Last update : 20/08/2023

Do you fancy a vacation in Tunisia to relax and discover beautiful towns such as Sidi Bou Said? All while staying in an incredible designer boutique hotel… This is the experience we had for a few days in August. We didn’t know Tunisia at all, and we couldn’t wait to discover the country’s culture. On the program: a visit to Sidi Bou Said, a small village that looks like Greece, with its white houses and blue doors.

Then, a stroll through the Medina of Tunis with a local guide who would give us all the best addresses and take us to magical places.  And of course, enjoy the incredible Maison Dedine, our accommodation ideally located facing the sea, with 100% designer decor and adorable team. If you’re looking to unwind and relax, we can’t recommend Maison Dedine in Sidi Bou Said enough. Follow our guide and our good addresses and let yourself be inspired by our photographs of these colorful places… Let’s go!

Sidi Bou Said, where to sleep?

Maison Dedine, a boutique hotel with a guaranteed “coup de coeur” in Sidi Bou Said

If you’re looking for accommodation to visit Sidi Bou Said, facing the sea, as welcoming as a guest house and as designer as a concept store or exhibition venue, you’ve come to the right place!  La Maison Dedine is a showcase of luxury and kindness. What’s particularly pleasant is the calm that prevails. This guesthouse is made up entirely of 5 suites, so you’ll feel right at home. The rooms are very comfortable, all between 25 and 35m2, with sea views. What more could you ask for? An infinity pool, why not? You’ll have it! This architect-designed house is very design, the exteriors with terraces and deckchairs are very pleasant, you can stay there for hours enjoying the view over the Mediterranean and the sun.

A house with refined decor and authentic Tunisian style in Sidi Bou Said

The shared living areas, such as the various lounges, are very welcoming. We loved settling in to work or relax. Breakfast was perhaps one of our favorite moments during this relaxing vacation in Tunisia, and with good reason! A buffet is served on a large table shared by all the guests. It’s a great opportunity to sample all the local delicacies and chat with your neighbors. The villa also functions as a luxury concierge service, offering you a range of high-end services on site or in the surrounding area: massages, paddle lessons, boat hire, guided tours of Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, the Tunis Medina, or even good addresses for lunch or dinner. It’s simple: if you have a special request, the staff will do everything they can to help you make it a reality.

What makes the experience at Maison Dedine exceptional are all the little touches they have for their customers. Little quotes and sweets left in your room in the evening, a kind word each time you visit… Maison Dedine makes you feel pampered, and that’s so nice during the vacations!

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Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia, what to do?

Getting lost in the narrow streets of Sidi Bou Said

Getting lost in the alleyways is the main activity! There are lots of little streets to discover as soon as you get away from the main roads. This little village has a Greek feel, with its small white houses, blue doors and shutters, and bougainvillea! Perched high up in the hills, it has a real charm all of its own, and deserves to be discovered. We recommend that you spend a day here, wandering the narrow streets and soaking up the atmosphere.

Discover the shops on Rue Habib Thameur

Sidi Bou Said’s shopping street is very pleasant to discover, albeit rather crowded. It’s a great place to find little souvenirs from your vacation in Tunisia!

Admiring the view from the Belvedere Ras Qatarjamah

Don’t miss this viewpoint when you visit Sidi Bou Said. You’ll be able to see a beautiful view of the bay, the port and the city of Carthage.

Tasting a Bambalouni

It’s Sidi Bou Said’s specialty, this delicious sweet doughnut can be found just about everywhere in the city center stalls. Costing around €0.50 in local currency (dinars), why deprive yourself?

Visit the Dar el-Annabi Museum

We didn’t do it, but it will be on our list when we return to Tunisia. This little palace looks very charming! Don’t hesitate to go there when you’re in Sidi Bou Said and let us know about your experience in comments or on Instagram!

Where to drink mint tea in Sidi Bou Said?

Le Café des Délices de Sidi Bou Said

This mythical address probably rings a bell thanks to Patrick Bruel and his song named after the Café! Well, you won’t be disappointed when you visit Café des Délices. This multi-storey café is very pleasant and has a very warm atmosphere. We tried a mint and almond tea, a real treat.

Sidi Bou Said, where to eat?

Dining at Maison Dedine, ordering from Signature – Traiteur

“Signature” is the caterer created by Maison Dedine owner Nebil Sidaoui. The delicious local dishes were designed by a star Chef, Luc Pasquier.  When you stay at Maison Dedine in Sidi Bou Said, you can ask to order a dinner from this caterer. You’ll be able to enjoy a wonderful fish couscous, on the terrace, without having to go anywhere. At the end of the day, don’t miss the mint tea from Sana, one of Maison Dedine’s wonderful hostesses. We miss this mint tea already!

