Baghdad
Iraq
- Safety rating
- 3.5/10
- Best time to visit
- October to April brings cooler, more comfortable temperatures, avoiding the extreme summer heat.
- Population
- 7.5M
Overview
Baghdad, the storied capital on the banks of the Tigris, was once the dazzling center of the Islamic Golden Age and home to legendary caliphs and scholars. Today it blends bustling markets, riverside cafés, and important museums with the scars and resilience of recent history.
Top attractions
Visit the Iraq Museum, Al-Mutanabbi book street, the Abbasid Palace, and the bustling Shabandar café and Kadhimiya shrine.
Getting around
Private drivers and arranged transport are strongly recommended over public transit; taxis are available but negotiate fares first.