Tozeur

Tozeur is a city in southwestern Tunisia and the capital of Tozeur Governorate. Set in an extensive oasis at the edge of the Saharan desert, it lies near the Chott el Djerid salt lake. The town functions as a regional administrative, commercial, and tourist center, with its palm groves, traditional architecture, and souks sustaining a local economy alongside date production and crafts.

The oasis supports one of Tunisia’s best-known date crops, especially the Deglet Nour variety. The climate is hot and arid, with very hot summers and mild winters; annual rainfall is scarce and irrigation relies on springs and wells feeding the palm groves.

Historically a crossroads of Berber and Arab influences, Tozeur developed around its oasis with a Medina that preserves traditional brickwork and narrow streets. The old town hosts mosques, markets, and craft workshops for pottery, carpets, and woven goods. Tourism centers on the oasis landscape, desert excursions, and cultural heritage sites.

Tozeur is served by Tozeur–Nefta International Airport, with connections to Tunis and seasonal international services. The city is linked by road to other Tunisian towns and serves as a gateway for visitors to the Sahara and Chott el Djerid. The local economy combines agriculture, date processing, tourism, and film-related activities.

Tozeur gained broader international recognition as a filming location for Star Wars Episode I, with exterior desert scenes used to portray the planet Tatooine.