Iraq travel guide

Getting there

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.

Best time to visit: Oct–Apr – cooler weather; summers are extremely hot.

Tougher months: June to September – extreme heat across central and southern Iraq, often well above 45°C.

Weather by month in Baghdad

• 16°J●
• 19°F●
• 24°M●
• 30°A●
• 37°M
• 43°J
• 45°J
• 45°A
• 41°S
• 34°O
• 24°N●
• 18°D●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Asia/Baghdad. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 9 of 198 other passports can enter Iraq without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 188 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 1 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Iraq (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-08-29). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Iraq travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Iraq are based around Baghdad, Babylon or Ur. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$30–50 for a backpacker and US$80–150 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Iraq page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: C, D, G. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +964.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Baghdad (Capital · history & culture): A storied city of museums, markets, mosques and riverside cafés with deep Abbasid roots.
• Babylon (Babil province · archaeology): The ruins of a legendary ancient capital, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Ur (Dhi Qar · Sumerian ruins): Home to the great Ziggurat and the tradition of Abraham's birthplace.
• Erbil (Kurdistan Region · citadel city): A lively city crowned by its ancient citadel, with bustling bazaars below.
• Mesopotamian Marshes (South · wetlands): Vast reed marshes, a UNESCO site where Marsh Arab traditions live on.
• Karbala (Central · pilgrimage city): One of the holiest cities in Shia Islam, centred on the Shrine of Imam Hussein.
• Najaf (Central · pilgrimage city): Home to the Shrine of Imam Ali and one of the world's largest cemeteries.
• Sulaymaniyah (Kurdistan Region · culture): A relaxed, cultured city surrounded by mountains, with museums and parks.

Things to do

• Walk among the ruins of Babylon. See the remains of one of history's most legendary cities, including the processional way and its famous lion relief.
• Climb the Ziggurat of Ur. Stand on a 4,000-year-old Sumerian temple platform rising from the desert near Nasiriyah.
• Browse Al-Mutanabbi Street. Join Baghdadis at their historic book market on a Friday morning and sip tea at the Shabandar Café.
• Visit the Iraq Museum. Explore one of the world's great collections of Mesopotamian treasures in Baghdad.
• Take a boat into the Mesopotamian Marshes. Glide through reed channels and see traditional mudhif reed houses and water buffalo.
• Explore Erbil Citadel. Wander a hilltop settlement often described as one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on Earth.
• See the shrines of Karbala and Najaf. Witness the devotion of pilgrims at golden-domed shrines, with respectful dress and behaviour.
• Hike in Kurdistan's mountains. Explore gorges, waterfalls and villages around Rawanduz and Amadiya.

Source: full Iraq guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Masgouf – river fish grilled by an open fire
• Dolma – vegetables and vine leaves stuffed with rice
• Kubba – fried shells of bulgur filled with meat
• Klecha – date-filled cookies

Source: RoamSun Iraq guide

Money and safety

Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants; small tips for drivers and guides.

Emergency numbers: 104 police · 115 fire · 122 ambulance.

• The currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD); US dollars are widely used for larger payments, so bring clean, newer notes.
• Iraq is largely a cash economy; ATMs exist in big cities but may not accept foreign cards, and card payments are limited.
• Many governments advise against all or some travel to parts of Iraq; check your government's latest travel advice before planning a trip and follow it.
• Travel insurance may be invalid where your government advises against travel, so check your policy carefully.

Source: RoamSun Iraq facts