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Great Mosque of Kairouan
Culture & history

Culture & history

Our most recommended Great Mosque of Kairouan Culture & history

From Tunis: Day Trip to Kairouan, El Jem and Sousse

1. From Tunis: Day Trip to Kairouan, El Jem and Sousse

Be picked up at your accommodation in Tunis and head to Kairouan. Kairouan was established in 670 AD and flourished under the Aghlabid Dynasty. Visit the Great Mosque of Kairouan, the Aglabits Bassins, and Sidi Sahbi Mausoleum. Spend some time exploring the Kairouan Medina and enjoy a typical Kairouan lunch. After lunch, head to the small village of El Jem. Here you’ll have the opportunity to see the El Jem Amphitheater ruins. The Amphitheater is the largest colosseum in North Africa and could hold up to 35,000 people. Your next stop is Sousse. Here you’ll visit the Sousse Old Medina and the Port of El Kantaoui. Head back to Tunis and be dropped off at your accommodation in the city

From Tunis: Kairouan and El Jem Private Day-Trip with Lunch

2. From Tunis: Kairouan and El Jem Private Day-Trip with Lunch

Explore Kairousan on a day-trip from Tunis, that includes the greatest waterworks of the middle ages, the Aghlabite Basins. Discover the Great Okba Mosque, one of the oldest in North Africa, and enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off, plus lunch at a local restaurant. Depart from Tunis by getting picked up from your accommodation and head toward Kairouan. Once there, transport back in time to the 9th-century Aghlabite Basins, that are witnessed from the top of the Tourist Information Building. Take this first visit as the introduction to the foundation of Kairouan and its glorious age. Next, proceed to the 7th-century Great Okba Mosque, the oldest in all of North Africa. Appreciate the powerful and beautiful expression of faith inherent in the 9th-century building. Find next the nearby Sidi Sahbi, and explore the building with its minaret and stunning courtyards, lined with green-blue tile work and white plaster stucco. Upon the entrance to the Medina, enjoy a guided walk through the main street of this mystical place. Take advantage of the free time available to embark on a quest for individual discovery and shopping nearby. Stop at a local restaurant and taste new flavors at a local restaurant. Relax during the hour and fifteen-minute drive toward El Jem's amphitheater. As one of the main attractions in Tunisia, this monumental site is the most commonly visited by tourists from around the world. Learn its ancient history, from its construction in the mid 3rd-century AD to understanding how it became the largest Roman monument in Africa. As of the last large amphitheaters built during the Roman era, its architectural design is an improvement over that of the Coliseum of Rome. After fulfilling your thirst for knowledge about this spectacular place, ride back to Tunis in a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle.

Tunisia: 5-Day Private Discovery Tour

3. Tunisia: 5-Day Private Discovery Tour

Discover the highlights of Tunisia in this comprehensive private 5-day tour. Relax, as your meals and accommodation throughout the tour are catered for including delicious traditional breakfasts and lunches and dinners in various stunning locations.  On the first day, you will be picked up from your hotel in Tunisia and will visit 'El Jem', a well-preserved Roman amphitheater. You will then head to Kairouan to visit the 9th century Aghlabid basins and then head on to marvel at the spectacular Grand Mosque, the oldest in North Africa. Your expert guide will provide an overview of the history and Tunisian traditions and you will spend the night in Tozeur.  On the second day, you will visit the breathtakingly beautiful Chebika and Tamerza waterfalls before heading to see the natural spectacle of the Mides Canyons. In the afternoon, Head to the desert, where you can see the movie set where they filmed star wars - perfect for any film fans! Afterward, you will head to Douz with a stop to view the salt lake on the way. At Douz, you can see the famous winding lanes of the souk markets and enjoy an optional camel or quad bike tour through the desert sands.  The third day is for heading into the Sahara desert, an incredible arid landscape full of tall dunes. Enjoy lunch looking out over the plains before checking in to the luxury desert campsite. The evening here will be spent enjoying delicious traditional food and listening to drumming as you warm yourself around the campfire.  On the fourth day of the trip, you will head to Matmata to visit the 'Troglodyte' Berber town. Here you can see the famous underground structures where many people still reside today. Continue onwards to  Ksar Hadada to visit the ancient castle there before stopping by Chenini to visit the '7th Asleep' mosque and museum. You will then spend a restful evening in Tataouine.  The last day will involve you indulging in some shopping at the winding Jara Souk where you can purchase some souvenirs from this amazing trip. You will be dropped back at your hotel, satisfied in the knowledge that you have truly discovered the real Tunisia. 

From Tunis: Overnight to Kairouan, El Jem, Monastir & Sousse

4. From Tunis: Overnight to Kairouan, El Jem, Monastir & Sousse

Depart Tunis for Kairouan in an air-conditioned van and explore last two 9th-century Aghlabite Basins which were among the greatest waterworks of the Middle Ages. Proceed to the 7th-century Great Okba Mosque, the oldest mosque in North Africa. Nearby is the Mosque Sidi Sahbi (Mosque of the Barber), known for its minaret and beautifully tiled courtyards. Walk through the hustle and bustle of the medina (old city) and take a picture of the camel at "Bir Barrouta." Enjoy lunch on your own and free time to explore the medina.  Regroup and travel approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to El Jem and admire its monumental amphitheater. Built in the mid-3rd-century AD, it is the largest Roman monument left in Africa, and ranks 3rd in the Empire after those of Rome and Verona. One of the last large amphitheaters built during the Roman era, its architectural design is an improvement over that of the Colosseum of Rome. After the tour, continue to a guesthouse for dinner and overnight.  The following day, enjoy breakfast in the hotel before travelling 40 km to Mahdia. Visit the Skifa Kahla, a massive fortified gate that survives the original Fatimid city, and spend time exploring the souk (market). Regroup and travel 1 hour and 15 minutes to Monastir to visit its grand cemetery where Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia’s first president, was put to rest.  In Monastir, admire the old Ribat (fortress) which has been used as a location for films such as "Life of Brian" and "Life of Christ." Eat lunch in a local restaurant before travelling 20 km to Sousse. Wander through labyrinthic streets to visit the Grand Mosque, the Ribat, and the Dar Esid, a Tunisian Family House museum. Along with its enchanting medieval Islamic history, Sousse wears another hat as a modern resort filled with hamams and beautiful beaches. Visit the El Kantaoui port before meeting the driver for the return transfer to Tunis.

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What people are saying about Great Mosque of Kairouan

I highly recommend this tour. Our guide Mohammed was very knowledgable, kind and spoke good English. Also the driver was very kind and helpful. The places with visited were very interesting and of much importance in Tunisian history - must see, if you travel here for the first time.

This guided tour was a fantastic way to see some culturally, and historically significant cities and sites in Tunisia. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, and made it seem as though you were a friend or relative visiting from a far.

The tour was very interesting, and I learned a lot. We covered a lot of area and got to see some amazing sights. Mohamed, the tour guide, was very knowledgeable and kind. I highly recommend this tour!

We loved the experience ! Both our guide and driver were nice and very attentive to our needs !

Both driver Emir and guide Yaya were extremely kind and helpful! Highly recommended!