🇮🇶 Iraq

Mesopotamia between the two rivers

• Passport strength: ≈32 visa-free destinations
• Language: Arabic (Iraqi dialect) · ~35% speak English
• Free-trade agreements: ≈3

Baghdad — City on the Tigris

Iraq Museum Museum

A world-class trove of Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian treasures.

Best time: Nov–Apr — Cool months are best for pairing with the city.

Things to do:

• View prehistoric Sumerian artifacts and tablets
• See Mesopotamian sculpture and jewelry
• Examine Ishtar Gate reconstruction details

Al-Kadhimiya Shrine Mosque

A golden-domed shrine of gleaming twin minarets on the river's edge.

Best time: Nov–Apr — Winter months suit the courtyards.

Things to do:

• Enter gold-domed Shia holy shrine
• Walk through ornate mirror-tiled chambers
• Observe religious pilgrimage rituals

Mutanabbi Street Historic district

The old street of booksellers and cafés, heart of literary Baghdad.

Best time: Nov–Mar — Cool days are best for the riverside quarter.

Things to do:

• Browse rare books and manuscript dealers
• Drink coffee in historic literary cafés
• See bookshop alleys filled with scholars

Al-Shaheed Monument Monument

A split turquoise dome memorial with a museum and reflecting pools.

Best time: Nov–Mar — Clear winter days are best for the open memorial.

Things to do:

• Visit monumental war memorial structure
• See spiral cone architecture design
• View city skyline from observation deck

Al-Mansour Mausoleum Monument

Tomb of Baghdad's founder Caliph al-Mansur in historic Islamic cemetery.

Best time: Year-round — Commemorates founder of famous round city and golden age of Baghdad.

Things to do:

• Stand before the ornate Abbasid-era tomb of the city founder
• Examine the geometric tilework and calligraphic inscriptions
• Visit the attached museum displaying medieval Baghdad pottery
• Pray in the small mosque within the mausoleum complex

Babylon — Legendary ancient capital

Ancient Babylon Ruins

Nebuchadnezzar's fabled city of palaces and temples on the Euphrates.

Best time: Nov–Mar — Winter is essential on the shadeless plain.

Things to do:

• Walk Processional Way with lion reliefs
• See cuneiform inscriptions on brick
• Explore Nebuchadnezzar II palace ruins

Ishtar Gate (Reconstruction) Ruins

A rebuilt glazed-brick gate of striding lions and dragons.

Best time: Nov–Mar — Cool months suit the open processional site.

Things to do:

• Photograph turquoise-glazed brick dragons
• Study Babylonian artistic techniques
• Learn about ancient gate mythology

Lion of Babylon Ruins

A worn basalt lion, the ancient city's enduring emblem.

Best time: Nov–Mar — Mild winter days are best for the ruins.

Things to do:

• View limestone guardian lion sculpture
• See inscriptions honoring king
• Understand symbolism in Babylonian culture

Etemenanki (Tower of Babel base) Ruins

The vast foundation of the ziggurat behind the Tower of Babel legend.

Best time: Nov–Mar — Winter conditions suit the exposed excavation.

Things to do:

• Stand at legendary tower foundation
• See reconstructed platform layout
• Contemplate biblical historical connections

Processional Way Ruins

Ancient ceremonial road leading to Ishtar Gate, excavated glazed brick remains.

Best time: Year-round — Essential route for Babylonian religious processions and royal pageantry.

Things to do:

• Walk the ancient brick road where Nebuchadnezzar paraded troops
• Examine the blue-glazed tiles depicting lions and dragons in situ
• Visit the Ishtar Gate museum displaying excavated gate panels
• Sit in the modern amphitheater for evening documentary screenings

Erbil — Kurdish capital round a citadel

Erbil Citadel Citadel

A mud-brick mound-city claimed as the world's oldest inhabited place.

Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Oct — Spring and autumn are mildest on the exposed citadel.

Things to do:

• Climb to elevated fortress on mound
• See traditional Kurdish domestic architecture
• View surrounding city from ramparts

Qaysari Bazaar Bazaar

A covered market of spice, tea and copper below the citadel walls.

Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Nov — Cool months are best for the bustling bazaar.

Things to do:

• Shop for traditional Kurdish crafts
• Buy handwoven textiles and ceramics
• Eat local kebab and flatbread

Mudhafaria Minaret Historic site

A leaning, beautifully-bricked 12th-century minaret in a green park.

Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Oct — Mild weather suits the minaret park.

Things to do:

• Admire 12th-century minaret tower
• See Islamic geometric patterns
• Photograph against city skyline

Erbil Civilization Museum Museum

Kurdish heritage and Mesopotamian archaeology of the region.

Best time: Oct–May — An indoor museum rewarding in any season.

Things to do:

• Explore Mesopotamian artifacts collection
• Learn about ancient Arbela city
• See recently excavated archaeological finds

Erbil Bazaar (Hawler Bazaar) Market

Traditional covered market surrounding citadel with textiles, spices, crafts.

Best time: Year-round — Living marketplace preserving centuries of Kurdish trade traditions and culture.

