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.
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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
Ooh wow this place looks stunning! I love all of the blue everywhere – it kind of reminds me of Greece.
This place is so beautiful! Didn’t even know it existed but such a stunning photo spot.
At first I thought this was in Morocco! It’s so beautiful and somewhere I didn’t know about before!
WOW, the streets look gorgeous. I love the doors! Amazing photos
I appreciate your kind words. 😊 Visit if you ever get the chance!
Beautiful post, I LOVE photos of unique doors! 🙂
Thanks, Emma! 😊
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!
I’m glad you enjoyed my article, Aimee! I hope you get a chance to make it here one day.
This place looks amazing! I would love to visit someday!
Tunisia is overlooked, especially compared to Morocco. It’s definitely worth a visit!
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
Thank you so much! 🙂 I’m so happy to hear this.
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?
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.
These pictures make me want to visit all that much more. Your pictures are
gorgeous! It really captures what you posted in your title.
Thank you so much!!
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?
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. 🙂
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.
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!
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!
They were the perfect activities in such a cute town! 🙂
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 🙂
Thank you so much! I had no idea about this town as well, until I spoke with people during my trip planning.
Omg! This place is just a beauty! I
am so putting it on my map for my
Africa trip of next year
Thanks for sharing this!!
Yesss! That’s what I like to hear. 🙂 Tunisia is often overlooked and it’s a truly beautiful country!
These photos are DREAMY! Thank you
for this post. It brings out even
more of the wanderlust and travel bug
in my soul!
I’m so happy you enjoyed my post, Sarah! I hope you get to visit one day. 😉
I had no clue that Tunisia looked like Greece! Check out this post about Mykonos, you’ll see similar
colors in the pictures 😀
http//tinytripsandtips.com/exploring-mykonos/
Yes, it’s quite beautiful! Greece is a country that I can’t wait to visit.
Hi Selam, this place looks stunning and I have added it to my African travel map. Feel free to check
it out here: https://www.thetravelblogs.com/africa
Keep up the great blogging!
Thanks Matt. I really appreciate your support! 🙂
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