Here is my second article on Tunisia after discovering Tunis, and this time, I’m taking you to visit Sidi Bou Saïd, one of the most charming villages in the country. Located just about twenty kilometers northeast of Tunis, it is very easily accessible by taxi from the capital.
This little gem is truly a must-see stop on any trip to Tunisia, especially if you are staying in the area. Perched on a cliff, it majestically overlooks the ruins of Carthage and the Mediterranean Sea, offering a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Tunis. It is a real postcard setting: its iconic white facades and sun-drenched blue doors have traveled the world!
For the backstory, the village takes its name from Sidi Bou Saïd, a saint who lived in Tunis during the 12th and 13th centuries. Toward the end of his life, he retired to this hill overlooking Cape Carthage to teach Sufism. After his death in 1231, he was buried there, and his tomb became one of the first founding elements of the village that subsequently took his name.
To begin this escape, I invite you to watch a short video below filmed by my favorite photographer during our discovery of Sidi Bou Saïd.
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Table of Contents
What to do in Sidi Bou Saïd?
Obviously, the main activity you should do in this village is to get lost in its little alleyways and perhaps, if you enjoy it, take the opportunity to snap some beautiful photos like we did with my favorite photographer.
For the record, you should know that Sidi Bou Saïd is an ancient citadel. The site was responsible for watching over and defending Carthage, and later, Tunis.
Strolling through Sidi Bou Saïd with a Civitatis Free Tour
If you are looking for the best tip to discover the most famous hilltop village in Tunisia without breaking the bank, I suggest testing the “Free tour” offered by Civitatis. The concept of this booking platform is as clever as ever: registration is 100% free and you are free to tip the guide at the end of the tour, giving them the amount that you feel is fair based on your experience. For three hours of exploration, an English-speaking guide will take you through the charming cobbled streets of Sidi Bou Saïd. It is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the history and architecture of this photogenic coastal village, world-renowned for its brilliantly white walls and iconic blue doors.
Free tour in Sidi Bou Saïd by Civitatis
Duration: 3h
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However, there are also some interesting places to visit in Sidi Bou Saïd, which I will tell you about just below.
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Visit the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace
This house, with a total surface area of 3,300 m², classified as a historical monument in 1989, is a jewel of Arab-Islamic architecture in Tunisia. The site blends local influences and Arab-Andalusian decorative elements.
This palace is the life’s work of Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger (1872-1932), a banker, orientalist painter, music lover, and enthusiast of Arab and oriental musical traditions. The construction of the palace took a little over 10 years.
You can visit the interior of the palace, but also discover the Baron’s collections, including a permanent exhibition featuring magnificent musical instruments. The 5 hectares of gardens on three levels are also worth a visit and they offer a magnificent view of the sea!
The Ennejma Ezzahra Palace
8, rue du 02 mars 1934, 2026 Sidi Bou Saïd
open every day except Mondays and public holidays
Price: 10 dinars
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Visit the Dar el-Annabi Museum
This very pretty house, typical of Sidi Bou Saïd, houses a small museum. It was a former holiday home of Mohammed El Annabi, a former mufti, and offers a fine example of 18th-century Arab-Muslim architecture.
You can walk freely through this house and discover the different rooms of a traditional Tunisian home. The inner courtyard of the building is particularly charming with its fragrant vegetation. I also advise you to go up to the roof of the house to get a magnificent view of Sidi Bou Saïd and the sea.
Finally, during your visit, you will be served a glass of mint tea (obviously!) offered for free, and you can take the time to enjoy it in the mansion’s gardens.
Dar el-Annabi Museum
48 Rue Hedi Zarrouk, Carthage, Tunisia
open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Visit price: 6 dinars
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My favorite addresses in Sidi Bou Saïd
Naturally, as is my custom, here are some addresses I had the opportunity to test during my travels in Sidi Bou Saïd. In particular, I recommend a charming accommodation, a restaurant, and a gourmet address you simply cannot miss!
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Where to stay in Sidi Bou Saïd? La Villa Bleue
This accommodation is without a doubt the chicest in Sidi Bou Saïd. It is a small, very high-standard boutique hotel with only 13 rooms and suites. It is located at the very end of the village, towards the Cape of Tunis, with a very beautiful view of the sea.
For our part, we were staying in the Bellevue Suite. I found it a bit noisy, however, because it is located right above the kitchens. On the positive side, I really liked the beautiful bathtub in the suite and the view from our windows.
In the evening, we were too lazy to go out, so we tried the hotel’s room service. The dishes on the menu are relatively “Westernized,” but we still managed to unearth some more local items.
My advice: the trio of Tunisian salads (36 dinars); the lamb shank “à la gargoulette” Tunisian style (58 dinars); you will also find a small selection of Tunisian wines on the menu for those who want to taste local wine (35 dinars for a half bottle).
Unfortunately, we had a small, somewhat complicated mishap at this hotel (a booking problem) which spoiled our stay a bit, I must say… However, the place is heavenly, and it really is a very high-end hotel where it is extremely pleasant to stay.
We also really enjoyed having breakfast on the hotel balcony facing the sea; it was particularly relaxing.
The little extra: the establishment’s very beautiful swimming pool with a sea view.
La Villa Bleue 68 rue Kennedy، Sidi Bou Said 2026, Tunisia Prices: room from €150 per night Link to book a room
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Where to have lunch in Sidi Bou Saïd? Restaurant le Pirate
This restaurant located below Sidi Bou Saïd is best known for its fish dishes and seafood. As always in Tunisia, the dishes are extremely generous and the fish arrive whole (faint of heart, beware). But overall, we ate well there.
And contrary to what I thought at first, Celtia beer (photo below) is indeed a Tunisian beer despite its name.
Restaurant le Pirate Avenue John Kennedy, port de Sidi Bou Said 2026 Sidi Bou Saïd
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Eat a Bambalouni in Sidi Bou Saïd
During your stroll in Sidi Bou Saïd, you absolutely must try the village’s famous sweet donuts: Bambalouni (or bambaloni). It’s just so delicious and I mean it!
While walking around the town, you will easily find the little shop that makes them right before your eyes; you just need to follow the scent…
Bambalouni of Sidi Bou Saïd
Price: 600 millimes per donut (so about €0.30)_
Practical questions
Besides getting lost in the blue and white alleyways, visit the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace for its gardens and Arab-Andalusian architecture. I also recommend the Dar el-Annabi Museum, a sublime traditional mansion where you will be offered mint tea.
The chicest accommodation is the La Villa Bleue hotel. This 13-room establishment offers a superb swimming pool with a sea view and very good room service (try the lamb shank ‘à la gargoulette’).
Head to the Restaurant le Pirate, located below the village near the port. The plates of whole fish are extremely generous, ideal to pair with a local Celtia beer.
You absolutely must try the Bambalouni, the famous sweet donut of Sidi Bou Saïd! Prepared right before your eyes in the street, it’s a real treat for barely thirty cents of a euro.
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Thanks to the Tunisian National Tourist Office Discover Tunisia for this collaboration, for this program to discover Sidi Bou Saïd, and for this beautiful trip to Tunisia.
I hope that with all this I have made you want to discover Sidi Bou Saïd and Tunisia, and if you too have your favorite addresses and tips for this destination, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find all my articles on my trip to Tunisia below:
⇒ All my articles on Tunisia
MY STOPS IN TUNISIA
⇒ Tunis and its surroundings
⇒ Sidi Bou Saïd
⇒ Bizerte and the northern coast
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Melle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free; permission from the photographer is required before any use
