Douz sits at the northern edge of the Grand Erg Oriental, the vast sea of dunes that stretches south into the Sahara. Known as the gateway to the desert, it is the last proper town before the sand takes over, and the logical base for camel treks and overnight expeditions into the dunes.
The town itself is quiet and unhurried, with a weekly Thursday market that draws Berber nomads from the surrounding region. The market sells camels, dates, and the kind of desert equipment that is actually used rather than sold to tourists. Douz's date palms are among the finest in Tunisia, and the soft, dark deglet nour variety makes a good purchase to carry home.
The International Festival of the Sahara, held in late November or December, draws musicians, camel riders, and poets from across the Maghreb and beyond. It is one of the more authentic cultural festivals in Tunisia, with fantasy equestrian displays and traditional music alongside the tourist-friendly camel races. The Douz Sahara Museum gives context on the desert cultures of the region before you head out into the dunes.