×

Tunisia🇹🇳 | landmarksEz-Zitouna MosqueArcaded courtyard, square minaret, Carthage columns, perfumers’ lane | things to do and best time to go

Explore Medina of TunisExplore Zaghouan Water Temple

Backpacking in Ez-Zitouna Mosque
👍 Recommendedunique site ranked #6
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Non-Muslims can get into Ez-Zitouna Mosque for a small fee, which makes it one of the few major Tunisian mosques where you can actually stand under the arches instead of squinting through a doorway. It sits in the heart of the Medina of Tunis, in Tunisia’s capital, and you will reach it by losing your way in the souks at least once. The prayer hall is calm, the forest of columns photographs beautifully, and the 19th-century minaret is a handsome landmark. You see only the courtyard and galleries, though, so the prayer hall stays behind a rope, and the visit is short. Skip it if you want a checklist monument. History readers, architecture fans and souk wanderers will enjoy it most. Anyone expecting a full interior tour, or a quiet street outside, will be disappointed.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Tunisia Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #6 unique site in TunisiaReasons people choose to visit here

Ez-Zitouna Mosque is the anchor of the Medina of Tunis, and most routes through the old city pass within a few steps of its gate. You get a place that is still used for prayer and still tied to the old university, without a ticket line like the one at Carthage or Sidi Bou Said. The big draw is the courtyard and its columned galleries, where many of the pillars were reused from Roman and Byzantine Carthage, so the stonework reads like a salvage yard of the ancient world. Pair that with the Souk des Libraires and the Souk el Attarine beside it, and you have a half day of walking in which every turn changes the smell, from perfume oils to leather. Because the mosque sits right in the lanes, it fits easily between a coffee, a stroll to the Bardo or a train to the coast. For a first week in Tunisia, … read more 👉
Ez-Zitouna Mosque is the anchor of the Medina of Tunis, and most routes through the old city pass within a few steps of its gate. You get a place that is still used for prayer and still tied to the old university, without a ticket line like the one at Carthage or Sidi Bou Said. The big draw is the courtyard and its columned galleries, where many of the pillars were reused from Roman and Byzantine Carthage, so the stonework reads like a salvage yard of the ancient world. Pair that with the Souk des Libraires and the Souk el Attarine beside it, and you have a half day of walking in which every turn changes the smell, from perfume oils to leather. Because the mosque sits right in the lanes, it fits easily between a coffee, a stroll to the Bardo or a train to the coast. For a first week in Tunisia, it is the best place to understand Tunis before heading out.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. The Courtyard and Galleries: The part visitors can enter, with arched arcades on three sides and a calm, shaded floor. It is the best spot to take in the proportions of the building.
  2. The Minaret: Square and tall, built in the 19th century in an Ottoman-influenced Tunisian style. You can see it from several rooftops and from the lanes around the mosque.
  3. The Prayer Hall Columns: Glimpsed from the entrance, the dense rows of pillars and capitals, many taken from ancient Carthage, create a hall that looks endless.
  4. The Main Gate and Facade: The approach from the souks has carved details and a worn stone threshold that tell you this is a working place of worship.
  5. Souk des Libraires: The old booksellers’ lane beside the mosque recalls its days as a center of learning, and today it is mostly souvenirs
… read more 👉
  1. The Courtyard and Galleries: The part visitors can enter, with arched arcades on three sides and a calm, shaded floor. It is the best spot to take in the proportions of the building.
  2. The Minaret: Square and tall, built in the 19th century in an Ottoman-influenced Tunisian style. You can see it from several rooftops and from the lanes around the mosque.
  3. The Prayer Hall Columns: Glimpsed from the entrance, the dense rows of pillars and capitals, many taken from ancient Carthage, create a hall that looks endless.
  4. The Main Gate and Facade: The approach from the souks has carved details and a worn stone threshold that tell you this is a working place of worship.
  5. Souk des Libraires: The old booksellers’ lane beside the mosque recalls its days as a center of learning, and today it is mostly souvenirs with a few book stalls.
  6. Souk el Attarine: The perfumers’ market just by the mosque, where you can smell jasmine, rose and musk oils and watch sellers weigh small bottles.
  7. Rooftop Views from Nearby Cafes: Several terraces around the souk give a clear view of the minaret and domes against the white rooftops of the Medina.
Ez-Zitouna Mosque is best met first through its courtyard and galleries, since that is where you can walk freely and see the reused columns up close.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Ez-Zitouna Mosque

