Roman thermal pools (Piscine Romaine)
Two rectangular Roman pools, still fed by hot springs at 32 °C in the centre of modern Gafsa. Free to view; local boys often dive from the edges.
South-West · Tunisia
Gafsa
Roman pools, phosphate mines and the gateway to mountain oases.
Gafsa is best known for two things: its Roman thermal pools — still bubbling at 32 °C in the city centre — and its phosphate mining, which makes it one of Tunisia's main industrial regions.
It's also the gateway to the cinematic mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides on the Algerian border, where palm groves cling to canyon walls and waterfalls appear out of bare rock.
Above Gafsa, the Jugurtha Plateau and the small Roman site of Capsa give a sense of how strategic this oasis was for crossing the desert.
What to see in Gafsa
Chebika oasis
A mountain oasis with a waterfall cascading into a palm-shaded canyon. Used in The English Patient. A 90-minute drive from Gafsa.
Tamerza canyon
Dramatic gorge with abandoned villages, a waterfall and panoramic viewpoints. The on-site Hotel Tamerza Palace makes a memorable overnight.
Mides
A near-deserted mountain oasis at the edge of a 100-metre-deep canyon — said to be the location of Saint Augustine's exile. The most cinematic of the three Gafsa oases.
Getting there
Gafsa-Ksar International Airport (GAF) has limited domestic and seasonal European flights. Most visitors arrive by louage from Sfax (3h) or Tunis (5h), or by SNCFT train (Tunis–Gafsa, 7h — one of the great underrated North African rail journeys).
Where to stay
Gafsa town has functional hotels (Hotel Maamoun). For the mountain oases, Hotel Tamerza Palace is the standout — built into the canyon edge with a pool overlooking the gorge.
Food & culture
Gafsa cuisine reflects its caravan history — slow-cooked lamb, date stews, almond-stuffed dates. The Gafsa school of mosaics (3rd–4th century) is celebrated in the regional museum. Mining culture is strong; the 2008 Gafsa Basin protests prefigured the 2011 revolution.
Practical tips
Chebika, Tamerza and Mides are best visited as a single circuit in a 4×4 — paved roads connect them but distances feel longer than the map suggests. Bring water. The mining-zone road via Métlaoui is industrial but the only paved route west.
Frequently asked questions about Gafsa
Are the Gafsa mountain oases worth visiting?+
Yes — Chebika, Tamerza and Mides are among Tunisia's most cinematic landscapes, and the easiest day trip from Tozeur.
Can I bathe in the Roman pools of Gafsa?+
Locals do; tourists rarely. The water is hot (32 °C) and used for relaxation rather than serious swimming.
How do I get from Tozeur to Chebika?+
60 km by car (1 hour). Most Tozeur tour operators run half-day or full-day mountain-oasis circuits.