Houmt Souk Sights from Fortress to Fish Market

October 31, 2026

The main sights of Houmt Souk gather around its fishing port and the souk quarter. Beyond them, the villages of Djerba hold more heritage within 20 km. Opening details below come from the heritage authority unless stated, and it is wise to confirm hours locally before a special trip.

Sight	Where	Visiting notes
Borj El Kebir	By the port	8 TND non-resident, closed Fridays
Heritage museum	Town centre	8 TND non-resident, closed Fridays
Mosque of the Turks	Behind Saint Joseph church	Exterior only
Mosque of the Strangers	Town centre	Exterior only
Souk Errbaa	Centre	Market hall and nearby lanes

Borj El Kebir

Built in the 15th century by the Hafsids and surrounded by a moat, the fortress was repaired from 1567 by the Ottoman governor Ghazi Mustapha. French troops held it from 1881. Restoration began in 1969, and it has welcomed visitors since the early 1980s. Winter hours are 09:30 to 16:30, summer hours 08:00 to 17:00 and Ramadan hours 09:00 to 17:00. Some guide sites quote different hours and a camera fee, so confirm at the gate.

Tower of Skulls site

After the Ottoman victory at Djerba in 1560, the bones of the defeated Christian force were piled into a tower known as Borj er-Rous. The tower was taken down in the 19th century, and the heritage page credits Ahmed Bey with the order. A French-era obelisk now marks the area, and sources differ on its exact position. Treat it as a memorial and keep a respectful tone.

Museum of the Traditional Heritage of Djerba

Opened in December 2008, the museum took over from the 1969 collection once housed in the Zaouia of Sidi Zitouni, a late-18th-century shrine that now serves as an interpretation centre. Exhibits deal with building styles, dress, jewellery, farming, fishing, pottery and ceremonies. Hours are 09:30 to 16:30 in winter and 09:00 to 17:00 in summer. A shop and cafeteria are on site. Hours can be erratic.

Mosques

The Mosque of the Turks, Jamaa Ettrouk, dates to the 16th century by most accounts and was the island’s only Hanafi mosque before its congregation moved to the Maliki rite. The Mosque of the Strangers, Jamaa El Ghorba, follows the Maliki rite. Both are best appreciated from the street, because non-Muslim visitors are not routinely admitted inside.

Souk quarter and port

Souk Errbaa is a covered hall for textiles, palm-leaf goods and souvenirs. Nearby are the jewellers’ lanes and the Central Market, plus funduqs, once inns for merchants. Down at the port, fish is auctioned in the mornings, with a crier calling bids from a high chair.

Outside the centre

Erriadh, about 8 km. Home to Djerbahood, a collection of about 250 murals by over 150 artists, and El Ghriba, an active synagogue and pilgrimage site. An armed attack in 2023 killed five people, and a bombing in 2002 killed about 20. Visitors pass checkpoints and ID checks, should dress modestly and need to bring their own head covering. Access times are best checked locally.
Guellala, about 20 km. The island’s pottery village and a museum of traditional life.
The Taguermess lighthouse on the east side of the island.

In 2023 Djerba was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as “Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory”.

Guided sightseeing can be searched on Viator . The fortress page and the museum page give official hours, and the Mosque of the Turks article covers its history.