The breathtaking Mediterranean view of Sidi Bou Said

The Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by the Eurasian and African continents.
Beautiful towns dot the landscape against the backdrop of the sea, captivating tourists from around the world.
While Santorini in Greece and Sicily in Italy are representative, Tunisia also has towns with breathtaking views.
That is the blue and white town of Sidi Bou Said.

Sidi Bou Said What is

 In northern Tunisia, just a drive from the capital Tunis,30Sidi Bou Said is a town located on the cliffs of the Mediterranean.
This place, overlooking the sunlit Mediterranean, is home to many buildings with blue doors and white walls, making it very photogenic and considered the most beautiful place in Tunisia.

There are various theories about the origin, such as blue being a sacred color in Islam, a baron who lived in Sidi Bou Said imposing his favorite color, or it being cool and insect-repellent. However, a combination of religious significance, historical background, and practicality has been passed down to this day.

The locals take pride in this color scheme and put effort into maintaining their homes and shops.
They maintain its vivid beauty by repainting regularly.

Walking through the photogenic town

The gentle slopes form the main road of Sidi Bou Said.
Lined with shops, souvenir stores, stylish restaurants, and cafes.
On both sides of the main road, there are many alleys with numerous charming sights.
Vivid blues appear everywhere, making every view picturesque.

More beautiful than imagined, I became engrossed in taking photos and couldn't move forward easily.
I visited6It was the peak season for flowers, and colorful blooms like jacarandas and bougainvilleas enriched the town's colors.

At the far end of the main road is a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, and just before it is the famous Cafe des Delices, often seen in photos when searching for Sidi Bou Said.
Also, just before that, there is a stall selling Tunisia's sweet donuts, BAMBALOUNI, and one of the world's oldest cafes, Café des nattes.

You can relax in restaurants or cafes while enjoying the scenery or become engrossed in photography.
It's a town where you can spend your time as you like.

Accommodation is recommended

The area with the blue and white scenery is very small, and you can explore it in half a day.
However, I highly recommend staying in Sidi Bou Said.1I highly recommend staying overnight.
Sidi Bou Said is close to the capital, so it was bustling not only with tourists but also with locals, especially the younger generation of local middle and high school students.
Therefore, when taking photos during the day, people inevitably appear in them like this. (※1)

Therefore, in Sidi Bou Said,1I recommend staying overnight and exploring early in the morning!
All the photos in this article (except ※1) were taken during early morning walks!
With very few people around, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the blue and white scenery in a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Also, if you're lucky, you can see the sunrise over the Mediterranean.
Please stay overnight and take your time to enjoy the beautiful Sidi Bou Said in the clear morning air.