Major city · Tunisia
Matmataمطماطة
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Matmata to see the troglodyte houses and Star Wars set; one night only if you want a cave‑hotel experience.
Matmata is a tiny desert village famous for its cave dwellings and Star Wars filming locations. It is reachable by bus or shared taxi from Gabès and can be explored on foot. One day covers the main sights; an overnight stay adds a cave‑hotel night.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TND
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (cooler desert weather)
- avoid Jun–Sep (very hot)
- Airport
- GAB
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Tunisia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with official Tunisian government sources or your nearest consulate; visa exemptions depend on nationality.
- Tunisia ↗The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency: it cannot legally be taken in or out; exchange on arrival and keep receipts to change leftovers back.
- Tunisia ↗Do not bring a drone without prior authorisation; they are confiscated at customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Matmata197 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Matmata, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND).Tunisia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckOoredoo, Orange and Tunisie Telecom sell SIMs at airports and shops with a passport; 10–20 GB for about TND 20–40 — check.Tunisia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated but tastes of chlorine; most drink bottled.Tunisia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Tunisia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Tunisia-wide
- SafetyMatmata is low‑risk; main concerns are hot daytime temperatures and basic accommodation standards.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels; squat in older cafés; carry tissue.Tunisia-wide
- Emergency numbers197 police · 190 ambulance (samu) · 198 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckFriday afternoons are slower; museums often close Mondays (check).Tunisia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGAB Gabès Airport (≈45 km (28 mi) north‑east, reachable by bus or louage about 45 min).GAB Gabès Airport (≈28 mi (45 km) north‑east, reachable by bus or louage about 45 min).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable; use shared‑taxi (louage) or bus from Gabès for arrival and departure.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer at Hotel Sidi Driss bar3 DT
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Louage (shared taxi) from Gabèscheck≈15 DT
- Budget bedCave room (shared bathroom), a night, per personTND 30
A day, not counting the bed: Budget TND 30 · Mid TND 50 · High TND 80
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GAB Gabès Airport (≈45 km (28 mi) north‑east, reachable by bus or louage about 45 min)GAB Gabès Airport (≈28 mi (45 km) north‑east, reachable by bus or louage about 45 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Mar (2 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Matmata: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
1 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable; use shared‑taxi (louage) or bus from Gabès for arrival and departure.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tataouine ksour
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round trip
Car or shared taxi, about 1 h 30 min west via C104 road
Granary villages, good for a half‑day side trip.
Douz desert
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h round trip
Car, about 1 h 30 min west on sealed road
Long drive; consider overnight if you want desert camp.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Sidi Driss
Cave rooms, shared bathroom, basic breakfast; price from 30 DT per person per night.
Hotel Les Berberes
Cave hotel, cleaner, 20 DT per person in double, full board 30 DT.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 30 DT–45 DT excl. bed
- Mid
- 45 DT–70 DT excl. bed
- High
- 70 DT+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Cave room (shared bathroom)1 × 1 night × TND 30 | TND 30 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × TND 30 | TND 30 |
| Louage from Gabès to Matmata (one way)1 × TND 15 · check | TND 15 |
| Bus from Gabès (8 daily) to Matmata (one way)1 × TND 12 · check | TND 12 |
| Museum entry (Hotel Sidi Driss museum)1 × TND 3 · check | TND 3 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | TND 9 |
| Trip total≈ TND 99 per person per day, bed included | TND 99 |
Includes simple breakfast.
2026 estimate in TND; flights and long‑distance transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Beer at Hotel Sidi Driss bar | 3 DT |
| Meal at local restaurant | 8–12 DT |
| Louage (shared taxi) from Gabèscheck | ≈15 DT |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules are sparse; verify times before travel (check).
- Cave rooms can be buggy and lack air‑conditioning; bring a light jacket for evenings.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 197
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 190
- Fire
- 198
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Matmataمطماطة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
للعنوان هذا، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police197
- Ambulance (SAMU)190
- Fire198
Embassy
US consular services are in Tunis; see /tunisia for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gabès → Matmata, louage: ≈15 DT, 45 min (check)
- Hotel Sidi Driss → town centre (walk): ≈5 min
Say or show
- عسلامة — Hello (ʿas-salāma)
- قدّاش؟ — How much? (qaddāsh?)
- نحبّ نكري بيت — I would like a room (nḥibb nkri bīt)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Matmata. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (cooler desert weather) · avoid Jun–Sep (very hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Hotel Sidi Driss for a cave‑hotel experience.
- Combine with a visit to Tataouine ksour for a full desert itinerary.
Sources
Ask about Matmata
Loading…
Was this useful?