This ancient Islamic holy city, founded in 670 CE, houses the revered Mosque of Sidi Sahab. Its narrow streets lead to markets filled with spices, olives, and textiles.
Kairouan, the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem, sits in central Tunisia amid semi-arid plains. In the medina, you'll find the Great Mosque with its 115-foot minaret rising above the city walls, the massive 9th-century Aghlabid water basins, and the Mosque of the Barber with its intricate ceramic tile work. Walk through the narrow streets between white-washed buildings to watch carpet weavers at work or stop at small shops selling makroudh, the local date-filled pastry.
Exploring the Medina
The medina covers 54 hectares, with narrow streets winding between white buildings and pale blue doors. Enter through Bab et Tounes or Bab el Khoukha gates to explore the small squares and marketplaces. Local merchants sell hand-woven carpets, ceramics, and sweets from their shops. Walk along the top of the city walls to see the medina's white domes and minarets from above.
Inside the Great Mosque
The Great Mosque's square minaret and thick walls dominate Kairouan's skyline. While non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall, you can walk through the marble-paved courtyard with its double-arched galleries. Ancient columns from Carthage support these galleries, mixing Roman and Byzantine architectural elements. The wooden minbar (pulpit) in the prayer hall dates to the 9th century - the oldest surviving example in Islamic architecture.
The Aghlabid Basins
Just outside the medina walls, you'll find two large circular water reservoirs from the 9th century. The main basin spans 128 meters in diameter and connects to a smaller settling pool. These pools once supplied water to the entire city through an intricate system of channels and pipes. You can walk around these massive structures to see how engineers designed this water system over 1,000 years ago.
Carpet Making
In workshops throughout the medina, weavers create carpets using techniques passed down through generations. Look for the distinctive Kairouan design: a central medallion surrounded by floral patterns, usually in crimson red or natural wool colors. Weavers create carpets with varying knot densities, from 10,000 to 500,000 knots per square meter. Many workshops let you watch the weaving process.
Local Food Specialties
Try makroudh, Kairouan's signature sweet made from semolina dough filled with date paste, shaped into diamonds and fried. Local restaurants serve mosli allouche (roasted lamb) and couscous. Stop at medina cafes for mint tea and zlebia, a honey-soaked fritter.
Getting to Kairouan
Buses and shared taxis (louages) run regularly between Kairouan and major cities like Tunis, Sousse, and Sfax. The closest airports are in Monastir and Enfidha-Hammamet, both 65 kilometers away. You can easily walk around the medina, but take a taxi to reach sites outside the walls like the Aghlabid Basins.
