A few summers back, I had the opportunity to spend a full month in Tunisia. From that trip, one of my fondest memories was when I decided to visit Sidi Bou Said. This is a very small town quite close to the capital where there was a sea of white houses, blue doors and flowers.
How did I end up in Tunisia?
Well, I was still at the University. And out of the blue, there was this opening for a student exchange. I applied for both Egypt and Tunisia, and I ended up in the later. Back then, I had never spent so much time away from home and that was tricky. Also, since I had never visited a country with such a different cultural background, I was concerned about the cultural shock.
Now, looking back I know I did not have to worry about my visiting Tunisia, but back then it was stressfull.
Once I arrived, I soon realized that nothing could have been further from the reality. We were a about 30 students involved in the exchange from everywhere in Europe. Also, many of the local medical students were welcoming and preparing activities for the us that were exceptional!
We usually had to work during the mornings, but afternoons and weekends were all ours. Of course, we used that free time to visit the capital and surrounding extensively. Every afternoon, we would either go to the Medine, or to the local beach. Or we would go to visit the ancient ruins of Carthage. On those days when we wanted to go a bit further, we would go to visit Sidi Bou Said. To drink tea while watching colorful sunsets with the sea as our background.
If you are interested on other parts of Tunis, such as discovering the Tunis Medina, make sure you read this too!
How to visit Sidi Bou Said
During that month, we were living in a big house in the suburbia of Tunis. From there, by Taxi, it was not more than half an hour to get to Sidi Bou Said. Back then (summer 2009), the whole trip was not more than 5€. But that was after some bargaining. That’s mandatory in Tunisia! In any case, if you travel with other people (and split the cost), you may pay less than 3€/$ for the return trip. Just make sure you ask for half the price they are offering.
When we were going to visit Sidi Bou Said (me and the other exchange students), we usually would spend the afternoon at the beach, normally la Marsa, and then go walking slowly towards the town. Just enjoying the beautiful white streets and the colorful bougainvilleas. Then, we would just select a terrace and spend the rest of the evening having a mint tea or a fresh strawberry juice. A perfect plan, if you ask me.
What’s special about Sidi Bou Said
What comes to your mind when you think of an Arabic coastal town? A typical landscape from the Mediterranea? To my mind, at least, when I close my eyes, I can see a white town. With plenty of vibrant colors from garden flowers. With even more colorful doors. And with shops here and there selling the typical trinket. So yes, I just described Sidi Bou Said.
This small part of Tunis climbs the side of a hill. From the beach, it is a nice walk, but the harbor views are worth it!
Like in all touristy towns, they are used to foreigners and they will try to sell you everything they have. But truth be told, it is worth it. The sunsets from up there are amazing. And enjoying the typical mint tea with pinenuts while enjoying of a chicha, is just the best possible way of spending one afternoon in Tunisia.
Have you been there already? Do you have any question? Tell me about it in the comment section!
Great post! I’d love travelling to Tunisia, I’ve heard great things about this country. I’m a bit reticent due to the instability in the zone, but hopefully the situation will calm down a bit soon and I’ll be able to visit at least for a few days.
I was there the summer before the “primavera árabe”, and the place was very quiet and in no situation I felt violent or assaulted. Now may be a bit more agitated, but still, I think it’s one of the best places to visit in the south of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s one of the most western countries in the North of Africa and as long as you respect them, they will do the same for you. In any case, I recommend it to you without a doubt, beautiful place and fantastic people =)
This is a place that I’m most intrigue by. I love the place and reminds me with Greece as they have the same colors on their buildings.
Though Greece and their islands are always completely overwhelmed by tourists, Sidi Bou Said is a place where there are still locals, the beach is filled with them, and the place is not a complete tourist trap. The main part of the international tourism of Tunisia goes to Bizerta, where the beaches are bigger and there’s a resort underneath every rock… but this place is nicer!
I would love to visit Sidi Bou Said, it looks so peaceful and beautiful. I like the blue and whit combination and the feeling of the streets. I like out of the touristic circuit places. Shame about the instability of the area.
One of the best parts of visiting Tunisia is that there’s not a lot of tourists everywhere. Yes, there are some but not much, and considering that they are one of the more occidental countries in Africa… well, it’s a good start to visit the southern Mediterranean =)
WOW, this reminds me of Greece but what a gorgeous place. I love the blue and white contrast and to be able to go on a trip and stay for a whole month is awesome! Good that not too many tourists go here yet…
I was in Greece a few months back and trust me, this is better. I came half traumatized from Greece. Here the vibes are very different, maybe not better in all aspects, but yes, quite different.