Club Nautique de Sidi Bou Said

A great address for dining on the port.  There’s a great choice of dishes or things to share for a convivial dinner. What’s more, it’s just a stone’s throw from Maison Dedine, which is perfect for a little evening on the port of Sidi Bou Said.

Le Gourmet, La Marsa

This restaurant in La Marsa offers delicious dishes (salads, pasta dishes, croques monsieur…), local chichas and desserts worthy of a great pastry chef. A pleasant place to stop after a day’s sightseeing in Sidi Bou Said!

Sidi Bou Said without forgetting to visit the Medina of Tunis

We were lucky enough to have a guided tour of a few hours by the Tourist Office, Discover Tunisia. Our guide was Saber Arraki (who was really top notch!), we really recommend you try this experience which gives so much meaning to the history, architecture of Tunis. It’s also the best way to discover secret passages and unusual addresses in the Tunis Medina. The Medina of Tunis has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. We loved getting lost in the narrow streets, discovering incredible palaces, admiring the beautiful studded yellow doors and wrought-iron gates… Once again, well worth the detour on a trip to Tunisia near Sidi Bou Said!

The panoramic terrace of Café Panorama El Madina Tunis

One of our favorites in Tunis, this roof terrace. It offers an incredible view of the city’s rooftops. Its colorful decor, ceramics and multicolored chairs give it a crazy charm. You absolutely must stop by on your visit to Tunis!

The Mosques of Tunis, Sidi Youssef, El Ksa, Kasbah

All along your walk, discover the different Mosques of Tunis, each as beautiful as the next.

The Dar Lasram Palace

This Palace was created in 1870, and was for many years the home of the Lasram family. It has belonged to the city since 1964, and its visit is free of charge and well worth the detour!

Discover the Souks of Tunis

The city’s various Souks are a must-see when visiting Tunis on your vacation in Tunisia. You’ll experience Tunisian haggling, so hold on tight if you don’t want to succumb to the fine words of all those Souk vendors! 😂

Where to eat in Tunis? Good restaurant addresses

Restaurant Dar Belhkadj in the Medina of Tunis

This restaurant, located right in the heart of Tunis, in its Medina, is a real treat for the eyes! The service and the prestigious welcome are very pleasant. We discovered traditional dishes such as Tajines and Couscous. All in all, however, it’s a rather copious meal, so plan an afternoon’s rest after this feast. 😂 We really recommend that you come and have lunch without this restaurant during your visit to Tunis!

Dar Belhkadj
Rue du Tamis, Tunis, Tunisia

Visit the Site of Carthage on your vacation in Tunisia

A great idea for a visit near Sidi Bou Said! We didn’t have time to visit the remains of Carthage, but it looks very interesting. These ruins bear witness to the city’s history as a 6th-century trading empire. The site is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit these ruins during your trip to Tunis. Tickets cost €4 and give you all-day access to the archaeological sites of Carthage. We advise you to go in the morning, as there seems to be little shade in this tourist spot.

To discover Carthage: the Byrsa excavations, the Roman ruins, the Baths of Antonin and the Punic ports.

Sidi Bou Said, how to organize your trip well?

How to get to Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia

To find the best mode of transport to your destination, we recommend you always look on the OMIO comparator. This will give you an overview of all available modes of transport. You’ll be able to compare prices very easily.

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How to rent a rental car at the best price in Sidi Bou Said

If you’re looking to rent a car during your trip, we recommend you take a look at the RentalCars website. This will enable you to find the best prices and conditions for your rental.

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How to find the best hotels to visit Sidi Bou Said

In order to find the best hotels and benefit from the best conditions (security, cancellation…) we go almost exclusively through Booking.com for our trips. We recommend that you take a look at the available hotels before you leave. You can filter them according to their ratings. The customer reviews are very numerous and recent, which means you can avoid unpleasant surprises when traveling!

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This trip to Tunisia is the result of a collaboration with Maison Dedine and Discover Tunisia. We remain totally free in what we say, so our opinions are personal and sincere. We’d also like to thank Hanane, for thinking of us for this report, Fériel for her sweet company, and Saida, Sana and Nebil Sinaoui for their very warm welcome. One thing’s for sure, we’ll be doing our utmost to get back to Sidi Bou Said soon!

 

Thank you for reading

We hope this article will help you plan your next trip to Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia!

You can also follow our daily adventures on Instagram 🙂

Clem & Alex