img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}Anyone who has had the pleasure to visit world-renowned Santorini knows it lives up to the hype — with a price.
The price you pay are full paychecks for nightly hotel rates, the hassle of weaving in and out of crowds through narrow walkways, and the pain of fighting jet-lag by waking up at the crack of dawn for the only time to truly enjoy Santorini on your own terms.
We at Travel Off Path love Santorini just as much as anyone else, but we also have covered numerous alternatives typically found nearby on another one of Greece’s stunning islands.
However, in honor of the World Series that’s all but set, we’re throwing you a curveball today with a Mediterranean gem that’s a spitting image of Santorini, yet it lies on another continent.
That’s right — despite its appearance, it’s not another Greek island or even neighboring Turkiye or Cyprus.
If you’re up for a fall or winter adventure in the coming months, prepare to hit the road less traveled to a hidden paradise in Tunisia.
Sidi Bou Saïd: The Mediterranean’s Best Kept Secret
There are numerous recent studies showing travelers across the globe are growing tired of the same-o itineraries in the world’s most popular destinations, instead replacing them with the lesser known.
That’s where places like Sidi Bou Saïd come into play.
While you won’t find sensational gyros and locals shouting “Opa!”, there’s no denying the eye-catching, near identical aesthetics to Santorini here in Tunisia’s seaside paradise.
Gleaming with white and blue facades just like Greece, the village of Sidi Bou Saïd boasts a very similar atmosphere nestled high along the azure waters of the Gulf of Tunis.
The main difference upon arrival is the lack of crowds. If you’re comparing apples to apples with Santorini, Sidi Bou Saïd takes the cake for being so much more enjoyable to explore its timeless cobbled streets and snap photos of bougainvillea-wrapped wrought iron balconies that will have you feeling like you’re in Oia until you hear the local accents and read restaurant menus.
Perhaps most importantly this time of year, Sidi Bou Saïd has splendid weather year-round, even wintertime (expect temps to hover in the 60s from November through April).
In other words, there’s plenty of days ahead to enjoy the sun-drenched shores of Marsa Beach.
You’ll Forget All About Santorini With These Savings
Don’t get me wrong — I’m glad I visited Santorini years ago. But I gotta say it’s not the end of the world to visit the next best thing.
The fact is “Santorini” & “Savings” don’t belong in the same sentence, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for Sidi Bou Saïd.
As there are strong French roots throughout Tunisia and Sidi Bou Saïd, it’s safe to say you can save beaucoup of money here.
For starters, it was French artist Rodolphe d’Erlanger who transformed this coastal charmer into a real-life postcard and you can now visit his villa (Ennejma Ezzahra Palace) for just $3.50.
Getting here is easy. You’ll likely arrive in Tunisia’s sprawlign capital Tunis, and it only costs 30 cents by train to reach Sidi Bou Saïd.
Street food can cost under $2 and the average sit-down meal will only run you a few bucks more. Even the fresh “catch of the day” can be had less than $10.
Of course, we all know hotels are the bank account bandits of Santorini where it’s not unusual to see boutique villas with nightly rates costing more than an Uber driver makes in a week.
Sidi Bou Saïd, though? Not an issue. Book the traditional Bou Fares Hotel, a true taste of Tunisian hospitality for $98 per night this fall.
Is Tunisia Safe To Visit?
The word “Africa” can really deter travelers from visiting some truly bucket-list worthy vacation spots, and this is certainly one of them.
Africa offers so much more diversity than safari tours, yet given the continent’s reputation as a whole, it’s understandable to feel uneasy piercing the veil of its crime-ridden, down-trodden perception.
That’s not the case for Northern Africa. Are there cultural differences? Of course.
But, take it from me as someone who visited Morocco last fall, that you shouldn’t let “Africa” be a trigger word — it’s a phenomenal experience culturally and every bit as breathtaking as anywhere I’ve been.
The U.S. State Department holds a little more weight than me, though. They say Tunisia is currently a ‘Level 2′ destination urging visitors to “Exercise Increased Caution” due to terrorism concerns.
As for falling in love and ending up on 90 Day Fiance? That’s an entirely different conversation…
Sam SearsSam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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