Sidi Bou Said- An Artist’s Mecca

The café overlooked an unknown square with the main street rolling down the hill into the Gulf of Tunis. The sun bounced against the white walls of this mysterious town creating a glare towards every direction. As I sipped on my mint tea, I was drawn into the everyday Tunisian life.

Sidi Bou Said, a little town located in the Northern Tunisia, is not only colourful in its appearance, but in its people too. At 20 km from the capital, it has become a popular tourist trap. Despite of it, it has still kept its traditions as an authentic lieu where Tunisians reside up to this very day. Once you leave the main street of Habib Thameur, you will begin to experience the real Tunisian life. You find yourself along hidden passages with carefully lined cobblestone streets and colourfully painted doors. Each door may have a new story to tell. Painted with unique patterns, they represent signatures and symbols of Tunisia. One may be the entrance to the mosque; another will lead you to the backyard of a local. It may even be a mere boutique hiding behind a green and red striped masterpiece.

Many speak of Sidi Bou Said as the ‘Artist’s Village’. Read more...