Tataouine is a city in Tunisia. The name of the town was immortalized in Star Wars as "Tatooine", but most of the filming was not done here, but at Matmata.
Get in
[edit]SRTM operates long-distance buses from Gabes.
You can take buses and louages up to Tunis and Houmt Souk (Djerba).
- 1 SRTM bus station.
- 1 Long-distance louage station. Louage station to reach towns further away.
- 2 Local louage station. Louage station to reach local villages.
Get around
[edit]
In this town, you pay by ride and not by distance for shared taxis 1DT. Since public transport is limited, and most of the ksars are a few kilometers out of town, renting a car or hiring a taxi for the day may be the best choice to see the interesting spots around Tataouine.
See
[edit]- 1 Ksar Ouled Soltane. This 15th-century ksar (fortified granary) is one of the best of its kind left, standing on a hilltop. The Ksar Ouled Soltaine gained fame as the slave quarters where Anakin Skywalker lived in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
- 2 Douiret. An abandoned Berber town perched on a hillside, about 20 km from Tataouine. The ksar on the hilltop is visible for miles. Almost no one goes there, but the ruins are in good condition and make for an excellent exploration. A tiny part of the village is still occupied (a mosque and a few houses). Best to have your own transport, though you can try convincing a camionnette to go out of its way to drop you. Hitching a ride is the only way back. Refreshments are available at the site.
- 3 Chenini. Another gorgeous abandoned hilltop village topped with a ksar, but you will find large tour groups visiting with you. There is an excellent restaurant for lunch (if you have a car, drive to Douiret early and then end up at Chenini for lunch). Camionettes leave from Tataouine early, look for a taxi, or try to sign up for a 4WD tour (ask at your hotel). If you want to go back after 3PM there might be not louages around, but some people can call them for you. Expect to pay for all of the seats.
- 4 Guermassa (Ghomrassen). Another gorgeous abandoned hilltop village topped with a ksar, with very little visit. There is a great view over the both sides of the valley. You have hire a car or to hike all the way up from Guermassa new town, which can take up to 1h. Cabs and louages are leaving early to Guermassa new town, with no guarantee to find a cab later in the day for return.
- 5 Ghorfa Ksar El Ferech (On C207,15 km northwest of Tataouine, between Ghomrassen and Ksar El Air). Another ksar along C207. Larger than some other ksars, but with only two-story buildings. Palm trees and flowers on the ground make the place seem like an ancient garden. A small salon de thé offers tea, coffee and souvenirs. Free.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Corne de gazelle (gazelle horn) is a local pastry found in the pastry shops (pâtisserie).
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Medenine is the next big city and has more accommodation options.
6 Auberge Alferdaous, 44 Avenue Habib Bourguiba, ☏ +216 90 03 16 90. Nice hostel offering basic services 10-20USD.
Go next
[edit]Maztouria, Ksar Daghara, Gattoufa, Ksar el Air, Ghomrassen, Kirchaou
- Matmata, another filming location of Star Wars, featuring traditional underground cave houses
- Douz, the gateway to Sahara and a good starting point for desert tours