Things to Do in Sidi Bou Said

Perched on a clifftop overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, Sidi Bou Said feels like a Mediterranean daydream painted in blue and white. This small Tunisian town, just 20 kilometers northeast of Tunis, has been enchanting visitors since the early 20th century when Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger helped establish its distinctive architectural code - those iconic cobalt blue doors and shutters against brilliant white walls that make every corner Instagram-worthy, though the town's charm runs much deeper than its photogenic qualities. What makes Sidi Bou Said genuinely special is how it manages to feel both timeless and alive. You'll find artists sketching in doorways, the scent of jasmine drifting from hidden courtyards, and locals sipping mint tea at the same cafés that once hosted writers like André Gide and Simone de Beauvoir. The town might be small enough to walk end-to-end in twenty minutes, but most visitors find themselves lingering for hours, drawn into its maze of narrow streets where every turn reveals another perfectly framed view of the Mediterranean.

The dining scene in Sidi Bou Said tends to focus on traditional Tunisian cuisine and Mediterranean seafood, though options are somewhat limited given the town's small size. You'll find several restaurants with terraces offering sea views - Au Bon Vieux Temps and Restaurant Dar Zarrouk are local favorites, serving dishes like grilled fish, couscous, and tajines. Many visitors actually prefer to eat at the various cafés, which serve light meals alongside their famous mint tea and Turkish coffee. For more dining variety, the nearby town of La Marsa has additional restaurants, or you can easily return to Tunis for dinner.

The ideal time to visit Sidi Bou Said is during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) when temperatures are comfortable for walking and the light is particularly beautiful for photography. Summer can be quite hot and crowded, especially July-August, though the sea breezes provide some relief and the extended daylight hours mean better evening light. Winter is surprisingly pleasant - while some days might be cool or rainy, you'll often have the town largely to yourself, and clear winter days offer crystalline views across the Mediterranean.