Mides is a village in Tunisia, set on the cliffs of a canyon in the country's rocky interior. It is a place for visitors who want to see a different side of Tunisia, away from the coast and the big cities.
What you will see
- The ruins of an old village, abandoned and now quiet, which give a sense of how the settlement once lived.
- Views down into the gorge, where the cliffs drop steeply and the landscape opens out below you.
- Natural springs that feed palm groves, a strong green contrast to the dry desert terrain around them.
The landscape
The mix of canyon, water and palms is what gives Mides its character. Because the surroundings are so bare and rocky, the groves stand out sharply, and the scene is one of the more photogenic in Tunisia. The village has also been used as a filming location, so some visitors come with the scenery in mind as much as the place itself.
Planning a visit
Mides is remote, so it suits travellers who are comfortable with a longer journey and few services nearby. Allow time to walk around the ruins and look over the gorge rather than rushing through. Check ahead on access and conditions, since the facts available here do not cover opening arrangements or transport details.