El Jem Kairouan excursion: the holy city and the Colosseum of Africa
Our El Jem Kairouan excursion takes you to the Great Mosque of Kairouan in the morning and the vast Roman amphitheatre of El Jem in the afternoon. Pickup is at 08:00, a private car waits at every stop, and you are back at your hotel by 18:00 at the latest.
- Duration
- Full day, 7 h 45 min
- Price
- from €90 per car
- Pickup
- At your hotel, 08:00 to 18:00
- Stops
- Kairouan, El Jem
What the El Jem Kairouan excursion covers
The El Jem Kairouan excursion joins two UNESCO sites, a little over an hour apart across the olive groves. Kairouan is the oldest Islamic city in North Africa, and its Great Mosque was founded in 670. El Jem holds one of the largest amphitheatres of the Roman world, so complete that you can walk its galleries and the passages under the arena.
- Kairouan and the amphitheatre of El Jem
- 2 UNESCO sites
- spectators the amphitheatre could seat
- 35,000
- the year the Great Mosque of Kairouan was founded
- 670
- door to door from Hammamet
- 7 h 45 min
How the day runs
Kairouan comes first, because the Great Mosque only receives visitors in the morning. El Jem fills the afternoon, and the usual pace takes 7 h 45 min door to door from Hammamet. If the amphitheatre holds you longer, stay: the driver waits, and the price does not change as long as you are back at your hotel by 18:00.
08:00
Pickup at your hotel in Hammamet
1 h 30 min drive to Kairouan
Arrival around 09:30
Kairouan
Holy city, UNESCO, about 2 h 30
The courtyard and prayer hall of the Great Mosque, with its square minaret and forest of ancient columns, then the round Aghlabid Basins, built in the 9th century to bring water to the city. Finish in the medina, where carpet sellers and bakeries of makroudh, the local date pastry, line the lanes. If time allows, the driver can also stop at the tiled Zaouia of Sidi Sahbi, known as the Mosque of the Barber.
- The Great Mosque, founded in 670
- The 9th-century Aghlabid Basins
- The medina, its carpets and makroudh
El Jem
Roman amphitheatre, UNESCO, about 1 h 30
Built in the 3rd century, the amphitheatre held some 35,000 spectators and is among the largest in the Roman world. Climb to the upper tiers for the view over the town, then go down into the passages where animals and gladiators waited. The archaeological museum nearby, with its mosaics, is on the same ticket.
- The upper galleries and the view
- The underground passages below the arena
- Roman mosaics in the nearby museum
18:00
Back at your hotel in Hammamet, at the latest
The usual pace takes about 7 h 45 min, so you have time to stay longer at any site
The route on the map
Kairouan lies inland from Sousse, El Jem an hour further south. Choose your pickup city to see the full loop, or a stop to see it up close.
Driving times on the map are Google estimates. Your driver knows the quicker roads.
Why this order works
The plan follows opening habits and the sun, not a fixed script. Here is the thinking behind it.
- The Great Mosque in the morning
- The mosque welcomes visitors in the morning only, usually until early afternoon, and it is closed to visitors on Friday afternoons. Leaving at 08:00 gives you time there without rushing.
- Lunch between the two
- Eat in a small restaurant in the Kairouan medina or wait for a terrace facing the amphitheatre in El Jem. Lunch is not included, so the choice and the budget are yours.
- El Jem for the end of the day
- There is little shade in the arena, but the walls start casting long shadows in the afternoon. With nothing planned afterwards, you can stay as long as you like before the drive home.
El Jem Kairouan excursion prices per car
From Hammamet the day costs €90 for up to four people, from Sousse or Port El Kantaoui €100 and from Tunis €130, the longest drive. The price is per car, not per seat, with no deposit. Entrance tickets are paid on the spot.
| Travellers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 people | €90 | €100 | €100 | €130 |
| 4–6 people | €120 | €130 | €130 | €160 |
| 5–8 people | €130 | €140 | €140 | €170 |
| 8–12 people | €160 | €170 | €170 | €200 |
Prices are per car, in euros, for the whole day, and they do not change with the season. Tap a city to update the timetable and the booking card.
What’s included
You pay for the car and the driver, not for each seat, so the price stays the same for one to four people. You settle with the driver at the end of the day, with no hidden fees.
Included
- Private air-conditioned car, never shared
- English and French-speaking driver all day
- Fuel, motorway tolls and parking
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or address
- An earlier start, from 07:00, on request
Not included
- Entrance tickets in Kairouan and El Jem (around 12 dinars each)
- Lunch and drinks
- Shopping in the Kairouan medina
Good to know
Kairouan is a holy city and El Jem is a sun trap, so a little planning goes a long way. These three points matter most.
Covered shoulders and knees
Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the Great Mosque of Kairouan. Shawls are lent at the entrance if you have nothing suitable.
Little shade at El Jem
The tiers and the arena are in full sun. Bring a hat, water and sun cream from May to September.
Avoid Friday afternoon
The Great Mosque is closed to visitors on Friday afternoons for prayers. Any other day of the week works well.
El Jem Kairouan excursion: your questions answered
These are the questions travellers ask most about this day. If something is missing, just ask us before you book.
How long is the day?
The usual pace takes about 7 h 45 min door to door from Hammamet. Pickup is at 08:00, you reach Kairouan around 09:30, and El Jem fills the afternoon. You can stay longer anywhere you like, and the price does not change as long as you are back at your hotel by 18:00.
How much does the El Jem Kairouan excursion cost?
€90 per car from Hammamet for one to four people, €100 from Sousse or Port El Kantaoui and €130 from Tunis. Entrance tickets, around 12 dinars per site, are paid on the spot.
Can non-Muslims visit the Great Mosque of Kairouan?
Yes, the courtyard and the gallery are open to visitors in the morning. The prayer hall is seen from its doorways. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
Is El Jem as impressive as the Colosseum in Rome?
It is smaller, but remarkably complete. The outer walls, galleries and underground passages are largely intact, and outside the summer you may have the arena almost to yourself.
How far is El Jem from Kairouan?
A little over an hour by car, through the olive groves of the Sahel. It is the only long drive between the two sites, and the car is air-conditioned.
Can we visit El Jem only?
Yes, as a shorter day, especially from Sousse, which is only an hour and a quarter away. Message us on WhatsApp and we will send you a price.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, children love the amphitheatre’s tunnels. Bring water and a cap, as there is little shade. Child seats are free on request.
What is the best time of year?
March to May and September to November. In July and August Kairouan can pass 38 °C, so ask for a 07:00 pickup.
Plan your trip
Before you book, read our guides: what excursions in Tunisia really cost and the best time to visit Tunisia. They answer the questions most travellers ask about a day like this.
How much are excursions in Tunisia? An open price comparison for 2026How much are excursions in Tunisia? As of October 2026, a shared day trip to Carthage or El Jem costs about €32 to €85 per person depending on where…Read the guide
Best time to visit Tunisia: a month-by-month guide to the coastThe best time to visit Tunisia for most people is late May to June or September to October. The sea off Hammamet and Sousse is around 22–26 °C in…Read the guide
Book your El Jem Kairouan excursion
Tell us your hotel, your date and how many of you are travelling. You get written confirmation within two hours, with a fixed price per car and nothing to pay until the end of the day. Send your details now and we will plan your El Jem Kairouan excursion.