Here is my second article about Tunisia after discovering Tunis, and this time I’m taking you to visit Sidi Bou Saïd, one of the country’s most charming villages. Located just 20 kilometers or so northeast of Tunis, it is very easy to reach by taxi from the capital.
This little gem is truly a must on a trip to Tunisia, especially if you’re staying nearby. Perched on its cliff, it majestically overlooks the ruins of Carthage and the Mediterranean Sea, offering a breathtaking view over the Gulf of Tunis. It’s a postcard-perfect setting: its iconic white façades and sun-drenched blue doors have already become famous around the world!
A little history: the village takes its name from Sidi Bou Saïd, a saint who lived in Tunis in the 12th and 13th centuries. Towards 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 foundations of the village that later took his name.
To start this escape, I’ll let you discover a short video below, made by my favorite photographer when we explored Sidi Bou Saïd.
Plan your stay
The hotel we tried
La Villa Bleue
Upscale charming hotel, spectacular sea views and a pool
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Table of Contents
What to do in Sidi Bou Saïd?
Obviously, the main thing to do in this village is to lose yourself in its narrow streets and, if you enjoy it, take the opportunity to take some beautiful photos, as my favorite photographer and I did.
A little history: Sidi Bou Saïd is a former citadel. The site was used to watch over and defend Carthage, and later Tunis.
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Stroll through Sidi Bou Saïd on a Civitatis free tour
If you’re looking for a great way to discover Tunisia’s most famous hilltop village without breaking the bank, I suggest trying the free tour offered by Civitatis. The concept behind this booking platform is particularly clever: registration is 100% free, and you are free to pay the guide at the end of the tour, giving whatever amount you feel is fair based on your experience. During three hours of exploration, a guide will take you through the charming cobbled streets of Sidi Bou Saïd. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about the history and architecture of this photogenic coastal village, known worldwide for its brilliant white walls and iconic blue doors.
The tip: Places on the Civitatis free tour of Sidi Bou Saïd are limited, so remember to book your slot online in advance.
Free tour in Sidi Bou Saïd by Civitatis
Duration: 3 hours
Book your free guided tour For a more transparent world…If you book by clicking this link, the site will pay us a small commission directly. This has no effect on the price you pay, but in return you support the blog and help it grow. It's up to you 🙂
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Visit the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace
This sumptuous residence, covering more than 3,000 m² and listed as a historic monument in 1989, is a jewel of Arab-Islamic architecture in Tunisia. The place elegantly combines local influences with refined Arab-Andalusian decorative elements.
This palace is the life work of Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger (1872-1932), an Orientalist painter, musicologist and enthusiast of Arab and Eastern musical traditions. Construction took more than ten years.
You can visit the interior of the palace, which now houses the Centre des Musiques Arabes et Méditerranéennes (CMAM), and discover a remarkable permanent collection of antique musical instruments. The magnificent gardens terraced on the hillside also offer a breathtaking view of the sea!
8 rue du 2 Mars 1934, 2026 Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia
Open every day except Mondays and public holidays (9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm in winter, 9am-3:30pm in summer)
Admission: 10 dinars full price (12 dinars with the XR experience), 5 dinars reduced price, free for children under 12
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Visit the Dar el-Annabi Museum
This beautiful residence, typical of Sidi Bou Saïd, houses a charming museum of popular art and traditions. A former holiday home of Mohammed El Annabi, a former mufti of Tunis, it is a remarkable example of 18th-century Arab-Islamic architecture.
You can wander freely around this large house and discover the recreated rooms of a traditional Tunisian bourgeois home. The courtyard is particularly idyllic, with its orange trees and fragrant plants. I recommend going up onto the rooftops to enjoy a superb view of the village and the bay.
At the end of the visit, you will be served a complimentary glass of traditional mint tea, which you can enjoy at leisure in the flower-filled patio.
Dar el-Annabi Museum
48 Rue Hédi Zarrouk, 2026 Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia
Open every day from 9:30am to 6:30pm
Admission: 10 dinars (includes complimentary traditional mint tea)
My favorite places in Sidi Bou Saïd
Here are a few places we tried during our travels around Sidi Bou Saïd: an exceptional boutique hotel, a renowned fish restaurant and an unmissable sweet treat!
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Where to stay in Sidi Bou Saïd? La Villa Bleue
This accommodation is undoubtedly one of the most elegant in Sidi Bou Saïd. It’s an upscale boutique hotel with just 13 rooms and suites, located at the far end of the village with a spectacular view of the sea.
We stayed in the Suite Bellevue. I found it a little noisy because it was above the kitchens, but the vintage bathtub and panoramic view from the windows were superb.
In the evening, we tried the hotel’s room service. The menu offers a few Tunisian specialties, such as a trio of Tunisian salads or lamb shank cooked in a gargoulette, as well as a selection of Tunisian wines.
Having breakfast on the terrace facing the sea remains a very relaxing memory, not forgetting the hotel’s lovely pool overlooking the Mediterranean.
La Villa Bleue
68 rue Kennedy, 2026 Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia
Rates: rooms from €150 per night
Book your stay For a more transparent world…If you book by clicking this link, the site pays us a small commission. This has no effect on the price you pay, but you support the blog. It's up to you 🙂
To compare with a hotel in the medina, I’ve put together a page on where to stay in Tunis, neighborhood by neighborhood.
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Where to have lunch in Sidi Bou Saïd? Restaurant Le Pirate
This restaurant below Sidi Bou Saïd is particularly well known for its fresh fish dishes and generous seafood platters. The portions are very generous and the grilled fish are served whole.
And contrary to what you might think at first glance, Celtia beer is indeed an iconic local Tunisian beer!
Boulevard de l’Environnement, opposite the marina, 2026 Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia
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Eat a Bambalouni in Sidi Bou Saïd
During your walk around Sidi Bou Saïd, you absolutely must try the village’s famous hot, sweet doughnut: the Bambalouni (or bambaloni). It’s an unmissable treat to enjoy fresh from the hot oil and sprinkled with sugar!
As you stroll along the main street, you’ll easily find the little artisan shop that prepares them before your eyes: just follow the delicious smell…
Bambalouni de Sidi Bou Saïd
Rue Hédi Zarrouk, 2026 Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia
Price: about 1 dinar for a traditional hot sugar-coated doughnut
Thank you to the Tunisian Tourist Office Discover Tunisia for this invitation and this wonderful stay discovering Sidi Bou Saïd.
I hope all this has made you want to visit Sidi Bou Saïd on your next trip to Tunisia. If you also have favorite places and discoveries in the village, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments below!
My stops in Tunisia:
⇒ Tunis and its surroundings
⇒ Visit Sidi Bou Saïd
⇒ Bizerte and the north coast
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Melle Bon Plan Photos are not rights-free; the photographer's permission is required before any use
