Dream Destination: Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

When I moved to Texas in 2007, I was fresh out of college and working a temporary receptionist job while looking for a “real” job. My days were long (in that they were boring), I was tied to my desk, and when the phones weren’t ringing I had nothing to do but surf the internet. Though I’d gone to school for English and art, my love for travel sparked an interest in international relations, and specifically concerning the Muslim world. I spent a lot of time at that job falling down Wikipedia rabbit holes reading about different countries, conflicts, etc., and contemplating a future (and grad school program) in that arena.

As years have gone on, my interests in school-related things changed (did I mention I’m in grad school for marketing now?), but my fascination with the Greater Middle East hasn’t waned. I voraciously consume books, articles, movies, and TV shows that center around the region and long for the day when I will visit.

Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

So, with that, today I’m dreaming of visiting Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. Located just over 10 miles from Tunis, Sidi Bou Said looks like it was torn from the pages of a book about Greece–white-washed walls and blue doors and windows. From what I’ve read about it, Sidi Bou Said can be likened to Tangier, Morocco in the time of Burroughs–a sort of writers’ and artists’ haven in Africa, which has inspired the likes of Paul Klee.

Sidi Bou Said Tunisia door

Sidi Bou Said Tunisia door

This tiny village is situated on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Tunis. I can’t think of a much better view than that. The labyrinth of corridors and stairways are reminiscent of Dubrovnik, the streets are dotted with palm trees, and the walls are covered with various flora. According to its Wiki page, the whole town is walkable in just two to three hours, but visitors are encouraged to stay overnight to see the touristy town returned to its inhabitants by nightfall.

Sidi Bou Said Tunisia night

Sidi Bou Said has certainly worked its way to the top of any travel list I’ve recently crafted. I want to stroll those streets, taking photos of every blue doorway I come across, and sit in typical Arab coffee shops writing for hours, garnering inspiration from every nook and cranny of the village.

So, who’s ready to go?

images from here, here, here, here, and here

Author: Megan

Megan is an ordinary girl who outgrew her small town and decided to try the world on for size. She's on a mission to travel, photograph, and write about the world.

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