About
Kairouan is a city in central Tunisia, in North Africa, and it is widely regarded as the country's spiritual heart. It is counted among the holiest cities of Islam, and visitors come here above all to see its historic core, which is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Great Mosque
The city's best-known landmark is its Great Mosque, one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in North Africa. Its courtyard, prayer hall and surrounding walls make it the natural centre of any visit. Non-Muslim visitors should check the local rules on entry and dress before going, and should expect the building to be used for worship throughout the day.
What a visit feels like
Kairouan is a place to walk slowly. The old medina's narrow streets, quiet courtyards and open squares give a sense of a city whose traditions have carried on for many centuries. Visitors often remark on the sacred atmosphere, which sets the tone more than any single monument does.
Crafts and the surrounding area
- Carpets: Kairouan is known for its intricately woven carpets, and the workshops and shops of the medina are good places to see them made and to look at them closely.
- The medina: The old town around the mosque rewards aimless wandering, with its markets and traditional streets.
- Central Tunisia: The city makes a natural stop for travellers exploring the interior of the country, away from the coast.
Kairouan suits visitors interested in religious heritage, architecture and traditional crafts, and anyone who wants to see a side of Tunisia that is less shaped by the tourist coastline.