Explore the Citadel of Erbil
One of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage fortified hilltop at the center of Kurdistan's capital.
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Middle East
Things to do in Iraq
The cradle of civilization, holding the ruins of ancient Babylon and Ur, with the mountainous Kurdistan Region emerging as its most accessible and welcoming corner for travelers.
Explore Iraq on the map →Budget$
Best for8-10 days
CapitalBaghdad
VisaE-visa required for federal Iraq (covering the whole country including Kurdistan) since visa-on-arrival was suspended in 2025; a separate Kurdistan-only e-visa is also available for travelers visiting just the Kurdistan Region.
CurrencyIraqi dinar (IQD)
LanguagesArabic and Kurdish (both official)
InternetGood in Kurdistan's main cities, more variable in central and southern Iraq
Typical lodging$20–$50/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/D/G plug)
Time zoneUTC+3
Emergency number999 or 112
Dialing code+964
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended. 10–15% expected, often added as a service charge.
Iraq sits within ancient Mesopotamia, the 'land between two rivers,' widely regarded as the cradle of civilization, home to the world's earliest known writing systems, laws, and cities including Ur and Babylon. The Kurdistan Region in Iraq's north has developed a genuinely distinct and considerably more accessible tourism identity in recent years, with its own e-visa system, mountain scenery, and a reputation for hospitality that has made it the entry point most independent travelers use to experience the country.
When to go
SpringMarch–May
The most comfortable window nationally, with mild temperatures and green landscapes in Kurdistan before summer heat sets in.
SummerJune–August
Extremely hot across central and southern Iraq; Kurdistan's mountains stay noticeably cooler and more comfortable.
AutumnSeptember–November
Cooling temperatures and clear skies, considered alongside spring as the best overall window.
WinterDecember–February
Mild in the south and central plains, cold and sometimes snowy in Kurdistan's mountains.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
10Visit the ruins of ancient Babylon
The legendary capital of the Babylonian Empire, a UNESCO World Heritage site tied to the Hanging Gardens and the Code of Hammurabi.
Explore the ziggurat of Ur
One of the best-preserved Mesopotamian step pyramids, built roughly 4,000 years ago and traditionally associated with the biblical birthplace of Abraham.
Visit the Erbil Qaysari Bazaar
A centuries-old covered market beneath the Citadel, still a genuinely active commercial hub for textiles, spices, and gold.
Explore the Lalish valley, sacred to the Yazidi faith
The holiest site of the Yazidi religion, a distinct and ancient faith community centered in northern Iraq, with a genuinely striking valley shrine complex.
Visit the Amna Suraka museum in Sulaymaniyah
A former Ba'athist intelligence headquarters turned museum documenting the Anfal campaign against Iraqi Kurds, a sobering but significant historical site.
Visit the Mar Mattai monastery near Mosul
One of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, perched on a mountainside and reflecting Iraq's ancient and diverse religious heritage.
Explore Sulaymaniyah's Kurdish Textile Museum
A museum dedicated to traditional Kurdish rugs and textiles, housed in a former bathhouse in one of Kurdistan's most culturally significant cities.
Visit the Halabja Monument and Peace Museum
A memorial to the 1988 chemical attack on the Kurdish town of Halabja, a sobering and historically significant site for understanding modern Kurdish history.
Explore the ancient Assyrian ruins of Nimrud and Nineveh
Once capitals of the Assyrian Empire, these sites near Mosul hold millennia of Mesopotamian history, with ongoing restoration efforts after recent conflict-era damage.
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Adventure & outdoors
1Hike in the mountains around Rawanduz in Kurdistan
A dramatic canyon and mountain region in Iraqi Kurdistan, offering some of the country's most rewarding and accessible outdoor scenery.
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Food & drink
6Eat Iraqi masgouf, grilled river fish
A whole fish split and grilled over an open fire, widely considered Iraq's national dish and a genuine culinary point of pride.
Try Iraqi dolma, stuffed vegetables and grape leaves
A dish of vegetables and grape leaves stuffed with spiced rice and meat, reflecting Iraq's broader Mesopotamian and Levantine culinary heritage.
Try Iraqi kleicha, date-filled cookies
Delicate cookies filled with date paste, considered a national treat and traditionally baked for celebrations and Eid.
Try Iraqi qeema, a spiced meat and split pea stew
A rich, spiced stew of minced meat and split peas, a genuine everyday comfort dish found in homes and restaurants across the country.
Try Kurdish biryani-style rice dishes
Kurdistan's rice dishes reflect a distinct regional identity within Iraq's broader culinary traditions, often served with grilled meats and pickles.
Try Iraqi chai served in small glasses
Strong, sweet black tea served constantly throughout the day, a genuine social ritual and central part of Iraqi hospitality.
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Nature & scenery
2Explore the mountain resort town of Shaqlawa
A popular Kurdish highland retreat known for orchards and cooler air, a genuine local getaway destination close to Erbil.
Explore the Dukan Lake region in Kurdistan
A large reservoir lake surrounded by mountains, popular with Kurdish families for boating and picnicking on weekends.
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Photography
1Visit the Grand Mosque of Samarra's spiral minaret
A UNESCO World Heritage 9th-century minaret with a distinctive spiral ramp, one of the most recognizable and photographed structures in Iraq.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Iraq?
Yes. Since visa-on-arrival was suspended in 2025, most nationalities need a federal e-visa covering the whole country, or a separate Kurdistan-only e-visa if visiting just the Kurdistan Region.
▾Is Iraq safe for tourists?
The Kurdistan Region sees regular, generally welcoming tourism with its own well-established e-visa system; central and southern Iraq, including Baghdad and the ancient sites, require more caution and it's worth checking current government travel advisories closely region by region before finalizing an itinerary.
▾Why is Iraq called the cradle of civilization?
It sits within ancient Mesopotamia, home to the world's earliest known writing systems, law codes, and cities, including Ur and Babylon, laying foundations for much of human history that followed.
▾Kurdistan or the rest of Iraq, where should I start?
Kurdistan is by far the more accessible and commonly visited region for independent travelers, with its own e-visa, mountain scenery, and considerably more developed tourism infrastructure than central and southern Iraq.
▾How many days does Iraq need?
8-10 days lets you combine Erbil and Kurdistan's mountains with a guided excursion to Babylon or Ur if security conditions allow, though many visitors focus their trip entirely within Kurdistan.
▾How much does it cost to visit Iraq's historical sites?
Entry to sites like the Ziggurat of Ur typically runs a modest few thousand Iraqi dinars (a few dollars) for foreign visitors. Tourism is genuinely growing, particularly in the Kurdistan region in the north, but security conditions vary significantly by area: check current, region-specific travel advisories before planning any itinerary.