8-Day Iraq Landmarks Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival in Baghdad

Upon arrival at Baghdad International Airport, our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax after your journey and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Overnight in Baghdad  

Day 2 | Baghdad 

Begin your exploration of Iraq’s capital at Liberation Square, one of Baghdad’s most recognizable landmarks and a site closely connected with the city’s modern history and public movements.

From here, enjoy a short boat ride across the Tigris River before arriving at the famous Al-Mutanabbi Street, Baghdad’s historic literary quarter, where generations of booksellers, writers, and intellectuals have gathered.

Stroll through Baghdad’s traditional Old Bazaar and browse the lively Copper Market, where local craftsmen continue centuries-old metalworking traditions.

Pause for a break at the legendary Al-Shabander Café, where you can enjoy traditional Iraqi tea or dried lime tea in one of Baghdad’s oldest and most beloved cafés.

Later, visit the magnificent remains of Ctesiphon, home to the famous Taq Kasra arch and one of the greatest surviving monuments of the Sasanian Empire.

End the day in Al-Kadhimiya, an important district of Baghdad known for its vibrant evening market and the magnificent Al-Kadhimiya Shrine, where Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad are buried beneath its golden domes.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 3 | Baghdad – Babylon – Karbala

After checking out of the hotel, visit the iconic Martyr Monument. Although the site is currently undergoing maintenance, we will stop nearby for the best possible views.

Continue to the ancient city of Babylon, one of Mesopotamia’s greatest civilizations, dating from the 18th to the 6th century BCE. Explore the archaeological remains associated with King Nebuchadnezzar II and learn about the legendary Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, whose existence continues to fascinate historians.

Visit the former Saddam Palace, now serving as a museum overlooking the archaeological site and offering panoramic views of Babylon.

Continue south to Karbala, where you’ll have time to settle into your hotel before visiting the magnificent Imam Abbas Shrine, dedicated to Al-Abbas ibn Ali, celebrated for his loyalty and sacrifice during the Battle of Karbala.

Nearby, visit the revered Imam Hussein Shrine, the burial place of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the most significant figures in Islamic history.

Overnight in Karbala

Day 4 | Karbala – Najaf – Uruk – Ur

After breakfast, check out and travel to Najaf.

Visit Wadi Al Salaam Cemetery, the world’s largest cemetery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, containing millions of graves and holding immense religious significance.

Continue south to Nasiriyah.

Visit the ancient city of Uruk (weather permitting, as access may not be possible during rainy conditions). Considered one of the world’s earliest cities, Uruk played a pivotal role in the rise of Sumerian civilization. It is closely associated with the invention of cuneiform writing, monumental temples, and the legendary King Gilgamesh.

Later, explore the impressive Ziggurat of Ur, one of the finest surviving monuments of ancient Mesopotamia. Rising in massive stepped terraces, this remarkable structure served as both a religious center and a symbol of the power of the Sumerian civilization.

Overnight in Nasiriyah

Day 5 | Marshes of Iraq – Al-Qurnah – Basra

After checking out, journey into the spectacular Marshes of Iraq, the largest wetland ecosystem in the Middle East and home to the Marsh Arab communities.

Take time to meet local residents, enjoy traditional Iraqi tea, and hear stories about life in the marshes before boarding a traditional shakhtura boat to navigate the winding waterways.

Enjoy a freshly prepared Masgouf, Iraq’s famous grilled fish, served inside a traditional reed house known as an Al-Mudhif.

Continue to Al-Qurnah to visit the legendary Tree of Adam, a site traditionally believed by many local communities to mark the place where Adam descended to Earth and where Abraham prayed. While this belief is not part of Islamic doctrine, the site has long attracted Christian and Jewish pilgrims.

Nearby, visit Al-Multaqa, where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers unite to form the mighty Shatt al-Arab.

Continue to Basra.

Overnight in Basra

Day 6 | Basra – Baghdad

After checking out, enjoy a boat trip along the Shatt al-Arab, passing the riverside view of the former Saddam Palace.

Continue through Basra’s historic neighborhoods to admire the city’s famous Shanasheel houses, celebrated for their beautifully carved wooden balconies, stained-glass windows, spacious courtyards, and distinctive Ottoman-era architecture. Although many have suffered from age and neglect, they remain among Basra’s most iconic cultural landmarks.

Later, drive back to Baghdad.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 7 | Samarra – Hatra – Mosul

Depart Baghdad in the morning for Samarra.

Visit the iconic Malwiya Minaret, the spiral tower of the Great Mosque of Samarra. Built during the Abbasid Caliphate in the 9th century, it is one of Iraq’s most recognizable monuments and once belonged to the largest mosque in the Islamic world.

Continue to the nearby Abu Dulaf Mosque, another remarkable Abbasid monument distinguished by its large rectangular layout and spiral minaret inspired by the Malwiya.

Continue north toward Mosul, stopping en route to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hatra. Once a thriving fortified city of the Parthian Empire, Hatra combined Greco-Roman and Eastern architectural traditions and flourished as both a religious sanctuary and an important trading center. Its monumental temples, defensive walls, and remarkable sculptures remain among Iraq’s greatest archaeological treasures.

Arrive in Mosul.

Overnight in Mosul

Day 8 | Mosul – Baghdad

Begin the day by visiting the remains of the ancient Assyrian Wall, a reminder of Mosul’s origins as one of the great cities of the Assyrian Empire.

Continue into Mosul’s Old City, one of the oldest urban centers in the Middle East. Severely damaged during the battle against ISIS, the area now stands as both a symbol of resilience and an important chapter in Iraq’s recent history.

Explore the traditional bazaar, historic mosques, and centuries-old churches, reflecting Mosul’s rich multicultural heritage.

Later, return to Baghdad.

Overnight in Baghdad

Departure from Baghdad

After breakfast, transfer to Baghdad International Airport for your departure flight, bringing your journey through Iraq’s ancient civilizations, historic cities, and diverse cultural landscapes to a close.