- Local time
- 02:54
- Currency
- Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
- Capital
- Baghdad
- Calling code
- +964
- Drive on the
- right
Overview
Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and the Euphrates: Babylon, Ashur and Nineveh, Baghdad and the Kurdish north. In 2026 the US, Canada and the UK advise against travel: read the safety advice first.
Read the official travel advice before anything else. In 2026 the United States says "do not travel" to Iraq, Canada advises against all travel and tells Canadians to leave while commercial options remain, and the UK advises against all travel to large parts of the country and against all but essential travel to the rest, including Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. The risks are terrorism, kidnapping, armed violence and missile and drone attacks. See the Safety section for the details.
Iraq is the land of ancient Mesopotamia, often called the cradle of civilisation. Its archaeological sites include the ruins of Babylon, the Assyrian capitals of Ashur and Nineveh, and the great arch of Ctesiphon; Baghdad has long been one of the cultural capitals of the Arab world. In the north, the Kurdistan Region, with Erbil and Dahuk, is mountainous and has its own visa rules. Arabic and Kurdish are the official languages.
- Babylon: Among the most impressive ruins of ancient Mesopotamia, despite damage and poor reconstruction.
- Ashur: A former capital of the Assyrian Empire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Ctesiphon: The towering arch of the Parthian and Sassanid capital.
- Baghdad: The capital, one of the historic cultural centres of the Arab world.
- Lalish: The holiest temple of the Yazidis.
Places to visit
Cities
- Baghdad: The capital, with a long history as a cultural centre; the UK advises against all but essential travel, and against all travel to Sadr City.
- Erbil: The capital of the Kurdistan Region; the UK advises against all but essential travel to the region.
- Dahuk: A Kurdish city surrounded by mountains, in the Kurdistan Region.
- Basra: A large port city in the south with an extremely hot climate; protests are common, says the UK.
Beyond the cities
- Babylon (site): The ruins of the ancient city, in Babil province, where the UK advises against all but essential travel.
- Ashur (site): A former Assyrian capital on the UNESCO list, in Salah al-Din province, where the UK advises against all travel.
- Ctesiphon (site): The towering arch of the Parthian and Sassanid capital, across the Tigris from ancient Seleucia.
- Nineveh (site): The 3,000-year-old Assyrian capital across the Tigris from Mosul, in Ninawa province, where the UK advises against all travel.
- Lalish (site): The holiest temple of the Yazidi faith, in Ninawa province, where the UK advises against all travel.
Climate and best time to visit
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max °C | 16 | 19 | 24 | 30 | 37 | 41 | 44 | 44 | 40 | 33 | 24 | 17 |
| Min °C | 4 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 9 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 27 | 19 | 22 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 20 |
Most of Iraq is hot and dry. Summer temperatures average above 40 °C and often pass 48 °C: in Baghdad the average maximum is 44 °C in July. Winters are cool, with maximums around 15 to 16 °C and occasional frost at night. Rain is scarce, falling mainly from November to April, and flash floods are common between November and March. Sand and dust storms are frequent in spring and summer and can ground flights. The mildest months, judging by the averages for Baghdad, are March, April and November.
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 6 January 2026 · Army Day
- 21 March 2026 · Nowruz
- 1 May 2026 · Labour Day
- 3 October 2026 · National Day
- 10 December 2026 · Victory Day
- 25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
Getting there and around
| International driving permit | Required |
|---|
Getting there
International airports are at Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Basra and Najaf, with flights from Istanbul, Vienna, Amman, Dubai and other cities. Drone and rocket attacks have hit areas near Baghdad and Erbil airports, Erbil has had short closures, and routes in and out of Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region can close at short notice: check with your airline before travelling, and arrange your airport transfer in advance through a trusted sponsor. Land borders can close without warning; use only official crossings.
Getting around
Road travel is dangerous: accidents are frequent, and fake checkpoints have been used for attacks, carjackings and robberies. You must carry an International Driving Permit with your licence; British drivers need the 1968 version. Checkpoints are common in cities and on main roads: carry your passport and cooperate. Curfews and vehicle bans can be imposed at short notice. Landmines and unexploded weapons remain in rural and desert areas, especially near the borders: stay on main roads and well-used tracks.
