Location: Kairouan
Top Things to do in Kairouan
Top Restaurants in Kairouan
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Kairouan, Tunisia
Kairouan (Arabic: القيروان Qeirwān, also known as al-Qayrawan), is the capital of the Kairouan Governorate in Tunisia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city was founded by the Umayyads around 670. In the period of Caliph Mu'awiya (reigned 661–680), it became an important centre for Sunni Islamic scholarship and Quranic learning, and thus attracting a large number of Muslims from various parts of the world, next only to Mecca and Medina. The holy Mosque of Uqba is situated in the city.
Restaurants in Kairouan
1. Great Mosque of Kairouan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 reviews
Though non-Muslims cannot enter this mosque, a look inside the doorway reveals its most noteworthy feature—a motley set of columns relocated from numerous other locations.
Reviewed By Kathleenlim - Singapore, Singapore
A must-see if travelling in Tunisia! Impressive architecture and space. A historical place dating back to Byzantine period. It showcases how pre-Islamic and eastern Islamic art and motifs were incorporated into the religious architecture of Islamic North Africa. Great aesthetics and like all Mosques worldwide, females must be prepared to cover themselves when entering such religious wonders! A tradition of disparity passed down from generations! Sigh!
2. Medina of Kairouan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 179 reviews
Tourists appreciate the leatherwork and other crafts available in this ancient city’s old quarter (medina).
Reviewed By Rebellious27 - Carthage, Tunisia
A visit to Kairouan is a a journey in time back to the 7th Century, when Islam was expanding miracleously over the roman and the persian empires . Kairouan gave muslims a strategical step in Africa between the Byzantines on the mediterranean coasts and the native Berbers in the Mountains, during the following centuries this city became of centre of arabo-islamic culture that influenced not only the indigenous and the latin populations of Maghreb and Africa but also the distant lands of South Spain.
3. Mosque Sidi Sahbi (Mosque of the Barber)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Ages ago the local barber performed ritual circumcisions, hence the name of this ornate Cathedral.
Reviewed By M O - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
This is one of the oldest mosque in Tunisia and can be visited by all . One of the companions of the prophet is buried here and can be visited by all . Very crowded place .
4. Bir Barouta
Overall Ratings
4 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By shahramRE - Tehran
For muslims it may be more attractive due to some religious stories but also the children will love this place because of decorated camel who gos around the well to extract water. It is said that who drinks this water will come back there again.
5. Bassins Aghlabites
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By ScotchMissed - Scotland
We stopped here as part of an organised tour and it was our first stop in Kairouan. Had to pay 1 Dinar to take photos in the city. Up a number of flights of stairs with the chance to stop at a combined gift shop and coffee bar half way. The view wasn't really that good, but it was a good chance to stretch your legs.
6. Three Doors Mosque
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Aqua_Uomo - Toronto, Canada
tucked in the middle of the Medina this Mosque can be easily missed, it is nothing worth mentioning. No hours of visiting posted, dont even know if it is functioning. I shot a few pictures and constituted the walk through.Skip it if you have better things to do.
7. Dar Hassine Allani
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
"DAR HASSINE ALLANI" a typical Tunisian house in Kairouan. It transformed into museum and a guest house for its beautiful example of the Arabian-Moslem architecture of the XVIIIth century, placing in the organized trip of the medina of Kairouan
Reviewed By Jackie F - Leeds, United Kingdom
Just before the arab spring while on holiday we were visiting Kairouan and just stumbled on the house museum- the staff were so friendly and we had a fascinating tour of the house including time to ourselves. We had been uncertain whether to go in as we were on route to the great mosque. However we came back after and did not regret it - a good balance to the grandness of the mosque, a chance to see how people lived in the middle class family homes, plenty of furniture around, clothing, beds, cellars, rrof Terrace where we sat and had tea looking over the city. We were offered lunch and what a feast this was - just us in the house dining room and a wonderful mix of meze, stew with flat breads and fruit and sweet pastries and fresh orange juice. And less than a 2 course tourist lunch we saw advertised in the cafes. I do hope they are still there as I am coming back this year with my daughter!
8. The Souk
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 11 reviews
With countless vendors selling everything from sweets to silver, this open-air street market (souk) is the central feature of the city’s old quarter (medina).
Reviewed By Ollossm - Norwich, United Kingdom
We stopped here after seeing the Mosque, an unexpected and initially unwelcome stop was the Souk.
However to be fair, the merchants here were less troublesome than in Hammamet and the pricing was very keen, now if the pricing was keen to start with then it was possible there may have been some true bargains here with haggling at full scale.
However we weren't expecting to stop here and had no desire to buy anything whatsoever, the merchants seemed to accept this with far more garce than their Hammamet counterparts.
Actually a nice souk to walk around, plenty of places to grab a bite to eat and drinks too.
Wouldn't make a special effort to visit here but if you are in town then it is worth a look around.
9. Musee d'art Islamique de Raqqada
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By beppi0 - The world is my oyster
If you have no own transport, you need to take a taxi from Kairouan (8km). The building shows the grandisme of Tunisia's former dictator (it was one of his palaces). The show pieces are few, but of great antiquity. I was done with it in 15min.
10. Governor's House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By marc R - Saint-Etienne, France
Entrée gratuite et accompagnée d'un guide cette visite permet de voir toute la décoration intérieur de cette maison du gouverneur ou maison des beys qui régissaient la ville.
Plusieurs pièces correspondant à la vie de l'époque et aux différentes chambres des épouses richement décorées.
Bien entendu visite gratuite mais on vous propose d'acheter des tapis à la sortie mais rien d'obligatoire
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