Middle East
Iraq
Mosul (now partially reopened post-ISIS), Erbil citadel, the Marsh Arabs, the ziggurat of Ur, Babylon, Karbala and Najaf shrines (with permission), the Malwiya Minaret at Samarra, and Iraqi Kurdistan mountain trekking. The hospitality culture is famously generous.
Plan it right
Before you book the flight
Quick checks that decide whether a Iraq trip actually works on your dates.
Find it on the map
Open Iraq in Google Maps and drop a pin on your base before you lose signal.
Open in Google MapsCheck the visa policy
Rules for Iraq change with your nationality and current advisories. Confirm before booking anything.
Read entry rulesGet help with a visa
A reputable visa service can handle paperwork and invitation letters if you'd rather not deal with the consulate.
Compare services- 1 EUR ≈ 1496 IQD
- 1 USD ≈ 1310 IQD
- 1 GBP ≈ 1756 IQD
Exchange Rates Updated Daily. Last updated on 11/Jul/2026.
No McDonald's benchmark available.
Use local café / fast-food meal prices instead.
Approximate McDonald's Big Mac® price where available. Prices vary by city, branch, tax, delivery channel, and date checked. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by McDonald's.
Source: Countries with McDonald's restaurants reference
No reliable McDonald's/Big Mac benchmark found; likely no official McDonald's presence
Prices Researched at May 2026
Where to stay
8+ rated stays near Iraq
Booking.com opens filtered to an 8+ guest score so you can compare photos, prices and recent reviews before choosing a base.
When to go
Best: Mar-Apr; Oct-Nov. Shoulder seasons avoid winter chill and extreme summer heat.
Avoid: Jun-Sep extreme heat
Why it is difficult
Status, May 2026: Federal Iraq is stable in most cities by 2026 standards but ISIS sleeper cells active in rural Anbar and Diyala; Kurdistan Region (KRI) safer and more straightforward; southern Iraq (Najaf, Karbala, Basra) operational and welcoming. US presence reduced. Foreign tourist volume has grown from a trickle in 2019 to thousands per year.
Why it is worth visiting
Mosul (now partially reopened post-ISIS), Erbil citadel, the Marsh Arabs, the ziggurat of Ur, Babylon, Karbala and Najaf shrines (with permission), the Malwiya Minaret at Samarra, and Iraqi Kurdistan mountain trekking. The hospitality culture is famously generous.
Practical travel notes
Currency: Iraqi dinar; USD widely accepted. ATMs in KRI work for Visa. SIM: Asiacell or Zain - coverage everywhere. Photography: never of checkpoints, military or oil installations. Female travel: most reports positive; conservative dress in shrines and the south.
Access and logistics
Kurdistan (the soft start) Erbil - citadel (UNESCO), Qaysari bazaar, day trips to Lalish (Yezidi holy site) and Amedi. Sulaymaniyah - Amna Suraka prison museum, Halabja memorial. Hamilton Road, Rawanduz, Choman - mountain drives toward Iran. Federal Iraq Baghdad - Mutanabbi Street, the Iraqi National Museum, Kadhimiya shrine. Samarra - Malwiya spiral minaret (one of the great visuals in Mesopotamia). Karbala and Najaf - Imam Hussein and Imam Ali shrines; non-Muslims should arrange permission via tour operator. Babylon (Hilla), Ur (Nasiriyah). Chibayish - Marsh Arabs, mashoof boat trips through the reed channels. Basra - Shatt al-Arab waterfront, southern markets. Mosul - possible in 2024-26, but stick with a local guide; the city is still rebuilding.
Safety considerations
Treat security as the core planning constraint. Avoid improvising routes, keep a conservative schedule, and re-check local conditions immediately before travel.
Visa or permit notes
Visa-on-arrival for 30+ nationalities at Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Najaf and Basra airports. USD 75 cash. Multiple-entry, 60 days. Works for both federal Iraq and Kurdistan. Kurdistan-only visa-on-arrival was the historic norm and still works if you’re only visiting KRI. Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a yellow fever country. Guides and operators (from the archive) Bil Weda Tours, Iraqi Adventures, Mesopotamia Tours all run scheduled small groups.
Local guides, drivers and fixers
These contacts may help with guiding, transport, permits, logistics, translation, or local arrangements. Always confirm prices, availability, safety conditions, and exact services before booking.
Safraty (Raad)
Tour OperatorIraq
Good value, customized 8 day Iraq tour
Email: raadjoe15 yahoo com
Private Nursing Home Hospital (PCR)
PCR Test for departureIraq
Result in 24h, come to hotel
On the ground
10 practical tips
The decisions that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.
Choose the strongest season
Use Mar-Apr; Oct-Nov as the first planning window for Iraq, then check weather, access and local conditions again before booking.
Avoid the hardest months
Be cautious about Jun-Sep extreme heat, because the wrong season can make transport, outdoor access and backup plans much harder.
Confirm entry rules first
Verify current entry rules through official channels before booking; recent planning notes suggest Visa-on-arrival for 30+ nationalities at Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Najaf and Basra airports, but this should not be treated as final.
Plan the access route
Build the itinerary around the real access route: Kurdistan (the soft start) Erbil - citadel (UNESCO), Qaysari bazaar, day trips to Lalish (Yezidi holy site) and Amedi.
Re-check security conditions
Separate Iraqi Kurdistan from federal Iraq in your risk assessment, because visa practice, security conditions and route reliability can differ sharply.
Plan cash and payments
Carry a realistic payment backup for Iraq, especially for drivers, small hotels, local fees and situations where cards or ATMs may not work reliably.
Secure scarce accommodation
Book the first night and trusted transfers before arrival in Iraq, then avoid relying on last-minute local arrangements in sensitive areas.
Use local support selectively
Shortlist a reputable local operator for Iraq before departure, then confirm route, permissions, security expectations, inclusions and cancellation terms in writing.
Build in buffer days
Treat 7 to 14 days, depending on route and security constraints as a planning range for Iraq, but add buffer time if the route depends on flights, boats, permits, road conditions or security checks.
Decide if the trade-off fits
Choose Iraq for Mosul (now partially reopened post-ISIS), Erbil citadel, the Marsh Arabs, the ziggurat of Ur, Babylon, Karbala and Najaf shrines (with permission), the Malwiya Minaret at, but only if you are comfortable with the main trade-offs: political instability, health or safety concerns, difficult permits.
Good to know
Iraq FAQ
Honest answers, including the ones that might change your plans.
Can tourists visit Iraq?
Tourism may be possible in parts of Iraq, but conditions can change quickly. Check current government travel advisories, embassy guidance, local contacts, and recent traveller reports before booking.
What visa do you need for Iraq?
Visa and permit rules vary by nationality and can change without much notice. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm current requirements with official government, embassy, or consulate sources.
What is the best time to visit Iraq?
The usual planning window is Mar-Apr; Oct-Nov. Weather, access, holidays, security conditions, and transport schedules can still affect the final route.
How long do you need for Iraq?
A realistic first plan is 7 to 14 days, depending on route and security constraints. Add buffer days for permits, route changes, weather delays, and unreliable transport.