Matmata & Ksar Ghilane private tour from Monastir

Troglodyte homes carved into the earth, then a natural hot spring in the desert.

A private full-day tour from Monastir to Matmata and Ksar Ghilane with hotel pickup and air-conditioned vehicle, visiting underground Berber dwellings and bathing in a natural hot spring surrounded by palm trees and red sand dunes. Entrance fees are paid directly on site. The nine-hour itinerary leaves the morning or evening free depending on your pickup time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Matmata and Ksar Ghilane Oasis

• Visit troglodyte houses in Matmata
• Meet a local family
• Explore underground homes
• Travel to Ksar Ghilane oasis
• Relax in natural hot spring

The experience

Matmata is where Berber families carved homes directly into the earth to escape the heat, and you'll visit a local family to see the interior of these underground dwellings firsthand. The houses are also known from Star Wars filming locations. Your private driver picks you up from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and handles the route. You pay any entrance fees when you arrive.

From Matmata, the tour heads south to Ksar Ghilane, an oasis where the paved road ends and the Grand Erg Oriental desert begins. The natural hot spring here is surrounded by palm trees and red sand dunes, and you'll have time to bathe in the warm water. The full day runs nine hours from pickup to return, so timing depends on which part of the day works best for the rest of your itinerary.

What’s included

• Private transportation with hotel pickup and return.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide in your chosen language.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

AgesUp to age 80

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German, Arabic and Romanian

Audio guideEnglish, French, German, Arabic and Romanian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 17.04

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by OMH Travel Service

Is this one for you?Nine hours is long enough to see both Matmata's underground homes and bathe in Ksar Ghilane's hot spring, but leaves your morning or evening free depending on when you depart. The private vehicle means no group schedule to follow and no shared stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German, Arabic and Romanian.

What are the troglodyte houses in Matmata?

Matmata's troglodyte homes are underground dwellings carved by Berber families into the earth as protection from extreme heat. You visit a local family's home to see how the interior is arranged and used, and these same houses were used as filming locations for the Star Wars saga.

Can I swim or bathe at Ksar Ghilane?

Yes, Ksar Ghilane has a natural hot spring where you can bathe, surrounded by palm trees and red sand dunes at the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental desert.

What's included in the tour price?

Private transportation with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a guide are included. Entrance fees to Matmata and Ksar Ghilane, meals, and optional activities are paid separately on site.

How long is the full day and when does it start?

The tour runs nine hours from hotel pickup to return. Your departure time depends on your hotel location and when you prefer to travel. Confirm the pickup window when you book.