Djerba is the kind of easygoing resort that sums up island living. Just 5 km off Tunisia's southern coast, this island idyll's gently sloping sandy beaches and perfect Mediterranean climate has made it a popular stop for travellers looking for a winter beach break.

Although there are plentiful resorts to cater for this crowd, Djerba is full of sightseeing attractions with timeless villages and watercolour-worthy scenery for those that care to delve deeper into the culture. It's also a great spot to base yourself if you want to explore some of southern Tunisia's most famed sights on a series of day trips.

Tourist Attractions in Djerba

This interesting little folk museum is housed in the beautiful 18th century Zaouia of Sidi Zitouni with its impressive stalactite-designed ceilings. The former prayer hall is now given over to displays of vibrant traditional costumes. Culture-lovers shouldn't miss a visit here to dig a little deeper under Djerba's resort skin. Exhibits explore and preserve the island's cultural traditions, with delicately beautiful old jewellery, ceramics and traditional wedding chests on display. One small room is devoted to old editions of the Qur'an.

One of the most surreal scenery attractions in Tunisia, the Chott el Djerid is an easy day trip from Djerba. This mammoth salt-pan stretches for kilometres, its surface an unearthly shimmering bluish-white crust of salt. In some places, the salt has crystallized into bizarrely shaped pinnacles or into clusters of multi-coloured deposits. Springtime visitors should be able to spot the flamingos that breed here, building their nests and raising their young before flying off again by July. 11 Zarzis