Kairouan

Overview

What to see

• Great Mosque of Kairouan (Mosque of Uqba)

  The oldest Muslim sanctuary in the Maghreb impresses with its vast paved courtyard, massive three-tiered minaret and prayer hall supported by hundreds of reused ancient columns. Non-Muslims may visit the courtyard and look into the prayer hall from its doorways.

• Aghlabid Basins

  These huge circular reservoirs from the 9th century supplied the city with water via an aqueduct. They showcase the hydraulic skill of the Aghlabid emirs and are one of the city's most iconic sights.

• Mosque of the Barber (Zaouia of Sidi Sahab)

  This mausoleum holds the tomb of Abu Zama al-Balawi, a companion of the Prophet. Its courtyards are decorated with colourful tiles, finely carved stucco and painted wooden ceilings, in a peaceful setting.

• The medina and its ramparts

  Surrounded by brick walls, the medina is entered through monumental gates such as Bab ech-Chouhada and Bab Tunis. Its whitewashed alleys, latticed windows and studded doors make it one of the most photogenic old towns in the country.

• Mosque of the Three Doors

  Built in the 9th century, this small medina mosque is famous for its facade carved with Kufic inscriptions and floral motifs, among the oldest of their kind in the Islamic world.

• Bir Barouta

  This legendary well, housed in a vaulted room in the medina, is drawn by a camel turning a waterwheel. According to tradition, it is connected to the Zamzam spring in Mecca.

Things to do

• Visit a carpet workshopKairouan is Tunisia's capital of hand-knotted carpets, and several workshops and cooperatives demonstrate knotting techniques and traditional patterns. It is a great way to understand a craft passed down through generations.
• Get lost in the medinaStrolling without a set route reveals small squares, discreet zaouias and craftsmen at work. The morning light on the white walls is especially beautiful.
• See the city from a rooftopSeveral houses and shops in the medina offer access to their roofs, with sweeping views over the minarets and the Great Mosque.
• Experience the MouledDuring the Mouled festival celebrating the Prophet's birthday, thousands of visitors flock to Kairouan in a fervent, festive atmosphere. It is the liveliest time of the year.
• Discover the Raqqada museumSet in a former palace on the southern edge of town, the National Museum of Islamic Art displays precious Quranic manuscripts, coins and ceramics linked to Kairouan's history.

Beaches & nature

Kairouan is an inland city with no direct access to the sea. It lies on a wide steppe plain dotted with olive groves and prickly pear fields. To the northeast, Sebkha Kelbia, a large seasonal salt lake, attracts many migratory birds in winter. The beaches of the Sahel coast around Sousse are about an hour's drive away.

Food & local specialities

Kairouan's cooking is generous and rural, built on wheat, olive oil and lamb, and above all on pastries famous throughout the country.

• MakroudhA diamond-shaped semolina pastry filled with date paste, fried and dipped in syrup, of which Kairouan is the undisputed capital.
• Lamb couscousThe family dish par excellence, served with seasonal vegetables and a sauce spiced with harissa.
• MloukhiaA slow-cooked meat stew made with ground jute mallow leaves, almost black in colour and much loved in the region.
• Brik with eggA crisp malsouka pastry filled with a runny egg, tuna or meat, parsley and capers.

Where to stay

Shopping & markets

Carpets reign supreme in Kairouan: deep-pile knotted rugs, alloucha in natural undyed wool in cream and brown tones, and flat-woven mergoum with geometric patterns. Medina shops also sell copperware, leather slippers and wooden items. For makroudh, the pastry makers along the medina's main street sell boxes that travel well. Take time to compare and bargain good-naturedly.

Getting there

• By car

  From Tunis, allow about 1 h 45 to 2 h via the A1 motorway to Enfidha, then the national road. Sousse is about an hour's drive away.

• By plane

  The nearest airport is Enfidha-Hammamet, about an hour's drive; Monastir airport is about 1 h 15 away.

• By louage (shared taxi)

  Shared louage taxis run regularly between Kairouan and Tunis, Sousse, Sfax and other central towns from the town's louage station.

• By bus

  Intercity buses serve Kairouan from Tunis and most major towns in the country.

Getting around

The medina and its main monuments are easy to explore on foot; the Great Mosque stands in the northeast corner of the old town. The Aghlabid Basins and the Mosque of the Barber lie a little outside, a few minutes away by taxi. Yellow taxis are plentiful and convenient.

Day trips nearby

FAQ