Hotels near Sidi Bou Said

Sidi Bou Said is a Tunis suburb 60 km north of Hammamet - a hilltop village famous for its uniform blue-and-white-painted houses overlooking the Bay of Tunis. Founded in the 13th century around the tomb of the Sufi saint Sidi Bou Said, the village's distinctive colour scheme was enforced by law in the 1910s by French baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger to preserve its character. Today it is one of the most photographed villages in North Africa.

Highlights: the Cafe des Nattes (a traditional cafe operating since the 1700s, with floor seating on rush mats), the Cafe Sidi Chebaane (a clifftop cafe with the best Bay of Tunis view), Palais Dar el-Annabi (a restored 18th-century palace open to visitors, 5 TND), and the cobbled main street lined with art galleries. Half-day trips from Hammamet 80-120 TND. Combine with Carthage archaeological site (5 km south) for a full day.

Pro Tip: Arrive at the Cafe Sidi Chebaane by 16:30 - the cliff-edge view as the sun crosses the Bay of Tunis is the best in Tunisia. Order the bambalouni (Tunisian doughnut) and Turkish coffee for 6 TND. The cafe is at the end of a small cliffside path; ask any local for Cafe Chebaane.