A Guide to El Sheesh

Welcome to El Sheesh @ Barefoot in Tunis

We are so glad you came to Tunis Village. Now let’s get down to business: kick off your shoes (the place is called Barefoot after all), make yourself a tea and relax.

We are very happy that you have decided to book with us and hope you’ll have a great stay here at Barefoot in Tunis. Below are some information to help you during your stay with us.

Check-In

El Sheesh will be ready any time after 2 pm.

Please do let us know around what time you will arrive. A short message does the job.

How to find us?

When coming to Barefoot in Tunis using Google Maps, please DO NOT use Barefoot in Tunis as your location! Use Fayoum Pottery School instead.

Disclaimer: The location is correct, but Google will send you to the wrong side.

At the Pottery School: Keep the school to your right and continue straight. About 200 meters after the school you’ll see a little alley to your right. Take it (and yes, a car fits easily in it). There is also a small sign saying “Barefoot in Tunis”.
The alley takes a right turn. The last gate at the end of the alley is Barefoot in Tunis.
It’s about 600 meters from the Fayoum Pottery School to Barefoot in Tunis.

Taking care of the house

  • Please take your shoes off when in the house
  • Please do not smoke inside the house. This includes e-cigarettes
  • Please do not light candles inside the house. In case of a power cut, we put an emergency light in the upper drawer in the kitchen and on the shelf
  • when taking a shower, please try not to splish and splash too much … it’s a wood bathroom afterall
  • Please DO NOT leave the AC running when you’re not in the house and swith the lights off. We are trying to save energy
  • Be nice to other guests at Barefoot in Tunis and keep the noise down after 10 pm
  • Please always close the main gate
  • If you bring a furry friend, please read this: Dog Etiquette and inform us before
  • Enjoy your stay!

How the house takes care of you

  • the tiny house is equipped with a fully functioning kitchen. You have a small stove, small oven, kettle, italian espresso maker and of course some pots and pans to prepare a meal. Please help yourself with coffee/ tea, sugar etc.; it’s for free
  • the balcony door next to the kitchen opens up, in case you want more breeze
  • For hot days: we have an AC
  • For cold days: the AC has a heating function
  • there is a light on your terrace that you can turn on and off individually
  • the soap in the bathroom is organic and proudly made in Egypt
  • we have placed a plug-in mosquito repellent in the house to help you sleep better

Check Out

Check Out is at 11 am.

If you want a later check out, please let us know before hand. If possible, a late check out until 1 pm is free.

Our latest check-out is at 6 pm for an additional fee of 20€/ 1000 EGP.

Before you leave

  • do your dishes
  • empty the fridge
  • empty the garbage bins. You can put it in the large wooden bin next to the gate

Good to know

  • We do not have any supermarkets in the village. Only small shops with limited supply. This is why we recommend out guests to bring special foods and drinks from Cairo.
  • Feel free to use our rim bbqs in the garden. You’ll find wood right behind it on the wall next to the stairs
  • Unfortunately, we do not have Wifi yet. The cables are there, but we are not yet connected. Bear with us please…
  • There are only a few properly functioning ATMs in town. You’ll find one at the entry of Kom El Dikka Lodge, one in Palm Shadow Corner Hotel, in front of Minerva Pottery and another one on the main village road, opposite of the school. Check the map above… we tried to put them all in
  • During rain and heavy storms, the power will cut. We put a small emergency light in the upper kitchen drawer and the shelf, in case the power cuts during the night

Things not to miss, when visiting Tunis Village!

  • Have a coffee and cake at Ibis Restaurant and read the afternoon away in their little library.
  • Visit the Carricature Museum inside of the Fayoum Art School
  • Go for a walk in the fields surrounding Tunis Village
  • Take a pottery class at the Fayoum Pottery School (for reservations, call +2010 0138 8018), or go to our favorite Potter Ibrahim Samir. He is located at Sobek lodge
  • Have a Tea on the upper terrace of Olive Tree Lodge or Sobek Lodge and enjoy the beautiful view over the fields
  • Visit a shop called “To a Skylark”. Mohamed has an eye for detail. His perfectly curated shop combines local craftsmanship with a unique and modern design.
  • We’ve made you a list of other things worth doing …

Best food in town

Our favorite restaurant in town is Ibis Restaurant. Their breakfast is outstanding and so is the quality of the rest of the menu.

They are open daily from 9am to 9pm.

It is always recommended to reserve a table. Call them via: 0106 090 6048


Other restaurants in town

It is always recommended to call ahead and reserve a table…just to make sure to get a spot.

Almost all restaurants in town do deliver, if you ask them to.

  • the closest restaurant to Barefoot in Tunis is right in front of the gate at Tzila Lodge (check the map for directions)
  • If you want to stay in and get some real homemade food call Hassan and his family. Their food is just delicious and it will come right to you (Mob: 0109 8810292)

Lake Moeris is the latest addition to our restaurant list. It is not exactly in Tunis village, but right at the Lake. So, if you are up for a dinner by the lake and do not want to drive all the way to the magic lake, go to Lake Qaroun.

Book your table via Instagram @Lacmoeris

Pamper Yourself

We want you to relax here at Barefoot in Tunis … so we got your back … even better … Cornelia has your back.

Cornelia does outstanding holistic bodywork. This is why we recommend to call her ahead to book an appointment and to make sure that she can be in Tunis Village with you.

Touring Tunis Village and surroundings

If you want the ultimate Fayoum experience then explore Fayoum with Mahmoud Kamel (@Fayoumer on Instagram), a local guide and a researcher based in Fayoum Governorate, who will take you on curated tours to explore fabulous Fayoum in different thematic itineraries. He will share with you his deep knowledge and love for the area, and his interesting Fayoum stories. 

Contact him via 0106 145 4263 or @Fayoumer on Instagram

  • Driver from and to Cairo – Depending on your location one way costs between 1500 EGP and 2000 EGP
    • Yasser: 0106 145 3360
    • Mustafa: 0100 137 7391

  • Safari Driver – a day trip costs around 1600 EGP per car; excluding the entry to the Protected Area. A car can take up to 4 persons.
    • Yasser: 0106 145 3360
    • Osam: 0122 531 2659
    • Etman: 0100 133 3781

  • Tok Tok Drivers
    • Saber: 0101 591 3035
    • Saad: 0101 003 6481

  • Bird Watching Guides
    • Ahmed Mansour: 0100 377 9542
    • Watter el Bahry: 0122 256 0085

Groceries and Essentials

  • Pharmacy
  • Kushk (small shop)
    • Call one of the tok tok drivers, if you are too lazy to move. All of the drivers have a small shop and deliver for a small fee, or pass by the pharmacy for you. If you want to walk, we marked some of those little shops in the map above
  • There are two small pharmacies in the village on the main road. Check the above map, we marked it for you
  • Alcohol: There is no shop selling alcohol, but the following restaurants serve local alcohol
    • Byoum Restaurant
    • Lazib Inn
    • contact us … We often have a selection of local brands availabe