Kairouan & El Jem Day Tour: Two Ancient Cities

Two ancient cities in a single morning and afternoon, with transport and lunch included

This day tour from Tunis visits Kairouan, Islam's 4th holiest city, and El Jem, site of a Roman amphitheater, with private transportation, a live guide in your language, lunch and eight hours on the road. Pickup is included from your hotel. The route covers roughly 240 kilometers round-trip and ends back in Tunis by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Kairouan and El Jem

• Visit Great Mosque of Kairouan
• Discover mausoleum of the barber
• Free time in Kairouan medina
• Visit Aghlabid basins
• Travel to El Jem
• Visit El Jem Amphitheater
• Explore Kairouan medina souks and carpet museum
• Buy Kairouan delights (Makroudh)

The experience

Kairouan is the spiritual capital of Tunisia and the starting point of the day. You visit the Great Mosque, the oldest religious building of the Muslim West, then the mausoleum of the barber. The medina is yours to explore at your own pace: the souks, the carpet museum, and the local pastry shops selling makroudh, the city's signature sweet. Before leaving, you can also see the Aghlabid basins, built in the 9th century to bring drinking water to the city.

The second half of the day is spent in El Jem, ancient Thysdrus, one of Roman Africa's wealthiest cities. The amphitheater there is the main draw: a massive stone structure that once hosted gladiator fights and public spectacles. The scale of it, built without mortar, is what stays with most visitors. Your guide walks you through the site and explains its history. You have time to photograph and explore the interior.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and seats your group privately. Lunch is included and eaten somewhere along the route. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one of several other languages, depending on your booking. The full day runs eight hours from pickup to drop-off, so plan to leave early in the morning and return to Tunis by evening.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• pickup from your Tunis hotel.
• lunch during the day.
• a live guide in your chosen language.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Greek, Japanese and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by AOUES TRAVEL AND EVENTS

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you do not need to arrange your own transport to the starting point, and the private vehicle keeps your group together for the full eight hours. This works well if you are staying in Tunis without a rental car and want to see both cities in a single day without the logistics of public transport or multiple bookings.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Japanese and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Great Mosque of Kairouan, and why is it significant?

The Great Mosque of Kairouan is the oldest religious building of the Muslim West and a major site within Islam's 4th holiest city. It is the centerpiece of the Kairouan visit and reflects the city's spiritual importance to North African Islam.

Can I walk through the medina on my own, or is it a guided walk?

You have free time in the medina to explore it yourself. The souks, carpet museum and local food shops are open for you to visit at your own pace during that part of the day.

What are the Aghlabid basins, and are they included in the tour?

The Aghlabid basins are a 9th-century hydraulic system built to supply Kairouan with drinking water. You have the opportunity to visit them as part of the Kairouan stop, though it is optional.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

Lunch is included and eaten during the day, typically somewhere along the route between Kairouan and El Jem. The specific menu is not detailed in advance, but it is part of the package.