Métlaoui City
City in Tunisia known for its mining industry
At the edge of Gafsa’s phosphate basin, Métlaoui draws visitors with wind-sculpted gorges, rusting rail lines and the dramatic Selja canyons. Photographers and history buffs ride the old mining trains, explore rocky valleys and visit nearby desert salt pans.
.jpg?width=1200)
.jpg?width=1200)
84°F
Why Visit Métlaoui?#
Métlaoui is a gateway to dramatic Redeyef landscapes and mining history, known for the scenic Selja Gorges and the vintage Lezard Rouge tourist train that threads through them. Phosphate-mining heritage and rugged desert scenery give the town an industrial-meets-wild appeal, and nearby sandstone canyons make for striking day trips. Travelers interested in rail nostalgia, geology and offbeat Tunisian landscapes find plenty to explore.
Best Things to Do in Métlaoui#
Métlaoui Bucket List#
Gorges de Selja (Selja Gorges) - Hike the Selja Gorges to see dramatic canyon walls and an abandoned village.
Métlaoui train viaducts - See vintage railway structures and tracks that cross the arid landscape nearby.
Local market and cafes - Spend time at Métlaoui’s market sampling local foods and meeting residents.
Old irrigation channels - Follow old irrigation channels revealing historic water management in the semi‑desert.
Small oasis gardens - Find tiny oasis gardens around Métlaoui where families cultivate dates and vegetables.
Traditional brick kilns - Visit working kilns producing baked bricks used in regional rural construction.
Tozeur and oasis towns - Travel west to Tozeur for large oases, palm groves, and desert museums.
Chott el Jerid salt flats - Visit the Chott el Jerid for surreal salt flats and salt-harvesting landscapes.
Best Time to Visit Métlaoui#
Métlaoui sits near Tunisia’s arid interior: summers are intensely hot, winters cool and pleasant, and spring is the most agreeable time for exploration. Bring sun protection in summer and layers in winter.
June - August
30-40°C (86-104°F)
Scorching, dry heat with sparse shade; best for short visits at sunrise/sunset and avoiding intense midday activity wherever possible indeed.
November - February
5-15°C (41-59°F)
Cool, clear days and chilly nights make hiking and visiting Roman ruins comfortable; bring layers for cold evenings outdoors too.
March - May
15-28°C (59-82°F)
Pleasant warmth, blooming arid landscapes, and friendlier daytime temperatures - the most enjoyable season for exploring canyons and mining heritage.
Métlaoui's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 38°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the hottest month with highs of 38°C and lows of 23°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 24°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Métlaoui#
How to Get Around Métlaoui#
- Walking -
- Regional bus -
- Taxi -
- Intercity coach -
- Car rental -
Where to Stay in Métlaoui#
Métlaoui centre - $10-30/night
Very limited lodging in Métlaoui; expect small guesthouses without reliable websites. Bring cash and arrange stays via local contacts or nearby Gafsa.
Near train station / main road - $30-60/night
Few mid-range options with online presence. Many visitors stay in Gafsa for more choice and book through local agencies for desert excursions.
Tozeur / Gafsa region (nearest) - $100+/night
No luxury hotels in Métlaoui. For higher-end stays, base yourself in Tozeur or Gafsa and take day trips to local sites.
Where to Eat in Métlaoui#
Métlaoui offers classic Tunisian home-style cooking: couscous, tajines and hearty stews shaped by inland produce and regional spices in modest local restaurants.
Cafés around the railway and markets serve quick sandwiches, coffee and savory pastries-good for travelers exploring the phosphate basin and nearby desert sites.
Shopping in Métlaoui#
Shopping is practical and focused on local needs: markets and small shops supply food, tools and household items. There are few, if any, tourist-oriented shops in town.
Nightlife in Métlaoui#
Nightlife in Métlaoui is very limited - cafés and a few local bars provide evening gathering spots, but there are no major nightlife venues.
