To get a warmer feeling in this after Christmas and New Year’s period, I would like you to get a view of this amazing location in Tunisia - 40km (25mi) away from the town of Gabes.
The seemingly deserted lunar-like outpost has been made famous in the Star Wars movie in 1970s. The location features a network of fascinating underground rooms dug around vertical walled circular pits.
The smaller rooms are located on the second floor, reached by stairs, and commonly used as store rooms. These pit dwellings carved from the sandstone hills of Matmata are home to more than 5000 locals who moved here from the hillside fortress visible from the new town of today.
Living in the pit dwellings is a natural temperature control essential in this arid location. While in the village, be sure to respect the privacy of the locals and instead of peering into their homes, visit the museum, created by the local women or spend a night in one of the converted caves watching the stars wheel overhead.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are three roads that lead to Matmata – from Toujane, Douz and Gabes.
WHAT TO DO
Spend an unforgettable night in a hotel such as Les Berberes which in fact is a converted set of caves.
KNOWN FOR
Part of the Star Wars movie was filmed here in 1970s.
