The whiteness of the façades and the deep blue of doors and windows have made one of Tunisia’s most recognisable places enter the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sidi Bou Saïd is the tenth site in the country to receive this prestigious recognition.
Sidi Bou Saïd, the new UNESCO World Heritage site of Tunisia
Sidi Bou Saïd aims for international recognition as a cultural and spiritual hub of the Mediterranean. This is the title chosen for the village’s candidacy, launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the National Heritage Institute, with the involvement of local authorities.
There are three main reasons behind the selection: the first is certainly the unique architecture of the village, with white and blue houses facing the sea; then there is the spiritual bond with the Sufi master Sidi Abu Said and thus his strong artistic spirit. For more than a century, painters, writers and creatives from around the world have been gathering here, exchanging ideas and inspiration.
The aesthetic for which Sidi Bou Saïd is known today took shape mainly in the early years of the twentieth century. A decisive role was played by Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger, a musicologist and scholar of Arab culture. He restored Ennejma Ezzahra palace and dedicated himself to defending traditional architecture. It was then that white walls and blue frames became the norm. And, over time, the symbol of the town.
The UNESCO recognition is precious but it brings obligations, such as monitoring urban development and protecting the integrity of historic dwellings by effectively managing the rise in visitors.
The other UNESCO World Heritage sites in Tunisia
Listed alongside Sidi Bou Saïd, inscribed in 2026, are:
- Medina of Tunis;
- Archaeological Site of Carthage;
- El Jem Amphitheatre;
- Ichkeul National Park;
- The Punic city of Kerkouane and its necropolis;
- Medina of Sousse;
- Al-Qayrawan;
- Dougga;
- Djerba.
What to see and do in Sidi Bou Saïd
The main streets rise between white walls, decorated doorways, wrought-iron grills and balconies draped with bougainvillea. Step a few metres away from the busiest routes to discover quiet courtyards and views of the Gulf of Tunis.
One of the unmissable stops is Dar El Annabi, a traditional house now serving as a museum. Inside you can admire a courtyard and typical furnishings, as well as clothes and objects that recount Tunisian life of the past. In the same area there is also Ennejma Ezzahra, the palace built by d’Erlanger whose interior houses the Center for Arab and Mediterranean Music.
One day may be enough to visit it, but the most interesting aspect is that it can be included in a multi-day itinerary for Tunisia, for example combining Tunis, the Bardo Museum and Carthage.
Where Sidi Bou Saïd is located and how to reach it
To visit Sidi Bou Saïd, the best starting point is Tunis, about 18 kilometres away; by car you have flexibility with schedules, but for those traveling by public transport there is a train that links the capital with La Goulette, Carthage, Sidi Bou Saïd and La Marsa.