Private tour: Medina,Carthage ,Sidi Bou Said, Bardo Museum+lunch

Private tour: Medina,Carthage ,Sidi Bou Said, Bardo Museum+lunch

4.8(353)
From €50
per personViator
Walking Tour through the Medina of Tunis(Pay what you want)

Walking Tour through the Medina of Tunis(Pay what you want)

5.0(243) 2h 30m
From €2.99
per personViator
Carthage, Bardo Museum, Sidi Bou Said and Medina Private Day Tour

Carthage, Bardo Museum, Sidi Bou Said and Medina Private Day Tour

4.4(202)
From €95
per personViator
07 -Guided day Tour Tunisia Monumental

07 -Guided day Tour Tunisia Monumental

5.0(54) 168h
From €1,600
per personViator
Private Day Tour Tunis Medina Carthage Sidi Bou Said Bardo Museum

Private Day Tour Tunis Medina Carthage Sidi Bou Said Bardo Museum

4.9(37)
From €205
per personViator
Tour of Tunis Carthage and Sidi Boussaid with local lunch

Tour of Tunis Carthage and Sidi Boussaid with local lunch

5.0(34) 7h
From €84
per personViator
Tunis: Carthage, Bardo Museum, Sidi Bou Said & Medina Group Tour

Tunis: Carthage, Bardo Museum, Sidi Bou Said & Medina Group Tour

4.3(49)
From €41
per personViator
Private Tour SidiBouSaid Medina Carthage&bardo Museum

Private Tour SidiBouSaid Medina Carthage&bardo Museum

4.8(31)
From €48
per personViator
Picturesque Village Of Sidi Bou Said + Tunis Old Medina

Picturesque Village Of Sidi Bou Said + Tunis Old Medina

4.1(19) 4h
From €100
per personViator
Full Day Excursion Tunis Carthage and Sidi Bou Said From Tunis

Full Day Excursion Tunis Carthage and Sidi Bou Said From Tunis

4.8(10) 9h
From €85
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Spring (March to May): Highs of 18 to 26°C (64 to 79°F) make the souk lanes around Ez-Zitouna Mosque comfortable to walk, and days run long enough for a slow wander. Tour groups peak in April and May.
  • Summer (June to August): Highs reach 31 to 35°C (88 to 95°F), and the heat can spike higher when the sirocco blows. The covered souks stay shadier than the streets, and the mosque courtyard bakes by midday. Beds are priciest on the coast, but Tunis medina rates stay steady.
  • Autumn (September to November): Highs of 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F), with rain showers more likely from late October. Crowds thin out and prices ease.
  • Winter (December to February): Highs of 11 to 16°C (52 to 61°F), with damp, gray spells. It is the quietest season and the cheapest for rooms, though days are short.
Non-Muslims cannot … read more 👉
  • Spring (March to May): Highs of 18 to 26°C (64 to 79°F) make the souk lanes around Ez-Zitouna Mosque comfortable to walk, and days run long enough for a slow wander. Tour groups peak in April and May.
  • Summer (June to August): Highs reach 31 to 35°C (88 to 95°F), and the heat can spike higher when the sirocco blows. The covered souks stay shadier than the streets, and the mosque courtyard bakes by midday. Beds are priciest on the coast, but Tunis medina rates stay steady.
  • Autumn (September to November): Highs of 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F), with rain showers more likely from late October. Crowds thin out and prices ease.
  • Winter (December to February): Highs of 11 to 16°C (52 to 61°F), with damp, gray spells. It is the quietest season and the cheapest for rooms, though days are short.
Non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall at any time of year, so aim for a weekday when the souks are fully open, and skip Friday afternoons when many stalls close.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
tunisia-unique-site-ez-zitouna-mosque
© Google |

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutTunisia Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Tunisia
The digital guide (355 pages) contains:
✅ 90 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The Tunis medina is the best base, because Ez-Zitouna Mosque sits at its center and the souks begin at its doorstep. Staying inside the old walls means you can walk to the mosque in minutes, and rooftop terraces in converted courtyard houses are where solo travelers tend to meet. Budget dorms and simple private rooms cluster around Rue Jemaa Zitouna and the lanes near Bab Souika, and prices here run well below the modern center. Evenings are quiet inside the medina once the shops close, so bring a headlamp for the unlit alleys and keep to the main lanes after dark.
The Ville Nouvelle, around Avenue … read more 👉
The Tunis medina is the best base, because Ez-Zitouna Mosque sits at its center and the souks begin at its doorstep. Staying inside the old walls means you can walk to the mosque in minutes, and rooftop terraces in converted courtyard houses are where solo travelers tend to meet. Budget dorms and simple private rooms cluster around Rue Jemaa Zitouna and the lanes near Bab Souika, and prices here run well below the modern center. Evenings are quiet inside the medina once the shops close, so bring a headlamp for the unlit alleys and keep to the main lanes after dark.
The Ville Nouvelle, around Avenue Habib Bourguiba and Avenue de Carthage, is the second option. It offers more cafes, late dining and easy access to the train station and metro, which suits people arriving or leaving at odd hours. Walking from Place de la Victoire through Bab Bhar into the medina takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Both areas feel safe in daylight, though petty theft happens in crowds, so keep valuables zipped.
Best hostels in Tunisia


