What are the most beautiful tourist places in Baghdad? Where are they located? And are they really worth visiting?
Baghdad, formerly known as the City of Peace (during the Abbasid era from the 9th to the 13th century), is home to more than 8 million people.
This makes the capital of Iraq the third largest. city In the Arab world.
In the eyes of many, it is not known. Iraq However, it is a place of unrest, battlefields and violence. Although there are risks in visiting this country, you should keep in mind that there are risks everywhere.
Regardless of how Western media portrays Iraq, this country is home to a rich history and friendly, hospitable people.
The best tourist places in Baghdad that you must visit
National Museum of Iraq in Baghdad
If you are a history buff, visiting the National Museum of Iraq will be at the top of your bucket list. It is one of the best tourist places in Baghdad that is worth visiting.
This museum contains some of the most notable artifacts from the history of Mesopotamia.
Despite being looted in 2003, and after extensive cooperation from several countries to find these artifacts, the museum was reopened in 2015.
In the Iraq Museum, there are things that you will not find anywhere else in the world.
The museum's oldest pieces date back to approximately 4000 BC.
From the earliest settlements to the rise and fall of vast empires, the museum and its exhibits symbolize the richness and diversity of Iraqi culture, art and design.
National Museum of Iraq
Mutanabbi Street in Baghdad
This street is one of the most crowded places in downtown Baghdad and is named after one of the most prominent poets (Abu Tayeb Ahmed bin Hussein, known as (Al-Mutanabbi)).
The street is famous for its shops but is also one of the most popular areas to buy old diaries, postcards and books.
But make sure to go on a Friday, as you will enjoy the different cultural activities that will be offered.
Mutanabbi Street
Martyr's Monument
This monument was built as a memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives during the Iran-Iraq War.
There is also a small war museum, a library, a lecture hall and a photo gallery under the monument.
Completed in 1983, the monument is 40 metres tall and painted in a distinctive turquoise colour.
Martyr's Monument
Al-Zawraa Park
This is one of the biggest and most famous. Gardens In Baghdad. Al-Zawraa Park used to be an army camp, but was later transformed into a family-friendly recreational area.
Al Zawraa Park contains a Ferris wheel, a zoo, playgrounds, shops and cafes.
Al-Zawraa Park
Tahrir Square - Freedom Monument
Tahrir Square is the most central location in the whole of Baghdad, and is known for its symbolic monument that depicts the important events in Iraq that led to the founding of the republic. It is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Baghdad, Iraq.
After the events of the 1958 revolution, the Prime Minister asked an architect to build a monument to commemorate the establishment of the Republic of Iraq.
This epic monument was built and is located in Tahrir Square and is the most famous monument in the city.
Freedom Monument
Swords of Qadisiyah
The Swords of Qadisiyyah are also known as the Arc de Triomphe, and are popularly known as the Hands of Victory or Crossed Swords.
It was built after Saddam Hussein declared victory over Iran in the Iran-Iraq War.
Swords of Qadisiyah
Baghdad Zoo
Before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the zoo housed only 650 animals.
During the 2003 Iraq War, only about 35 animals survived.
While now the zoo has been rebuilt and is now home to about 1070 animals. It is now considered one of the best and most beautiful tourist places in Baghdad for families and children in particular.
View of Baghdad from the Ferris wheel at the zoo
Al-Faw Palace or the Water Palace
It is a former Iraqi presidential palace built by Saddam Hussein in the middle of a lake, which is why it is called the Water Palace.
It is located only 5 kilometers from Baghdad International Airport, and was named Al-Faw after the island of the same name, which was retaken by the Iraqi army after it was taken over by Iranian forces.
Today, Al-Faw Palace has been chosen as the site of the new American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB), which opened in September 2018. It has become one of the most beautiful tourist places in Baghdad.
Al Faw Palace
Al-Mustansiriya School - one of the most beautiful historical landmarks in Baghdad
It is a medieval school located on the banks of the Tigris River.
Once the most important centre of learning in Baghdad, it specialised in Islamic teachings and is one of the only examples of classical Islamic art remaining in the city today.
As one of the oldest schools in the world, the school has witnessed many periods and diverse events throughout the ages.
Today the entire complex is being restored and is part of the modern Al-Mustansiriya University.
Al-Mustansiriya School
Al Rahman Mosque
Built by Saddam Hussein, the Al-Rahman Mosque was supposed to be one of the largest mosques in Iraq and even the world. However, the US invasion in 2003 meant that construction never began. The religious building is located in the Mansour district. The Great Mosque of Mosul is another mosque in Mosul Which was stopped for the same reasons.
Al-Kadhimiya Mosque
The Kadhimiya Mosque is located in the Kadhimiya district and is one of the most important mosques in Baghdad for Shia Muslims. It contains the tombs of two of the Twelve Imams of Islam, making it an important place of pilgrimage. There are other tombs of Imams in Iraq: two in Baghdad and two in Baghdad.to some extentOne in Najaf and one in Karbala The mosque was one of the first buildings to be found in the original city of Baghdad, and was initially circular in shape, somewhat similar to Marbella and its citadel, but more complex and structured. This circular city was built by the Abbasid dynasty and is the historical center of Baghdad
Al-Kadhimiya area, where the mosque is located, is a lively area and a good place to stay in the capital. Moreover, you can easily find a wide range of hotels to stay in.
