Sidi Bou Said in a Day: A Journey Through History and Charm

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by Sarah

March 30, 2024 · 1 min read

Sidi Bou Said 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a captivating one-day journey to Sidi Bou Said, a town that exudes the charm of the Mediterranean with its whitewashed buildings and blue accents. Begin your adventure at the Palace Dar Nejma Ezzahra, a stunning palace where you'll spend an hour marveling at its architectural beauty and rich history. Next, wander through the cobblestone streets of Sidi Bou Said itself, dedicating two hours to explore the quaint shops, cafes, and breathtaking views of the town that artists and writers have adored for centuries. Continue your historical exploration with a visit to the Ruins of Carthage, where one hour is spent walking through the remnants of a once-great civilization. Conclude your day with a three-hour immersion into the ancient world at the Baths of Antoninus, one of the largest Roman thermae built on the African continent. This itinerary promises a day filled with awe-inspiring sights and a deep connection to Tunisia's storied past.

Top 6 Hotels in Sidi Bou Said
TOP 1
Movenpick Hotel Gammarth Tunis
Movenpick Hotel Gammarth Tunis
hotelStar
5/5
50 reviews
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TOP 2
Ibis Tunis
Ibis Tunis
hotelStar
3/5
43 reviews
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TOP 3
Tunis Marriott Hotel
Tunis Marriott Hotel
hotelStar
5/5
61 reviews
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Four Seasons Hotel Tunis
Four Seasons Hotel Tunis
hotelStar
5/5
49 reviews
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Movenpick Hotel du Lac Tunis
Movenpick Hotel du Lac Tunis
hotelStar
5/5
49 reviews
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Hotel le Pacha
Hotel le Pacha
hotelStar
3/5
43 reviews
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Day 1: Enchanting Sidi Bou Said - A Journey Through History and Beauty

1

Palace Dar Nejma Ezzahra

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Begin your Sidi Bou Said adventure at the majestic Palace Dar Nejma Ezzahra, a beacon of cultural heritage nestled in the heart of this picturesque town. With an hour to explore, immerse yourself in the opulence of this palace, where the architecture and decor reflect a harmonious blend of Arab and Andalusian styles. The palace, now a museum, offers a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the early 20th century, with its richly decorated rooms and stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Attraction Info

  • 1934 Rue Du 2 Mars, Sidi Bou Said 2026, Tunisia
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Restaurant Dar Zarrouk
Restaurant Dar Zarrouk
4.3/5 · 7 reviews
0.1 km from attraction
Tam Tam
Tam Tam
/5 · 0 reviews
0.7 km from attraction
Keens Café
Keens Café
4/5 · 2 reviews
0.7 km from attraction
Le Parnasse
Le Parnasse
/5 · 0 reviews
2.7 km from attraction
Le Golfe
Le Golfe
/5 · 0 reviews
3.3 km from attraction
Cafe des Delices
Cafe des Delices
4.7/5 · 3 reviews
0.1 km from attraction
15 min,1.11 km
2

Sidi Bou Said

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Next, wander through the charming streets of Sidi Bou Said itself, a small town that feels like a living painting with its distinctive blue and white color scheme. Dedicate a couple of hours to meander around this cliff-top village, where the scent of jasmine lingers in the air and art galleries, cafés, and craft shops line the cobblestone pathways. The town's relaxed atmosphere and breathtaking views over the Gulf of Tunis make it a perfect spot to soak in the local culture and beauty.

Attraction Info

  • Carthage, Tunisia
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-4 hour
  • Open 24 hours
3 min,1.43 km
3

Ruins of Carthage

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Continue your historical exploration with a visit to the Ruins of Carthage, an hour-long journey back in time. As you step onto the grounds of this ancient city, you'll be transported to the Punic and Roman periods. The ruins are a testament to Carthage's once-great civilization, offering a fascinating insight into its complex history through the remnants of temples, theatres, and villas that have withstood the test of time.

Attraction Info

  • Carthage, Route de La Goulette 7016
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 1/1-12/31(Summer),8:00am-7:00pm;Open from 1/1-12/31(Winter),8:30am-5:00pm
26 min,2.03 km
4

Baths of Antoninus

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Conclude your day with a three-hour stay at the Baths of Antoninus, one of the largest Roman thermae built on the African continent and a highlight of the Carthage archaeological site. As you stroll through the ruins, imagine the grandeur of the past, where Romans once bathed and socialized in this complex. The baths' impressive structure and the historical significance provide a fitting end to a day filled with the splendor of Sidi Bou Said's cultural treasures.

