Zarzis is a laid-back fishing town at the southern end of the Gulf of Gabès, close to the Libyan border. It has long, sandy beaches, a working port, and an olive oil industry that goes back centuries. It is not a polished resort — that's part of the appeal. People come here for the quiet, the sea, and the sense that tourism hasn't quite taken over.
The town sits on a narrow peninsula that juts into the gulf. The medina is small but genuine, with a market and a handful of cafes where men drink mint tea under bougainvillea. The beaches stretch north and south of town, mostly empty outside of summer. The water is shallow and warm.
Zarzis is often used as a jumping-off point for the island of Jerba, which lies just across the strait. A causeway connects the two. If you want a quieter alternative to Jerba's tourist infrastructure, Zarzis is worth considering on its own terms.