Shabandar Cafe
The historic Shabandar Café is one of the most popular places among locals and the rare tourists visiting Baghdad. This typical and very famous place in the city has been around since 1917. It is a must-visit place where you should come at least once for a cup of tea or shisha. The café is located on Mutanabbi Street.
Torah Quarter, the Jewish District of Baghdad
The Torah area is one of the historical neighborhoods inhabited by Jews in Baghdad, and they mostly lived between the Rashid neighborhood and the Bataween neighborhood.
Here you will find ancient synagogues and beautiful traditional apartments. The Jews left the area and Iraq in the 1940s.
However, there is still an active synagogue in the town, on the Bataween side. Now these ancient buildings are abandoned or inhabited. Some history-loving Iraqis want to turn them into museums.
Mosque of the Caliphs
The Mosque of the Caliphs is one of the most prominent and oldest mosques in Baghdad, built by the Abbasids in the 9th century. Meanwhile, you can also discover the beautiful Chaldean Cathedral of St. Mary, which is located directly opposite the mosque, on the other side of the road.
Iwan Khosrau or Arch of Khosrau
Taq-e-Kisra is one of Baghdad’s historical landmarks that should not be missed if you are traveling near Baghdad, which is only 35 km away. These ruins are the only remaining remains of a Sassanid Persian city that once stood here.
Where to stay in Baghdad
The two most popular hotels with foreign guests are the Baghdad Hotel and the Palestine Hotel. Both hotels became popular with journalists and media professionals after the US invasion in 2003. Both hotels are located in a similar area outside the Green Zone overlooking the Tigris River.
Both are very secure, safe and comfortable with bars, pool and gym.
Cheap hotels in Baghdad
- King Dijlah Hotel: This hotel is located in the Rusafa area of Baghdad, and the average price per night is 56 US dollars.
- Dream Apartments Hotel: Located in the Green Zone in Baghdad, the average price per night is 84 US dollars.
- Italian House: Located in the Babylon area of Baghdad, the average price per night is 63 US dollars.
- Little House Hotel: Located in the Green Zone in Baghdad, the average price per night is $115.
What to eat in Baghdad
Famous Iraqi foods
Iraq has a rich and diverse cuisine, and there are many delicious dishes that you can try when you visit Iraq. Here are some dishes that you must try when you visit Iraq:
- Kebab: Kebab is a popular dish in Iraq and is made from a variety of meats, including lamb, chicken, and beef. It is usually served with rice and vegetables.
- Dolma: Dolma is a dish made of stuffed grape leaves, usually filled with rice and meat or vegetables.
- Kibbeh: Kibbeh is a type of dumpling, usually made from minced meat or fish and often served in a rich tomato-based sauce.
- Muscovite: Masgouf is a traditional Iraqi dish made from grilled fish. It is usually served with a variety of side dishes, including rice and vegetables.
- Biryani: Biryani is a traditional dish made from a mixture of rice, meat and spices. It is usually served with yoghurt and a variety of vegetables.
- Al-Qawzi: Quzi is a traditional Iraqi dish made with lamb, rice and a variety of spices. It is usually served with yogurt and vegetables.
- Harees: Harees is a porridge made from wheat and barley, usually served with lamb and yoghurt.
- Lentil sherbet: Lentil sherbet is a lentil soup, flavoured with a variety of herbs and spices.
- Iraqi bread: Bread is a traditional Iraqi bread, usually served with meals.
What is the best time to visit Iraq?
Iraq has a dry desert climate, with hot summers and cold winters.
- The summer season in Iraq typically lasts from May to September, with temperatures often reaching over 40 °C (104 °F) during the day and dropping to around 30 °C (86 °F) at night. This season is characterized by low humidity and dry conditions.
- The winter season lasts from December to February, with temperatures typically ranging from around 15 °C (59 °F) to around 5 °C (41 °F) during the day, dropping to around freezing at night. This season is characterised by occasional rainfall and high humidity.
- The transitional seasons of spring (March-April) and autumn (October-November) are characterized by moderate temperatures and occasional rainfall.
Cost of travel to Baghdad Iraq
The cost of travel to Iraq can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the time of year, the type of accommodation, the transportation and activities you choose, and your overall travel itinerary.
- Airfare to Iraq may vary depending on the departure city and time of year, but generally ranges from around $400 to $600 or more for a round-trip ticket.
- Accommodation prices in Iraq can vary greatly depending on the type of accommodation you choose. Budget options such as hostels or budget hotels can cost between $15 and $25 per night, while more luxurious options such as four-star hotels can cost between $100 and $150 per night.
- Food and drink are relatively cheap in Iraq, with a meal in a cheap restaurant costing between $5 and $10, and a bottle of water around $0.50.
- Transportation within Iraq is relatively inexpensive, with local buses and shared taxis costing between $1 and $2 for short trips, and renting a car can cost around $50 per day.
It is important to note that the cost of travel to Iraq may be high due to the security situation and the need for additional insurance, as well as hiring a private guide or guard.
In general, it's a good idea to budget between $50-$100 per day for budget travel, and $150-$300 per day for more comfortable travel, but these are just estimates and your actual costs may vary.
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