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Things to Do in Iraq

From the ruins of ancient Babylon to Erbil's ancient citadel - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them, when conditions allow.

Travel guide - last updated September 2026

Iraq holds some of the oldest urban history on Earth - Mesopotamia, the 'cradle of civilization,' with Babylon and Ur among its ancient capitals - and the Kurdistan Region in the north has developed a genuinely separate, more established tourism industry with its own entry process, distinct from the rest of the country. Conditions vary significantly by region and change over time, so checking current travel advisories for your specific route is essential here.

Top attractions

The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.

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Babylon

The ruins of one of the ancient world's most significant cities, associated with the Hanging Gardens (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though its exact historical existence is debated) and the Ishtar Gate.

📍 Babil Province, near Hillah

🚉 The site is 85km south of Baghdad near Hillah, reached by road in about two hours - there is no tourist rail service, and visitors normally travel with a driver or a licensed operator.

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Erbil Citadel

A fortified settlement mound in Iraqi Kurdistan believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage site overlooking modern Erbil's bazaar.

📍 Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan

🚉 Erbil has an international airport with direct flights from Europe and the Gulf; the citadel sits on its mound in the middle of the city, walkable from the Qaysari bazaar below.

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Ur

The ruins of an ancient Sumerian city, including a well-preserved ziggurat, and traditionally identified as the birthplace of the biblical patriarch Abraham.

📍 Dhi Qar Province, near Nasiriyah

🚉 The ziggurat is 15km from Nasiriyah in the south, four hours from Baghdad or an hour from Basra by road - a driver is arranged locally, as there is no public transport to the site.

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Iraqi Kurdistan

A semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq with its own distinct tourism industry, mountain scenery, and a generally more accessible entry process than the rest of the country for many nationalities.

📍 Northern Iraq

🚉 The Kurdistan Region has its own entry stamp and is entered by air at Erbil or Sulaymaniyah, or overland from Turkey at Ibrahim Khalil - shared taxis link the cities, and the mountain roads are good.

Mark Iraq, get the stamp

🇮🇶IRAQVISITED

🇮🇶IRAQLIVED

🇮🇶IRAQWISHLIST

In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.

Open MyPassportStory

Planning questions

How many days do you need in Iraq?

This depends entirely on which region and current conditions - Iraqi Kurdistan is more established for a short, organized trip, while other regions require checking current advisories first.

What's the best time to visit Iraq?

March-May and October-November have the most comfortable temperatures, avoiding extreme summer heat - but current travel advisories for your specific region should be the primary consideration.

Is Iraq good for a first-time visit?

Conditions vary significantly by region - Iraqi Kurdistan has a more established tourism framework, while other parts of the country require carefully checking your government's official travel advisory before considering any visit.

Do I need a visa to visit Iraq?

Requirements differ meaningfully between federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and by nationality. Check the official visa information for your nationality: mofa.gov.iq.

What are some things to do in Iraq on a tight budget?

This varies significantly by region and current conditions - checking official travel advisories for your specific route is a more useful starting point than budget planning here.

Can I rent a car in Iraq, and what licence do I need?

Check your government's travel advice first: much of federal Iraq carries advice against all travel, while the Kurdistan Region is treated separately and more permissively by most governments - and the entry rules differ between the two. Where visitors do drive, it is normally in Kurdistan, where rental is available in Erbil and a foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted; the minimum age is generally 25. Checkpoints are constant and vehicle papers are checked at each. Elsewhere in the country, a car with a local driver arranged through a licensed operator is the practical and safer arrangement. The Kurdistan Regional Government publishes visitor information at gov.krd.