Planning a trip to Tunisia and want to explore Sidi Bou Said? You’re in the right place!
Sidi Bou Said is a picture-perfect village with whitewashed houses, blue doors and vibrant pink bougainvillea, just a few minutes from Tunis.
In this article, I’ll list the best places to see in Sidi Bou Said as well as what to expect, and of course, I listed all the best day trips from Sidi Bou Said/Tunis at the end of the article.
Let’s dive in and plan the perfect day in Sidi Bou Said !
First things first, how to get to Sidi Bou Said ? Well it is only a 20-minute drive from Tunis, so getting a cab will cost around 20 dinars, which equals to 6€ approximately.
You can be dropped off near Dar Fatma, as it is at the entrance of the village and it will be downhill from there, that’s the way we are looking to visit, not uphill!
The town is really not that big, so take some time to explore all the little alleys and discover the many colourful doors :
I cannot recommend you enough to visit before summer, firstly because the heat will be too much to visit anything outside, let alone the busy medinas of Tunisia, but also because everything is flowering. I went there in May and the Bougainvillea were BLOOMING, I mean look at the beautiful flowery alleys :
It is when you get lost in this little village that you come across the cutest paved streets :
Next up, let’s try the bambalouni, a sweet Tunisian donut. You can find great ones (fluffy and not too greasy) at this stall for 1 dinar, which equals to 0,3€.
Nearby, you will have the street will have the handcrafts and souvenirs, beautiful pottery and traditional items :
For a great view of the Mediterranean Sea, head down Hedi Zarrouk street, views are stunning all the way to the Café des Délices. Now, I wouldn’t personally recommend stopping in the café as it is very touristy, but they let you in at the entrance to look at the view.
Another café you can try in Sidi Bou Said is Café des Nattes, in the heart of the village.
If you are spending a few days in Sidi Bou Said but want to explore the nearby cities, these are the places I’d recommend visiting, not too far away and absolutely worth the detour :
- Tunis : From the narrow alleys of the UNESCO-listed Medina to the lively souks and vibrant Central Market, the city offers a lot of history, a wide culinary scene and stunning old town.
- Carthage : This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a powerful empire. You can take a journey through time by exploring the numerous Roman ruins in this archeological site.
- Bizerte : A true hidden gem, unknown by tourists but definitely worth visiting. Whether it is its charming old port, beautiful Medina or central market, Bizerte is the perfect day trip for those seeking authenticity off the beaten path.
- Sousse : A bit further away from Tunis, but a lovely Medina to explore, as well as the Ribat and Great Mosque that you can visit even if you are not a muslim.
- Monastir : 20 minutes from Sousse, Monastir is a peaceful coastal city, with a beautiful seaside and imposing ribat fortress. Take the time to also visit the Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba.
That’s it for my recommendations on the top places to see in Sidi Bou Said. I had a wonderful time exploring the little alleys and cute cafés, and I’m sure you will too !
If you plan on visiting Tunisia any time soon, check out my article about the top places to see in Tunis and the top places to see in Carthage.
If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.
