Kairouan & El Djem Day Trip

Embark on a day excursion to Kairouan and El Djem where you will delve into the depths of Islamic spirituality and uncover the vestiges of the Roman Empire's influence in Tunisia. Prepare to be captivated!

Tour Overview

Your adventure begins with a pickup from your Hammamet hotel, followed by a scenic drive of about 1.5 hours inland, leaving the coastline to immerse ourselves in the spiritual core of Tunisia.

As the scenery transforms, signaling our arrival at Kairouan, the historical capital of the Islamic Maghreb and a sacred site since the 7th century, we will first visit the Aghlabid Basins. Here, we will spend approximately 30 minutes. These impressive 9th-century pools reveal how skilled medieval engineers ensured a consistent water supply for an entire city amidst a semi-arid landscape.

Our journey continues to the Great Mosque of Kairouan for about 45 minutes. Within its expansive columned hall, many columns originally sourced from Roman structures, we will explore why this mosque holds the designation of the fourth holiest in Sunni Islam.

Next, we will visit the Mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi, also recognized as the Mosque of the Barber. Here, we will spend another 45 minutes admiring its intricate tiles, serene courtyards, and exquisite calligraphic art. Our exploration will then lead us to a local artisan workshop, where traditional crafting techniques continue to thrive, showcasing ceramics and textiles shaped by skilled hands.

Shall we proceed? A 1-hour drive will take us to El Djem, where a stop at a restaurant awaits for a delightful buffet lunch.

With appetites satisfied, we will embark on a 1-hour guided tour of the amphitheater. Throughout our visit, we will discuss how this quaint town succeeded in erecting a magnificent structure that competes with the grand Colosseum in Rome. The scale of this monument is sure to astonish!

Our next destination will be the El Djem Archaeological Museum, where we will admire mosaics showcasing daily life in Ancient Rome, depicted with remarkable detail.

Concluding our day, we will journey back to Hammamet and return you to your hotel approximately 10 hours after the initial pickup.