Zarzis Travel Guide

City Coastal city in Tunisia with tourism

Tunisia’s Zarzis lays out palm groves, a working harbor and a small medina; visitors swim in Mediterranean coves, watch fishing boats and explore olive orchards nearby.

Main image
Chatt Amira Souihel Zarzis.jpg
Chatt Amira Souihel.jpg
Chatt Amira sunrise.jpg
Chatt Amira, Souihel Zarzis.jpg
Chatt Amira.jpg
Chatt Sonia.jpg
El-Ogla Zarzis.jpg
Ibarostar Safira Palms - panoramio.jpg
Iberostar Safira Palms - panoramio.jpg
Costs
$40-70 per day (midrange)
Moderate prices by Tunisian standards: seaside hotels and decent restaurants available.
Safety
Relatively safe with normal precautions
Generally safe for tourists; standard coastal‑town vigilance advised at night.
Best Time
March-May and September-November
Spring and autumn offer warm weather without intense summer heat, ideal for beaches.
Time
Weather
Population
79,316
Infrastructure & Convenience
Good coastal roads and tourist facilities; signage in French and Arabic common, limited English.
Popularity
Popular with Tunisian and regional beachgoers; quieter than major Mediterranean resorts.
Known For
beaches, fishing port, olive groves, salt pans, local markets, proximity to Djerba, coastal promenades, seafood
Zarzis sits on Tunisia's southeast coast and supports one of the country's larger fishing ports and olive groves.

Why Visit Zarzis? #

A Mediterranean harbor town where fishing, olive groves and salt pans shape the landscape, it attracts visitors with its compact medina, fresh-seafood stalls and local couscous traditions. Nearby desert excursions and coastal dunes offer a contrast between beach time and Saharan day trips, while seasonal festivals and market life highlight Tunisian coastal culture. The town suits travelers who want sun, seafood and easy access to southern Tunisia’s varied landscapes.

Top Things to Do in Zarzis

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Zarzis Medina - Seafront old quarter with narrow alleys, small shops, and local Tunisian cafes.
  • Zarzis Harbour and Marina - Active fishing port where boats unload catches and waterfront cafes serve seafood.
  • El Rokn Beach - Nearby public beach with shallow waters, palm-lined stretches, and relaxed swimming areas.
Hidden Gems
  • Local Olive Oil Presses - Small producers demonstrating traditional olive pressing and offering tastings of fresh oil.
  • Salt Flats near the Coast - Coastal saline pans where flamingos and wading birds are often visible at dusk.
  • Traditional Pottery Workshops - Family-run studios crafting regional earthenware using age-old techniques and local clay.
Day Trips
  • Djerba Island - Short drive and ferry to Djerba's markets, beaches, and the town of Houmt Souk.
  • Tataouine and Matmata - Desert towns offering troglodyte homes, Berber heritage sites, and lunar desert landscapes.

Best Time to Visit Zarzis #

Zarzis enjoys Mediterranean-like warmth with hot summers and mild winters on Tunisia's southeast coast. Visit in autumn or winter for milder temperatures and more comfortable exploration of the coast and nearby deserts.

Summer
June - August · 24°C to 34°C (75°F to 93°F)
Hot, sun-drenched days perfect for beach swimming and desert excursions-expect strong sun and warm nights.
Autumn
September - November · 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F)
Mild temperatures and calmer seas make this a very pleasant shoulder season-great for relaxed coastal walks and fishing trips.
Winter
December - February · 8°C to 18°C (46°F to 64°F)
Cooler, pleasantly brisk days and quiet beaches-ideal for strolling and exploring nearby oases without the summer crowds.

Best Time to Visit Zarzis #

Climate

Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 33°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
JuneMaySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
40°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

32 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall.

80 Excellent

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.

82 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 20°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.

92 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
14° 23°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
12.9h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain.

94 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 26°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.8h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 29°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Very High
14.2h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 29°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

29°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
22° 32°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

August

August is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
23° 33°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
13.2h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Light rainfall.

94 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 31°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

13 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall.

92 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 27°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
11.2h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 33 mm of rain.

80 Excellent

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 22°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.3h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

How to Get to Zarzis

Zarzis is most conveniently reached via Djerba-Zarzis Airport (DJE) with a short onward road transfer; rail access is indirect, so buses and louages are the usual land options. Coastal roads link Zarzis with Gabès and other parts of southeast Tunisia.

By Air

Djerba-Zarzis International Airport (DJE): Djerba-Zarzis Airport serves Zarzis and the nearby island of Djerba. From the airport it is a short taxi or shuttle ride to Zarzis town (≈20-30 minutes depending on exact location).

Tunis-Carthage Airport (TUN): Tunis is the main international hub; visitors can fly into Tunis then take domestic connections, long-distance bus or hire a car to reach Zarzis (long road journey across the country).

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no direct national rail service to Zarzis; the closest rail connections are in Gabès (north-west of Zarzis) from which you continue by road.

Bus / Louage: Intercity buses and shared taxis (louage) connect Zarzis with Gabès and other coastal towns. Louages are frequent and economical for medium-distance travel in Tunisia.

How to Get Around Zarzis #

Zarzis’ medina and beachfront areas are walkable for short visits. Taxis and shared vans connect Zarzis with other coastal towns; minibuses run regionally. Fares are generally inexpensive, and short taxi rides are common for tourists. If you plan excursions to nearby islands or beaches, book transfers through hotels or local operators. Carry cash for smaller vendors and transport.

Where to Stay in Zarzis #

Budget
Corniche / town centre - TND low-mid range (use listings for specifics)
Zarzis has many budget and mid-range seaside hotels; I linked major booking sites so you can pick verified properties and sites.
Mid-Range
Beachfront / resort strip - TND 50-150/night (verification needed)
Mid-range beachfront hotels are common in Zarzis; I can list specific hotels with direct URLs if you want me to look them up now.
Luxury
Resort areas on the coast - TND 120+ (verify online for options)
Several resort hotels in Zarzis aim at higher-end travellers. I can fetch and verify current luxury hotel sites if you'd like.

Where to Eat in Zarzis #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Zarzis's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Poisson Grill

Nightlife in Zarzis #

Zarzis offers modest coastal nightlife - hotel bars, seaside cafés and some beachfront restaurants operate into the evening. There are occasional live events, but no major clubbing scene. Evenings are pleasant for relaxed dining and strolling the corniche rather than late-night partying.

Shopping in Zarzis #

Shopping is focused on the medina and small shops selling ceramics, textiles, spices and everyday goods. Tourist shops exist but the town remains oriented to local needs rather than large-scale tourist retail. For hotel amenities and beach supplies you’ll find what you need locally; for luxury shopping, head to bigger Tunisian cities.

  • Zarzis Medina - Traditional medina with local handicrafts, groceries and small shops.

Nearby Cities #