One day is enough to see the essentials of Kairouan if you start early and plan around prayer times.

Morning

  • Great Mosque (Mosque of Uqba): go first thing for soft light and fewer visitors. Dress modestly, remove your shoes and respect worshippers. Non-Muslim access is limited to certain areas.
  • Walk the medina: wander the lanes towards the old gates and the market, stopping at crafts workshops.

Midday

Have lunch in the medina or near the main square. Many places serve traditional Tunisian dishes with halal meat. Pause for the midday prayer; on Fridays, expect some shops to close around noon.

Afternoon

  • Makroudh: buy fresh makroudh, the date-filled semolina pastry Kairouan is famous for, from a local bakery.
  • Carpets: visit a carpet workshop to see how the wool rugs are made. Compare prices before buying and bargain politely.
  • Aghlabid Basins: finish at the 9th-century water reservoirs near the edge of the medina in late-afternoon light.

Tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes; the streets are uneven.
  • Bring water and sun protection in summer.
  • Leave Kairouan before dark if you are heading back to Sousse or Tunis.

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