Kairouan: A City of Rich History and Cultural Significance
At the height of its glory, Kairouan was a capital of knowledge that attracted scholars from all over the Maghreb and even the Mashreq. In the fields of philosophy, poetry, mathematics, and medicine, Kairouan was a place of radiance, earning it a strong following of Arab and European disciples who frequented its teaching circles. The Press — To this day, the Aghlabid City, with its thousands of years of history where styles intertwine, continues to seduce its visitors with its patriotic and cultural values, its internationally renowned monuments, its ancient houses, its basins, its craftsmanship, its pastries, its gastronomy, and its museums. Notably, writers such as Guy de Maupassant and Stendhal have written about the charms of Kairouan, and the famous artist Paul Klee has mentioned it in his travel journals and painted its souks, medina, and old cafes. Surprising and eclectic, Kairouan is a city with an epicurean atmosphere where modern and traditional coexist in perfect harmony, a young and trendy city that offers all visitors a fascinating immersion into the heart of ancient smells, colors, and customs. In fact, with each visit, one discovers the best of the past, especially when strolling through the mythical and historic artery of the souks.
Increase in Tourist Visits and Overnight Stays in 2025
It's worth noting that Kairouan has seen an improvement in its tourist indicators until the end of October 2025, with an 8% increase in tourist overnight stays and a 10% increase in arrivals. This was recently stated by Mourad Alouini, Regional Director of Tourism and Handicrafts in Kairouan: "Indeed, the year 2025 is expected to be a reference year for tourist indicators, similar to national indicators. This is due to the intensive promotion operation carried out by the Ministry of Tourism, which relied on a clear strategy to enhance and promote Kairouan's rich tourist heritage and highlight its archaeological and religious sites...", added Mourad Alouini. Overall, the wonderful monuments of the Okba Mosque, the mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi, the Three-Door Mosque, the Aghlabid basins, the medersas, and the old houses with studded doors in the medina are just as famous and well-known as the illustrious jurists such as Assad Ibn Charaf and Ibn Rachiq, Ibn El Jazzar, the great master of Maghrebian medicine, and Imam Sahnoun, founder of the Maliki school of the Maghreb.
