The north-east coast of Djerba, between Houmt Souk and Midoun, is where the island’s tourism began in the 1960s and where most visitors still stay. The Zone Touristique stretches for kilometres along wide, fine-sand beaches — Sidi Mahrez is the best known, with Seguia and Sidi Yati along the same shore — backed by resort hotels, a golf course and a few shopping streets.
The sea here is shallow and generally calm, ideal for families, though seaweed can wash up after winds and the water stays cool until early summer. Hotel beaches have loungers and parasols; between them there are open stretches of public sand.
Beach life comes with the usual extras: jet skis, parasailing, pedalos, camel and horse rides, and pickup points for almost every tour on the island. Midoun, the island’s second town, is a short taxi ride inland, with a weekly market and plenty of restaurants.
Top things to do: Sidi Mahrez & the Zone Touristique
Spend a day on the sand
Hotel guests use their own beach; non-guests can usually rent a lounger at beach bars or walk the public stretches between hotels.
Try a water sport
Jet skis, parasailing and pedalos operate in front of the larger hotels. For something calmer, ride a horse or camel along the shore at sunset.
Visit Midoun
The island’s second town has a lively weekly market (traditionally on Fridays) and restaurants that are often better value than hotel dining.
Play golf or book a thalasso
Djerba has a golf course near the hotel zone, and several large hotels have thalassotherapy centres offering sea-water spa treatments.
How to get to Sidi Mahrez & the Zone Touristique
- From the airport: 25–40 minutes by taxi depending on your hotel; many hotels arrange transfers.
- From Houmt Souk: 20–30 minutes by taxi.
- Along the coast: taxis are plentiful and use meters; a small tourist train runs along parts of the hotel road in season.
Insider tips
- Book water sports with licensed operators and check that life jackets are provided.
- Agree a price before camel or horse rides on the beach.
- Sea temperatures peak in August and September; in spring the water is still fresh.
Best tours for Sidi Mahrez & the Zone Touristique
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see Sidi Mahrez & the Zone Touristique:
Water sport from €36 per group Jet Ski Adventure with Free Transfer
A jet-ski session off the east coast after a safety briefing, in a dedicated zone. Suitable for all levels; the price is per machine.
- From 15 to 90 minutes
- Safety briefing first
- Priced per jet ski
Horse riding from €25 Two-Hour Horse Ride on the Beach and in the Blue Lagoon
A guided ride along the beaches and through the shallow lagoon of the east coast, away from the hotels and the crowds.
- Trot and gallop with a guide
- Beach and shallow lagoon
- Away from the hotel strip
Quad bike tour from €25 Quad Bike Ride to the Blue Lagoon
A guided quad ride along the beach and through the countryside to the shallow “blue lagoon”, passing traditional houses on the way.
- Beach and countryside tracks
- Traditional houses along the route
- Pickup available
Diving from €50 Beginner Diving Experience with Hotel Transfers
A first dive for complete beginners: a safety briefing, practice in shallow water, then a short boat trip to look at the marine life.
- No experience needed
- Shallow-water exercises first
- Boat ride to the dive spot
