Sidi Bou Said is one of the Mediterranean's most ravishing villages — cobalt doors, jasmine-draped alleys, and clifftop panoramas over the Gulf of Tunis. The Baron d'Erlanger's extraordinary Ennejma Ezzahra Palace hidden within it is the unmissable secret of the hillside.
What to expect
Stroll the luminous whitewashed lanes at your own pace, pausing at rooftop cafés for a glass of mint tea and pine-nut pastries with their legendary Gulf view. Your guide steers you through the hidden quarter to the Baron d'Erlanger's palatial residence — a lavish synthesis of Tunisian, Moorish and European architecture — where antique instruments, hand-painted ceilings and fragrant gardens create an atmosphere of absolute enchantment. The village's clifftop belvedere at golden hour is simply unforgettable.
Good to know
Sidi Bou Said is only 20 km from La Goulette — a 25-minute drive. The uphill walk from the car park to the village centre takes 15–20 minutes on cobblestones; wear supportive shoes. The village is busiest midday; arriving by 10am gives you the light and the lanes largely to yourself. Ennejma Ezzahra has limited opening hours — check ahead.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Sidi Bou Said — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.