Eat and drink
Dishes to try
- Masgouf: The national dish: carp split open, marinated and slow-roasted over a wood fire, best on the banks of the Tigris in Baghdad.
- Quzi: Slow-roasted lamb on rice with almonds and raisins, the centrepiece of celebrations.
- Tepsi baytinijan: A baked dish of meatballs, aubergine, tomatoes and potatoes.
- Kubba: Bulgur shells stuffed with spiced meat, fried or boiled; Mosul has its own version.
Drinks
- Tea (chai): Follows every meal.
Meals are generous and social, and refusing food is considered impolite. The sale and import of alcohol has been banned since 2016. Food hygiene is not up to Western standards: avoid raw food and drinks made with tap water.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport validity | At least 6 months after the date you arrive, with at least one blank page |
|---|
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Evisa | 60 days | Visa on arrival no longer available: apply online at least 24 hours before travel. The Kurdistan Region has its own e-visa or visa on arrival, valid only there. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
Visitors need a visa, and the UK says it must now be obtained online before travel; airlines may refuse boarding without a return or onward ticket. The Kurdistan Region issues its own visas, valid only within the region; crossing illegally into it from a neighbouring country has led to arrests. Rules depend on your passport and can change: check the official link before you book.
Anyone not on a visit visa must take an HIV and hepatitis test within 10 days of arrival and repeat it every 90 days. Declare more than 200,000 Iraqi dinars, or more than US$10,000 in other currencies, when you enter or leave. A lost or stolen passport must be reported to the police and published in two local newspapers, or you may not get an exit stamp.
Money and payments
| Currency | Iraqi Dinar (IQD) |
|---|
The currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD); notes from 1,000 to 50,000 dinars are used. US dollars are accepted in some shops, and large hotel bills are often paid in dollars or euros. Bring clean, recent banknotes: creased, torn or old notes are refused or suspected of being fake. Do not accept old "Saddam" dinars, carry small notes for daily spending, and be aware that rates change from day to day and town to town. Canada says the economy runs mainly on cash and that ATMs accepting foreign cards are hard to find.
Health
| Required vaccines | Yellow fever certificate, if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever, from 9 months of age and including airport transits over 12 hours (CDC) |
|---|---|
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid: the CDC recommends it for most travellers, Canada for some, so ask a travel clinic, Rabies, for some travellers: rabid dogs are common and vaccines after a bite may only be available in larger towns, Cholera, for some high-risk travellers |
| Tap water | Not safe |
Ask a travel health professional about vaccines and malaria at least 8 weeks before you go: the UK lists malaria, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and poor air quality from dust storms among the risks, and altitude sickness in the mountains. Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Iraq: drink bottled water and avoid ice and uncooked food. Take insurance that covers medical evacuation. For an ambulance, dial 122.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
- United States: Level 4: Do Not Travel (2026-10-20)
- Canada: Avoid all travel (2026-10-20)
- United Kingdom: Advises against all travel to parts of the country; Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country (2026-10-20)
The United States says "do not travel"; Canada advises against all travel and tells Canadians to leave Iraq at the earliest opportunity while commercial options are available. The UK advises against all travel to Kirkuk, Ninawa and Salah al-Din provinces, Diyala except Baqubah, Anbar west of Ramadi, Sadr City in Baghdad, Jurf al-Sakr, within 5 km of the Iran border in Wasit, Maysan and Basra provinces, and within 5 km of the borders with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the country, including Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. Consular help is very limited.
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks across the country, including Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, and foreigners are high-value targets for kidnapping. In 2026 drones, rockets and missiles have struck military installations and other sites, including in the Kurdistan Region. Strikes on Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups have continued across the Kurdistan Region, including around Rawanduz and Koya: stay away from areas linked to these groups. Anyone who must travel should get advice from a private security company, use secure accommodation and transport, keep supplies to shelter for several days and keep documents ready to leave at short notice. Airports and routes in and out of Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, including Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports, may close at short notice. Protests are frequent, including in Baghdad's International Zone and in Basra, and can turn deadly: stay away. Guns are everywhere and are used in personal and tribal disputes; avoid going out after dark. Do not film military sites or attacks.
