Iraq

Cairo writes, Beirut publishes, and Baghdad reads…
Old Arabic Expression

Iraq is without a doubt the most misunderstood nation in the Western world. It’s almost as if the past 20 years of conflict completely erased the Iraq that existed before. In our minds, at least. That Iraq was in the top 5 education systems in the entire world, with a nearly 100% literacy rate. Now, google the country and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a headline that doesn’t conjure images of destruction and warfare. But the country has turned a corner. Since 2017, Iraq has been on the upswing. Rebuilding the broken systems Saddam left behind. Tourism is back. And it’s bound to be booming.

I don’t recommend you visit Iraq for deserts. You’ll find far more scenic ones scattered across the Sahara in countries like Egypt or the orange sand of Namibia’s Sub-Saharan dunes. Instead, visit for the history, for the mountain road trips, and the swampy marshes. The places you never knew existed in the small Middle Eastern country where civilization first began. Iraq is ancient Mesopotamia, it’s the location of the real-life Garden of Eden, and the towering walls of Babylon.

Iraq Travel Guide

Recommended Cities: Baghdad, Karbala, Babylon, Marshes (Chibayish), Mosul, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Lalish, Amedi, Akre

Minimum Recommended Trip Length: 2 weeks

One Bucketlist Item You Cannot Miss: Visiting the Mesopotamian Marshes in Southern Iraq. Also, a Kurdistan road trip through the rural mountains.

Things to Consider Before You Go: Iraq is still in the early phases of tourism. Right now, it’s a destination best enjoyed by experienced adventure travelers.

As a woman, there is a lot more required of you than men. I wrote a whole guide on how to travel to Iraq as a woman to help.

Visa Requirements

Currently, Iraq offers a Visa on Arrival to more than 38 countries including citizens of the USA, Canada, and EU nations. The cost was $77 for Americans.

Be sure to get your visa in Federal Iraq (Baghdad) if you plan on visiting both Iraqi Kurdistan + Federal Iraq. A visa purchased in Iraqi Kurdistan is not valid in Southern Iraq.

Estimated Backpacker Budget

On a Shoestring: $40/day

Flashpacker: $65/day

Backpacker Luxury: $100/day

Keep in mind these are backpacker budgets. On a shoestring expect to be cooking your own meals and eating street food, sleeping in the cheapest accommodations, & skipping the more expensive tourist attractions. Backpacker Luxury opts for fancy hotel rooms, eats only in restaurants, and splurges on activities. Flashpackers are the middle ground & often do a mixture of both.