Visiting Tunis? While the medina is absolutely stunning, if you want to head out to the coast of Tunis, you can’t miss a visit to gorgeous Sidi Bou Said. The white and blue architecture of this cute cliffside town may remind you of Santorini, but did you know Sidi Bou Said had its facades painted in this manner before Santorini? No Tunis itinerary is complete without a visit to this beautiful town, so if you’re heading here soon, here is the guide to visiting Sidi Bou Said so that you can make the most of your time here.
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Introducing Sidi Bou Said, the Santorini of North Africa
Located on a cliff overlooking the blue Mediterranean Sea, Sidi Bou Said is one of Tunisia’s cutest towns. It has dazzling white buildings with blue doors and windows that give this town its unique look.
Founded in the 12th or 13th century, Sidi Bou Said was named after a Sufi scholar and mystic, Abu Said al-Baji, who settled there. Over time, the village became a sanctuary for artists. In the 1920s, Rodolphe d’Erlanger, a French painter and musicologist, introduced the characteristic blue-and-white aesthetic to the town, which quickly became the town’s signature look.
Of course, Sidi Bou Said is not only a photo op. Beyond the stunning colors, Sidi Bou Said also boasts narrow cobbled streets filled with artisanal shops, cafés, and galleries.
Where Is Sidi Bou Said?
Sidi Bou Said is located about 20 km northeast of the capital city of Tunisia, Tunis. It is nestled in between two other popular spots to visit near Tunis, La Marsa and Carthage. Due to its ideal location, it is a popular day trip from Tunis, especially in conjunction with a visit to its neighboring towns.
How to Get to Sidi Bou Said
Getting to Sidi Bou Said is super easy! There are a few different modes of transportation you can take.
The easiest route is to take a taxi. A taxi ride from the center of Tunis takes around half an hour and shouldn’t cost you more than 20 TND ($6.30 USD) max.
If you are staying in the Carthage or Marsa areas, as we did, you can simply walk for 30-45 minutes to get to the cliff or take the train. Taking the train from Carthage and Marsa to Sidi Bou is fairly easy. You’ll need to buy a ticket directly from the train station, which costs 0.5 TND ($0.16 USD), and Sidi Bou Said is just a few stops away from either area.
What to Do in Sidi Bou Said
Despite being a small town, there’s a fair amount to do in Sidi Bou Said. Here are some things you should not miss!
Walk Around and Snap Pics
Sidi Bou Said is a very picturesque town. You’ve got to spend some time simply walking around and getting some pictures of the stunning blue doors and white buildings. While there is a main street in Sidi Bou Said, don’t be afraid to get lost a little bit and explore some of the smaller streets, as you’ll never know if you’ll find the perfect narrow alleyway to snap some unique Instagram photos.
As you walk around, you’ll also see some of the most stunning cliffside views of the town and the sea below.
Try Bambalouni
One of our first stops, when we visited Sidi Bou Said, was getting a Tunisian donut, also called a bambalouni. This is a flour donut fried in oil and covered in sugar. While it may sound simple, it’s absolutely delicious. And this is coming from people who don’t generally like sweets!
Bambalouni 1937 is THE place to get this fried donut in Sidi Bou Said. Do NOT miss it!
Window Shop
You’ll find plenty of shops with locals selling artisanal products while walking around. But for the best collection of goods, head to the souk where you can see the variety of goods while moving from vendor to vendor. We don’t actually recommend buying anything from these vendors, as they tend to be overpriced, but if you feel like getting a souvenir as something catches your eye, it doesn’t hurt. Just don’t forget to bargain!
Check Out the View at Cafe Des Delices
For a view of the cliffside and the Mediterranean Sea below while sipping on a nice drink in a picturesque cafe, you’ve got to head to Cafe Des Delices. This cafe is picture-perfect the moment you step inside. While not the fanciest cafe with the best service, there’s a reason this cafe is the most popular one to visit in Sidi Bou Said! The view is simply unmatched.
Note: There’s no beating around the bush here… this cafe is overpriced, but in our opinion, it was worth it for the views. For tea, we ended up paying 15 TND (around $5 USD), which is easily triple or quadruple the price in Tunis. But you really can’t beat the view!
Go Cafe Hopping
There are many cafes in Sidi Bou Said besides the famous Cafe Des Delices. If you want to check out some other cafes in the area, there are a few we highly recommend that serve great coffee and brunch. These are:
- Ben Rahim: Delicious coffee with various preparation methods.
- Bleue!: The best place to have breakfast in Sidi Bou Said, in our opinion.
- Art Cafe: Amazing view facing the city and the sea.
Relax on the Beach
You’re right by the Mediterranean Sea, so what’s the point in being stuck on the cliffside? If you fancy a dip in the sea, head to the Sidi Bou Said beach down below. Getting here is a quick 20- to 30-minute walk down the hill, and once you’re down there, you’ll be rewarded with a sandy beach with refreshing water.
While far from the most beautiful beach in Tunisia, Sidi Bou Said beach is still a relatively nice beach and definitely one of the best near Tunis. Feel free to relax on the sand to get some sun as well.
We recommend saving the beach for last. Otherwise, you’ll have to walk all the way up to the cliff once again!
Hotels in Sidi Bou Said
Did you know that you can snag some pretty cute accommodations in this small town by the Mediterranean Sea? While most travelers exploring Tunis will generally stay in the Old Town or La Marsa, which is basically next door to Sidi Bou, you can also find some hotels in Sidi Bou Said itself. If you like the idea of surrounding yourself with the white and blue architecture and cute streets of this town, here are the hotels to consider staying in.
Are you a digital nomad? If you are, you might be thinking of setting up shop in Tunis for a while. To help you, here’s our COMPLETE digital nomad guide to Tunis and Tunisia.
Where to Eat in Sidi Bou Said
While you won’t have as many food options here as you would in a bigger village or city, you can still find some great food options if you’re feeling peckish while visiting Sidi Bou Said. Here are the restaurants we recommend.
- Bleue!: Great place to have some coffee and brunch.
- Blu Blu Sidi Bou: Big restaurant with a nice atmosphere.
- DaPietro Sidi Bou Said: Absolutely delicious Italian pizza.
- Dar Zarrouk: Fancier place with average food but the amazing view that makes up for it.
- Au bon vieux temps: Great food with great views.
FAQs
Can you walk from Sidi Bou Said to Carthage?
Absolutely! Walking from Sidi Bou Said to Carthage is very doable, as the whole time you walk, you’ll be walking downhill. The walk won’t be more than 20 to 40 minutes long, depending on where in Carthage you’re going.
Is Sidi Bou Said safe?
Sidi Bou Said, and for that matter, the whole of Tunisia, is very safe to travel. You won’t need to worry about any crime or have concerns about walking alone at night. With that said, you should always practice basic caution, especially in crowds, but Tunisians pride themselves on how safe their country is.
Can you swim in Sidi Bou Said?
Yes, you can! Sidi Bou Said boasts a gorgeous beach with sandy shores that you can visit. To get here, you’ll need to walk 20 minutes down the cliff.
Don’t Miss This Picturesque Town During Your Visit to Tunisia!
Sidi Bou Said is one place you absolutely cannot skip out on your Tunisia itinerary, particularly if you are planning on visiting Tunis. This gorgeous town is a welcome break from the busy medina of Tunis and is a great example of how stunning Tunisian architecture can be. You’ll be snapping photos left and right – we guarantee it.
Looking for more destinations to travel in Tunisia? Check out our guide to visiting the Tunisian Sahara desert!
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