Sidi Bou Said: A Cultural Haven Sitting on Tunisia's Coastline

When thinking of the Mediterranean, everyone is usually occupied with the seaside magic of Greek cities like Mykonos and Santorini, or the charm of the Italian Riviera. Yet all the while, they’ve overlooked Arab and North African aesthetes such as the white-and-blue beachside town of Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia.

Attached to the old town of Carthage, the city has been classified as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979 - but that’s hardly scratching the surface of its charm. Perched on a steep cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Sidi Bou Said offers views straight out of an elaborate Turkish drama (without all the murderous stepsisters), a mere 30 minutes away from the Tunisian capital.

With houses that echo Greek charm and a little more heritage for the cultured eye to explore, the beach town offers more than moonlit summer walks down its cobblestoned streets and beautiful fuschia-and-white bougainvillaea. You can, for example, explore the nearby Medina, a 9th-century city that was once surrounded by walls. Although the walls no longer stand, the narrow streets of the area remain rich with the air of the past, coddled with many souks, mosques, and historic structures. The town holds over 700 structures dating back to the Almohad and the Hafsid periods of Tunisian history.

Because entertainment is best when it’s edible, the Tunisian town offers a wide array of restaurants, from the local small shops to the more gourmet experiences. If you’re fancying a night out, consider heading over to Au Bon Vieux Temps, a top-notch Tunisian garden eatery serving once-in-a-lifetime eating experiences complemented with the romantic view of the Mediterranean sea, as well as an exciting range of Tunisian vintages for wine fanatics.

In terms of where to lodge, one of the cosier, more intimate hot spots is La Ville Bleue, an enchanting traditional Tunisian home huddled on the cliffside directly above the marina. Clad in the town uniform of blue and white, the villa, complete with 13 rooms, offers a serene experience perfect for the sanctuary that is Sidi Bou Said. From the cool marbled designs to the gourmet restaurant to the traditional-hammam-equipped spa (and a set of breathtaking beach views, of course) this hotel is seemingly made for hopped-up travel geeks and couch potatoes alike.