Essentials
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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