• By: admin
• Oct 05, 2026
• (0) Comments

Everyone thinks this is Greece. It’s actually in North Africa.

White walls. Bright blue doors and window grills. Pink and purple bougainvillea spilling over the walls. And the Mediterranean sparkling below. This is Sidi Bou Saïd in Tunisia, and on 25 July 2026 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Where is Sidi Bou Saïd?

It sits on a hill above the sea, about 20 km from Tunisia’s capital, Tunis. It’s right next to the ruins of ancient Carthage, so you can see both in one day.

Why is everything blue and white?

The village’s look is protected. In the early 20th century, rules were introduced to keep the blue and white style, and the tradition stuck. Today, the whole village is painted in the same colours, which is why it looks so perfect in photos.

Those blue doors are often covered in black metal studs in patterns. Look closely and you’ll find stars, crescents and flowers.

Why UNESCO chose it

Sidi Bou Saïd grew around the tomb of a Sufi saint, Abou Saïd Khalaf Ibn Yahya, and was a religious centre for centuries. Later, it became a magnet for artists and writers, who came for the light, the sea and the calm.

UNESCO recognised its unique architecture and its long history as a spiritual and artistic hub.

When to go

Spring and autumn are ideal, with warm days and fewer crowds than summer. Go early in the morning for empty streets and soft light, or at sunset for golden views over the bay.

What to do

• Walk the main street up the hill and get lost in the side alleys.
• Have mint tea with pine nuts at Café des Délices or Café des Nattes, two of the village’s classic cafés.
• Try a bambalouni, a sweet fried doughnut sold on the street.
• Visit Dar Ennejma Ezzahra, a palace built by a European baron who loved the village, now a music museum.
• Look down at the marina from the cliff viewpoints.
• Add Carthage, just a few minutes away, for Roman ruins by the sea.

How to get there

Fly into Tunis-Carthage Airport, about 15 to 20 minutes away by taxi. You can also take the TGM light train from central Tunis, which drops you at the bottom of the hill.

Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes. The streets are steep and cobbled.
• Go on a weekday. Weekends get busy with local visitors.
• Be respectful with your camera. People live here. Ask before photographing someone.
• Bring small cash for snacks and souvenirs.

Quick facts

• The village is named after the Sufi saint whose tomb it grew around.
• Famous painters, including Paul Klee, visited and painted here.
• Birdcages painted blue and white are the classic souvenir.

A perfect half day

1. Morning: arrive early, walk the empty main street and photograph the blue doors in soft light.
2. Mid-morning: mint tea with pine nuts at a café with a sea view.
3. Late morning: visit Dar Ennejma Ezzahra and its gardens.
4. Lunch: grilled fish or a Tunisian brik, a crispy pastry with egg inside.
5. Afternoon: head to Carthage to see the Antonine Baths by the sea.

Your challenge

Which country is Sidi Bou Saïd in? Greece, Morocco, Tunisia or Malta? Be honest: did you guess it right? Tell me on my post at @explor_shan.

Then try the AI prompt challenge and create your own blue-and-white cliff alley.

FAQ

Is Sidi Bou Saïd worth a full day?
Half a day is enough for the village. Add Carthage to make it a full day.

Is it like Santorini?
Similar colours, different feel. Sidi Bou Saïd is North African, with Arab-Andalusian design and Tunisian food.

Do I need a guide?
No. It’s small and easy to explore on foot.

Tag the friend who’d take 500 photos here, and save it for your bucket list.

Explore with me every day. Follow @explor_shan on Instagram for the daily challenge, and comment EXPLORE on any post to get the guide in your DMs.