Sidi Bou Said, Mediterranean coastal town in Tunis Governorate, Tunisia
Sidi Bou Said is a Mediterranean coastal town in Tunis Governorate, Tunisia, perched on steep cliffs above the sea. Cobbled paths wind between whitewashed houses with arched windows and wooden doorways decorated with ornate nails.
The settlement began forming in the 13th century around the tomb of religious scholar Abu Said Ibn Khalef Ibn Yahia El-Beji from the Zitouna Mosque. Baron d'Erlanger introduced the white-and-blue color regulation in the 1920s that continues to shape the town today.
The 18th-century Café des Nattes welcomes guests on low seating beneath a shaded courtyard, where sweet mint tea is served in small glasses. Artisans in the lanes sell painted birdcages and ceramic tiles that reflect the maritime heritage of the region.
The TGM train runs every 30 minutes between the town and central Tunis, departing from Tunis Marine station during the day. The lanes are steep and sometimes uneven, so sturdy shoes help when exploring the hillside paths.
The Ennejma Ezzahra palace houses the Center for Arab and Mediterranean Music and displays a large collection of traditional instruments. In the gardens grow jasmine bushes whose scent drifts through the lanes in the evening.
Location: delegation of Carthage
Elevation above the sea: 98 m
Address: Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
GPS coordinates: 36.87109,10.34905
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:37
Tunisia offers diverse photography locations from Roman ruins to desert landscapes. The El Jem amphitheater stands as a monument of ancient architecture, while Sidi Bou Said presents Mediterranean buildings in blue and white. The Medina of Tunis contains historic streets, and Kairouan's Great Mosque displays Islamic architectural elements. Natural settings include the Chott el Djerid salt lake and the mountain oasis of Chebika. Archaeological sites such as Carthage and Dougga provide views of ancient civilizations, while coastal areas like Cap Bon feature waters and green spaces.
Tunis offers a journey through thousands of years of history, from the narrow lanes of its ancient medina to the grand ruins of Carthage. Walk through the medina and you'll find yourself surrounded by centuries-old mosques and palaces, with souks where vendors still sell spices, textiles, and crafts much as they did generations ago. The Bardo Museum holds one of the world's greatest collections of Roman mosaics, giving you a direct window into how people lived two thousand years ago. Beyond the old city, Avenue Habib Bourguiba showcases the colonial architecture that shaped the city in more recent times, while the hilltop village of Sidi Bou Saïd charms visitors with its whitewashed houses and blue-painted doors. The port of La Goulette, once a fortress and trading hub, remains the working heart of Tunisia's maritime life. Together, these places tell the story of a capital that has been shaped by Phoenicians, Romans, Ottomans, and the people who call it home today.
Archaeological site of Carthage
2.2 km
Carthage Palace
1.8 km
Theatre of Carthage
2.3 km
Horses' mosaïc of Carthage
2.2 km
Jāmiʻ al-ʻĀbidīn
2.2 km
Basilica of Saint Cyprian
1.3 km
Ennejma Ezzahra
562 m
Basilica of Damous El Karita
1.9 km
Odeon hill and park of the Roman villas of Carthage
2.2 km
Essaada Palace
2 km
Villa Baizeau
1.7 km
Carthage Administration Inscription
2.2 km
Keren Yechoua Synagogue
2 km
Chapelle Sainte-Monique de Carthage
1.7 km
Dar El Annabi
148 m
Basilica Majorum of Carthage
1.4 km
La Marsa church
1 km
Sidi Bou Said lighthouse
90 m
Naceur Bey Palace
62 m
Dar Mohsen
366 m
Dar El Annabi
146 m
Ain Tassat
313 m
Odeon of Carthage
2.1 km
Centre of Arab and Mediterranean Music
562 m
House of the Aviary
2.2 km
House of the Cryptoporticus
2.2 km
Sebil Bach Hamba
465 m
Port of Sidi Bou Said
566 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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