| Sidi Bou Said سيدي بو سعيد | ||
 | ||
| State | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Northern Tunisia | |
| Inhabitants | 4.793 (2004 estimate) | |
| Prefix tel | 216 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 2026 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Sidi Bou Said is a country of Northern Tunisia about 20 km from the capital Tunis.
To know
The city is named after a Muslim religious figure who lived in this city, Abou Said ibn Khalef ibn Yahia Ettamini el Beji (before the latter's arrival it was called Jabal el-Menar). The city is an interesting tourist attraction, known for the intense use of blue and white colors throughout the city.
Geographical notes
The city develops to the north-east of the site of Carthage and extends on a hill overlooking the sea overlooking the entire Gulf of Tunis.
When to go
The best time to visit is early autumn or spring (March-early April or late October-November), before the onslaught of tourist groups begins, when you can still walk alone in the narrow streets, around white- blue traditional houses enjoying the view in peace. If you are there during the summer months, it is advisable to visit not only the overcrowded and touristy main street, but also the more empty inner parts of the neighborhood. It is practically empty in the daylight hours during Ramadan.
Background
Between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. A.D. Abou Said ibn Khalef ibn Yahia Ettamini el Beji arrived in the village of Jabal el-Menar and built a shrine there. After his death in 1231, he was buried there. In the eighteenth century. the Turkish governors of Tunis and wealthy citizens built numerous residences there.
During the 1920s, the French painter Rodolphe d’Erlanger applied the white-blue theme throughout the city. In April 1914: Paul Klee, August Macke, is Louis Moillet they arrived in Tunisia staying in Sidi Bou Said where they made several canvases of the city and its surroundings making this place even more famous and legendary among artists. In fact, other artists will also visit these places leaving a long memory of their passage.
How to orient yourself
Sidi Bou Said: full screen map.
The pedestrian area, and therefore the city center, develops along 1 rue Habib Thameur and then it becomes rue Hedi Zarrouk. From here there are side streets full of clubs and souvenir shops.
How to get
The stations on the Tunis-Goulette-Marsa line are as follows:
- Tunis Marine
- Le Bac
- La Goulette
- La Goulette Neuve
- La Goulette Casino
- Khereddine
- The Aéroport
- The Kram
- Carthage Salammbo
- Carthage Byrsa
- Carthage Dermech
- Carthage Hannibal
- Carthage Présidence
- Carthage Amilcar
- Sidi Bou Saïd
- Sidi Dhrif
- The Corniche
- Marsa Plage
By car
You can get there from Tunis passing close to Carthage by car via the N9 (about 25 min) and the traffic is not excessive except on peak days.
On the train
- 1 Sidi Bou Said station. It can be reached via the TGM (Tunis-Goulette-Marsa) railway line, which departs from Tunis and comes to La Marsa.
The station ticket office closes late, so those wishing to take a day trip from Tunis or La Marsa should buy a suitable ticket in advance (e.g. round trip) to avoid the risk of being without one. A one-way journey in second class costs 0.430 TND (March 2017). The complete and updated rates can be viewed online.
How to get around
The village is quite small, and you can visit every road in the village in no more than two to three hours. On the top of the hill there is a beautiful view of the surrounding bay.
By taxi
In non-pedestrian areas there are several taxis.
By car
The historic center is pedestrianized therefore it is necessary to park. Most of the car parks are reserved for residents.
- 2 Parking Sidi Bou Said (مأوى السيارات بسيدي بوسعيد), 33 Avenue 14 Janvier.
Mon-Sun 6: 00-22: 00. - 3 Free parking. It can easily fill up on the weekend.
Mon-Sun 6: 00-22: 00.What see
- The white houses with blue roofs and windows, unique to this village perched on a hill, are a splendid photographic subject. But also the many streets to explore, with gardens and alleys.
- To the 1 end of the main road it can be admired with a splendid view of the Mediterranean Sea and the bay of Tunis.
- 2 Ennejma Ezzahra, 25 Rue du Maroc.
5 DT. Tue-Sun, Jul-Aug: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, rest of the year 9:00 am-1:00pm, 2:00 pm-5:00pm. Former palace house of Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger, now used as a museum. 
