An ancient holy city of carpets and pastries
Kairouan was founded in 670 and became the first great Islamic city of North Africa. Its Great Mosque, one of the oldest in the Islamic world, has a vast marble courtyard and a massive square minaret. Within the walled medina you'll find the ninth-century Aghlabid Basins, the Zaouia of Sidi Sahab, known as the Mosque of the Barber, with its tiled courtyards, and shops selling hand-knotted carpets. Try makroudh, date-filled semolina pastries fried and soaked in syrup.