I have never been to Tunisia, but it’s on my bucket list. I have heard lots of great things about Tunisia. Looks like there is a lot of culture and interesting architecture.
Definitely! The capital was a great place! I will be writing about it soon =)
Vibrant colors indeed. Seems the town is in love with blue !
Everything was very cute there, yes!
Would be nice to see Sidi Bou Said. It looks so beautiful and serene with a lot of interesting historical facts & architectures.
It’s the perfect spot for just relaxing for a few hours and enjoy of some of the local delicatessens!
Blue doors and white walls are really eye catching and add to them the green creepers! Such wonderful sights> I wish to be in Tunisia some time.
It’s a very affordable place coming from Europe, you should add it to your next Eurotrip =)
Hope you had a good time here. Not many people have tunisia in their bucket list. But it seems like a great place.
It’s one of the safest countries in Africa and a great spot to start visiting the south of the mediterranean! The best thing is that you can have it all, from beaches to desers, and to crowded cities to oasis. It’s just the best!
Wow, that looks just like Greece well the Architecture anyways. This may just be a place to add to the good old Bucket List
I guess that since they are not too far away they have to share some similarities! But yes, this place was beautiful!
Too many people forget that North Africa is still the Mediterranean, with all its pleasures and features. Funny how Tunisia looks like Greece here.
Inka up here was saying exactly the same think. I guess that because it is all based on the same type of culture (Mediterranean food, and tourism), they must share some similarities. This place was so nice!
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were in Greece! Tunisia looks beautiful, I will have to add this to my Africa must-visit list! So lucky to have the opportunity to study abroad!
It was sadly only one month but I really enjoyed my time there! The beaches are beautiful and this town is a must see! Let me know how it will be once you visit!
I was recently in Egypt for a few weeks and next on my list is Tunisia! Thanks for sharing this, it is super helpful as I make my plans. I have not yet finished my posts on Egypt, but they will be live in a few weeks at http://judsonlmoore.com/egypt/ and hopefully they can be helpful to you if ever you make a trip over there (and I highly recommend that you do!)
Egypt is VERY high in my list of places to visit, but unfortunately right now I don’t think it will be the safest place to be at. Anyway, I really hope the political situation gets a bit more relaxed soon and I get to visit. Thanks for sharing!
These blue doors are fantastic! I’d love to visit Tunisia!
Oh you should do so definitely, it is a wonderful place!
Sidi Bou Said looks like an amazing place with those whitewashed buildings and beautiful beaches. Your pictures actually reminded us of the Greek island of Santorini which has similar buildings and views of the beach.
Yes, many people finds these two places quite similar! It is funny how some times we forget how much we have in common, north and south Mediterranean!
SUCH GORGEOUS PICTURES!!! Loved this post and your blog – thanks for sharing!
I do not know much about Tunisia. Sidi bou looks like an amazing place to visit. I love all the door pictures! This is something I am obsessed taking pictures of as well when I travel.
I think it is a very nice way to see how the country was a long time ago… Usually most of these doors are quite old, but they are still magnificent!
How amazing!!! It’s so beautiful here I can see why it’s so popular 🙂 amazing pictures and write-up 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed this! this little town become my second home during the month I was there, everything was so cute and nice!
I would love to go to Tunisia! I am going to North Africa for the first time this year, but just to Morocco. The blue and white colors in the pictures are just incredible!
I hope you’ve had a fantastic time there! The MENA is something quite unique in its colours and culture…
Tunisia looks like an amazing destination and thanks for sharing about it!
It is very nice! I am glad you liked it!
Thought this was Greece at first! Looks like a wonderful time; I would love to do an exchange in college!
You should try it! it is a very nice way to get to know a lot of people that you would not meet in any other way. And the experience is usually really bonding. In any case, yes, it looks like Greece but it’s the neighbour below =)
I am so embarrased to say that I haven’t heard o this place before. It is a mixture of Greek and Arabic architecture and I love it.
I hope you enjoyed it.
It was fantastic, a truly beautiful place to visit! I cannot recommend it enough”!
So nice!! I have never been to Tunisia; together with Morocco is on my wish list, but I am a bit reluctant now…
Don’t be, you should try and visit them both! I am sure that each one of them have their own amazing sights and locations
I’ve seen photos of Tunisia before, but honestly had no idea where in the country they had been taken. This enlightens me quite a bit and adds to my wishlist.
Happy to help! I think that almost anywhere in Tunisia you only need to show them a picture of a blue door and they will send you here!
The pictures are absolutely stunning. I didnt have much idea about Tunisia but this post of yours is a wonderful guide about this city
It is a fantastic place to visit! you should give it a try some time!