Things to do in Kairouan

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Tunisia

Great Mosque of Kairouan

Great Mosque of Kairouan, also known as the Mosque of Uqba, is located in the northeast corner of the old city of Kairouan, a holy city in Tunisia. In 670 AD, the Arab general and founder of Kairouan, Uqba ibn Nafi, ordered the construction of this mosque at the beginning of the city's founding and planned it together with the governor's palace in the city center; after nearly two centuries, especially the large-scale expansion during the Aghlabid dynasty in the 9th century, it took on its current layout. It is one of the oldest surviving places of worship in the Islamic world and provided a model for later mosque architecture in North Africa. The exterior of the mosque resembles a heavy fortress, but stepping inside reveals a different world: a spacious courtyard paved with marble is surrounded by double-arched arcades on all four sides. The columns are mostly made of marble and granite salvaged from Roman and Byzantine buildings, many of which came from Carthage. In the center of the courtyard lies a sundial used to determine prayer times, and not far away is a rainwater collection basin carved in the shape of a horseshoe arch, where rainwater is filtered before flowing into an underground cistern. The three-story square minaret in the center of the north side is over 30m high, and Roman stones with Latin inscriptions are still embedded in its base. This tower is considered the prototype for minarets in North Africa and Spain and is the highest point in the old city, visible from far outside the city walls. The prayer hall on the south side is entered through several carved wooden doors. Inside, the hall is filled with a forest of stone columns and crisscrossing corridors, and the early use of horseshoe arches influenced later North African mosque architecture. ${S2}

Medina of Kairouan

Located in Tunisia, Kairouan Old Town is an ancient city full of history and culture, and is listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. As the fourth holiest city in Islam, Kairouan attracts many tourists with its rich religious and architectural heritage. The most famous landmark in the Old Town is the Great Mosque, which is an important pilgrimage site for Muslims with its magnificent architecture and exquisite decoration. Walking through the narrow streets of the Old Town, visitors can admire the traditional Arabic architectural style and experience the local atmosphere. The market here is an ideal place to buy handicrafts and traditional goods, where visitors can find specialty goods such as carpets, copperware and ceramics. When visiting the Old Town of Kairouan, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes for walking on the stone slabs. The attractions in the Old Town are relatively concentrated and can be easily visited on foot. Visitors can take a long-distance bus or rent a car from Tunis to Kairouan, and the journey takes about two hours. The Old Town of Kairouan is not only a must-visit for history lovers, but also an ideal window to experience Tunisian culture.

No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Tunisia

Basins of Aghlabides

In the 9th century, the Kairouan region faced a severe water shortage. At that time, the area suffered from drought and low rainfall, and because it was located below sea level, accessing water was extremely difficult. Locals built 15 reservoirs to solve their drinking water needs. Of the marks left by the Aghlabid dynasty, only two Basins of Aghlabides remain for visitors to see today. Standing on the specially built platform, the wisdom of the people of Kairouan is clear to see. The smaller basin was used to store water diverted from the mountains. After filtering out sand and gravel through arched filters at a certain height, the water flowed into the larger basin. By this point, the water was generally suitable for daily use, and people would collect it along the rectangular embankment. On summer nights, it is quite cool here, and many people come to relax and enjoy the breeze.

Mausolée Sidi Abid el Ghariani

Zaouia of Sidi Sahabi

Bir Barouta

Barbier Mausoleum

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Tunisia

Ribat of Sousse

Ribat of Sousseis located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Hammamet in the eastern Mediterranean, in Tunisia, and is the historic core of the port city of Sousse. The ancient city was founded in antiquity and, through development across multiple historical periods, has gradually formed a unique urban layout. It features both well-preserved medieval coastal defense architecture and traditional markets full of local life, serving as an important window into understanding the history of Tunisia and Mediterranean culture. A representative view of this ancient city is the coastal defense complex from the Aghlabid dynasty. Visitors can climb the tower to look out over the white streets, the ancient Great Mosque, and the vast Mediterranean Sea. Beyond its historical relics, the ancient city still retains a vibrant daily life. The narrow, winding alleys are lined with shops, offering a dazzling array of goods such as spices, leather products, carpets, and pottery.

Tunis Gate

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Tunisia

Archaeological Site of Carthage

Archaeological Site of Carthageis located on the shores of the Gulf of Tunis, northeast of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Nestled between the hills and the sea, it is one of the representative ancient civilization sites in the Mediterranean region. This ancient city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC. With its superior geographical location, prosperous maritime trade, and powerful fleet, it gradually developed into an important city-state that dominated the western Mediterranean. The site is spread over a wide area, and you will need to walk or use transportation to get between attractions. From the remaining columns of the seaside baths to the ancient sacrificial steles, and from the hilltop museum to the once-busy harbor, every ruin carries the memory of Mediterranean civilization. By visiting here, travelers can not only enjoy the magnificent coastal scenery but also gain a deeper understanding of North Africa's important status in the ancient Mediterranean world.