How to Spend One Day in Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia’s Picturesque Town

Many people are familiar with Santorini, Greece for its immaculately white village perfectly paired with magnificent views of the Aegean Sea. On the other hand, Chefchaouen, Morocco, which has been gaining momentum recently, is a city within mountains painted in shades of blue, rightfully earning the nickname “Blue City”.

What if I told you there is a town that combines the characteristics of Santorini and Chaouen? And yes, such a town really exists! Sidi Bou Saïd is one of the most picturesque towns in Tunisia and in northern Africa. It’s a town known to have attracted artists, musicians, writers, and the bourgeoisies. With its blue and white painted cliffside homes, you can see why!

Exploring Sidi Bou Said

We arrived by car and were immediately in awe by the crystal blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Sidi Bou Saïd sits on a cliff and is composed of narrow, hilly roads. At a certain point, you’re better off on foot. For this reason, wear comfortable shoes!

The main road in Sidi is naturally touristic. Here is where we came across countless shops selling Tunisian attire, cafés, and food vendors. While my partner and I really enjoy seeing the sights wherever we travel, we also try to take the time to get off the beaten path. It’s much less crowded and we love the opportunity to really see our surroundings. Even if it’s just for a short period of time, I recommend taking some time to roam and people watch in your new environment.

By the time we reached Sidi Bou Saïd, it was lunch time. As we walked along the main road, we were checking for restaurants to settle into. Rather, I should say my partner was looking for restaurants.

I kept stopping to admire all of the beautiful grand doors we kept coming across. So blue, so exquisite, and the Moorish architecture really topped it off. I lost count of how many doors I walked up to just to admire their impeccable designs.

In a town of blue and white, we came across this beautiful yellow door hidden away by a garden. Perfect way to be subtle, yet standout.

Eating at Café Des Délices

We came across many restaurants but none of them met our one criteria: sea view! I just want to express how happy I am that we didn’t give up because as we kept walking uphill, we found the perfect place… Café Des Délices. From the main road, there are steps leading down to the entrance of the café and the view is just unbeatable!

Lesson: don’t settle for less! Here’s a photo of our view as we ate delicious hummus, and a seafood, and lamb platter, with harissa of course.

I think we sat, eating and relaxing for close to 2 hours before we continued our exploration of Sidi Bou Saïd. Despite wearing comfortable sandals, my feet needed that break. We returned to the main road and turned right on the first street to get off the touristic path. We walked uphill, downhill, turned several lefts and rights – just getting lost.

As you can see, we didn’t have a crazy itinerary in Sidi except to eat and explore. Sometimes that’s all we really need to be in the moment and take in life’s simple pleasures.

I hope you found this article helpful for planning your day trip to the beautiful Sidi Bou Saïd.

Bisous.

35 thoughts on “How to Spend One Day in Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia’s Picturesque Town”

  1. Wow – Sidi Buo Said looks stunning. I have never visited Tunisia before, but will not bump it to the top of my bucket list… especially this town! Thanks for sharing

  2. Another place where I could find
    myself admiring doors left, right
    and centre ☺️ Looks stunning &
    given how much I loved Greece I
    think I’d love it here too – thanks for
    putting it on my radar!

  3. These photos are so amazing! The
    entire town is so picturesque! You
    have definitely just added a new
    destination to my must-see list!
    Thanks so much for sharing

  4. Whoa this place is so beautiful! Definitely saw similarities as you pointed out between Sidi and
    Santorini. What else did you guys do while you were there in town?

    1. Thank you, Hanna! That was literally all we did, haha. We were enjoying ourselves, living in the moment. We didn’t want to rush or feel stressed out.

  5. These pictures make me want to visit all that much more. Your pictures are
    gorgeous! It really captures what you posted in your title.

  6. Wow! I would have never guessed that all these photos were from Tunisia! How long was the drive
    to Sidi Bou? Did you rent a car, or hire a driver?

    1. We drove from Sousse to Carthage, and then Sidi Bou Said. I would say it was about a 2-2.5 hour drive. However, as you get closer to Carthage/Sidi Bou, you must pass through Tunis (the capital) and if there is traffic, it will slow you down. We hired a driver. 🙂

  7. Ok, so this place looks incredible. Something out of a dream! And those doors. All the blue doors
    and that yellow one WOW!! just wow! I need to go here NOW!! You have completely sold me here.

    1. Hahah.. I appreciate your words, Louise! Please please go if you have the chance. It’s such a calm, beautiful place that somehow brings you joy!

  8. Wow what a beautiful town!
    I too love a colourful and
    stylish door – what a treat to
    see so many! Sounds like
    wandering and sampling
    delicious foods was the
    perfect thing for a relaxing
    break, will definitely be
    adding this spot to my travel
    list!

  9. Wow, these photos are absolutely stunning! I would have had no idea that this was in Tunisia, and
    certainly would have assumed it was Greek! The blues and whites are just so calming, I can see
    that it is as you say – a place to reflect and take in life’s simple pleasures 🙂

  10. These photos are DREAMY! Thank you
    for this post. It brings out even
    more of the wanderlust and travel bug
    in my soul!

  11. Pingback: Day Trip to Sidi Bou Saïd: Tunisia’s Blue and White Gem - The Travel Blogs

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