Attraction Info

  • V83M+MXW, Impasse des Thermes d'Antonin, Site archéologique de Carthage 2016, Tunisia
  • Suggested tour duration: 3-4 hour
  • Open from 8:00am-5:00pm
3.9/536 Reviews
3.9/536 Reviews
Sidi Bou Said
|1.21km from Baths of Antoninus
0/50 Reviews
El Kram
|1.34km from Baths of Antoninus
4.5/51 Reviews
4.5/5Excellent1 Reviews
Sidi Bou Said
|1.93km from Baths of Antoninus
4.1/50 Reviews
4.1/5Very Good0 Reviews
Sidi Bou Said
|2.05km from Baths of Antoninus

Top Things to Do in Sidi Bou Said-2024

TOP 1
Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said
4.7/5 · 166 review
Highlights:
Located 20 kilometers north of Tunis, the blue and white town is a beautiful town with a Mediterranean atmosphere. Because in the eyes of Tunisians, blue symbolizes peace, all the houses here have only two colors - white walls, blue doors and windows, and the Andalusian-style cottages with blue windows and white houses are this blue and white small The character of the town, so simple and so romantic, makes it a suitor's paradise. The blue and white town winds up the mountain with a simple layout, a cobblestone-paved street with white houses shining in the sun on both sides, and some alleys sticking out from the house. The houses are only two or three stories high. What makes people feel as if they are in a fairy tale are the blue iron windows and blue wooden doors inlaid on the white wall. The arabesque scrolls are displayed on the iron window lattices, symmetrical and dreamy; the blue copper nails on the door The stars and the moon, as well as bows and arrows, flowers and other patterns are combined, which are gorgeous and exquisite. Walking in such a romantic and beautiful town, you might as well find a coffee shop to listen to the footsteps of time. Le Café des Nattes is a famous coffee shop in the blue and white town. It is a century-old coffee shop. After the painter Mache painted "Viewofa Mosque" here in 1914, the layout here has not changed. The cafe is located in the middle of the town, and it is easy for tourists to find it. There are too many people to sit indoors. The store will spread straw mats on the stairs for the guests to sit. It's called a straw mat cafe. The cafe offers a strong Italian-style coffee. A complete portion is only half a cup, usually mint tea. It is sweet and greasy, with a layer of pine nuts floating in it. small town. Jasmine is the national flower of Tunisia. Men in blue and white towns like to hang a bunch of jasmine flowers behind their ears. It is said that the jasmine blooms here for half a year. Young people or old people in traditional costumes often string the flowers into strings, insert them into large straw trays, and walk around the streets to sell them to tourists, forming a beautiful scenery. . If you are interested, you may wish to buy a few bunches of jasmine flowers and hang them on your chest or behind your ears, surrounded by the refreshing fragrance. When it comes to food, the fried doughnuts in the blue and white town are worth a try. The crispy doughnuts are wrapped in white sugar and are fragrant and sweet. Although the blue and white town is not big, if you look up, you can see the blue and tender Mediterranean Sea with beautiful scenery, enthusiastic residents and romantic and exquisite blue and white cottages everywhere. It's worth coming here, it's worth spending a few days here, forgetting the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoying the quiet time.
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TOP 2
Medina of Tunis
Medina of Tunis
4.6/5 · 54 review
Highlights:
The old city of Tunisia is located in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It has a strong Arabic style and has a history of 1,300 years. Among the Islamic cities in North Africa, the Old Town of Tunisia is one of the best examples of urban building codes. In 1973, UNESCO listed the old town of Tunisia as a cultural heritage and included it in the World Heritage List.
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TOP 3
Ruins of Carthage
Ruins of Carthage
4.6/5 · 94 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 945 review
Highlights:
The ruins of the ancient city of Carthage, built in 814 BC, are located 17 kilometers northeast of Tunis and have a history of more than 3,000 years.
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TOP 4
Bardo National Museum
Bardo National Museum
4.7/5 · 46 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,437 review
Highlights:
The Bardo National Museum was built in 1882, and its building was originally part of the Bey Royal Palace. The Bardu Museum is a relatively large museum in the Maghreb, and it has a collection of mosaics. The Bardo National Museum was officially opened in 1886 and changed to its current name in 1956. The exhibits in the museum are excavated and selected from nearly 100 ancient ruins all over the country, with nearly 10,000 pieces concentrated, displayed according to five historical periods, and ancient Greek artworks are also displayed in the museum.
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TOP 5
Avenue Habib Bourguiba
Avenue Habib Bourguiba
4.5/5 · 34 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 88 review
Highlights:
Bourguiba Street is an important commercial street in the Tunisian capital. The environment is very elegant, the whole street is very wide, and there are very rich natural landscapes. There are many well-known Tunisian buildings and churches on this avenue, and the few kilometers from the bell tower to the Medina, the old city gate, are lined with French cafes, modern shops, theaters and hotels. A must-see in Tunisia.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Sidi Bou Said 1 Day Itinerary