Matmata

📍 Southern Tunisia (40 km south of Gabes)

1 / 1

Best Time

October to April (avoid summer heat)

Location

Southern Tunisia (40 km south of Gabes)

Visit Duration

Half day (2-3 hours for all major sites)

Entry Fee

Hotel Sidi Driss: 2 TND for non-guests. Berber Museum: 5 TND

Opening Hours

Hotel Sidi Driss: 8:00-18:00. Berber Museum: 9:00-17:00

About This Destination

Matmata is one of Tunisia's most extraordinary destinations, famous for its unique troglodyte dwellings carved into the soft sandstone hills by Berber communities centuries ago. These underground homes were designed as an ingenious response to the harsh Saharan climate: the subterranean rooms maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, staying cool in the scorching summer and warm during cold desert nights. Each dwelling is organized around a central circular crater (pit), with rooms, kitchens, and storage areas carved into the crater walls and connected by tunnels. The most famous troglodyte house is Hotel Sidi Driss, which served as the interior set for Luke Skywalker's childhood home in the original Star Wars (1977). The hotel still operates today, and guests can sleep in the very rooms where the iconic dining scene with Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru was filmed, with original set decorations still on the walls. Beyond Star Wars tourism, Matmata offers genuine insight into Berber heritage. The Berber Museum explains the history and daily life of troglodyte communities. New Matmata (Nouvelle Matmata), built above ground in the 1960s after devastating floods, sits alongside the original village, offering a fascinating contrast between traditional and modern Berber life. The surrounding landscape of craggy hills and dry wadis is hauntingly beautiful, particularly at sunset.

Key Highlights

✓

Underground troglodyte homes carved into rock

✓

Hotel Sidi Driss - Luke Skywalker's home in Star Wars

✓

Berber Museum with cultural exhibits

✓

Year-round comfortable underground temperatures

✓

Stunning lunar landscape

✓

Authentic Berber hospitality and cuisine

Main Attractions

Hotel Sidi Driss (Star Wars set)

Traditional troglodyte homes

Berber Museum

Panoramic viewpoints

New Matmata contrast visit

Local Berber craft markets

How to Get There

Louage from Gabes (45 min, ~5 TND). From Djerba or Medenine, louage to Gabes first. A rental car allows you to combine with Tataouine and Douz.

Insider Tips

💡

Hotel Sidi Driss still has the original Star Wars set decorations on the walls — take your time to find them all

💡

Ask at the hotel reception to visit a family home — many families welcome tourists for tea and a small tip (3-5 TND)

💡

The panoramic viewpoint above old Matmata shows dozens of crater-like troglodyte entrances — spectacular photos

💡

New Matmata (15 min drive) has restaurants and services but zero charm — stay in old Matmata

What to Eat Here

🍽️

Traditional Berber couscous with dried vegetables at Hotel Sidi Driss restaurant

🍽️

Ask locals for bsissa (roasted barley and olive oil) — the Berber trail snack

Quick Summary

Best time: October to April (avoid summer heat)

Duration: Half day (2-3 hours for all major sites)

Cost: Hotel Sidi Driss: 2 TND for non-guests. Berber Museum: 5 TND

Getting there: Louage from Gabes (45 min, ~5 TND). From Djerba or Medenine, louage to Gabes first. A rental car allows you to combine with Tataouine and Douz.