Standing at the end of the promontory beyond Carthage is the delightful blue and white cliff-top village of Sidi Bou Said. One of the best preserved and most authentic towns along Tunisia’s coast, it makes a delightful afternoon trip. 

Wandering down the maze of alleys with their white walls and shuttered windows is a pleasant and restful experience after the hustle and bustle of nearby cities. The village is named after the local holy man who lived here in the 13^th century. His tomb and zaouia (religious school) were built here on the site of an earlier ribat. St Louis was said to have found a cure for scorpion bites and he became the patron of the local residents. From the 16^th century until 1819, only Muslims were allowed to enter this holy village of Sidi Bou Said which may have helped to retain its unspoilt charm.

To complement the stunning location and bluer than blue Mediterranean sea views, there are many delightful cafés to frequent and enjoy a cold fruit juice or local mint tea. The Café des Nattes has a terrace with beautiful views or head for the cliff top location of the Café Sis Chabanne. This café is also an excellent restaurant serving the local ‘Thé au pignons’, which is mint tea with added pine kernels to make it more luxurious. 

Sidi Bou Said is a wonderful place to pick up some fine local handicrafts and souvenirs. The jasmine posies make a fragrant keepsake and the ornate wood and wire bird cages with their onion-shaped dome are both graceful and authentic. Alas they may be too large and fragile to make the flight home as hand luggage but shipping can be arranged.