Tozeur travel guide

Once you’ve passed the mesmerising landscape of the salt lake Chott el-Jerid, you start getting the glimpse of the enormous palmeraie that shields Tozeur. The salt lake is a snowy-white sheet, stretching for miles. If you step on the crackling surface, the salt sticks to your shoes, and the lake’s water can still be seen underneath. This largest of Tunisia’s salt lakes is dry for 10 months of the year and has a causeway running over it – it’s an extraordinary sight, not to be missed. Tozeur town’s old quarter is a small maze of fascinating and intricate brickwork houses, arches and walls.

There’s an ONTT tourist office (450 088; 8am-noon & 3-6pm) located on Ave Abdulkacem Chebbi. Another tourist office is the Syndicat d’Initiative (462 034; Place Bab el-Hawa). There are several banks with ATMs on Ave Habib Bourguiba.

There are two Publinets at Ave Farhat Hached (open 24 hours) and at Ave Abdulkacem Chebbi, both charging US$1.50 per hour for internet access.

Tozeur was historically an important stopping point for caravans crossing the Sahara, a place to rest and refuel before heading deeper into the dessert. It was also used as an important Roman outpost and has since been ruled by a variety of tribes including the Berbers for much of its history, who have perhaps the most influence on the city’s historic architecture

Transport

Getting to Tozeur is time consuming but worthwhile, it is a place which would be teaming with tourists if it was easy to get to but remains largely unspoilt yet with good facilities for the tourists who do come here. The main and most convenient way in to Tozeur is by overnight train from Tunis.

what to see

The Medina, the old city, of Tozeur is where you will find the most historic and beautiful buildings, some are magnificent in their detail but most are more humble but still stand distinctive and proud: integral parts of the city that have stood for hundreds of years.

tours and trips

From Tozeur you can also reach the Sahara easily, by Camel if you wish;. There are a wide number of different tours which may take in a number of Saharan villages nearby as well as the Palmaries. Though not for everyone those with an interest in film will love visiting the scene of much of Star wars:

A New Hope’s filming for scenes set of Tatooine which has been used for subsequent Star Wars films as well. For those accompanying Star Wars fans the sites in the dessert are themselves breath-taking and well worth a visit. Another breath-taking site is the dry lake: vast and barren yet picturesque a causeway across the lake is the best place to take photos from.

what to do

Tozeur’s zoo features many animals from north and sub Saharan Africa as well as the Sahara itself and may be worth a visit. The Hamman, A North African version of a Turkish Bath, is also worth visiting for a different yet relaxing experience, though you will need to remember your swimsuit and a towel and soap.

Food and Drink

Camels as well as being available to ride from Tozeur are also available to eat along with other traditional Tunisian food such as Cous Cous and lamb kebabs and steaks. Alcohol is only available from a small number of hotel bars but non alcoholic beers are widely available and may be a better option anyway in the heat of the dessert

Tozeur Hotels

Palm Beach Palace Tozeur

Palm Beach Palace se trouve dans le centre-ville de Tozeur, Tunisie aux portes du désert, surplombant la palmeraie. L’hôtel est situé au cœur d'une oasis entourée de jardins luxuriants.

L’hôtel Palm Beach Palace vous propose 128 chambres et 7 suites, chacune dotées d'équipements tout confort, notamment des chaînes satellites. Certaines chambres offrent une vue panoramique sur les palmiers de l'oasis.

Pour votre confort, l'hôtel dispose d’un restaurant, offrant une cuisine internationale et un restaurant gastronomique.

Palm Beach Palace à Tozeur à deux grandes piscines chauffées, une piscine intérieure, un centre de fitness, un sauna, bain turc et jacuzzi.

L'excellente situation du Palm Beach Palace vous permet d'accéder facilement au quartier commercial de Tozeur et au désert tunisien.

Résidence Loued

Located in Tozeur, this residence features an outdoor swimming pool and shaded terrace with barbecue facilities. It offers accommodation with private balconies and views of the surrounding palm trees.

The air-conditioned rooms and apartments at the Résidence Loued are all equipped with satellite TV and private bathrooms.

Additional services at the Loued include a shuttle service to and from Tozeur Airport, free private parking and free Wi-Fi internet access.

We speak your language! Bed and breakfast: 13 rooms

Dar Horchani

 This property is a 10-minute drive from Trozeur Station. It offers an outdoor swimming pool, a steam bath and a terrace with views of the Dar Horchani’s Palm Grove. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.

With a traditional Moroccan décor, each accommodation type features air conditioning and a TV. The private bathroom is complete with a hairdryer and a bath or shower.

Guests are invited to enjoy a continental breakfast next to the swimming pool or in the comfort of their rooms. Meals made from seasonal products can also be served for lunch or dinner.

Dar Horchani has four living areas and a wellness centre with a steam bath. Massage treatments and guided visits to the Medina and the desert can be arranged at the property.

hotel ras el ain

Nestling in a magnificent garden facing Tozeur's palm oasis, beside the majestic lanscapes of the desert, the Golden Yasmin Ras El Aïn promises a cool and comfortable stay in the heart of the Tunisian south. Three kilometres from Tozeur airport, close to the town centre and facing the enormous palm oasis, the hotel is ideally located to make the most of your Saharan stay

Hotel Ras El Ain Tozeur is certified ISO 22000 V 2005 food safety accredited DKD / UKAS ISO 9001 V 2008 (Reservations, Sales, Reception, Accommodation, Food & Outside Catering) with accreditation and Cofrac Ukas and certified ECOLABEL Tunisian "ISO 14001 in progress."

Horaires transport en commun : Tozeur – Tunis

1- Departure Bus from Tozeur : 11h00 & 23h00

2- Departure Train from Tozeur : 06h30 & 20h30

3- Air Plane : Book online

  EUR 2.0812

  USD 1.5495

Tozeur Restaurants

Tozorous

On our first evening in Tozeur we planned to eat at Restaurant du Soleil, across the street from the hotel. However, when we entered, the friendly owner explained it was closed for renovations and would be reopening the following night. He recommended we try a different place futher down the street, which was called Tozorous (thanks to Gus45 for sending me the correct name).

This turned out to be the most touristy place we ate in during our trip, even though it was good value and no alcohol was served. We tried brochettes de dromedares (camel) which was lovely - I tried a bit and found it tasted quite like steak

Restaurant du Soleil

We had more luck at Restaurant du Soleil the second evening as they had now reopened for business. It's a very friendly, family run place. The mother welcomes you at the door while the kids served the (non-alcohol only) drinks. We had a set menu and the food was excellent. At the end of our meal we were given a compliementary mint tea. The clientele was a mixture of locals and tourists.

Tozeur Nightlife

After four days of busy exploring and four nights of eating in restaurants that served no alcohol we finally gave in and relaxed a bit in Tozeur. We went to the bar at the Oasis Hotel, one of the few places you can get alcohol in the centre of town. There are bars in all the hotels in the Zone Touristique near the Belevedere Rocks though Oasis is one of the few similar types of hotel in the town centre. The hotel was full of tour groups - a crowd we usually avoid - though we had a good time. There is a pool table in the bar and seats out on the terrace where you can relax and enjoy drinks. Proces were very good and they had plenty of wine and one type of beer, Celtia, which is a local brew.