Best quality hotels in Tunisia

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Ez-Zitouna Mosque can be visited on about US$1 to 3 a day in Tunis, with a total daily budget of US$41. The courtyard is open to non-Muslim visitors for a small fee, while the prayer hall is closed to them. Travelers pay in Tunisian dinars, and small notes and coins help in the souks.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Mosque entryUS$1 to 3Small ticket for the courtyard and minaret view; the prayer hall stays off limits
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 20Dorm bed or basic private room in the medina; rates drop in winter to US$9 to 15
FoodUS$6 to 10Sandwiches, lablabi and street snacks cost US$1 to 3; a sit-down meal runs US$5 to 8
Local transportUS$1 to 3Metro and light rail tickets are under US$1; a short taxi ride is US$2 to 4
Tea and coffeeUS$1 to 3Mint tea with pine nuts in medina cafes
Souvenirs
… read more 👉
Ez-Zitouna Mosque can be visited on about US$1 to 3 a day in Tunis, with a total daily budget of US$41. The courtyard is open to non-Muslim visitors for a small fee, while the prayer hall is closed to them. Travelers pay in Tunisian dinars, and small notes and coins help in the souks.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Mosque entryUS$1 to 3Small ticket for the courtyard and minaret view; the prayer hall stays off limits
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 20Dorm bed or basic private room in the medina; rates drop in winter to US$9 to 15
FoodUS$6 to 10Sandwiches, lablabi and street snacks cost US$1 to 3; a sit-down meal runs US$5 to 8
Local transportUS$1 to 3Metro and light rail tickets are under US$1; a short taxi ride is US$2 to 4
Tea and coffeeUS$1 to 3Mint tea with pine nuts in medina cafes
Souvenirs and extrasUS$3 to 6Bargaining is expected in the souks, and a guide, if hired, costs extra
Total Daily BudgetUS$41Based on one high-season dorm or basic room
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Ez-Zitouna Mosque

Ez-Zitouna Mosque is the oldest and largest mosque in Tunis, founded around 698 CE and rebuilt in the 9th century. It stands in the heart of the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage area, with its square minaret from 1894 and a forest of columns reused from Carthage. Non-Muslims can see the courtyard and galleries for a small fee of roughly US$1 to 3 but cannot enter the prayer hall.
Ez-Zitouna Mosque takes about 30 to 45 minutes to see, since only the courtyard and galleries are open to non-Muslims. Add one to two hours if you want to browse the surrounding souks, such as the Souk des Chechias and the perfume market. A half day covers the mosque and the main medina lanes comfortably.
Ez-Zitouna Mosque is reached on foot through the Tunis medina, about 10 to 15 minutes from Place de la Victoire and Bab Bhar. From the Ville Nouvelle, take Metro Line 1 to Barcelone or Place de la République and walk in. A taxi from the airport takes about 20 to 30 minutes and costs roughly US$5 to 10 to the medina gates.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Tunisian landmarks near Ez-Zitouna Mosque

Explore more nearby:

  • Medina of Tunis—Trade-sorted souks, Zitouna courtyard, beys’ tomb, rooftop terraces| 0 km away
  • Ghorfa—vaulted storage rooms, mudbrick construction, communal granaries| 42 km away
  • Zaghouan Water Temple—Spring-fed nymphaeum, aqueduct arches, mountain trails, whitewashed lanes| 46 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Tunisia including Ez-Zitouna Mosque and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all landmarks

Or checkout all Tunisia has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Tunisia
Country photo of Tunisia
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Ez-Zitouna Mosque works best as the middle of a Medina loop: start at the Bab el Bhar gate, finish with mint tea near the booksellers’ lane, then add the Bardo Museum or a tram to Carthage the next day. I would bring a scarf and small change for the entry fee.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Tunisia. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story