Matmata — Troglodyte Houses & Star Wars
Matmata is a village like nowhere else — a lunar landscape of underground Berber homes carved into the earth, and the location of the Hotel Sidi Driss, the interior of Luke Skywalker's home in Star Wars.
The Troglodyte Houses
Matmata's famous homes are troglodyte dwellings — rooms dug around a sunken central courtyard, carved into the soft sandstone hills centuries ago by Berber communities. The thick earth walls keep the interiors cool by day and warm at night, a natural answer to the desert climate. Many families still live in them and welcome visitors.
The Star Wars Connection
The Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata served as the interior of the Lars Homestead — Luke Skywalker's home on Tatooine — in the original 1977 film, and again in the prequels. The dining room, courtyards and set dressing are largely preserved, and you can even stay the night in one of the cave rooms.
Things to Do
- Visit Hotel Sidi Driss — walk the original Star Wars set.
- Tour a troglodyte home — meet families living the traditional way.
- Berber Museum — local history and crafts.
- Nearby Tamezret & Haddej — stone villages and an underground olive press.
How to Get There
Matmata is about 40 km from Gabès and is usually visited on a 2-day desert tour from Djerba, combined with Tataouine and Ksar Ghilane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Matmata is famous for its underground Berber troglodyte houses and for the Hotel Sidi Driss, which served as the interior of Luke Skywalker's home on Tatooine in Star Wars.
Yes. The Hotel Sidi Driss is a working troglodyte hotel where you can stay overnight in cave rooms, surrounded by preserved Star Wars set dressing.
Matmata is about 40 km from Gabès and roughly 2 hours from Djerba. It is usually included on a 2 or 3-day desert tour from Djerba alongside Tataouine and Ksar Ghilane.