Things to do:

• Navigate the circular bazaar's 8-kilometer maze of merchant lanes
• Shop for traditional Kurdish textiles, embroidery, and clothing
• Eat grilled lamb and flatbread at century-old bazaar restaurants
• Climb to bazaar rooftops for panoramic views of the citadel

Samarra — Spiral minaret, ancient city

Great Mosque of Al-Mutawakkil Mosque

Largest mosque of 9th century with iconic spiral minaret towering 52 meters.

Best time: Mar–May & Oct–Nov — Architectural marvel and UNESCO site representing Islamic Golden Age.

Things to do:

• Walk the 52-meter spiral minaret ramp with 3D geometric carved stone
• View the vast rectangular prayer hall and central courtyard fountains
• Study the stucco carved decorative patterns in the colonnades
• Attend the sunset call to prayer echoing across the empty sanctuary

Samarra Archaeological Site Ancient City

Sprawling ruins of 9th-century Abbasid capital with multiple palace complexes.

Best time: Mar–May & Oct–Nov — Vast archaeological reserve revealing sophisticated medieval urban planning.

Things to do:

• Excavate pottery shards and examine stratigraphic layers with archaeologists
• Visit museum displaying 9th-century glass vessels and ceramic dishes
• Walk the city streets where grand Abbasid palaces once stood
• Learn about early Islamic urban planning and palace architecture

Al-Askari Shrine Religious Shrine

One of Shia Islam's holiest sites with golden dome and intricate mosaics.

Best time: Mar–May & Oct–Nov — Spiritually significant pilgrimage destination with stunning tilework.

Things to do:

• Enter the golden-domed shrine honoring the Hidden Imam
• Pray in the courtyard and observe pilgrims from across the Islamic world
• View the intricate mirror-work and calligraphic script on interior walls
• Attend the evening recitation of Quranic verses by shrine scholars

Abbasid Palaces Ruins Historic Ruins

Remains of luxurious royal palaces showcasing Abbasid court architecture.

Best time: Mar–May & Oct–Nov — Impressive foundations revealing opulence of medieval Islamic empire.

Things to do:

• Explore the half-excavated foundations of the royal palace district
• Photograph the carved stone capitals and decorative architectural fragments
• Walk the covered garden pavilion ruins with channel irrigation systems
• Study interpretive diagrams showing palace layout and room functions

Samarra Museum Museum

Repository of artifacts from city's Abbasid period including pottery and glass.

Best time: Mar–May & Oct–Nov — Curated collection preserving material culture of influential dynasty.

Things to do:

• Examine glass vessels and dinnerware from 9th-century Abbasid workshops
• View coin hoards and commercial pottery from merchant traders
• Study carved ivory plaques and personal luxury items of palace elites
• Attend weekend lectures on Abbasid city planning and administration

Ur — Cradle of civilization where ancient Sumerian cities still stand in desert sand

Great Ziggurat of Ur Historic Site

3000-year-old stepped pyramid dedicated to moon god Nanna, partially reconstructed.

Best time: October-April — One of the world's oldest monumental structures and best-preserved ziggurats from antiquity.

Things to do:

• Climb the reconstructed staircase
• View from the top platform
• Photograph the desert expanse

Royal Cemetery of Ur Historic Site

Archaeological site where royal tombs reveal Sumerian burial practices and wealth.

Best time: October-April — Reveals extraordinary artifacts and the sophistication of Sumerian civilization 5000 years ago.

Things to do:

• Study the tomb chamber layouts
• Inspect artifact exhibits
• Imagine ancient ceremonies

Temple of Ehulhul Temple

Remains of ancient temple dedicated to moon god with foundations and wall stones visible.

Best time: October-April — Sacred site reflecting the religious center of Sumerian city life and cosmic astronomy.

Things to do:

• Examine the stone carvings
• Trace the original walls
• Consider ancient rituals

Administrative Quarter Buildings Historic Site

Excavated foundations of Sumerian government and business buildings with writing systems.

Best time: October-April — Shows how ancient Sumerians organized commerce, law, and daily governance.

Things to do:

• Read cuneiform inscriptions
• Photograph the layout
• Understand ancient bureaucracy

Museum of Ur Museum

On-site museum displaying artifacts, pottery, jewelry, and educational displays about the site.

Best time: October-April — Contextualizes findings and provides artifacts too delicate to remain exposed to elements.

Things to do:

• View the jewelry collection
• Study the pottery techniques
• Learn Sumerian history

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Iraq?

It depends on where you go: every place has its own ideal season on this page. For example, Iraq Museum is best around Nov–Apr. Iraq has 5 featured cities and areas to plan around.

Is English spoken in Iraq?

Roughly 35% of people speak English. The main language is Arabic (Iraqi dialect).

How strong is the Iraq passport?

The Iraq passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 32 destinations.

Is Iraq expensive to travel in?

This page lists real traveller costs for Iraq — accommodation, food, transport, plus education, medical, insurance and connectivity — so you can budget before you go.

What is there to do in Iraq?

Iraq Museum, Al-Kadhimiya Shrine, Mutanabbi Street, Al-Shaheed Monument, Al-Mansour Mausoleum, Ancient Babylon — each with the best time to visit, why it is worth it, and specific things to do.