Things to Do in Houmt Souk, Djerba

October 31, 2026

Houmt Souk is the chief town of Djerba, on the island’s north coast in the Medenine Governorate of southern Tunisia. Its name means “market district”, and the town is still built around a port and a cluster of souks. Most of what to do here sits within a short walk of the fishing port, with the rest of the island a taxi or bicycle ride away. UK FCDO travel advice names the Libya border zone and parts of western Tunisia in its warnings, not Djerba.

Borj El Kebir

The fortress stands by the port. It is a 15th-century Hafsid fort with a moat, repaired under the Ottoman governor Ghazi Mustapha from 1567. The heritage authority lists winter hours of 09:30 to 16:30 and summer hours of 08:00 to 17:00, and the fort is closed on Fridays. Entry is 8 TND for non-residents. Guide sites quote slightly different hours and prices, so confirm at the gate. Stairs are steep and some edges drop, so watch your step.

Souks and the Central Market

Souk Errbaa is the covered hall at the centre of town, with the Central Market and the jewellers’ lanes close by. Palm-leaf baskets and hats, woven goods and silver jewellery are the usual buys. Haggling is expected. A secondary source gives Monday and Thursday as the main market days, and Friday is slower, so shop hours vary.

Fish market and auction

Fish is sold by bidding, with the crier on a high chair, in the Central Market area by the port. Go in the morning and ask locally for the day’s timing, since boats and buyers do not keep a fixed hour. Stand back from the buyers and do not block the crier.

Museum of the Traditional Heritage of Djerba

The museum opened in December 2008 in a purpose-built building and covers architecture, costume, jewellery, farming, fishing, pottery and ritual. Winter hours run 09:30 to 16:30 and summer hours 09:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Fridays and costs 8 TND for non-residents. A shop and cafeteria are on site. Hours can be erratic, so check locally.

Cycling and kitesurfing

Djerba is flat, so cycling is a good way to see the island. Rentals exist in town, and in summer it pays to ride early, before the heat builds. In the north-east lagoon, kitesurfing schools such as KiteWorldWide Kitecenter Djerba and Kite Aventure give lessons. Ask each school for current prices.

Evening events

The Festival International de Djerba Ulysse is held in July and August at the open-air theatre in Houmt Souk when it runs. Its history includes interruptions, so look for the current year’s dates before planning around it.

Money and heat

The Tunisian dinar (TND) cannot be bought or sold outside Tunisia, so keep your exchange slips. Cash matters in the souks and small cafes, while cards and euros work at some hotels only. Summer heat is severe, so carry water.

Getting around

Yellow metered taxis are plentiful, and you should check that the meter is on. The Djerba-Zarzis airport is about 9 km from town, roughly 15 minutes by road. Erriadh is about 8 km away, Midoun about 15 km and Guellala about 20 km, so none of them is a walk from the market.

Compare guided options on GetYourGuide . Official visitor details for the fortress are on the heritage site , and the museum has its own heritage page . The current FCDO advice for Tunisia shows the regional warnings.