KAIROUAN
The spiritual heart of Tunisia

A city written in stone, faith & light.

Walk the quiet lanes of a UNESCO medina, discover centuries of craft, and experience Kairouan with care and curiosity.

Explore the guidesRead the essential guide
Discover Kairouan, the holy city of Tunisia
35.6781° NKairouan, Tunisia
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01
Founded670 CE
02
HeritageUNESCO since 1988
03
From TunisAbout 2 hours by road
04
Best seasonSpring & autumn
Live from Kairouan

Kairouan, right now

Plan around the call to prayer: the Great Mosque courtyard is calmest mid-morning, and visitors are asked to step back during prayer times.

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Next prayer—--:--:--
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Begin your journey

The Kairouan essentials

Sacred architecture, living traditions, and the tastes that define Tunisia’s most storied inland city.

Courtyard and minaret of the Great Mosque of Kairouan
Sacred place

Great Mosque of Kairouan: Visitor Guide

1 min read
The large circular Aghlabid Basin in Kairouan at sunset
Architecture

Aghlabid Basins of Kairouan: Visitor Guide

1 min read
Plate of makroudh date pastries with mint tea in Kairouan
Taste

Makroudh of Kairouan: The City's Famous Sweet

1 min read
Fresh from the medina

Latest guides

Red hand-woven Kairouan carpets hanging in the medina
Craft

Kairouan Carpets: How to Buy an Authentic Rug

1 min read
Whitewashed alley with blue doors in the Kairouan medina
Medina walk

Walking the Kairouan Medina: A Self-Guided Route

1 min read
Whitewashed lane in the old medina of Kairouan
Itinerary

Kairouan in One Day: A Practical Itinerary

1 min read
Buses and shared taxis parked beside the ancient walls of Kairouan at sunset
Practical tips

How to Get to Kairouan: Tunis, Sousse and Airport Transfers

1 min read
Courtyard of a traditional guesthouse in Kairouan with a marble fountain and blue doors
Where to stay

Where to Stay in Kairouan: Hotels and Medina Guesthouses

1 min read
Quiet alley in the medina of Kairouan
Visitor tips

Kairouan Visitor Tips: Best Time to Go, Etiquette and Practical Advice

1 min read
Makroudh pastries and mint tea on a table in Kairouan
Food

What to Eat in Kairouan: Halal Dishes, Sweets and Where to Try Them

1 min read
Olive groves and a historic stone building in the countryside near Kairouan
Day trips

Day Trips from Kairouan: El Jem, Sousse, Sbeitla and More

1 min read
Rooftops of the Kairouan medina and the Great Mosque minaret under a clear blue sky
Weather

Kairouan Weather by Month: The Best Time to Visit

2 min read
Aghlabid Basins near Kairouan
Distances

Kairouan to Tunis, Sousse, El Jem and More: Distances and Travel Times

1 min read
Courtyard and minaret of the Great Mosque of Kairouan
Sacred place

Great Mosque of Kairouan: Opening Hours, Entry and Friday Timing

1 min read
Carved wooden doors and geometric tilework of a mosque entrance in Tunisia
Sacred place

Mosque of the Three Doors and Sidi Sahab: Kairouan's Other Holy Sites

1 min read
Box of makroudh pastries from Kairouan
Taste

Where to Buy Makroudh in Kairouan: Shops, Prices and What to Look For

1 min read
Hand-woven carpets for sale in Kairouan
Craft

How to Buy a Kairouan Carpet: Types, Quality and Prices

1 min read
Courtyard and minaret of the Great Mosque of Kairouan
Learning

Learn Qur'an at the Great Mosque of Kairouan: Lessons and Live Broadcasts

1 min read