Sidi Bou Said
From CruisersWiki
Sidi Bou Saïd (Port of entry)
Background
Sidi Bou Saïd is affluent suburb, some 20 km from Tunis (the capital of Tunisia), overlooking the the Bay of Tunis. It has been very popular with artists including Paul Klee and retains traditional 18th century architecture. The town is situated on steep cliff.
At the bottom of the cliff there is the Sidi Bou Said Marina where wealthy Tunisians keep their boats.
It is the only safe place for a visiting cruiser to leave a boat while visiting the city of Tunis and other sites.
Charts
See Tunisia.
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- Marina - VHF channels 09 and 16 (they do not always respond)
Warning: One difficulty with the approaching to the marina is its entrance. It gets silted and has to be dredged. You may have to wait for a dredge before entering or once inside you may be trapped until the entrance is cleared again.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Tourism & things to do ashore
The Village of Sidi Bou Saïd
The famous village of Sidi Bou Saïd is a 20-30 minutes walk from the marina, up the very steep path (350 steps) . Considering that this is one of the most celebrated and wealthy suburbs in Tunisia, there is an amazing amount of refuse along the path. The village of Sidi Bou Saïd is indeed charming although architecturally not very remarkable. What contributes to its charm are the elaborate doors, the iron grill work, and the vibrantly multi-colored bougainvilleas.
Tunis
Tunis is Tunisia's capital. The main avenue in Tunis is Avenue Habib Bourguiba referred to by the ever enthusiastic guide books as the Tunisian Champ Elysées. It is a very far cry from the original. The whole avenue is a dirty, dusty place lined by unremarkable concrete block buildings. This where the TGM (local train for Tunis) brings you from Sidi Bou Saïd.
But, the famous Bardo Museum more the makes up the visit. The taxi ride from the TGM terminal is long and hot through very heavy traffic with thick exhaust fumes. The museum is indeed a great museum. It is housed in a 19th century palace belonging to wealthy pirate-Bey. One marvels there after seeing one magnificent Roman mosaic after another. It is endless and very exiting. In addition to the mosaics, they have a very surprising exhibit from the shipwreck of a boat ferrying loot from Athens to Rome. There are two marvelous bronze statuettes of Hermaphroditus, two intact wooden beds, etc. They have a large the Punic (Carthaginian) exibit.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
In the marina.
Laundry
In the vilage of Sidi Bou Saïd.
Grocery Stores
- There is mini-market next to the marina
- Several stores in the vilage of Sidi Bou Saïd
- An outdoor market in the vilage of Sidi Bou Saïd
- A Carrefour supermarket. that has everything your heart may desire, but you need a car as it is about 5 km away.
Eateries
- Le Pirate restaurant, near the marina, was has a marvelous garden full of palm trees. Their specialties are mechouia salad (chopped grilled vegetables and tuna), grilled squid, and grilled dorado fish
- The Le Charguie restaurant up the hill on the village is very attractive and makes an excellent cous-cous (the Tunisian national dish)
- Also on the village, the Coté Sidi Chabaance café is a must be place. The view is marvelous and so is the watching of the locals sipping their tea and smoking their nargiles (water pipes). They do not serve any alcohol
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Ask at the marina. office, the Capitanerie, they can help you make all the arrangements for a car rental.
Marine Stores & Facilities
None.
Repairs
There is a 15 ton travel-lift and the marina can do minor repairs.
Transportation
- The Tunis-Carthage airport, with flights to France and other EU coutries, is 15 km away
- There are regular trains from the village of Sidi Bou Saïd to Carthage and Tunis
References & Publications
See Tunisia.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum
External Links
- Sidi Bou Saïd (Wikipedia)
- Sidi Bou Saïd
- Tunis (Wikipedia)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001
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