Tataouine, a market town in the dry uplands of the Dahar about two hours from Djerba, is surrounded by ksour — fortified granaries where Berber and Arab communities stored grain and olive oil. Their vaulted cells, called ghorfas, are stacked in rows several storeys high around a courtyard, with steps and beams for climbing up.
The most famous, Ksar Ouled Soltane, is remarkably well preserved; Ksar Hadada and others nearby were used as locations in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, and George Lucas borrowed the town’s name for Luke Skywalker’s home planet, Tatooine.
West of Tataouine, the Berber village of Chenini clings to a ridge, its old houses dug into the rock below a white mosque. Many residents now live in the new village below, but the old one can be visited with a guide.
Top things to do: Tataouine & Chenini
Explore Ksar Ouled Soltane
Climb the outer stairways of the ghorfas — carefully — and admire the geometry of the courtyards.
Walk up to Chenini
The path through the old village climbs to the mosque at the top, with views over the valley.
Find the Star Wars locations
Several ksour and the surroundings of Tataouine appear in the films; tours tell you which is which.
How to get to Tataouine & Chenini
- From Djerba: about 2–2.5 hours by road via the causeway and Medenine.
- With a tour: full-day trips combine Tataouine, Chenini and the ksour, sometimes with Matmata.
Insider tips
- Wear shoes with grip for the stairways and rocky paths.
- Take local snacks: Tataouine is known for its sweet pastries called “cornes de gazelle”.
- Check your government’s travel advice for the far south and border areas.
Best tours for Tataouine & Chenini
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see Tataouine & Chenini:
Day trip from €47 From Djerba: Tataouine, Chenini, Star Wars Sites & Ksour
The most popular full-day trip from the island: across the causeway to the hills of the Dahar, with fortified granaries, the cliff village of Chenini and a Star Wars filming location.
- The fortified granaries (ksour) of the south
- The Berber hill village of Chenini
- A Star Wars location and a desert sunset
Day trip from €48 From Djerba: Tataouine, Chenini, Berber Villages & Star Wars
A highly rated day in the Dahar uplands with a Tunisian lunch and a visit to a local home as well as the famous ksour.
- Chenini and Ksar Hadada
- Tunisian lunch
- A visit to a local family home
Day trip from €65 From Djerba: Matmata, Tataouine & Star Wars Sites by 4x4, with Sunset
A long day by 4x4 that combines Matmata and Tataouine with Star Wars filming locations and finishes with sunset in the desert.
- Matmata’s underground houses
- Tataouine and Star Wars locations
- Desert sunset by 4x4
