Ksar Ghilane & Matmata tour: Hot spring & cave houses

Soak in a desert hot spring, then explore the cave villages where Star Wars was filmed

This eight to ten hour day tour from Djerba takes you south into the Tunisian desert to Ksar Ghilane oasis, where you swim in a natural hot spring and have free time for optional activities like camel rides or quad biking. The route includes Matmata's famous cave houses and the Sidi Idriss Inn, the Star Wars filming location, plus the traditional Berber village of Toujane with its stone houses and valley views. Lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle and a live guide in English or French are included. Hotel pickup from Djerba is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ksar Ghilane, Matmata, and Toujane

• Visit Ksar Ghilane Oasis
• Enjoy hot spring swim or optional activities
• Have lunch at the foot of the dunes
• Explore Matmata cave houses
• Visit Sidi Idriss Inn
• Discover Toujane Berber village

The experience

How do you get to a hot spring in the middle of the Tunisian desert without renting a car? The tour picks you up from your Djerba hotel and drives south into the Sahara, arriving at Ksar Ghilane oasis by mid-morning. The oasis sits at the foot of sand dunes, and you have free time to swim in the naturally heated spring water or choose optional activities like a camel ride or quad bike ride across the dunes. Lunch happens at the oasis before you move on.

From there the route turns toward Matmata, a town carved into the earth. The houses are built down into the ground, with courtyards sunk below street level and rooms tunneled into the rock. A design that keeps the interiors cool in summer heat. You visit the Sidi Idriss Inn, the cave dwelling where scenes from the Star Wars films were shot. The final stop is Toujane, a traditional Berber village clinging to the rocky slopes of the Dahar region, where stone houses line narrow alleyways and the views open onto surrounding valleys. The village is also known for its textile craftwork.

The group stays small, and the vehicle is air-conditioned throughout. Your guide speaks English or French and leads you through each stop. The whole day runs eight to ten hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.
• lunch at Ksar Ghilane oasis.
• guided tour in English or French.
• hotel pickup from Djerba and return transport.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to15h before

AgesUp to age 80

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 51

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by GSA-Voyages - Grand-Sahara-Aventures Djerba

Is this one for you?The tour leaves from Djerba with hotel pickup included, so you do not need to arrange your own transport to the desert. If you are staying on the island without a rental car, this route is built to collect you and return you without extra logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What is the Ksar Ghilane hot spring like, and can I swim in it?

Ksar Ghilane is a natural oasis where a hot spring feeds pools at the foot of sand dunes. You have free time to swim in the spring water during the tour. It is one of the main reasons people book this route. You can also choose to skip the water and spend the time on optional activities like a camel ride or quad biking instead.

Is the Sidi Idriss Inn in Matmata really where they filmed Star Wars?

Yes, the Sidi Idriss Inn in Matmata is the cave dwelling used for Star Wars filming. You visit it as part of the tour and see the cave house architecture that made it a filming location. Matmata's entire underground settlement of cave houses is the main draw of that stop.

What is Toujane village known for besides its location?

Toujane is a traditional Berber village famous for its textile craftwork. The stone houses cling to the rocky slopes of the Dahar region, and the alleyways and valley views offer a look at how people live in this part of southern Tunisia away from the tourist centers.

Do I need to be fit or athletic for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers due to the vehicle travel and terrain.