Things to do in Tozeur
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Restaurant-Pizzeria La Fontana
A few doors north at the start of the Zone Touristique, Restaurant-Pizzeria La Fontana serve quality pies.
reviewed
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Palmeraie
Tozeur's palmeraie is the second-largest in the country with at least 200,000 palm trees (locals claim twice that number) spread over an area of more than 10 sq km. It's a classic example of tiered oasis agriculture. The system is watered by more than 200 springs that produce almost 60 million litres of water a day, distributed around the various holdings under a complex system devised by the mathematician Ibn Chabbat in the 13th century AD.
The best way to explore the palmeraie is on foot. Take the road that runs south off ave Abdulkacem Chebbi next to the Hôtel Continental and follow the signs to the Zoo du Paradis. After about 500m the road passes the old quarter of Bl…
reviewed
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Dar Charaït Museum
The museum is part of the impressive Dar Charaït complex. The building in which the museum is housed is an extravagant reproduction of an old palace and contains collections of pottery, jewellery, costumes and other antiques, as well as an art gallery. Scattered throughout the rooms off the splendid main courtyard is a series of replicas of scenes from Tunisian life, past and present.
They include the bedroom of the last bey (provincial governor in the Ottoman Empire), a palace scene, a typical kitchen, a hammam (public bathhouse), wedding scenes and a Bedouin tent. The museum attendants, dressed as servants of the bey, set the tone for the museum. The complex also inclu…
reviewed
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Chak Wak Park
Several kilometres southeast of the statue of Ibn Chabbat is the incongruous and trippy Chak Wak Park, an enormous testament to the vision of one passionate and wealthy man. The former mayor of Tozeur and the driving force behind the Dar Charaït museum, has created what amounts to a three-dimensional liberal education on evolution, history and religion. Surrounded by high walls reminiscent of the King Kong films, inside is a circuit that takes you from dinosaur-sized replicas of dinosaurs to a replica of Noah's Ark with models of animals lining up two by two while a sound system pipes in rain effects. Even the Biblical parting of the red sea is represented here with wall…
reviewed
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Ouled el-Hadef
Tozeur's delightful old quarter was built in the 14th century AD to house the El-Hadef clan, which had grown rich on the proceeds of the caravan trade. The area is a maze of narrow, covered alleys and small squares. It's famous for its amazing traditional brickwork, which uses protruding bricks to create intricate geometric patterns in relief. The style is found only here and in nearby Nefta.
The easiest entrance to the Ouled el-Hadef is from ave de Kairouan.
Like the medinas further north in Tunisia, wandering through the Ouled el-Hadef is a journey of discovery best made by getting lost. The most well-preserved sections are east of the museum, including the house of the…
reviewed
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Belvedere Rocks
A sandy track running south off the Route Touristique near the Dar Charaït Museum leads to the Belvedere Rocks. Steps have been cut into the highest rock, giving access to a spectacular sunset view over the oasis and the chott (salt lake). It's a pleasant 20-minute walk. Too much landscaping has taken away somewhat from the beauty of the natural setting, but not entirely; look for the likeness of Abdulkacem Chebbi.
reviewed
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Centre Loisir el-Niffer
Set deep in the palmeraie, this is a great place for a sheesha under the palm trees, or a coffee or cool drink. There's a swimming pool and a few courting couples and families sitting at the tables spread throughout the garden. To get here, take the road past the Restaurant-Bar Le Petit Prince and follow the signs (about 700m).
reviewed
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Zoo du Paradis
Ironically, or cynically, or simply honestly named, the Zoo du Paradis, on the southern side of the palmeraie, is anything but for the animals housed, if it can be called that, in tiny cages. The star turn is a Coca-Cola-drinking camel. The closing time isn't set in stone and paradise usually closes its pearly gates when it gets dark.
reviewed
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Abbes
Further on from old quarter of Bled el-Hader is the village of Abbes where the tomb of marabout (holy man) Sidi Bou Lifa stands in the shade of an enormous jubube (Chinese date) tree. There are lots of paths leading off into the palmeraie along the irrigation canals. It's delightfully cool among all the vegetation.
reviewed
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Tozeur Market
Handy for a snack and very much a part of the Tozeur experience are the dates available in the market. The best dates are harvested in October, but you'll usually find something on offer throughout summer. For reasonable quality, expect to pay around TD3.5 per kilogram, although the best method is to taste before you buy.
reviewed
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Museum Archéologique et Traditionnel
The easiest entrance to the Ouled el-Hadef is from ave de Kairouan. Follow the signs pointing to the small Museum Archéologique et Traditionnel, which occupies the old koubba (small domed tomb) of Sidi Bou Aissa. It houses a small collection of local finds, costumes and displays on local culture.
reviewed
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Restaurant Le Soleil
An extensive menu with a couple of vegetarian dishes. The service is attentive and it's a good place to try camel steak because you generally don't have to pre-order it as in other restaurants. They also do pizzas and sandwiches.
reviewed
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Bled el-Hader
The old quarter of Bled el-Hader is thought to be the site of ancient Thuzuros. The mosque in the main square dates from the 11th century, while the minaret (mosque tower) stands on the square base of an old Roman tower.
reviewed
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Restaurant Capitole
This small place is popular with Tunisian families but the service is slow and it's worth it to pre-order especially for the metabgha (Berber pizza; around TD3, pre-order only). Camel steak is also on the menu.
reviewed
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Café Ambaria
A cut above the rest in terms of décor and service, although again it's mostly all men. Sheesha cost around TD1.5 and they have a real live coffee machine if you're craving an espresso or cappuccino.
reviewed
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Restaurant-Bar Le Petit Prince
Dining under the palms, sipping a fine wine while listening to music is a special experience. This restaurant is tucked in behind a wall a short walk past the arch and serves quality French and Tunisian cuisine.
reviewed
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Café La Grotte
A step up from the street-side cafés, La Grotte, à la its name, is fitted out to look like the inside of a cave, albeit a cool, air-conditioned one. It tends to draw a younger crowd of men.
reviewed
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Horse Riding at Ranch Equi-Balade
Ranch Equi-Balade, based on the road leading out to the Belvedere Rocks just past the Dar Charaït Hôtel, charges around TD15 for a one-hour excursion or around TD45 for a half-day trip.
reviewed
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Restaurant Les Andalous
Overlooking the garden of the Hôtel du Jardin, this restaurant has high-end trappings and a better-than-average menu and, at least as important, wine and alcohol are served.
reviewed
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Planet Oasis Tozeur
Gorge on a buffet while watching a sound and light shows at the Planet Oasis Tozeur deep in the middle of the palmeraie. These are only staged for large groups.
reviewed
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Restaurant La Medina
A no-nonsense eatery 100m northeast of place Bab el-Hawa, the Medina is clean and friendly and the service prompt. Try the ragout d'haricot (bean stew).
reviewed
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Café La Rosa
This busy café spills over onto the street and can get rowdy in the evenings but it's pleasant enough if you don't mind the choir of all-male voices.
reviewed
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Restaurant Tozorous
This highly recommended restaurant serves up pizza, meat and chicken dishes in a brick-walled dining room complete with a working fountain in the centre.
reviewed
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Restaurant de la République
Tucked away in an arcade next to the Mosque el-Ferdous, this is another good place with a pleasant eating area and decent food.
reviewed
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Tunisian Oasis Sahara Travel
There are dozens of travel agencies around town; Tunisian Oasis Sahara Travel is one of the better ones.
reviewed
