Lesser-known Mediterranean island is 'out of this world' with £40 return flights

A perfect winter sun spot (Picture: Getty Images) You’ve sunbathed in Tenerife, partied in Ibiza and admired the breathtaking sunsets in Santorini. And now, there’s another Mediterranean island to add to your holiday hit list. Djerba, an island situated off the Tunisian coast, has been named in Easyjet’s Great British Holiday Audit 2026 as an up and coming spot for British holiday makers. The low budget airline says that UK travellers are willing to travel further for their trips, with flights of five to six hours becoming the new norm. It means that Djerba, with its blend of adventure and value, has seen a 12% increase in bookings over the past year. Fancy a dip? (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The island, which Easyjet dub ‘lesser-known’ is the largest in North Africa, and was also named by Condé Nast Traveller in their list of the best 25 places to go to last year. The publication calls the destination ‘delightfully unorthodox’, adding the Djerba is ‘complete with turquoise waters, flocks of flamingos, and well-dressed camels.’ WIN an overnight stay for two at ‘stylish’ Edinburgh hotel The Rutland The perfect base for exploring Scotland's UNESCO-listed capital (Picture: The Rutland Hotel) To celebrate the launch of The Getaway Expert, Metro’s exclusive travel newsletter, we’ve teamed up with The Rutland Hotel, Edinburgh to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a glamorous overnight stay for two, dinner and breakfast included. To find out more and for your chance to win, simply submit your details in the form here before midnight on February 15, 2026. You must be aged 18 or over to enter. T&Cs apply. There’s something for everyone: traditional villages, pristine beaches and even a tourist attraction for Star Wars lovers. Here’s everything you need to know.  How to get to Djerba  Djerba is a hidden gem with hardly any tourists (Picture: Getty Images) Easyjet currently flies from directly from Manchester and Luton to Djerba-Zarzis International Airport. The flight time is around three hours and 25 minutes, with tickets starting at £40 return in February 2026, according to Skyscanner. Once you’re on the island, it’s easy to get around. While public transportation is limited, taxis are everywhere – and are reasonably priced.  Motorcycles and quad bikes are also available to hire on the island, for those looking for a quicker way to explore.  Nestled in the Gulf of Gabes, on the east coast, Djerba is the largest island in North Africa (Picture: Metro.co.uk) What’s the weather like in Djerba? Many find the best time to visit Djerba is during the spring (April to early June) when the weather is warm but comfortable.  Djerba enjoys a hot and dry Mediterranean climate, with over 300 days of sunshine and very little yearly rainfall. Even in February, the average temperature is around 18°C. However, the summer months – particularly July and August –can be unbearably hot, with sizzling temperatures often exceeding 33°C. October is the wettest season in Djerba, and visitors should be prepared for light or moderate showers throughout their visit.  Meanwhile, the winters offer milder weather, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 16°C, and fewer tourists for those who want to escape the crowds.  Djerba enjoys a hot and dry Mediterranean climate, with over 300 days of sunshine per year (Picture: Getty Images) Things to do in Djerba  Djerba is perhaps best known for its stunning white-sand beaches and azure waters, and is often called the ‘island of a thousand palm trees’. However, aside from its coastlines, Djerba boasts a rich cultural and art scene. One of its main attractions is ‘Djerbahood’, an open-air art museum in the village of Eriiadh. In 2014, the neighbourhood saw 150 artists from 30 countries collaborate on a street art project, resulting in 250 coloured stencils, paintings and graffiti covering the walls and buildings of the traditional medina.  Although many of the works have faded over the years, the museum is still a popular spot for tourists to explore. A Tripadvisor review of the area from 2024, written by Above the Clouds, read: ‘This is talent. The art was out of this world. Just outstanding.’ There’s plenty to explore in the market district (Picture: Getty Images) Another, Abdel-Rahman Ghandour, described the area as a ‘delightful surprise’, adding: ‘What a delight to walk along the narrow alleys and discover great large drawings on walls at every turn.’ The island is a melting pot of culture where Judaism and Islam coexist, with over 350 mosques on the island, including the Jama Fadloud and Sidi Yati Mosque. Meanwhile, El Ghriba Synagogue, with it’s beautiful blue tiles, is a popular spot for visitors. In the capital, Houmt Souk – which translates to ‘market district’ – there’s plenty for visitors to explore. Its cobblestone streets are home to bustling markets, shops galore, and the imposing Aghlabid Fortress, which dates back to the 9th century.  Djerba might also be the perfect getaway for Star Wars fans. Located just outside Ajim in western Djerba is a historic mosque, which was used for the exterior shots of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s house in Star Wars: A New Hope.  Where to stay in Djerba  Although a relatively small island, Djerba packs a lot in, and visitors could spend days enjoying the island.  ‘Djerba is the sort of place that can entrance you for many days, but if pressed, you could squeeze its highlights into just 24 hours,’ writes Lonely Planet.  Visitors could spend days exploring the island (Picture: Getty Images) The majority of its hotels are concentrated along the northeastern coast, particularly around the Midoun and Sidi Mahrez Beach.  If you can't have a good time in Milton Keynes, there's something wrong with you 9 carry‑on travel essentials that transform economy flights into total comfort £50,000 tote bags and unending queues: The rise of grocery store tourism For those wanting a five-star experience, the Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso is located directly on the beach and offers a host of spa and massage treatments.  Those seeking a more authentic vibe could try the Hotel Djeba Authentique in Midoun, which has a traditional charm and luxurious amenities, at a lower price point. Is it safe to travel to Tunisia right now? The UK Foreign Office updated its travel advice to Tunisia in January. It currently warns against all travel to parts of Tunisia — but there are currently no warnings advising against travel to Djerba. Areas where FCDO advises against travel: Western Tunisia, including the Tunisia-Algeria border FCDO advises against all travel to: the Chaambi Mountains National Park the designated military operations zones: Mount Salloum Mount Sammamma Mount Mghila This is due to cross-border terrorist activity and operations by the Tunisian security forces.  In addition, FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: areas north and west of the town of Ghardimaou in Jendouba Governorate, including El Feidja National Park within 30km of the Tunisia-Algeria border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates, south of the town of Jendouba, including the archaeological site of Chemtou Kasserine Governorate, including the town of Sbeitla within 10km of the rest of the Tunisia-Algeria border south of Kasserine Governorate within 10km of Mount Mghila Mount Orbata Southern Tunisia, including the Tunisia-Libya border FCDO advises against all travel to these areas: the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba within 20km of the rest of the Tunisia-Libya border area north of Dhehiba the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area This is due to cross-border terrorist activity and fighting in Libya. In addition, FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 75km of the Tunisia-Libya border, including Remada, El Borma and the town of Zarzis Find out more information here. This article was originally published in November 2024 and has since been updated. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk. Arrow MORE: A holiday from myself — no electricity, no running water and total silence Arrow MORE: If you can’t have a good time in Milton Keynes, there’s something wrong with you — B-List Britain Arrow MORE: Romantic cities that won’t break the bank in 2026 — with weekend stays from £250 Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.
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