Iraq travel guide
When Iraq is safe for travellers again, this beautiful and culturally-rich country has the potential to become one of the most popular travel destinations in the Middle East
Iraq should be one of the planet's most alluring travel destinations. It boasts fascinating ancient sites of Mesopotamia, Sumer and Assyria, including Babylon and the great ziggurat of Ur; the 'Venice of the East', Basra; diverse ethnic groups including Kurds and Marsh Arabs; and of course the city that forms the focus of tales from the 1,001 Nights: Baghdad.
Tragically, the aftermath of Saddam Hussein's long reign and the subsequent war means that Iraq is not a safe destination. The high risk of terrorism has led the British Foreign Office to advise against travel to Iraq, though areas of Kurdistan may be less risky to visit.
At some point, it may be safe for travellers to visit the ancient ruins, join Shia pilgrims on their spiritual journey to Kerbala, or wander through the bazaars of Baghdad and Basra. For now, Iraq remains largely off the travel map.
Wanderlust recommends
Sadly, museums and archives were ransacked during the 2003 invasion, and many historic monuments have been severely damaged. The extent of the destruction is yet to be determined, so these recommendations can only be broad suggestions.
1. Visit the Great Ziggurat of Ur, first built more than 4,000 years ago.
2. Discover the Unesco World Heritage Site of Hatra, the best-preserved example of a Parthian city and one of the few stone monuments in Iraq.
3. Gape at the incredible Arch of Ctesiphon on the east bank of the Tigris south of Baghdad. This enormous monument is the largest single-span brick arch in the world, built in the 3rd century AD.
4. Watch locals haggle over brightly coloured birds at the Souk al-Ghazal before relaxing at one of the roadside cafés.
5. Explore the Shatt El-Arab marshes, marvelling at the locals’ man-made islands and woven reed huts.