Exercise Increased Caution
“There was no change to the advisory level. The “Crime” and “Unrest” risk indicators were added.”
Updated Thu, 21 May 2026
Full advisory →Is Djerba Island safe? 🇹🇳
Tunisia · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Djerba Island scores 71/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes—Djerba is moderately safe for travelers, with notably lower crime than mainland Tunisia and strong security at tourist sites. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Djerba Island 🇹🇳
Tunisia · Assessed 29 July 2026
71
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~74% of countries
What drives this score
Crime71/100GoodHomicide 4.7 / 100k
Sentiment84/100GoodMostly positive with informed caution
Advisories72Good
Stability56Fair
Health69Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 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.”
Updated 2026-07-24T16:07:53Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Tunisia: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
78 / 100 (Mostly positive with informed caution)
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Homicide rate
4.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Tunisia4.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
68
Robbery / mugging
LowStreet robbery and mugging of tourists are not documented as significant concerns; petty theft is the primary risk in markets and beaches.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in Houmt Souk (main market), busy beaches, and tourist souks; standard urban precautions apply.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive with informed caution
84/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive with informed caution
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent travel guides (2025–2026) describe Djerba as relaxed, tourism-focused, and welcoming, with visitors noting the island's tranquility compared to mainland Tunisia. Safety concerns are mentioned but widely seen as manageable within resort and tourist zones. Solo female travelers report feeling generally safe when following local customs.
Yes—Djerba is moderately safe for travelers, with notably lower crime than mainland Tunisia and strong security at tourist sites.
Djerba Island is significantly safer than Tunisia's mainland cities, benefiting from a tourism-focused economy and reinforced security presence. Petty theft in markets and beaches is the primary street concern; violent crime against visitors is rare. The May 2023 synagogue attack was an isolated incident not targeting tourists, after which authorities increased protection at places of worship and resort areas.
Recent developments
- May 2023Attack near El Ghriba Synagogue on Djerba; 6 killed. Authorities responded with reinforced security at religious sites and tourist areas.— Al Jazeera, dw.com
- Mar 2025The Times: Djerba highlighted as sunny, uncrowded Mediterranean destination with direct flights now available.— The Times
- Feb 2026Djerba named 2026 up-and-coming Mediterranean destination by travel press.— Metro.co.uk
Common scams
- Taxi meter fraud or overcharging (agree fare in advance)
- Houmt Souk overpricing (main market targets tourists with inflated prices)
- Fake guides and fake 'tour' schemes via hotel concierges
- Medina sellers pressuring tourists into purchases or commissions
Full briefing
Bottom line: Djerba is safe for travelers—one of Tunisia's safest destinations. The island's economy is built on tourism, and security at resorts and popular sites is strong. Day-to-day crime is genuinely low, especially compared to mainland cities like Tunis or Sousse.
What the data shows: Petty theft in markets and on beaches is the realistic concern, not violent crime. The May 2023 attack at El Ghriba Synagogue was an isolated incident targeting a religious site during a Jewish pilgrimage; it did not target tourists, and authorities have since increased security at places of worship and tourist zones. Official travel advisories (Canada, US State Department) list Djerba in the green—coastal resorts fall outside every warning zone. The UK FCDO advises *against* travel only to Western Tunisia and designated military zones; Djerba is not in those areas.
On the ground: Houmt Souk (the main market) and crowded beaches see pickpocketing and bag-snatching; watch belongings closely, avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and don't accept unsolicited "guides" or services from hotel staff—commission schemes are common. Taxi drivers sometimes skip the meter; agree on a fare upfront. Heat in July reaches 44°C—dehydration is a real hazard; carry water constantly.
How visitors report it: Recent travel blogs (2025–2026) consistently describe Djerba as more tranquil and orderly than mainland Tunisia, with visitors noting the island's tourism infrastructure and general ease. Solo female travelers report feeling safe when they dress modestly and stay in populated areas. The island's isolation from mainland security concerns, combined with its reliance on visitor spending, means safety is a genuine priority for local authorities.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Djerba Island districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Djerba Island safety map.
Houmt SoukcautionMain market town; pickpocketing risk in crowded medinas and documented tourist-markup scams — keep valuables secure
Ghizel M'AchercautionBeach area with less intensive monitoring than main resort zones; apply standard pickpocketing precautions in crowds
AghirsaferMajor beach resort with reinforced security at tourist sites; tourism-focused infrastructure and low violent crime
MidounsaferQuiet resort town; well-developed for tourism with established safety record
EzzahrasaferCoastal resort area; tourism-focused with standard security measures in place
AjimsaferHistoric fishing village; quieter than main resorts, safe for visitors during daytime and evening
07 · After Dark
Is Djerba Island safe at night?
79% of people in Tunisia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Street robbery and mugging of tourists are not documented as significant concerns; petty theft is the primary risk in markets and beaches.
After dark, be most careful around Houmt Souk, Ghizel M'Acher. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Djerba Island's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight71
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight71
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight71
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight71
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight70
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight70
09 · Questions
Djerba Island safety FAQ
Is Djerba Island safe for tourists right now?
Yes—Djerba is moderately safe for travelers, with notably lower crime than mainland Tunisia and strong security at tourist sites. Djerba Island is significantly safer than Tunisia's mainland cities, benefiting from a tourism-focused economy and reinforced security presence. Petty theft in markets and beaches is the primary street concern; violent crime against visitors is rare. The May 2023 synagogue attack was an isolated incident not targeting tourists, after which authorities increased protection at places of worship and resort areas. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Djerba Island should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Djerba Island?
- Taxi meter fraud or overcharging (agree fare in advance)
- Houmt Souk overpricing (main market targets tourists with inflated prices)
- Fake guides and fake 'tour' schemes via hotel concierges
- Medina sellers pressuring tourists into purchases or commissions
How does Djerba Island compare with other places in Tunisia?
Djerba Island ranks #1 of 7 Tunisia destinations we've assessed, scoring 71/100. See the Tunisia safety overview for the full list.
How is this Djerba Island safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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