Positioned on top of a cliff overlooking the charming Gulf of Tunis, Sidi Bou Said offers incredible scenery and plenty of exciting adventures.
Tunisia is an exciting place to visit. This country positioned in the northernmost part of Africa is rich in history, culture, and food. Tunisia is home to an ancient Roman Theater which is been used for traditional performances today. It also features plenty of unique small towns endowed with incredible scenery and lots of exciting activities.
Sidi Bou Said is one such town but it is much different from the rest. This town is positioned on top of a cliff overlooking the charming Gulf of Tunis and it is made up of houses painted in white and blue color. The town’s blue and white colors then blend perfectly with the sea and sky to make the view here magical. Such incredible scenery can only be found in Santorini which is why this town has been dubbed “Tunisia’s Santorini”. Besides the magical scenery of this town, there are also plenty of things one can do there and these are the most exciting.
10 Explore Museum Dar el-Annabi
Museum Dar el-Annabi is a well-preserved historic house on the Main street of Sidi Bou Said that welcomes visitors to come to learn about the lifestyle of the locals here. Within the house, one will be presented with pieces of furniture, traditional costumes, and many other things that reveal the luxurious traditional lifestyle of Tunisian people.
The house dates back to the 18th century and it has bedrooms, lounges, a prayer hall, and a library. Like many other houses in the town, this historic house is also painted in blue and white and it has a garden with beautiful plants and flowers.
9 Check Out Ennejma Ezzahra Palace
Also known as Dar Nejma Ezzahra, this palace is the most popular attraction in Sidi Bou Said. Built in the early 1900s by Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger, this palace is the perfect example of Arabian architecture. Its founder was also the person behind the town’s blue and white color.
Despite suffering from damage and looting during WWII, this building was renovated and made the first museum in the town. The palace has a concert hall, Today, the palace hosts a center for Arabic and Mediterranean music, a concert hall, and a wide collection of materials that relates to Tunisian Music.
8 Visit The Town’s Art Galleries
To get an artistic view of the culture of Sidi Bou Said, one can check out the town’s art galleries. The Ghaya Gallery is a great place to begin as it showcases the artworks of Tunisian artists and a few international artists.
A Gorgi Gallery is another reputable contemporary art gallery in Sidi Bou Said which also showcases artworks of Tunisian artists and international artists.
7 Shop For Souvenirs In The Town
Before leaving Sidi Bou Said, one should not miss out on purchasing some of the town’s interesting products from carpets to olive oil.
Deyma, one of the town’s best shops is large and it has plenty of dates and chocolates, and several other interesting Tunisian products. Check out their website for more information.
6 Wander The Streets And Enjoy More Scenery
There are plenty of historic sites to visit in Sidi Bou Said but one of the best things one can do here is simply walk through the quiet streets and just get lost in the town.
With cars banned in the streets, one can rest assured that the walk will be peaceful. This activity will help one discover some of the town’s hidden points of interest and also witness the houses painted with the town’s signature blue and white colors.
Some of these houses are even decorated with beautiful flowers which makes them more beautiful to behold. While walking, check out the town’s restaurants and cafes, and also browse through some shops for souvenirs. If you have just a few hours to spend in Sidi Bou Said, this is probably the best way to see the town.
5 Enjoy A Meal With An Incredible View
Sidi Bou Said has plenty of restaurants serving up delicious food but to get a more unique food experience here, one should eat in a restaurant with great views. Many restaurants in the town have restaurants with great views.
One such hotel is La Villa Bleue but in case one is not lodged in a hotel with a great view restaurant, there are still plenty of standalone restaurants to eat with great views. Restaurant de l’Hotel Sidi Bou Said and Le Chargui are some of the town’s popular restaurants that offer beautiful views and sumptuous meals.
4 Check Out Sidi Bou Said Park
Sidi Bou Said Park is an area where one can witness some natural scenery and enjoy some exciting outdoor adventures. The park is surrounded by plenty of trees and it also has a beautiful lake where ducks come to swim.
Whether one decides to sit on a chair in front of the lake and watch the incredible views or take a nature walk in the forest area, the experience here is sure to be memorable.
3 Eat Bambalouni
Bambalouni is the signature food in this part of Tunisia. It is a Tunisian doughnut stuffed with almond and orange paste and often served as breakfast together with coffee or eaten as a side.
Restaurants don’t offer this food and one can only get it from a fast food shop in the town.
2 Relax At Sidi Bou Said Beach
Sidi Bou Said Beach is the perfect spot to hang out on a sunny afternoon in this town. The water of this beach is beautiful and great for swimming and the soft sand is great for relaxation.
Sidi Bou Said Beach is equipped with beach chairs and umbrellas, and there are shops and restaurants around to make the experience here as comfortable and exciting as possible.
Activities such as jet skiing, cruising, and other exciting water sports can be done on this beach as it has a water sports station and a marina.
1 Relax At Elypsa Spa
Elypsa is a spa in Sidi Bou Said that welcomes visitors to enjoy a wide range of spa services from facial treatment to therapeutic massages. The spa also has a swimming pool and it is a great place to relax after engaging in some of the town’s adventures.
For more information about the spa and to book reservations, visit their website.
Source: thetravel
