Matmata is defined above all by its underground homes. The apparent craters are their courtyards; residents live in underground chambers that protect them from intense heat. Nearby, Tamazret sits on the slope of the Djebel Dahar Plateau and offers panoramic views across the vast, very flat plateau. The architecture and landscape thus offer different considerations when choosing a destination.

Underground Homes and Their Layout

The homes can be understood through their layout: a central courtyard forms the middle, with bedrooms arranged around it. The apparent craters are precisely these courtyards of the underground homes. Together with the chambers that protect against intense heat, they make up a type of dwelling in which the courtyard, bedrooms, and underground construction work together. Those interested in traditional architecture can therefore explore not only individual building features in Matmata, but also the arrangement of rooms as part of the concept of the home.

A Film Connection in Matmata

Some scenes from the Star Wars saga were filmed in Matmata. This film connection offers a second way to experience the place, distinct from its residential architecture: alongside the traditional homes, film history is also one of the themes associated with Matmata. When choosing a destination, both interests can coexist without describing the same aspect of the place.

The Plateau and Nearby Area

The nearby town of Tamazret is located on the slope of the Djebel Dahar Plateau. From there, panoramic views extend across the vast, very flat plateau. The panorama also includes hills, strips of terrain, and knolls that separate wadis of varying sizes. The landscape thus encompasses both the expanse of the plateau and its varied terrain.

The area around Matmata also includes a valley shaped like a basin, adding another type of landscape to the view of the plateau.

Travel Orientation

A road connects Matmata with Douz and Medenine. This provides a specific transport link for getting around the region, alongside the destination’s cultural and landscape themes. If you include Matmata in your travel plans, Douz and Medenine can also be considered as destinations via this road connection.

Gabes in the Broader Regional Context

The wider destination of Gabes has its own city, oasis, and coastal attractions. The old town of Gabes is known for its authentic atmosphere. In the oasis, pomegranate trees blossom at the beginning of summer and bear sweet, juicy fruit in autumn. Numerous herons and flamingos can be found on the beaches of Gabes.

Gabes’s architectural heritage also offers a distinct historical connection: several monuments date from the 17th century, including mosques, the mausoleum of the saint Sidi Boulbaba, and a medersa. The medersa has since been converted into a museum of folk art and traditions. A broader look at Gabes thus reveals themes that differ from Matmata’s underground residential architecture and the nearby panoramic views of the plateau.

Discover more destinations: Tamezret

For the broader travel overview: Gabes.