Kairouan day trip from Sousse.

Overview

Available languages

Arabic

English

French

Mobile ticket

Depart from your accommodation in Sousse to Kairouan, ranked 4th most sacred city in the Islamic world. Visit in a single day all the historical attractions of Kairouan (Great Mosque, the pools of the Aghlabids, the authentic Medina, The house of the Bey former governor of Kairouan, The Sidi Sahbi mausoleum and the unique Bir Barouta. Dive into history of this magical city and enjoy unforgettable moments ...

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Air-conditioned vehicle

Parking Fees

Entrance fees DE all sites

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

The Great Mosque of Kairouan

It is undoubtedly the oldest Islamic religious building erected in the Muslim West. It was in 670, during the first campaign for the annexation of Ifriqiya to the nascent Muslim Empire. After having chosen, at the edge of the mountainous foothills of the north of the country, the location of the "cantonment" - al qayrawân - in which he installed his troops in the wake of a first victorious offensive, General Okba Ibn Nafaa hastened to erect there a seat for the government of the Ifriqiyenne province and an oratory in mud bricks which, in the ninth century, after several redevelopments and with a few details, will appear under the appearance that we know today at the Great Mosque . A singular monument, that this Great Mosque of Kairouan whose perfect harmony perfectly hides an architectural "synchretism" unique in its kind. The materials which were used for its construction all come, indeed, from ancient sites belonging to various times before the Islamic conquest, while the general appearance of the building, in particular, the minaret, reflects a distant oriental influence. The whole forms an original whole, with sober features but not devoid of elegance. As for interior decoration, we must speak of exuberance: a real explosion of geometric and floral patterns carved in fine marble that decorates the facade of the mihrâb, the niche that indicates the direction of Mecca, or engraved in the panels of precious woods that make up the minbar, pulpit for preaching.

30 minutes • Admission Not Included

Mosque Sidi Sahbi (Mosque of the Barber)

Sidi Sahbi Mosque (Sidi Sahbi Mausoleum) The Sidi Sahbi mausoleum, generally called the barber's mosque, is actually a zaouia commonly known as the barber's mosque. The bey mouradite Hammouda Pasha builds the mausoleum, the dome and the courtyard and the bey Mohamed Mourad builds the minaret and the madrasah. There is indeed the burial of Abu Zammat al-Belaoui who would have preserved some hairs from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad of which he is one of the companions. The earthenware and stucco panels found there form remarkable decorations.

30 minutes • Admission Not Included

Options

Kairouan day trip from Sousse.

Pickup included

Reviews

4.56

16 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Too short a day
V2185XYdominiqueb,
Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
Too little time in Kerouan, too bad! Lots of transportation for little time spent walking around the city to discover and buy makrouts Same in El Jem, no possibility to stroll. Yet we would have had time because we were at the hotel before 4pm It’s anecdotal but the meal is shabby, taken in a hotel where all the buses stop
Visit of Kairouan
Yvette D,
Feb 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
Very nice visit of Kairouan Nice walk in the medina, good stops The transport conditions were insufficient the car is too small for 5 people
Disengaged Guide - would not recommend
sarahyee,
Jan 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00
I don’t know if this was an off day but this was a genuinely poor tour. The guide picked us up and started off well with some interesting points about Tunisia’s economy and agriculture during the drive. However when we got to Kairouan the whole tour went downhill, as in, we didn’t get a tour at all. We were dropped off at the mosque and directed to the free signage with information. Every other tour guide inside was showing their group details of the mosque, the sundial etc (including the large group tours!) Our tour guide was instead taking calls on his phone and sat by himself in the corner. There was no additional information shared beyond directing us to the English plaques and the guide was completely disengaged. This was extremely disappointing as we were looking forward to learning more about Kairouan and had paid more for a private tour. We also didn’t see the aqueduct that was included in the initial itinerary. The guide was taking personal calls throughout the morning and it felt extremely unprofessional. I would not recommend this tour.
Kairouan
maisondesartslab,
Aug 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Extremely magnificent architecture a gigantic monument with enormous historical wealth the monument is an open-air museum
Highly recommend.
Tasneem A,
May 31, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Loved it. Guide was so good. Learnt a lot and the guide looked after me. Not rushed. Learnt and saw a lot. Highly recommend.
Great day out.
gary m,
Feb 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great trip. Very good guide. Enjoyable day overall. Very interesting to see the mosque and the Governors House. The drive was interesting as well.
A wonderful area of the world with extensive history and beauty
Patti T,
Nov 8, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
So many sights in Kairouan are nor readily visible. You have to know what to look for and my guide was invaluable in this area. Also the history behind each building would take a lot of personal research and I am sure I would miss out on so many facts. The governors house/carpet store was the most fascinating building and the repurposing is wonderful.
Fantastic moment – Kairouan is our favorite
Celia MN30,
May 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We made two excursions Sousse / Monastir and the next day Kairouan. Nadhmi was our guide, we spent with him among our best moments in Tunisia. Kairouan is clearly our favorite of our stay, This city is beautiful, its mocked with great beauty its elegant medina still preserved from the crowd, the discovery of carpet design and finally the famous Kaftejis. A big thank you to Nadhmi who does not hurry you, does not look at his watch and shared with us all his knowledge about Tunisia. Thanks a lot.
Very informative excursion
Didier D,
May 1, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Prefer an individual taxi offered by the hotel. The concierge takes care of everything and it’s no more expensive than the agencies that bring together several tourists from different hotels
Beautiful discovery of Kairouan
ange O,
Apr 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A day full of discoveries in Kairouan, beautiful city, full of history, crafts, carpets of Kairouan of course