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Matmata Troglodyte Village

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Historical site

Weather…

Matmata is a Berber-speaking town in southern Tunisia, globally renowned for its unique troglodyte structures built into the ground. Residents created these homes by excavating deep, circular pits in the soft sandstone and then tunneling into the side walls to create rooms. This subterranean architecture provides a natural thermal buffer against the extreme desert temperatures, remaining cool in summer and warm in winter. The origins of these dwellings date back several centuries, serving as both a defensive strategy against invaders and a response to the harsh climate of the Dahar plateau. The village gained international fame in the late 1970s when it served as a filming location for the Star Wars movie franchise, with the Hotel Sidi Driss being used as the Lars homestead. While many inhabitants moved to the nearby modern town of Nouvelle Matmata in the 1960s, dozens of traditional pit houses are still occupied or preserved for visitors. The site remains a powerful symbol of Berber ingenuity and one of Tunisia's most iconic cultural landscapes, showcasing ancient survival techniques.

Location: Tunisia
Top sights: Musee dar Khadija · Dar Taoufik Matmata · Madrassa Sidi Moussa Jomani
Nearby: El Hamma (41 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	9	11	15	19	23	27	30	30	27	22	15	11
Rain mm	11	12	18	14	10	3	1	3	20	19	23	24

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The Matmata Troglodyte Village is a historic Berber village known for its underground cave dwellings. Visitors can view some of these dwellings, which provide shelter from the extreme desert climate.

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Typical hours

The village is generally open to visitors during daytime, but individual cave dwellings have different visiting hours. Many are still inhabited or used as hotels, so it's best to ask ahead.

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Photography

Photography is generally allowed in the public cave dwellings, but in inhabited rooms you should ask permission. Flash can disturb residents, so natural light is preferred.

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Time needed

A visit to the village usually takes about one to two hours, including viewing two or three cave dwellings. If you stay overnight in one of the cave hotels, the stay extends accordingly.

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Combine with

Combine the visit with a drive through the surrounding desert landscape or a visit to the nearby town of Gabès. The region is also known for its traditional Berber markets.

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Getting there

The village is located about 20 km south of Gabès and is accessible by car or taxi. The roads are well-maintained, but the last few kilometers may have gravel roads.

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Insider tip

Visit the village early in the morning to avoid tourist crowds and enjoy the silence of the underground passages. Negotiate the entrance fee for family-run caves directly with the residents.

Geography

Coordinates

33.54220, 9.96640

Facts

The homes are often located up to 7 meters below the ground surface.
Hotel Sidi Driss served as the filming location for Luke Skywalker's home in 1976.
Severe flooding in the 1960s led to the creation of Nouvelle Matmata.
A typical central courtyard measures between 10 and 15 meters in diameter.
The architecture utilizes the soft marlstone found in the Dahar region.
Matmata is situated approximately 40 kilometers southwest of the port of Gabès.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Nawara Gas Processing Plant35 km · NExplore →

Gabes Oasis40 km · NExplore →

Gabes Cement Plant40 km · NExplore →

El Hamma41 km · NExplore →

Port of Gabes44 km · NExplore →

Gabes Coast45 km · NEExplore →

Dahar Plateau49 km · SEExplore →

Medenine53 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Matmata Troglodyte Village (6)

Musee dar Khadija 🏛 museum

This local museum in Matmata showcases the traditional lifestyle and artifacts of the region's unique troglodyte dwellings.

Dar Taoufik Matmata 🏛 museum

Set within a traditional excavated home, this museum has visitors an authentic look at Berber underground living in Matmata.

Madrassa Sidi Moussa Jomani 🏛 museum

Housed in a historic Islamic school building, this site now serves as a museum dedicated to Matmata's religious and cultural heritage.

maisons souterraines🏺 historical

These historic subterranean houses in Matmata form an intricate network of pit dwellings dug to escape the intense desert heat.

Village Beni Seggane🏺 historical

The remnants of this ancient village highlight the historical settlement patterns of Berber communities in the Matmata region.

Zegrarine village (maisons souterraines)🏺 historical

Exploring this abandoned troglodyte village reveals traditional vaulted rooms clustered around deep craters in the Matmata landscape.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What are troglodyte dwellings?

Traditional houses dug deep into the earth to protect from heat.

Can you visit the houses?

Yes, many residents let tourists look at their homes for a small tip.

Is it really like in the movie?

Yes, Matmata served as a setting for Star Wars and many recognize the place.

How much time is needed?

A few hours are enough to see the area and some dwellings.

Are there hotels on-site?

Yes, there are even hotels housed in caves themselves.

Matmata Troglodyte Village: where is it located?

Matmata Troglodyte Village is located in Tunisia.

Matmata Troglodyte Village: what is there to see?

Highlights include Musee dar Khadija, Dar Taoufik Matmata, Madrassa Sidi Moussa Jomani.

Matmata Troglodyte Village: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Oct.

Matmata Troglodyte Village: why is it worth visiting?

Matmata is a Berber-speaking town in southern Tunisia, globally renowned for its unique troglodyte structures built into the ground.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Matmata Troglodyte Village

Best time to visit & climate