Gali Ali Beg Waterfall, Kurdistan Region, IraqPhoto: Levi Clancy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Iraq
Iraq, explained honestly: Mesopotamia, Kurdish mountains and warm welcomes
Iraq is where writing, cities and law began, and it is slowly opening to visitors again. Walk the Erbil Citadel, browse the Friday book market on Al-Mutanabbi Street, stand in the ruins of Babylon and drift through the southern marshes. This guide gives you the plain facts on safety, visas, cash and culture, so you can travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you decideCurrent travel advice, insurance and visa rules for federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, answered plainly
- LandingBaghdad, Erbil or Basra airport, checkpoints, cash and your first day, explained
- Your days in IraqAncient sites, bazaars, mountain valleys and family visits, planned with care
- Home againDeparture checks, airport security and souvenirs, so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Honest firstWe say clearly where governments advise against travel and why.
- Official sourcesVisa, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain Iraq's cash economy so nothing catches you out.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
A trip to Iraq should feel like a well informed choice, not a leap in the dark. We set out the risks, the rules and the rewards in plain words, so you can plan with confidence and find your Bliss between the Tigris and the Euphrates.
Visiting family in Baghdad, Basra or Erbil after years away, or showing your children where you grew up? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip you feel sure about.
- Read the adviceStart with your government's travel advice for each region and what your insurance covers.
- Sort the essentialsVisa, cash, dress and checkpoints, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for sights, food, markets and stays in each city.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and the order of your cities.
Everything your Iraq trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok and Basra, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred sights, cafés, markets and stays, from classics to quiet corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Baghdad, Erbil, Basra and Sulaymaniyah, and stays across the country.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Sights, food and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Iraq route
From the Kurdish mountains to Mesopotamia
Many first trips start in the Kurdistan Region, with Erbil's citadel, Sulaymaniyah's museums and the valleys around Duhok, then fly or travel south to Baghdad for its museums and markets, Babylon, the shrine cities and the marshes near Basra.
- The Erbil Citadel and Qaysari Bazaar
- Al-Mutanabbi Street and the Iraq Museum in Baghdad
- The ruins of Babylon
- The Mesopotamian Marshes and the Ziggurat of Ur
Plan with care
A route that respects the advice
In Iraq, travel advice differs by province, and checkpoints, permits and heat all shape what is possible. Our free planner helps you think through a realistic pace and order.
- Realistic travel times
- The right season for north and south
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Iraq
From the capital on the Tigris to the Kurdish mountains and the date palms of the south.
Central Iraq
Baghdad
Iraq's vast capital on the Tigris, a city of booksellers, tea houses, golden domes and one of the world's great museums.
Read the guidePhoto: Synaps commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kurdistan Region
Erbil
The capital of the Kurdistan Region, built around an ancient citadel, with a lively bazaar and the easiest start to an Iraq trip.
Read the guidePhoto: Khoshhat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kurdistan Region
Sulaymaniyah
The cultural capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, a city of poets, museums, mountain views and a lively, liberal café scene.
Read the guidePhoto: Diyar Muhammed, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kurdistan Region
Duhok
A green valley city in the far north of Iraq, gateway to mountain villages, waterfalls, Amedi and the Yazidi temple of Lalish.
Read the guidePhoto: cannPOLAT, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Iraq
Basra
Iraq's southern port on the Shatt al-Arab, gateway to the Mesopotamian Marshes, date palm groves and the Ziggurat of Ur.
Read the guidePhoto: Aziz1005, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is it safe to travel to Iraq?
It depends on where you go. Governments such as the UK, US, Canada and Australia advise against all or all but essential travel to much of Iraq, citing terrorism, kidnapping and unrest, while parts of the Kurdistan Region have milder advice. Read your government's current advice region by region, and check what your insurance will cover.
Do I need a visa for Iraq?
Most visitors do. Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa, but the list changes and differs by passport. Check the official Iraqi e-visa portal and your government's entry page before you book.
Is the Kurdistan Region different from the rest of Iraq?
Yes. The Kurdistan Region in the north, with Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok, has its own regional government, security forces and a more relaxed feel. Many first time visitors start there. Some entry and checkpoint rules differ, so check before crossing between regions.
What currency is used in Iraq?
The Iraqi dinar. Cash is king, and clean US dollar notes are widely exchanged. Card payments and ATMs are growing in Erbil and Baghdad but are still unreliable elsewhere.
When is the best time to visit Iraq?
Spring and autumn. Southern and central Iraq are pleasant from about November to March, while the Kurdish north is loveliest from March to May and in September and October. Summer heat is extreme.
Can women travel in Iraq?
Yes, with care. Modest dress is expected, and women should cover their hair when visiting shrines and mosques. The Kurdistan Region and central Baghdad are more relaxed than the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.
Thinking about Iraq?
Use the free trip planner to shape your dates and route, and read the latest official travel advice first.