Midès Canyon: A guide to Tunisia’s dramatic canyon oasis

Most posters or images of Tunisia showcase two extremes: the Mediterranean north with its blue-and-white coastal neighborhoods such as Sidi Bou Said or the endless dunes of the Sahara, where camels and mirages define the MENA landscape within society's imagination.

What rarely gets talked about Tunisia’s stunning canyons and hiking trails. I myself didn't know Tunisia had this type of scenery before I visited!

Carved into the mountains near the Algerian border are extravagant valleys, cliffs and palm oases that look more like they belong in places such as Arizona or Jordan than what most people associate with North Africa. One of the standout spots is Midès Canyon, a sun-scorched landscape set against the backdrop of a centuries-old village in southern Tunisia. It’s often visited alongside Chebika and Tamerza (Tamaghza) on the popular “Three Oases Circuit,” which usually departs from the nearby desert hub of Tozeur.

Midès Canyon’s cliffs and panoramic views have caught the attention of not just travelers, but Hollywood, too. In general, Tunisia has served as the filming location for many movies including Star Wars, which is probably the most famous due to borrowing the desert planet name of "Tatooine" from Tataouine, Tunisia. Midès Canyon is so majestic that filmmakers have chosen this spot as a location for movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and The English Patient.

So if you’re planning a trip to Tunisia, consider going beyond the usual beach-and-dunes itinerary and add Midès Canyon (and the Three Oases overall) to your route! Learn more about this majestic canyon below.

Why is it called Midès Canyon?

The name Midès is believed to be a modern evolution of the Roman-era name Mades, which referred to a settlement that once served as a frontier post in the province of Numidia. While it’s often assumed to have Amazigh (Berber) roots, there’s no verified linguistic evidence linking the name directly to Amazigh origin.

The pronunciation in local Arabic and Amazigh dialects leans toward pronouncing it “Mee-dess," and you may also see it spelled “Midas” in English or French texts. That spelling often leads to confusion with the Greek myth of King Midas, the one who turned everything he touched into gold. I was admittedly one of those people who thought there was a connection. But the name has no relation, though the canyon cliffs look majestic enough that the association somewhat fits!

What makes Midès Canyon unique?

The defining feature of Midès Canyon is its spectacular canyon with its layered cliffs that wind for over 3 kilometers. The rock colors shift from light beige to deep orange throughout the day.

The area also comes with some heavy and sad history. In 1969, Tunisia experienced one of its most devastating natural disasters. Relentless rainfall inundated the country for around five consecutive weeks, leading to catastrophic flooding. The combination of steep slopes and the sudden influx of water led to landslides and the destruction of settlements. This deluge resulted in over 600 fatalities, the destruction of approximately 70,000 homes, and left around 300,000 people homeless. You can read more about this unfortunate event in Tunisian history in this TIME article.

The village of Midès Canyon essentially became abandoned after these floods in 1969. Today, you can still see the remains of the village on the cliffs of the canyon. From a photographic perspective, the mix of the ruins and multiple colors of the canyon, as well as the green palm trees in the distance, makes Midès Canyon even more photogenic, albeit in a haunting way.

2025 Travel Guide: Know before you go to Midès Canyon

Midès Canyon is in the Tozeur Governorate. It is usually the last stop for most tours of the nearby mountain oases, including Tamaghza and Chebika Oasis. It's very remote, so planning is absolutely essential.

How to Get There: To properly explore the mountain oases, it would be helpful to have a 4×4 vehicle, but a normal sedan will work just as fine as well. If you end up taking a tour that departs from Tozeur, you'll probably be in a 4x4.

Consider a Guide: Booking through a local platform such as WildyNess connects you with regional guides who can take you to all three oases (and more!) These guides offer valuable insights and also help ensure your visit directly supports the local economy. You can also book your transportation and accommodation through them.

Safety Note: American and Canadian travel advisories flag this general region because of its proximity to the Algerian border. That said, the situation on the ground is pretty stable. While I haven’t visited Algeria myself (partly due to the complications around my American passport), I believe these warnings are overstated. Use your best judgment and take the usual precautions you would anywhere, whether in a foreign city or your own neighborhood. In general, Midès Canyon is quite remote, so I recommend not going alone. This is not because the area is inherently dangerous, but because traveling in remote desert landscapes would be safer with a buddy system.

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