What it is
An island of about 500 square kilometres off the southeast coast, joined to the mainland by a Roman-era causeway and served by its own airport. Long sandy beaches on the northeast side, whitewashed villages and small mosques inland, a covered market at Houmt Souk, and El Ghriba, one of the oldest synagogues in Africa and a pilgrimage site with a permanent security presence.
Why go
It is the standard week-on-the-beach part of a Tunisia trip, close enough to the desert to combine the two. The inland villages and the old fishing harbour give it something the purpose-built resort strips on the mainland do not have.
When to go
May to October for swimming; the sea is warmest in September. July and August are hot and full. Winter is mild at 16-18°C but too cold to swim, and a lot of the hotels shut. This is a beach holiday, not a cultural trip; pair it with the Roman sites or the Sahara if you want more than that.
Most people stay 3-5 nights.