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Iraq✨ 9 best things to do in Iraq

Things to do in Iraq

1. Walk among the ruins of BabylonSee the remains of one of history's most legendary cities, including the processional way and its famous lion relief.
2. Climb the Ziggurat of UrStand on a 4,000-year-old Sumerian temple platform rising from the desert near Nasiriyah.
3. Browse Al-Mutanabbi StreetJoin Baghdadis at their historic book market on a Friday morning and sip tea at the Shabandar Café.
4. Visit the Iraq MuseumExplore one of the world's great collections of Mesopotamian treasures in Baghdad.
5. Take a boat into the Mesopotamian MarshesGlide through reed channels and see traditional mudhif reed houses and water buffalo.
6. Explore Erbil CitadelWander a hilltop settlement often described as one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on Earth.
7. See the shrines of Karbala and NajafWitness the devotion of pilgrims at golden-domed shrines, with respectful dress and behaviour.
8. Hike in Kurdistan's mountainsExplore gorges, waterfalls and villages around Rawanduz and Amadiya.
9. Eat masgouf by the TigrisTry the national dish of carp, split open and slowly grilled beside an open fire.

Iraq🗺️ Where to visit in Iraq

Where to go in Iraq

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  BaghdadCapital · history & cultureA storied city of museums, markets, mosques and riverside cafés with deep Abbasid roots.
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  BabylonBabil province · archaeologyThe ruins of a legendary ancient capital, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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  UrDhi Qar · Sumerian ruinsHome to the great Ziggurat and the tradition of Abraham's birthplace.
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  ErbilKurdistan Region · citadel cityA lively city crowned by its ancient citadel, with bustling bazaars below.
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  Mesopotamian MarshesSouth · wetlandsVast reed marshes, a UNESCO site where Marsh Arab traditions live on.
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  KarbalaCentral · pilgrimage cityOne of the holiest cities in Shia Islam, centred on the Shrine of Imam Hussein.
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  NajafCentral · pilgrimage cityHome to the Shrine of Imam Ali and one of the world's largest cemeteries.
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  SulaymaniyahKurdistan Region · cultureA relaxed, cultured city surrounded by mountains, with museums and parks.

Iraq🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Iraq

Best time to visit Iraq

Iraq has a hot desert climate in the centre and south, with scorching summers and mild winters with occasional rain. The Kurdistan Region in the north is mountainous and much cooler, with snow in winter.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Baghdad (approximate averages).

Iraq🎉 Festivals & events in Iraq

• Dates vary (Islamic calendar)
  Arbaeen pilgrimageMillions of pilgrims walk to Karbala, many from Najaf, in one of the world's largest annual gatherings.
• 21 March
  NowruzKurdish New Year is celebrated with bonfires, dancing and picnics, especially in the Kurdistan Region.
• Dates vary (lunar calendar)
  Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-AdhaMajor religious holidays marked with prayers, family feasts and new clothes.
• Dates vary (Islamic calendar)
  AshuraSolemn processions and commemorations take place, especially in Karbala, marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

Iraq🧭 Iraq itinerary ideas

How many days in Iraq?

Iraq🎒 Backpacking Iraq – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $30–50 a day

• Many independent travellers start in the Kurdistan Region, which has its own entry arrangements and easier logistics – check the latest rules before you go.
• Shared taxis and minibuses run between major cities and are cheap, but expect frequent checkpoints, so keep your passport handy.
• Hiring a licensed local guide or fixer is highly recommended in central and southern Iraq.
• Eat at local restaurants and street stalls for cheap kebabs, falafel, samoon bread and tea.
• Dress conservatively, and women should carry a headscarf for visiting shrines and religious sites.

Iraq🛡️ Safety & money in Iraq

Emergency: 104 police · 115 fire · 122 ambulance

Iraq🛬 Getting to Iraq

Baghdad, Erbil, Basra, Najaf and Sulaymaniyah airports have international flights, mostly via Middle Eastern hubs such as Istanbul, Dubai and Doha. Land borders with neighbouring countries exist, but rules and safety vary, so check before travelling overland.

✈️ Cheap flights to Iraq: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Iraq💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Iraq

• Writing, in the form of cuneiform, was among the first developed in ancient Mesopotamia.
• The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest surviving works of literature, comes from this land.
• The Abbasid 'House of Wisdom' in Baghdad was a centre of translation and science in the Islamic Golden Age.
• The Mesopotamian Marshes are one of the few places on Earth to be inscribed on the World Heritage list for both nature and culture.
• Iraq's date palms produce many hundreds of different date varieties.

Iraq❓ Iraq travel FAQ

Iraq travel questions