or joining a tour. Many tours also include stops at other Star Wars filming locations across Tunisia. Beyond exploring the set, you can try activities like camel rides, as well as the opportunity to hire a jeep, or go on a dirt biking experience for a true desert adventure.

Explore Chebika Oasis

There are two parts of Chebika to explore. First is the old Berber village, which residents no longer inhabit. However, it’s still a wonderful place to visit, as you wander around the old ruins of what was once the Berber homes, and as you work your way through the labyrinth of pathways and panoramic views of desert landscapes and palm groves you’ll feel like you’re transported back in time, or in an Indiana Jones movie.

Once you have explored the old ruins, you can either choose to do the route up the hill or descend back down the way you came and go to flatter ground and make your way through the beautiful springs and green palms, where you can see the beautiful green oasis. My group went up the hill and I went back down the way I came to do the flatter route where I made a surprise friend and got a tour from one the local vendors on the stall,, who told me about the rocks known as dessert rose crystals and how they are found in Chott el-Djerid in the Sahara desert which you can see in the picture below, he also told me the reason that the reason the Berber village was abandoned was that it had flooded in in the 1960s.

Chase Waterfalls in Tamerza Canyon

Approximately 20-25 minutes from Chebika, Tamerza Canyon is another stunning natural site. This area features dramatic cliffs, a serene oasis, and even waterfalls, making it one of Tunisia’s most picturesque canyons.

When you arrive at this destination you will have to navigate through all the tourist stalls and vendors trying to sell you various souvenirs, just keep walking forward, but once you get past that and into the canyon you will cross mini streams so wear some sandals in case you miss your step on the stepping stones.

Visitors can explore the canyon on their own or with a guide as part of a tour. Hiring a driver or joining a tour is recommended due to the remote location.

Wander Around the Madinas

No trip to Tunisia is complete without exploring a medina or souk, and Tozeur’s is no exception. On the main street offers shops, brimming with hand-crafted items, homewares, and furniture. If you venture deeper into the medina you can easily find where the locals shop at the market, where you can pick up fresh dates, fruit, and spices while soaking in the authentic Tunisian atmosphere.

The medina buildings also showcase stunning Berber influences and Islamic architecture, perfect for photography enthusiasts.

Zip-Line Through the Sahara Lounge

So full disclosure zip-lining through the Sahara Lounge is not for those with a fear of heights or plus-size people due to safety reasons, as a plus-size woman I was not able to join in with the rest of my group. However, the group I was on my trip with went around the course and thoroughly enjoyed themselves navigating through the nets and gliding past the beautiful palm tree surroundings across 7 different zip lines.

While my group spent 40-45 minutes on their adventure I sat at the cafe relaxing with a Tunisian mint tea enjoying my surroundings and it was nice for a little relaxing me time.

Where to Stay in Tozeur

Palm Beach Palace

Tozeur is not a place that has back-to-back hotels as far as the eye can see like other tourist destinations, in fact, they are dotted throughout Tozeur. We had the pleasure of staying at the Palm Beach Palace a hotel that I would honestly recommend staying at.

There are many reasons to stay at this hotel a few of the key features is as soon as you walk through the lobby you’ll find yourself within an oasis within the hotel with palm trees, rocks, a fountain mini bridges and a beautiful glass roof that floods the space with natural light. This area isn’t something that you would expect to see in a hotel but could easily sit in there all day and enjoy.

Facilities

The Palm Beach Palace has two swimming pools an outdoor one and a heated indoor one as well as a fitness area and a spa with a jacuzzi, hot tub and a sauna. There is free wifi in the public areas. There is also a games room (I didn’t see it but it’s there).

If you are holding a function or a business event there are two locations on-site to host an event including a large gazebo and and a function room. The hotel also has private parking should you rent a car whilst you are staying there.

Food & Drink

Guests can enjoy an extensive buffet, featuring local and international cuisine. The buffet area is beautifully presented and very fresh as there are chefs at each station making sure nothing runs out and ensuring certain items are made to order in front of you. We were able to try some amazing food there including one of my favourite dishes Koucha which is a Tunisian lamb stew baked in a clay jar.

There is also a separate bar area with a TV to watch sports, serving local beers, spirits and wines. I am not a big drinker these days, but I really enjoyed the Tunisia Rosé wine and I enjoyed trying multiple cocktails, especially the blue lagoon, all at an affordable price.

The Rooms

The rooms are huge, I stayed in what would have been classed as a single room with a garden view, and I can assure you that there was nothing single about that bedroom. I had a huge double bed plenty of space to move, a mini fridge, sofa, desk area, spacious wardrobes and flatscreen TV. The bathroom was also very spacious complete with a walk-in shower, complimentary toiletries and a hairdryer, the room was spotless and what topped it off for me was the welcome note attached to the fruit basket made me feel welcome.

The Staff

All the staff were absolutely lovely and couldn’t do enough for us and genuinely were open to talking with you and knew the true meaning of hospitality.

This hotel is most definitely a recommendation of where to stay when visiting Tozeur.

Book Your Stay

How To Get To Tozeur

If you are driving from Tunis like we did the trip is around 8 to 9 hours depending on the amount of stops you make and although very scenic during the day it’s a long journey, it is much easier to get a domestic flight from Tunis to Tozeur-Nefta Airport and takes 1 hour and 10 minutes in total.

Final Thoughts on Tozeur

We only had three days in Tozeur, but honestly, I could have stayed for a week or two. There’s so much to discover, and it felt like we’d only just scratched the surface.

What I love most about Tozeur is how peaceful it is. It’s not overcrowded with tourists, so you’re never fighting for space to see the sights or trying to snap a photo without dozens of people in the background. Instead, you can take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and really enjoy each moment.

If you’re planning a trip to Tunisia, I highly recommend adding Tozeur to your itinerary. Just make sure to organise how you’ll get around—whether it’s booking a tour, hiring a private driver, or renting a car. The great thing is that most hotels can help with that, so it’s easy to arrange.

Tozeur truly surprised me, and I already know I’ll be back to explore even more.

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