One of the most beautiful views in the mountain village of Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Sidi Bou Saïd

With its distinctive blue-and-white color scheme, cobbled streets and jaw-dropping glimpses of azure waters, the cliff-top village of Sidi Bou Saïd is one of the prettiest spots in Tunisia. Named after a 13th-century Sufi saint, its distinctive architecture is a mix of the Ottoman and the Andalusian, a result of the influx of Spanish Muslims in the 16th century. For the French, the fishing village was a perfect depiction of the Orientalism romanticized by Europeans in the 19th century, and they committed to ensuring that its character – both real and imagined – was preserved (it was given protected status in 1915). Past residents and visitors include artist Paul Klee, author André Gide, philosopher Michel Foucault, and arty British eccentrics Osbert and Edith Sitwell.


Attractions

Must-see attractions

Articles

Latest stories from Sidi Bou Saïd

Art

Back to the past: staying overnight in Tunisia's best traditional dar hotels

Jul 18, 2018 • 5 min read

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Sidi Bou Saïd