March 16, 2025, 7:55 a.m. | Reading time: 5 minutes
A sea of white and blue houses runs through the streets of the Tunisian village of Sidi Bou Saïd, creating a backdrop that is suspiciously reminiscent of the Greek island of Santorini. Located a few kilometers from the capital Tunis, the coastal village is well worth a visit and has a lot to offer. Sunnytrips presents the most beautiful places in Sidi Bou Saïd.
Located on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia is the small village of Sidi Bou Saïd. With its winding streets and pretty houses, the place is not only a perfect photo opportunity, but also offers cozy cafés and impressive viewing points.
Picturesque coastal village in Tunisia
The most beautiful places in Sidi Bou SaïdEnnejma Ezzahra - ornate palaceCafé des Nattes - where art and culture meetThe alleys and hidden gardens of Sidi Bou SaïdPlage de Sidi Bou Saïd - picturesque sandy beach
Ennejma Ezzahra – ornate palace
Café des Nattes – where art and culture meet
The alleys and hidden gardens of Sidi Bou Saïd
Plage de Sidi Bou Saïd – picturesque sandy beach
Arrival to Sidi Bou Said
Picturesque coastal village in Tunisia
The coastal village of Sidi Bou Saïd is located in northeast Tunisia, about 20 kilometers from Tunis. The small village with around 7,900 inhabitants (as of 2024) is located directly on a cliff and offers an impressive view of the Gulf of Tunis. In the middle of the winding streets you will find traditional markets, courtyards with fountains and tile mosaics as well as other architectural and cultural highlights. Characterized by white houses with blue verandas and windows, the place is not considered a popular travel destination. At the same time, it is considered a sought-after residential area. Already in the early 20th century, the special atmosphere attracted well-known artists such as Paul Klee and August Macke, who were inspired by the backdrop of Sidi Bou Saïd.
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The most beautiful places in Sidi Bou Saïd
Ennejma Ezzahra – ornate palace
An impressive excursion destination is the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace, in German: “Star of Venus”. This magnificent property was built in the early 20th century by the painter and musicologist Rodolphe d’Erlanger. The palace combines Arab-Andalusian and Ottoman architecture and was refined with ornate details by the best craftsmen from Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt, according to a Tunisian Ministry of Culture website. The delicate wood carvings, marble work and artistic mosaics are particularly eye-catching. Today, Ennejma Ezzahra is both a museum that provides insights into d'Erlanger's life and a venue for concerts by the Tunisian Music Center. Behind the palace there is also a hidden viewing point that can be reached via a narrow path.
Café des Nattes – where art and culture meet
One of the most famous cafés and at the same time a central meeting point in Sidi Bou Saïd is the Café des Nattes. The motif may seem familiar to some. According to “Deutschlandfunk”, the artists Paul Klee, Louis Moilliet and August Macke met here to paint as early as 1914. One of Macke's most famous works shows the outside facade of the café. After the sometimes quite strenuous climb into the town, the café is the perfect place for a short break. To strengthen you, traditional mint tea with pine nuts and typical Tunisian pastries are served here - of course with a view of the hustle and bustle in the village center of Sidi Bou Saïd. If you want a view of the sea, you can grab a seat at Café des Délices, 10 minutes away.
The alleys and hidden gardens of Sidi Bou Saïd
When visiting Sidi Bou Saïd, you should definitely not miss an extensive discovery tour through the many small streets. Already at the entrance to the village, the doors and gates with elaborate patterns and metal decorations catch the eye, giving a foretaste of the architecture of the place. Surrounded by white and blue limestone houses, the alleys include bakeries and spice shops as well as various boutiques, perfumeries and ceramics shops. At the same time, the small streets and backyards hide some magnificent gardens in which white jasmine, bougainvillea and fragrant orange trees grow. And the marina of Sidi Bou Saïd is not only an idyllic photo opportunity, but also offers the opportunity for fishing and boat trips on the Mediterranean.
Plage de Sidi Bou Saïd – picturesque sandy beach
If you feel like swimming or taking a walk on the beach, you can head to Plage de Sidi Bou Saïd. Although it is not located directly in the center of town, it can be reached on foot in just a few minutes. Below the village, near the marina, there is a clean, sandy beach with a shallow entrance into the sea.
Arrival to Sidi Bou Said
The quickest way to get to Sidi Bou Saïd from Germany is by plane via Tunis International Airport. From here you can take a taxi or rental car to the coastal town, which is around 30 minutes away. However, the most cost-effective option is probably the TGM suburban train, which runs from the “Tunis Marine” train station to Sidi Bou Saïd in around 45 minutes.
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