Sidi Bou Said
Tunis, Tunisia
A postcard cliff-top village of cobbled lanes, blue doors and white walls above the Mediterranean, the region's most beautiful spot. Essential and enchant…
Places in Sidi Bou Said
- Le Golfe / Sidi Bou Said seafood Cliff-top and harbour seafood restaurants serve fresh Mediterranean fish with sweeping views over the bay. Romantic and beautifully sited.
- Au Bon Vieux Temps A characterful restaurant serving authentic Tunisian dishes with lovely views, a journey through the country's culinary heritage. Atmospheric and traditional.
- Café des Nattes A historic café at the heart of the blue-and-white village, its matted terraces a classic spot for mint tea with pine nuts. Iconic and atmospheric.
- Café des Délices A century-old café famous for its cliff-top view over the Mediterranean, the village's most celebrated (if touristy) spot. The view is the point.
- Sidi Bou Said sunset terraces The village's terraces are best at sunset with mint tea (alcohol is limited in the village) as the bay turns gold. Serene and beautiful.
Practical notes for Tunis
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to November for warm, comfortable Mediterranean weather. Summer is hot and busy at the beaches; winter is mild and quiet. Spring brings the countryside into bloom.
- Getting around
- The TGM light rail links central Tunis to Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and the beach suburb of La Marsa — the most useful line for visitors. Taxis are cheap and plentiful; the medina is walked. A guide helps for a first medina visit.
- Currency
- Tunisian Dinar (DT)
- Language
- Arabic. French is widespread; English in tourism.
- Timezone
- CET (UTC+1)
- Current trends
- A revival of the medina with boutique dar guesthouses and rooftop cafés; a small modern-Tunisian and international dining scene in the ville nouvelle and La Marsa; a strong café-and-shisha culture; and cultural tourism deepening around Carthage and the Bardo.
Other neighborhoods in Tunis
- The Medina — The UNESCO-listed old city, a labyrinth of souks, mosques, madrasas and palaces around the great Zitouna Mosque. The historic heart of Tunis.
- Ville Nouvelle — The French-built new town along the grand Avenue Habib Bourguiba, with cafés, the cathedral, theatres and shops. The city's modern, café-lined spine.
- Carthage — The leafy seaside suburb built over the ruins of the ancient Punic and Roman city, with archaeological sites scattered among villas. History by the sea.
- La Marsa — A relaxed, upscale beach suburb with a seafront corniche, cafés and restaurants, popular with locals for weekends. The city's easy Mediterranean escape.
Read the full Tunis guide