Tozeur

Tozeur is a city in Tunisia. Her architectural style is unique, playing with bricks of sand and clay. The women wear black robes with a bright blue band, unlike those from Nefta to the south with white bands.

By train
An overnight run by SNCFT train connects with Tunis and Gafsa. Trains leave to (and arrive from) Tunis twice a day, usually very early in the morning (at 6AM) or in the evening.

The train station is located close to city centre.

By bus
There are plenty of long distance buses from most major cities in Tunisia. Louages can also be taken to Tozeur (for example, passing by Gafsa and going on to Nefta). The bus and louage station in Tozeur are located near each other, closer to city center than the gare.

Busses run 3-5 times a day direct for Tunis, on a 7-hour, 26-DT drive. Generally, taking the train (in 1st or Confort class, around 30 DT) is a much better option than the bus.

If you are heading south, you can take a bus direct to Douz or Gabes.

By louage
For the louage, transport south to Douz requires a change at Kibilli (Kebili) and from there to Douz. Each leg should take just under 2 hours, though the wait in Kibilli may be 1-2 hours for another louage. Louages are more frequent before mid-day.

Get around
Taxis are unmetered in Tozeur; you will have to agree on a price before the journey begins. Prices should be around 2 DT for a short trip (around a kilometer or less), and more accordingly.

Another option is in horse drawn 'carriage', though this is more of a tourist experience than a typical means of transportation. These can be found in most places although the parking area is near Residence Karim and the hospital in the south.

Bicycle rental is also common, and an excellent way to explore the impressive palmeraie. Test ride the bicycle before paying, and investigate if there are better/newer bicycles then the one offered - you are rarely offered the best bicycle. Haggling and visiting several rental shops is recommended.

There are also a few car rental agencies: These agencies might not have websites or online booking systems, so calling is recommended. Once in Tozeur, your hotel can also help you find a rental agency.
 * Avis, Avenue Farhat Hatched, Tozeur: 76-452-377
 * Olympic rent car, Route touristique, Tozeur: 98-235-345
 * Galaxy rent car, Avenue Chebbi, Tozeur: 93-444-555

See




Nearby villages
Many people who come to Tozeur do so for the three abandoned villages nearby, Chebika, Tamerza, and Mides. These three villages are easily accessible through the numerous local tour operators who sell seats per person to these villages and many other local attractions. For a half-day trip, expect to pay 30-35 DT per person. The 4x4's hold 6 or more people, so if you have a group of four or more, hire the whole 4x4 for yourself - about 120-150 DT.

The allure of these three villages is that they were abandoned during floods in 1969, and offer a window to what life was like in oasis villages back then. In reality, the mud and stone buildings are unoccupied and falling down, tourists swarm the sites in hordes, and local children will offer to sell you crystals throughout your journey. The sites are still worthwhile, though the journey there may be more spectacular than the villages - you drive into the Atlas mountains, and are only 1 km from Algeria.

If you do use a tour operator for transportation, it is recommended you pay half up front, and get a receipt that includes words like 'seatbelts' and 'driver speaks English' and anything else you find important. All this may be promised, but if you pay in advance in full, it will probably not be delivered.

If you have your own car, or a rental car, there is no reason you cannot do most, or all of this journey. All but a 100 m shortcut to Mides is on paved roads, and if you simply do not take the shortcut, you will be fine. Getting lost is nearly impossible, and following the massive number of tour companies will get you to the sites.

Buy
There is a market selling all kind of tourist souvenirs on the central square near the mosque.

Eat
Tozeur has several restaurants that feature camel, or dromedaries. If this interests you, now is your chance. Camel has a flavor similar to that of lamb. Camel is offered with couscous, or as a steak or kebab.

Towards Ras El Ain Along Avenue Abou El Kaccem Chebbi Along Avenue Farhat Hached Medina Area Others
 * Le Palais
 * Pizzeria la Fontana
 * Le Soleil
 * Tozourous
 * Dar dada
 * Tozeriana
 * Aquarium
 * Alkaram
 * La république
 * Le Minaret
 * La Medina
 * Le Sud
 * Chak-wak
 * Les Andalous
 * Le Petit prince

Drink
If you are looking for alcohol, you must head to a bar in a tourist hotel. Try (unverified) either the Hotel Continental or the Grand Hotel de l'Oasis.

Many restaurants serve non-alcoholic beer, including the popular Turkish beer, Efes (which normally has alcohol).

Sleep
Most hotels are located along Ave. Abdulkacem Chebbi, about 700 m south of the bus station. A taxi from the bus station should be no more than 2-3 DT. Once you investigate one hotel, it is easy enough to walk to a few others. Street numbers for this avenue run west to east, with the lower numbers to the west.

Guest houses

 * Residence Tozeur. rabah_hayet@yahoo.fr
 * Dar Saida Beya
 * Kastilia Suites. 76 461 133.
 * Diar Abou Habibi. diarhabibi@gnet.tn

Budget

 * Hotel Warda. residencewarda@gmail.com. 76 452 597

Mid-range

 * can book via messenger or f/b .  they do reply in hours sometimes sooner
 * Residence L'oued . 76 463 036.
 * Hafsi
 * Sarra
 * Oasis. info.oasistozeur@yadis.com
 * Ramia. 76 454 555
 * Dar Ghaouar. 76 454 255
 * Borj El Aali. hotel_borjelaali@yahoo.fr
 * Du Jardin

Splurge

 * Dar Chrait
 * Palm Beach
 * Mouradi Tozeur
 * Ksar Rouge
 * Ksar Djerid
 * La Palmeraie. lapalmeraie@fram.fr
 * Palmyre
 * Ras El Ain

Connect
A small internet cafe is located 30 m south of the bus station. 3G signal is strong in the city and also in the entire region, including the desert and salt lake.

Go next

 * Douz
 * Gabes