I think most people would agree that Sidi Bou Said is the pretty blue town of Tunisia. The village is set on a hill less than 20 km from Tunis. Its proximity to the capital city makes Sidi Bou Said a popular spot for tourists. Climbing to the highest point Sidi Bou Said offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay of Tunis.
I have no doubt that by the end of this post, you'll be inspired to visit the blue town of Sidi Bou Said!
A VISIT TO SIDI BOU SAID: TUNISIA’S BLUE TOWN
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I actually went twice to Sidi Bou Said while I was in Tunis. That's how pretty it is! The first time was during Ramadan so almost everything was closed and the streets were empty. In some ways, the lack of crowds was a good thing. I could take pictures at a leisurely pace without any 'photobombers'.
Also, I could enjoy the unobstructed views of the Mediterranean Sea. There was hardly anyone at the famous Café des Délices which meant I could sip my mint tea in peace and quiet.
On my second visit, Ramadan was over and the alleyways filled with Tunisians celebrating the end of their fasting. The atmosphere was lively and all the souvenir shops, coffee shops and restaurants were open. This gave me a chance to browse around art galleries and artisans' workshops. Best of all, I got to taste the bambalouni, a sugar-coated donut popular in Sidi Bou Said. Yummy!
HISTORY OF SIDI BOU SAID
The cliffside coastal town was named after Abu Said al-Baji, a 12th Century Sufi master. After his pilgrimage through the Middle East to reach Mecca, he longed for a quiet village to rest his tired soul. He settled on Jebel El-Manar on the outskirts of Tunis.
Abu Said al-Baji spent the rest of his life there until his death in 1231. Devout Muslims made pilgrimages to his tomb and the village was eventually renamed Sidi Bou Said in honor of the Muslim saint.
During the late 19th Century, Sidi Bou Said's inspirational location became a magnet for the artistically-inclined European bourgeoisie. Poets, writers (Simone de Beauvoir), painters (Henri Matisse) and philosophers either vacationed in or took residence in Sidi Bou Said.
Ever since this artistic upheaval took place, the picturesque town has remained a hub for all sorts of creative minds.
Nowadays, most of the artists are Tunisian. Many are crafts(wo)men who can be seen working in their workshops. A variety of creations from local artists can be bought in one of the many souvenir shops. I let myself be tempted by a print of an original painting of a door.
What, a door? That's right. I guess now is a good a time as any to make a confession: I have this thing with doors. Lucky for me, Sidi Bou Said catered wondrously to my obsession. You'll soon find out why.
Sidi Bou Said is renown for its harmonious blue and white theme instigated by French painter, Rodolphe d'Erlanger, in the 1920's. This color theme has since become the signature of Sidi Bou Said. The stucco houses are all painted white while the windows and doors are painted in the vibrant turquoise blue of the Mediterranean Sea.
The traditional architecture consists of mushrabiyas, the latticed wooden shutters seen all over Sidi Bou Said. Other windows are embellished with pretty filigree wrought-iron designs. All are blue, of course.
Read also: A Day Trip to the Pretty Town of Antigua
And the doors, oh, the doors! The doors themselves are works of art. Keeping in line with the theme, most of the doors have been painted blue just like the windows. The most exquisite ones are decorated using simple black studs turned into beautiful patterns of trees, stars, flowers, Hamsa hands and more.
I think anyone would find it hard to resist not taking pictures of every single door in Sidi Bou Said.
See what I mean?
It might seem like a quiet village but the prettiest town in Tunisia has had to deal with the impact of mass tourism. Hundreds of tourists flock here every year putting strain on the small town. In order to save Sidi Bou Said from over-development, strict laws needed to be implemented.
Thanks to these laws, Sidi Bou Said has successfully preserved the integrity of its unique architectural and historical past. As a result, the small town was awarded the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1980.
Sidi Bou Said is a pedestrian-only town but it can quickly get overrun with daytrippers on tours. The best way to truly take in its essence is by wandering around the winding alleyways away from the crowds. This will give you a better sense of how the residents live away from the mayhem of tourists.
It's also in these narrow, residential alleys where you'll find the most beautiful doors draped in bougainvillea.
HOW TO GET FROM TUNIS TO SIDI BOU SAID
You can easily get to Sidi Bou Said without joining a tour. The best option is to take the commuter train (TGM) which runs regularly between Tunis and Sidi Bou Said. Head to the Tunis Marine Station, purchase a ticket for 0.650 Dinar (~.30 cents) and get off at the Sidi Bou Said station.
The journey will take about 35 minutes. Once you arrive, it's a short but moderately steep uphill walk to the town. It’s that simple!
Want to join a tour instead? This tour comes highly-recommended and includes a visit to Sidi Bou Said as well as Carthage.
TRAVEL RESOURCES
- Verify entry requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of Tunisia
- Book flights to Tunisia via Skyscanner
- Compare hotel prices in Tunisia on Booking.com & Agoda
- Check hostel prices on HostelWorld
- Stay connected using an Airalo E-sim for Tunisia
- Search for tours & excursions in Tunisia
- Shop for affordable travel insurance with SafetWing
- Save on conversion fees while traveling with Wise
- Protect your online privacy with a VPN: ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN
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I’m the founder and creator of Life Untraveled. I quit my corporate job, sold everything I owned and have been traveling full-time since 2018. I hope to inspire you to travel differently on a budget.
More about me here.
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