Iraq
Discover amazing tours and travel packages in Iraq
Iraq is the ancient heartland of Mesopotamia, the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers where writing, agriculture and some of the world's first cities began. For travellers from the UAE, it is a country of extraordinary depth rather than a conventional beach or resort holiday: crumbling ziggurats, Ottoman-era bazaars, riverside capitals and mountain valleys sit alongside some of Shia Islam's holiest shrines. Baghdad remains the cultural anchor, home to the National Museum of Iraq and the historic booksellers of Mutanabbi Street, while the south draws millions of pilgrims each year to the shrine cities of Karbala and Najaf. Further south still, the ruins of Babylon and the Great Ziggurat of Ur offer a direct link to civilisations that predate the pyramids. In the north, the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region — centred on Erbil and its ancient citadel — provides a more established and visitor-friendly gateway, with cooler mountain scenery around Rawanduz and Dukan Lake. Iraq is best approached as a guided, well-organised journey rather than independent backpacking, and UAE travellers typically explore it through curated cultural, historical or pilgrimage-focused itineraries. For those drawn to authentic heritage travel beyond the region's usual circuits, Iraq delivers a rare, unfiltered encounter with the roots of human civilisation.
Tours in Iraq
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Browse All ToursWhy Visit Iraq?
Highlights of a Iraq holiday include:
- The Cradle of Civilisation: Iraq sits on the ancient lands of Mesopotamia, where Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian cultures shaped writing, law and early urban life along the Tigris and Euphrates.
- Babylon and the Great Ziggurat of Ur: Two of the world's most significant archaeological sites let visitors walk through the remains of empires that flourished more than 4,000 years ago.
- Karbala and Najaf Pilgrimage Cities: Home to the shrines of Imam Hussain and Imam Ali, these cities draw millions of Shia pilgrims annually and remain central to Iraq's religious tourism.
- Erbil and the Kurdistan Region: A more established and traveller-friendly gateway to Iraq, centred on one of the oldest continuously inhabited citadels in the world, with bazaars, museums and mountain scenery nearby.
- The National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad: One of the region's most important collections of Mesopotamian, Islamic and contemporary Iraqi art and artefacts, offering context for the sites visited across the country.
- The Mesopotamian Marshes: A rare wetland landscape near Nasiriyah, historically home to the Marsh Arab communities, offering a completely different side of Iraq's geography.
- Kurdish Mountain Landscapes: Rawanduz Canyon and Lake Dukan bring cooler air and dramatic scenery, a striking contrast to the deserts and river plains further south.
Top Tourist Destinations in Iraq
Each destination offers its own unique attractions and unforgettable experiences.
Baghdad
The capital and cultural centre of Iraq, home to the National Museum of Iraq, the historic Mutanabbi Street book market, and a layered mix of ancient and modern city life.
Baghdad ToursBabylon (Hillah)
The legendary ruins of one of history's most famous empires, along with remnants of later palace structures overlooking the ancient site.
Babylon (Hillah) ToursUr (Nasiriyah)
Home to the Great Ziggurat of Ur, dating to around 2100 BCE, and the gateway to the Mesopotamian Marshes further south.
Ur (Nasiriyah) ToursKarbala
One of Shia Islam's holiest cities, centred on the shrine of Imam Hussain and drawing pilgrims from across the Muslim world year-round.
Karbala ToursNajaf
Home to the Imam Ali Shrine and Wadi-us-Salaam, one of the largest cemeteries in the world, with a long history as a centre of Islamic scholarship.
Najaf ToursErbil (Hewler)
Capital of the Kurdistan Region, built around an ancient citadel and the lively Qaysari Bazaar, and generally the most accessible starting point for visitors.
Erbil (Hewler) ToursMosul
A historic northern city with a complex recent past, now gradually rebuilding, and close to the ancient Assyrian site of Nineveh.
Mosul ToursBasra
Southern Iraq's main port city, historically known as the 'Venice of the East' for its network of canals, and a gateway for travellers continuing toward Kuwait.
Basra ToursCtesiphon
Home to the Taq Kasra, the remains of a grand arch from the winter capital of the Sassanian Empire, a short trip from Baghdad.
Ctesiphon ToursRawanduz and Kurdistan's Mountains
A scenic mountain region in the north featuring canyons, waterfalls and Lake Dukan, popular for cooler-weather day trips from Erbil.
Rawanduz and Kurdistan's Mountains ToursBest Time to Visit Iraq
October to April, when daytime temperatures are mild to warm (15–28°C). Summer (June–August) brings extreme heat, often exceeding 45°C, which makes sightseeing impractical. Spring (March–April) and autumn (October–November) offer the most comfortable conditions, while religious pilgrimage periods in Karbala and Najaf see significant crowd surges regardless of season.
Iraq Holiday Experiences
Travel Choice Tourism offers a wide range of Iraq holiday packages.
Why Book Your Iraq Holiday with Travel Choice Tourism?
- Curated, Guide-Led Itineraries: Our Iraq journeys are built around experienced local guides and fixed logistics, so you're never navigating an unfamiliar and complex destination alone.
- Visa and Documentation Support: We help UAE-based travellers understand the correct visa pathway for their itinerary, whether that involves Federal Iraq or the Kurdistan Region.
- Itineraries Tailored to Your Interests: Whether your focus is religious pilgrimage, ancient history or Kurdistan's mountain scenery, we shape the route around what matters most to you.
- On-Ground Local Expertise: We work with operators who understand current conditions in each region of Iraq, helping keep your trip smooth and well-organised from arrival to departure.
- Group and Private Options: Travel as part of a small guided group or arrange a private itinerary, depending on your comfort level and travel style.
- UAE-Based Support Throughout: As a UAE-based travel company, we're on hand before, during and after your trip, with a team that understands the needs of travellers from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the Emirates.