Things to do in Iraq

25 things to do in Iraq

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Explore the ancient city of Babylon

  Walk among the reconstructed walls, the Lion of Babylon statue, and the vast ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s capital, once the center of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

  Hillah, Babil Governorate

• Climb the spiral minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra

  Ascend the iconic Malwiya Tower, a 9th-century spiral minaret offering panoramic views over the Tigris and the remains of the Abbasid capital.

  Samarra, Saladin Governorate

• Wander the Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site

  Stroll the narrow alleys of one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements, topped by Ottoman-era houses and a museum showcasing Kurdish heritage.

  Erbil, Kurdistan Region

• Visit the Ziggurat of Ur, a Sumerian temple

  Stand before the massive mud-brick stepped pyramid dedicated to the moon god Nanna, largely restored to its 21st-century-BCE form near Nasiriyah.

  Nasiriyah, Dhi Qar Governorate

• Discover the ruins of Hatra, the Parthian fortress city

  Marvel at the exquisite fusion of Hellenistic and Mesopotamian architecture, with towering temples and colonnades scattered across the desert of Nineveh.

  Hatra, Nineveh Governorate

• Marvel at the Arch of Ctesiphon (Taq Kasra)

  Gaze up at the world’s largest brick single-span vault, an awe-inspiring remnant of the Sasanian imperial palace that once dominated the Tigris banks.

  Salman Pak, Baghdad Governorate

• Explore the Iraq Museum in Baghdad

  Delve into millennia of Mesopotamian civilization through priceless artifacts from Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria, including the famous Warka Vase and Nimrud gold.

  Baghdad

• Boat through the Mesopotamian Marshes (Ahwar)

  Glide in a traditional mashoof canoe among vast reed beds and water buffalo that define this UNESCO-listed wetland, the legendary Garden of Eden.

  Al-Chibayish, Dhi Qar Governorate

• Hike in the Rawanduz Canyon

  Trek along dramatic gorges and waterfalls amidst the Zagros Mountains, a popular Kurdish adventure spot with sheer cliffs and panoramic viewpoints.

  Rawanduz, Kurdistan Region

• Visit Lalish, the holiest site of the Yazidi faith

  Enter the serene valley of white-washed shrines and conical domes, walking barefoot through the sacred temple of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir.

  Lalish, Nineveh Governorate

• Enjoy traditional Masgouf grilled fish by the Tigris in Baghdad

  Savor Iraq’s national dish of butterflied carp slow-roasted over an open fire, served with flatbread and pickles at riverside restaurants on Abu Nawas Street.

  Baghdad, Abu Nawas Street

• Taste Kurdish kebabs and pomegranate sauce in Erbil’s bazaar

  Feast on tender skewers of marinated lamb and tangy sauces in the bustling Qaysari Bazaar, alive with spice aromas and copperware.

  Erbil, Kurdistan Region

• See the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud (Kalhu)

  Contemplate the evocative remnants of Ashurnasirpal II’s capital, with its colossal lamassu guardians and palace reliefs telling tales of war and hunting.

  Near Mosul, Nineveh Governorate

• Walk through the historic Al-Mutanabbi Street book market

  Browse stacks of dusty volumes and listen to poets reciting verses in the heart of Baghdad’s literary quarter, a vibrant Friday ritual since the Abbasid era.

  Baghdad

• Admire the 10th-century Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf

  Enter the magnificent golden-domed shrine of the first Shia Imam, a focal point of pilgrimage featuring a glittering courtyard and intricate mirror work.

  Najaf, Najaf Governorate

• Pay respects at the Great Mosque of Kufa

  Visit this early Islamic landmark where Imam Ali was fatally struck, now a sprawling complex with towering minarets and serene prayer halls.

  Kufa, Najaf Governorate

• Visit the ancient Sumerian city of Uruk (Warka)

  Trace the footsteps of Gilgamesh at the world's first true city, where you’ll find the monumental ziggurat of Anu and the earliest known written tablets.

  Muthanna Governorate

• Explore the Citadel of Kirkuk

  Climb the hilltop fortress layered with Assyrian, Babylonian, and Ottoman remains, and take in sweeping views of the oil-rich city below.

  Kirkuk

• Relax in the tea houses of Erbil’s Qaysari Bazaar

  Sip strong cardamom tea and watch Kurdish life unfold among centuries-old covered lanes filled with textiles, perfumes, and handicrafts.

  Erbil, Kurdistan Region

• Visit the Al-Aqiser early Christian church

  Find this remarkably preserved 5th-century church in the desert, thought to be Iraq’s oldest standing church, with a simple stone basilica and ancient inscriptions.

  Near Ayn al-Tamr, Karbala Governorate

• Climb Mount Halgurd in the Zagros Mountains

  Trek to Iraq’s highest peak at over 3,600 meters, passing alpine meadows and wildflower slopes before panoramic summit views into Turkey and Iran.

  Choman, Kurdistan Region

• Explore the 14th-century Khan al-Mirjan in Baghdad

  Step into the vaulted halls of this medieval caravanserai, now a craft center where sunbeams filter through carved brickwork onto artisan stalls.

  Baghdad

• Wander the Shrine of Prophet Daniel in Kirkuk

  Descend into the underground rooms of this multi-faith sanctuary, where a carved stone sarcophagus is revered by Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike.

  Kirkuk

• Experience the vibrant Shabander Café in Baghdad

  Sit among intellectuals and generations of poets in this 100-year-old smoke-filled café, a living monument to Baghdad’s literary life that buzzes late into the night.

  Baghdad, Al-Mutanabbi Street

• See the Al-Nuri Mosque and its leaning minaret in Mosul

  Witness the resilience of this iconic 12th-century mosque, where the al-Hadba minaret still stands as a symbol of Old Mosul after recent restoration efforts.

  Mosul, Nineveh Governorate