Jara and Chenini oases
Walk through the famous three-tier oasis cultivation — date palms over pomegranate trees over vegetables — that has survived for centuries despite Gabès's industrialisation.
South-East · Tunisia
Gabès
The world's only seaside oasis — 300,000 palms meeting the Mediterranean.
Gabès is unique on the planet: a maritime oasis where palm groves grow right down to the seashore. Date palms shelter pomegranates, which shelter vegetables, in the famous three-tier oasis cultivation.
The city itself is industrial and mid-size, but the surrounding oases of Chenini and Jara, and the inland oasis village of Matmata with its troglodyte houses, are exceptional.
Matmata's underground homes were used as Luke Skywalker's house in the original Star Wars — the Hotel Sidi Driss is still there, still a working hotel.
What to see in Gabès
Matmata troglodyte houses
Underground homes carved into the soft sandstone, occupied for centuries. The Hotel Sidi Driss was Luke Skywalker's home in the original Star Wars — and is still a working hotel.
Toujane and Tamezret
Two Berber hilltop villages with stone houses and stunning views over the desert plain. Less visited than Matmata but more atmospheric.
Gabès souk and spice market
One of the best spice markets in Tunisia — henna, dried roses, cumin, harissa pastes, and the famous Gabès aromatic blends.
Getting there
Djerba-Zarzis Airport (DJE) is 130 km southeast; Tunis-Carthage is 400 km north. SNCFT trains link Gabès to Tunis (5h) and Sfax (2h). Louages serve every direction.
Where to stay
Gabès city itself has functional hotels (Chems, Oasis Gabès) but more interesting bases are in Matmata (Hotel Sidi Driss, Hotel Marhala) or in the Berber villages (Dar Ayed in Tamezret).
Food & culture
Gabès is famous for henna, dates and aromatic blends. Try the local couscous with bonito fish and the unusual seafood-oasis cuisine that mixes Mediterranean and Saharan ingredients. Sunset at Toujane with mint tea is a memory-maker.
Practical tips
The Gabès industrial zone smells (chemical plants); the oases on the coast and inland areas are unaffected. Matmata is a 40-minute drive — visit early morning to avoid coach tours. Bring cash for the smaller Berber villages.
Frequently asked questions about Gabès
Is Gabès worth visiting?+
Yes — for the unique seaside oasis, Matmata's underground homes, and the Berber villages. It's also a logical Star Wars pilgrimage stop.
Can I still sleep in Luke Skywalker's house?+
Yes — the Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata still rents out the rooms that appeared in Star Wars: A New Hope. Basic but unforgettable.
How far is Gabès from Djerba?+
130 km, about 2 hours by car. Many travellers combine the two in a south-east loop.