Imagine a place where the sands of the desert have been touched by the magic of Hollywood stardust. You've found it with this two-day tour, which'll show you some of Tunisia's most famous film locations. You'll visit a Roman amphitheatre, explore underground cave homes, cross a vast salt lake and discover a legendary film set on the fringes of the Sahara. Hamdi, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Between Matmata and Douz, there are endless "ergs" – sand dunes – in the restless desert. This desert is not a dead entity, it's even cultivated in places by those who inhabit it. The sands come alive according to the seasons.'
Embark on your sandy adventure at El Djem Amphitheatre. One of the best-preserved Roman arenas in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was featured in Gladiator and once held crowds of 35,000 spectators for gladiatorial contests. You'll then head to Matmata, where you'll have lunch and visit the underground cave homes that starred as Luke Skywalker's home in the Star Wars saga. Finish the day in the oasis town of Douz, known as the gateway to the Sahara, for an overnight stay. This is a great spot to take an optional camel or carriage ride in the desert.
After breakfast, you'll cross Chott el Jerid, Tunisia's largest salt lake, where shimmering white salt crystals create a surreal landscape. Then, jump into a 4x4 for a ride to Onk Jemal, where you'll discover the Star Wars film set city still standing among the desert dunes. After lunch in Gafsa, you'll round off the tour with a photo stop overlooking Kairouan's Great Mosque, where you can admire the distinctive skyline of one of Islam's holiest cities.