Customs and etiquette
Iraqis are hospitable and modest; they communicate indirectly to save face, and directly beckoning someone is considered very rude. Dress conservatively. Carrying photo ID is a legal requirement. During Ramadan do not drink, smoke or chew gum in public in daylight; the Arba'een pilgrimage brings millions of pilgrims, usually between August and September.
Since July 2024 same-sex relations are punished with 10 to 15 years in prison, and anything seen as promoting them with prison: up to 7 years according to the UK, at least 7 years according to Canada. The death penalty applies to crimes including drug trafficking and smuggling antiquities. Importing, making or selling alcohol can bring fines of up to 25 million dinars, and Canada advises against bringing any into the country. Do not film, photograph or post online military sites, activity or damage: penalties can be severe. In the Kurdistan Region, sharing footage of drone launches or target locations can also lead to legal action. Children with an Iraqi father may need proof of his permission to leave the country.
Language
| Official languages | Arabic, Kurdish |
|---|---|
| English | Common |
| Hello | مرحبا marḥaban |
|---|---|
| Peace be with you (formal greeting) | السلام عليكم as-salaamu alaikum |
| Please | من فضلك min faḍlak (to a man), min faḍlik (to a woman) |
| Thank you | شكرا shukran |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت law samaḥta (to a man), law samaḥti (to a woman) |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة ma'a as-salaamah |
| Do you speak English? | هل تتكلم الانجليزية؟ hal tatakallam al-ingliziyyah? |
| How much is this? | بكم هذا؟ bikam hatha? |
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | Baghdad |
|---|---|
| Population | 47,020,774 (2025) |
| Area | 434,130 km² |
| Time zone | Asia/Baghdad (UTC+3) |
| Calling code | +964 |
| Driving side | right |
Emergency numbers
| Police | 911 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 122 |
| Fire | 115 |
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to travel to Iraq?
In 2026 the US says do not travel, Canada advises against all travel, and the UK advises against all or all but essential travel to every part of the country. Read the Safety section and the official links.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Iraq?
According to the UK, no: apply online at least 24 hours before travel. The Kurdistan Region has its own visas, valid only there.
Is the tap water safe in Iraq?
No. Drink bottled water and avoid ice and uncooked food.
What currency should I bring to Iraq?
Iraqi dinars for daily spending, and clean, recent US dollars, which many hotels accept.
Sources This guide was last checked on · 20 sources
- Wikivoyage: Iraq · Overview, Places to visit, Climate and best time to visit, Getting there and around, Eat and drink, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Customs and etiquette, Language, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Iraq warnings and insurance · Overview, Places to visit, Safety, Frequently asked questions
- Government of Canada: Iraq travel advice (updated 23 July 2026) · Overview, Getting there and around, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Frequently asked questions
- Wikidata: Lalish · Places to visit
- WMO World Weather Information Service: Baghdad · Climate and best time to visit
- UK FCDO: Iraq safety and security · Climate and best time to visit, Getting there and around, Safety, Customs and etiquette
- Nager.Date: public holidays in Iraq, 2026 · Holidays and events
- UK FCDO: Iraq regional risks · Getting there and around, Safety
- UK FCDO: Iraq entry requirements · Entry requirements and visas, Frequently asked questions
- Wikidata · Money and payments, Country facts
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- UK FCDO: Iraq health · Health
- US CDC: Travelers' health, Iraq · Health
- US Department of State: Iraq travel advisory · Safety
- UK FCDO: Iraq travel advice · Safety
- Wikivoyage: Arabic phrasebook · Language
- World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL · Country facts
- World Bank, AG.LND.TOTL.K2 · Country facts
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
- UK FCDO: Iraq getting help · Emergency numbers
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