- 3 Family House (Located on the left as you enter the town). 4.5 DT. An old house converted into a museum, showing the traditional life of an 18th century Tunisian lawyer. Privately owned and run by its descendants, it is worth a visit.
5 DT. 
Events and parties
What to do
- Photos. Sidi Bou Said has stunning white and blue colors all over the country, which will force you to take lots of photos.
- Walks. On the road along Café des Nattes there is a small path on the right with many steps leading down the hill towards the sea (4 Port Plaisance), frequented by locals and apparently unknown to tourists. A small beach, where it is possible to swim and a harbor with boats that can be seen from the top of the hill, with a small shop and a telephone for taxis. When you are facing the sea, you can follow the road on the left back up to the top of the hill. A pleasant walk with a splendid view of the sea if it is not too hot, if you do not want to face the stairs you can take one of the taxis that stop quite often on the beach!
- Center for Arab and Mediterranean Music, 8, rue du 2 mars (Ennejma Ezzahra palace), ☎ 216 71 746 051. They organize events and concerts.
Shopping
- Suq. Like many other Arab settlements around the world, Sidi Bou Said has a small souk open all year round, where basic necessities are sold for the locals. Also, during the tourist seasons, souvenir stalls at the bottom of the town's main street. A traditional product manufactured in Sidi Bou Said are bird cages colored in white and blue like the roofs of the village. Don't forget to bargain!
- 1 Banque Zitouna Sidi Bou Said, Rue de la république, ☎ 216 71 164 400. There is an ATM for any withdrawals.
How to have fun
Night clubs
- 1 Cafe De Nattes, Rue Habib Thameur (At the top of the hill), ☎ 216 71 749 661. Shisha: 3 dinars, mint tea: less than a dinar. Famous cafe where artist Paul Klee often worked. Much cheaper than Delices coffee and also more traditional.
Where to eat
Do not miss the locally produced dates.
Moderate prices
- 1 Coasts cafe, Avenue 14 Janvier. 9:00-23:00. Cafe with a large terrace.
Average prices
- 2 Au Bon Vieux Temps, rue Hedi Zarrouk, 56, ☎ 216 71744733. Main courses 20/45 TND. Romantic, with panoramic views from the terrace, but too often has listless service and bland food. The tastiest food is on offer at the nearby kiosk on the same street.
- Blanc And Bleu. Decent schwarma: 3/4 dinar, 2/3 dinar crepe. A Syrian restaurant just opposite the Coste café. The only place open for lunch during Ramadan.
- 3 Cafe Delices, Impasse de la Corniche, ☎ 216 71 749 661. Shisha: 4 dinars, bottle of water: 5 dinars. Mon-Sun 10 am-8pm. It has the best view of Sidi Bou Said. The drinks are very expensive here. If you don't know the price of the shisha, the waiters will try to get more money from you. Basically, you pay more for the view than for the drink.
High prices
- 4 Dar Zarrouk, Rue Hedi Zarrouk. Salads 25 DT, main courses 45 DT. 12:30–23:00. The most exclusive restaurant in town. Decent portions, tasty food, with a bit too formal feel.
Where stay
There are a couple of places to stay in Sidi Bou se Said.
For a richer search for hotel rooms you can refer to the nearby ones Tunis is Carthage. Also, if you are really lucky, you could rent a room for a night or two in a house from a resident of the village. However, this is rare, since the locals are very wealthy and rarely have an interest in sharing their home with strangers.
Average prices
- 1 Sidi Bou Fares hotels, rue Fares Sidi Bou, 15 (In the city center). Single 45 TND Negotiable (Oct 2007). All rooms are based on a lovely central courtyard. They are quite small, but have a bathroom in the room.
High prices
- 2 The Villa Bleue, 68 rue Kennedy, ☎ 216 71 742 000. From 600 DT. Seaside hotel.
Safety
The city is very safe as it is an important tourist center.
How to keep in touch
Around
- Tunis - The country's capital with its architecture divided between medina and ville nouvelle, the Bardo national museum and the Belvédère park.
- Carthage - Notoriously razed by the Romans with the few remains now secured in a museum, easily accessible by train
- Quamart - A resort on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Sidi Bou Said
Commons contains images or other files on Sidi Bou Said
