The Great Mosque
Founded in 670 CE, this is the oldest mosque in North Africa and the prototype for Maghreb and Andalusian mosque architecture. Non-Muslim visitors can enter the courtyard daily (modest dress required).
Centre · Tunisia
Kairouan
Islam's fourth holiest city — Great Mosque, makroudh and carpet workshops.
Founded in 670 CE, Kairouan is the oldest Arab-Muslim city in North Africa and one of the four holy cities of Islam. Its Great Mosque is a foundational monument: the prototype that influenced mosque architecture across the Maghreb and Andalusia.
The medina, listed by UNESCO, is famous for hand-knotted carpets — a craft passed down for generations — and for makroudh, a date-stuffed semolina pastry that's a Kairouan specialty.
Just outside town, the Aghlabid Basins are 9th-century reservoirs that supplied the city with water — engineering masterpieces still impressive today.
What to see in Kairouan
Sidi Sahbi (Mosque of the Barber)
Tiled, decorated, and dedicated to a companion of the Prophet. Beautifully calm at sunrise. Free entry; modest dress.
Aghlabid Basins
9th-century reservoirs that supplied Kairouan with water — vast circular pools next to each other. Engineering excellence; a small visitor centre on site.
Carpet workshops and the medina souks
Kairouan is the historic capital of Tunisian carpet-weaving. The ONA (Office National de l'Artisanat) certifies looms and prices.
Getting there
160 km south of Tunis (2h by car or louage). SNCFT does not serve Kairouan directly. The closest airports are Tunis-Carthage and Monastir Habib Bourguiba — both ~2 hours away.
Where to stay
La Kasbah Kairouan (a converted 14th-century kasbah inside the medina walls — one of the country's most atmospheric hotels) or Hotel Continental for budget. Day trips from Hammamet, Sousse or Monastir are very common.
Food & culture
Kairouan's signature food is makroudh — diamond-shaped semolina cakes stuffed with date paste and dipped in syrup. Buy from Patisserie Segni, an institution since 1932. Lamb couscous with raisins is the city's other classic.
Practical tips
Dress modestly throughout the medina, especially around the Great Mosque (long sleeves and trousers/skirts for both men and women). Buy the Kairouan combined ticket at the tourist office — it covers the Great Mosque, Sidi Sahbi, Aghlabid Basins and the Bir Barouta in one go.
Frequently asked questions about Kairouan
Can non-Muslims enter the Great Mosque of Kairouan?+
Yes — the courtyard is open to visitors. The prayer hall itself is closed to non-Muslims, but you can see into it from the doorway.
How long do I need in Kairouan?+
A long day trip covers the essentials. Stay overnight if you want sunset over the Aghlabid Basins and an evening in the medina.
Where can I buy a genuine Kairouan carpet?+
ONA-certified workshops in the medina display an origin label and a fixed-price tag. Avoid street touts and shops that won't show certification.