Perched on a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, Sidi Bou Said is one of the most photogenic villages in the Mediterranean — a cascade of whitewashed houses with vibrant cobalt-blue doors, window frames, and wrought-iron balconies tumbling down toward the sparkling sea. The village became an artists’ colony in the early 20th century, attracting painters like Paul Klee and August Macke, and its creative spirit endures in the galleries, artisan workshops, and music venues that line its cobblestone streets today. The iconic studded blue doors, often adorned with black iron knockers shaped like the Hand of Fatima, have become the unofficial symbol of Tunisia itself. The main street climbs past jasmine-draped walls and bougainvillea cascades to the legendary Cafe des Nattes, where locals and visitors have gathered over mint tea with pine nuts for over three centuries.

Pro tip: Walk past the tourist shops on the main street and find your way to the small marina below the cliff — the seafood restaurants there serve the freshest catch of the day at a fraction of the hilltop prices.