Kairouan

Kairouan (Arabic: القيروان), sometimes spelled Kairwan, Kayrawan or Al Qayrawan, is a city in Tunisia. It's a holy city in Islam, ranking fourth after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem as a place of pilgrimage. Reputedly seven visits here are the equivalent of one to Mecca. With it's large masjids and rich cultural history it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Travel to Kairouan

Buses run to Kairouan from the major cities, Tunis, Sousse (2 hrs), and Sfax. Agents from the carpets shops have been known to board the bus a few kilometers outside the city and befriend tourists to lure them into their shops.
Louages run from many destinations into Kairouan; these are probably the best and most frequent way to get into the city. It takes 2 hours and 10.25 DT from Tunis (as of June 2022). There is no direct public transport between Kairouan and El Jem, you'd need to change in Sousse.
Kairouan is not located on a train line.

The stations for both buses and louages are to the northwest of the Medina. Though they may well drop you off at a Medina Gate if requested.

Get Around

The Medina is best explored on foot, partially to absorb the atmosphere and partially because some areas are inaccessible to anything bigger. The main street that links the Gate of Martyrs (south) to the Gate of Tunis (northwest) is rather touristic.

Many of the shops near the main mosque will tempt you in with views over the complex, expect to have a look around the shop on the way out, if you don't buy anything a small donation would be polite.

What to See

Grande mosquée Kairouan minaret - Minaret of the Great Mosque Ancient Roman columns in the Great Mosque of Kairouan - Ancient Roman columns in the Great Mosque of Kairouan

The old Medina with it's narrow passageways and streets is in general a nice place to just wander around aimlessly. If it looks familiar it may well be as it was used in Raiders of the Lost Ark to double as Cairo. For those interested in Islamic teachings there are several madrasas, or Islamic schools, in the centre of town that are open for visitors. Three communities coexist here - the Bedouins and the Berbers and the Arabs - you can tell the houses apart by the doors - ring doorknockers and the hands of fatimas, or just Arabic script. The number of rings or hands denote also the number of families in the same house. Green doors are masjids.

Great Mosque of Kairouan - جامع القيروان الأكبر | 35.681389, 10.103889 - Multi-site ticket costs 10 DT, covering 6 sites in Kairouan. And also 1dn for photo taking rights Great Mosque of Kairouan - Grande Mosquée de Kairouan, vue d'ensemble One of the finest Islamic buildings in North Africa and rewards closer inspection. Non Muslims are not permitted into the prayer hall, but the doors are open to allow you to view inside. Access to the main courtyard is available to all. The columns throughout the complex were taken from Carthage and the wooden ceiling from Lebanese cedar wood. In the courtyard and there are indents into the floor with varying sizes for camel or dromedary hoofs, or human feet, for washing before prayers. On the tiny platform in the middle of the courtyard and there is also four black pins on a board that tells the prayer times by the sun. Facing the prayer room, on one of the left columns is also a last black pin marking the night prayer by moonlight.

Mosque of the Three Doors - مسجد ابن خيرون | 35.677022, 10.102852 - Mosque of Muhammad ibn Khairun Mosquée des Trois Portes 4 With one of the finest façades in Tunisia, though the interior is not open.

Bi'r Barouta 35.676009, 10.100760 - This well is the place where the city was founded, it is reputedly linked to the ZamZam well in Mecca, it is one of the holiest sites in the city for Muslims.

Maison de Gouveneur - The medina house of a local governor in the pass, this house with 18 rooms belonged to him and his 4 wives and 21 children. Extremely beautiful and intricate interior, on the outside unassuming and signposted as 'Tapis-Sabra'. Today a carpet shop, it is covered all over with carpets of all shapes and sizes. Women work on the looms, you can watch and take photos, while an old man gives you a tour and at the end, you're expected to view the carpets (70 DT for a small one).

Aghlabid Basins Upon leaving the Gate of Tunis, head along the road to the right till you hit the basins. About a 20-minutes walk. It's opposite Hotel Continental. - These cisterns, built by the Aghlabids in the 9th century are more impressive because of their engineering sophistication than as sights in themselves. Water was delivered by aqueduct from the hills 36 kilometers west of Kairouan into the smaller settling basin and then into the enormous main holding basin, which was 5 m deep and 128 m in diameter. In the centre of the main swimmingpool was a pavilion where the rulers could come to relax on summer evenings. Most visitors do nothing more than peek at the cisterns from the rooftop of the syndicat d'initiative office nearby, but you can enter with the multiple-site ticket. When the office isn't open and the site seems to be open to everyone anyway.

Zaouia of Sidi Abid el-Ghariani - This mausoleum was also a Koranic school. Mosaics of the blue mosque in Istanbul, cedar wood ceiling.

Mosque of Ansar - Traditionally dating to 667, but totally renewed in 1650.

Mosque Al Bey - Late 17th century.

Sidi Amor Abada Museum 35.676978, 10.094947 Opening Hours: Sept 16th to June 16th 09:00 - 16:00. June 17th to September 31st 08:00 - 14:00 10 DT Mausolée Sidi Amor Abbada - Zaouia Sidi Amor Abbada domes The museum was established in a zawiya – mausoleum – built in 1872 and containing the tomb of Amor Abada, better known as Sidi Abada.

Further afield

Raqqada National Museum of Islamic art - رقّادة - - Raqqada Raqqāda is the site of the second capital of the 9th-century dynasty of Aghlabids, located around ten kilometers southwest of Kairouan. The site now houses the National Museum of Islamic Art. Which specializes in medieval Islamic art and includes works from Kairouan, Raqqada and Al-Mansuriya, a former princely city built in the Fatimid period.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Kairouan

Sit and enjoy a tea in a traditional tea house if the heat gets a little too much.
Walk the town and appreciate the beautiful and intricate designs.

Shopping

Kairouan is particularly famous for its carpets and visiting a shop is an integral and sometimes unexpected part of experiencing the city. Carpets are graded by their fineness and the number of knots in a square metre, with a normal weave from 10,000 to 40,000, fine weave from 65,000-90,000 and extra fine from 160,000 - 500,000. Silk carpets may be over 500,000 knots per square metre.

Halal Food & Restaurants

A speciality of Kairouan is the sticky pastry makrouhd, it can be found all through Tunisia - dates, sesame, and honey. You can tell most shops how much you're willing to spend, and they'll give you a box of pastries - you can mix and match with others!

There are a few nice tea houses on the road from the Main Gate into the centre of the city

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Kairouan

eHalal Group Kairouan is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Kairouan. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Kairouan.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Kairouan ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Kairouan. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Kairouan, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

Many tiny hotels dotted all around town, without much online presence.

Hotel Tunisia Av. de la Republique ☎ +216 77 231 855
Hôtel Amina Route de Tunis GP 2 35.692324, 10.103623 ☎ +216 77 226 555
Hotel Continental 35.685894, 10.097893 ☎ +216 77 231 135 67 DT for one person, 72 with dinner (June 2022) - Opposite the Aghabite basins, a little further our from town (10-15 minutes walk into Medina).

Hotel Splendid Rue 9 Avril 35.672484, 10.101011 ☎ +216 77 230 041 37 DT for a single person, but definitely negotiable (was offered 30 DT in June 2022) 5 minutes' walk from the Porte des Martyrs, which is on one of the primary streets of the Medina, so definitely a good position. Very friendly reception that'll be there 24/7. For the price, impeccable (expect broken lightbulbs and the like - but aircon works, and there's hot water.

News & References Kairouan

Travel Next

Sousse
Sfax

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