Kairouan is famous for its pastries based on semolina with dates or almonds, fried and soaked in sugar syrup. These pastries are called “maqroudh”. They are on sale in a large number of shops and constitute a delicacy to savour or to take home after a visit to the city.

Kairouan is an important center for carpet-making. This handicraft has passed down the generations from mother to daughter. The quality of the final product is measured by the density of stitches per square metre and the symmetrical perfection of the designs and motifs, together with the carpet’s dimensions. Among the various types of carpets, one can choose the Zarbia, the Alloucha or the Mergoum. The Carpet Museum of Kairouan contains a collection of Tunisian carpets dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, and even a carpet going back to the year 1830.