🇹🇳 Matmata,
Tunisia
#3165
Nomad Score
4.9
Coords
33.5457377, 9.9671116
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Matmata, Gabès Governorate, Tunisia |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1,800 (Old Matmata) to 15,000 (New Matmata) |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 10-20 Mbps on 4G; fiber optic is unavailable in the troglodyte zone |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 TND ≈ 0.32 USD, 1 USD ≈ 3.12 TND (March 2026) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not recommended for drinking; use bottled water (Safi or Sabrine, 0.800 TND) |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Ooredoo or Tunisie Telecom (Approx. 25 TND for 25GB) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | BIAT or Amen Bank in Gabès; local ATMs available in Matmata Nouvelle; Wise/Revolut for ATMs |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Cave hotels (Troglodytes) and traditional guesthouses (Dars) |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | No, Matmata is heavily cash-reliant; cards only at major hotels |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb (limited) and Boutique Guesthouses (e.g., Au Trait d'Union) |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hotel Sidi Driss (approx. 60 TND per night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Ancienne Matmata (Old Matmata) for the troglodyte experience |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Guesthouse Tamezret (10km away) for better Wi-Fi and quiet surroundings |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | None (nearest in Gabès: Lab'ess Gabès) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Restaurant Les Berbères (decent 4G signal and power outlets) |
| 💼 Networking Events | Limited to informal meetups at local mountain festivals |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Tunisia Facebook Group; local craft workshops in Tamezret |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | No apps; use yellow 'Louage' (shared taxis) from Matmata to Gabès (approx. 4.5 TND) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Not available; walking is primary for the village |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Gabès Beach (approx. 45 mins away by car) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Tunisair Express (Flights from Tunis to Gabès-Matmata International Airport) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Tunisair, Air France, Nouvelair |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | C104 connects to Route Nationale 1 (N1) for coastal access |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Gabès Railway Station (SNCFT) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | None; pay per trip in cash on Louages or local buses |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Louage (Shared taxi) to Douz (Desert gateway) or Gabès |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Gabès Regional Hospital (40km away) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Private sessions at Dar Hi (Nefta) or spiritual retreats in the Berber mountains |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Local small gyms in Matmata Nouvelle (Matmata Jedida) |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Provided by hotels like Hotel Marhala (approx. 10 TND per load) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | None available; local pickup only |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Mloukhia or Couscous with lamb and dried meat (Kadid) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Ojja (without Merguez), Mechouia Salad, and Brik with potato |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Local honey-dipped dates and 'Zriba' (pastry with dates) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Matmata Weekly Souk (Every Saturday/Monday) |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Jumia Tunisia (shipping to Gabès primary pickup points) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Not available; local small 'alimentation générale' shops |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Bar at Hotel Diar El Barbar (one of the few licensed venues) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Celtia (National beer) found in hotel bars |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | None; wine served only in higher-end hotel restaurants |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Chapati Matmata (local sandwich) at Matmata Jedida center |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Limited; mostly pizza/pasta at Hotel Les Berbères |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Hotel Sidi Driss (Star Wars filming location) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Musée Berbère de Tamezret |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Troglodyte underground dwellings |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Mosque of Matmata Nouvelle |
| 🎉 Annual Events | International Festival of Matmata (Summer/Sept) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Old Berber village of Tamezret |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Gabès Cultural Center (nearest) |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Souk of Matmata (Spices, crafts, and hand-woven rugs) |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Traditional Berber folk music (Zokra and Tabbal) |
| 🎨 Street Art | Berber calligraphy on cave entrances |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Traditional bread-making at Dar Ayed |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Local rug weaving cooperatives |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Ancient Ksar nearby (e.g., Ksar Hadada) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Amazigh (Berber) identity and language |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Djeffara Plain and the Dahars Mountains |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Jbil National Park (approx. 2 hours away in the Sahara) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Hiking trails between Matmata, Tamezret, and Toujane |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The 'Crater' viewpoints overlooking the moon-like landscape |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Gabès Oasis (Oasis maritime) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Desert campsites near Douz (approx. 1.5 hours away) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Rapid-Poste (located in Matmata Nouvelle) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Mobile repair shops in Matmata Jedida |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Youth center (Maison des Jeunes) in Matmata Nouvelle |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Informal Arabic/Berber lessons at Tamezret Museum |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Public Library in Matmata Nouvelle |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Maison de la Culture Matmata |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Small 'Publinet' gaming cafes in the new town |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | None (Gambling is restricted in Tunisia) |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 1,200 TND per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 48,000 TND) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 900 TND per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 36,000 TND) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 1,100 TND per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 66,000 TND) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 850 TND per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 51,000 TND) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 1,000 TND per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 80,000 TND) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 800 TND per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 64,000 TND) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income for residents (>183 days) |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% |
| 🧾 VAT | 19% (Standard rate) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No specific CFC rules, but general anti-avoidance measures apply |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, annual municipal tax based on property area and location |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% Registration fee plus 1% property protection tax |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Currently no specific digital nomad visa; standard residency applies |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING MATMATA