The Top 50 · 50

Attractions in Iraq

The finest attractions in Iraq at a glance: castles, natural wonders, historic old towns and more. Each place links to a detailed page with map, tips and photos.

🗺️ See all on the mapCulture & History (15)Nature (21)More highlights (14)

Culture & History

Abu Hanifa Mosque
Landmark

Abu Hanifa Mosque

A major Sunni mosque in Baghdad, built around the tomb of the prominent Islamic legal scholar Abu Hanifa.

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Baghdad Tower
Landmark

Baghdad Tower

A prominent television tower in Baghdad originally built in the 1990s, featuring an observation deck.

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Jalil Khayat Mosque
Landmark

Jalil Khayat Mosque

The largest mosque in Erbil, blending modern Ottoman architectural elements with local craftsmanship.

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Basra Sports City
Landmark

Basra Sports City

A state-of-the-art sports complex in southern Iraq that houses the largest football stadium in the country.

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Hatra
Landmark

Hatra

A fortified Parthian city, known for its unique blend of Hellenistic and Roman architecture.

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Mar Mattai Monastery
Landmark

Mar Mattai Monastery

One of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, spectacularly built into the side of Mount Alfaf.

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Al-Askari Shrine
Landmark

Al-Askari Shrine

An important Shia holy site in Samarra, famous worldwide for its historically golden dome.

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Al-Qosh
Landmark

Al-Qosh

An ancient Assyrian town nestled against the mountains, home to the historic Rabban Hormizd Monastery.

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Ezekiel's Tomb
Monument

Ezekiel's Tomb

A historic pilgrimage site in Al Kifl, traditionally believed to be the final resting place of the biblical prophet Ezekiel.

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Delal Bridge
Monument

Delal Bridge

An ancient stone bridge over the Khabur River in Zakho, standing as one of the most famous historical structures in northern Iraq.

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Monument to the Unknown Soldier
Monument

Monument to the Unknown Soldier

A monumental structure in Baghdad representing a traditional shield, dedicated to the soldiers who died in war.

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Victory Arch
Monument

Victory Arch

A pair of massive triumphal arches shaped like crossed swords in Baghdad, commemorating the Iran-Iraq War.

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Al-Qishla
Monument

Al-Qishla

A historic Ottoman building in Baghdad featuring a characteristic clock tower erected in the 19th century.

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Mudhaffar Minaret
Monument

Mudhaffar Minaret

A historic minaret in Erbil dating from the late 12th century, towering almost 36 meters high.

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Taq Kasra
Monument

Taq Kasra

The impressive remain of a Sasanian palace, known for its massive brick vault.

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Nature

Dohuk Dam Park
Park

Dohuk Dam Park

A picturesque recreation area at Lake Dohuk, offering locals and tourists opportunities for picnicking and boating.

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Sami Abdulrahman Park
Park

Sami Abdulrahman Park

The largest park in Erbil, built on the site of a former military base, today a green oasis of peace.

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Azadi Park
Park

Azadi Park

A significant urban park in Sulaymaniyah, offering beautiful gardens, monuments, and peaceful walking paths.

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Lake Habbaniyah
Lake

Lake Habbaniyah

Lake Habbaniyah is a shallow lake in the desert of Al-Anbar province, used for flood control of the Euphrates River.

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Al-Zawraa Park
Park

Al-Zawraa Park

A spacious public park in Baghdad featuring green areas, an amusement park, and a stadium.

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Mosul Dam Lake
Lake

Mosul Dam Lake

The Mosul Dam Lake on the Tigris is the largest reservoir in Iraq and provides essential water for agriculture.

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Mosul Woods
Park

Mosul Woods

A forested recreation area on the banks of the Tigris, considered the green lung of the city of Mosul.

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Lake Dukan
Lake

Lake Dukan

Lake Dukan is the largest lake in Iraqi Kurdistan, formed by a dam on the Little Zab River.

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Lake Razzaza
Lake

Lake Razzaza

Lake Razzaza, also known as Bahr al-Milh (Sea of Salt), is the second largest lake in the country.

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Lake Tharthar
Lake

Lake Tharthar

Lake Tharthar is the largest lake by area in Iraq and serves as an important water reservoir.

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Lake Darbandikhan
Lake

Lake Darbandikhan

Lake Darbandikhan is a beautiful reservoir on the Diyala River in the Sulaymaniyah Province.

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Mount Korek
Mountain

Mount Korek

One of the most famous mountains in Iraqi Kurdistan, renowned for its observatory and as a popular winter sports destination.

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Mount Azmar
Mountain

Mount Azmar

A mountain ridge right on the edge of the city of Sulaymaniyah, offering a magnificent view over the entire urban metropolis.

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Mount Safin
Mountain

Mount Safin

A densely forested mountain near Shaqlawa, which is a popular summer destination for tourists seeking to escape the heat.

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Makhoul Mountains
Mountain

Makhoul Mountains

A range of hills and mountains on the western bank of the Tigris, representing a northwestward continuation of the Hamrin Mountains.

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Sinjar Mountains
Mountain

Sinjar Mountains

The Sinjar Mountains are an approximately 100 km long mountain range in northwestern Iraq, forming the heartland of the Yazidis.

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Mount Gara
Mountain

Mount Gara

An imposing mountain in the Duhok province, known for its picturesque landscape and historical significance in the region.

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Halgurd
Mountain

Halgurd

Halgurd is the highest mountain located entirely within Iraq, situated in the Zagros Mountains in Iraqi Kurdistan.

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Mount Pira Magrun
Mountain

Mount Pira Magrun

A prominent peak in the Zagros Mountains near Sulaymaniyah, often deeply enshrouded in clouds and snow.

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Qandil Mountains
Mountain

Qandil Mountains

The Qandil Mountains are a rugged mountainous region in northern Iraq near the borders with Turkey and Iran.

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Shatt al-Arab
river

Shatt al-Arab

The Shatt al-Arab is formed by the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris, flowing into the Persian Gulf near Basra.

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More highlights

Haditha Dam
energy

Haditha Dam

A massive dam on the Euphrates River, housing Iraq's second largest hydroelectric power station and crucial for regional energy supply.

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Ibrahim Khalil Border Crossing
trade-hub

Ibrahim Khalil Border Crossing

The most important and busiest border crossing between Iraq and Turkey, serving as a lifeline for trade in the region.

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Bahr al-Najaf Depression
valley

Bahr al-Najaf Depression

A large depression near the city of Najaf, which turns into a shallow body of water or a salt pan depending on rainfall.

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Soran Valley
valley

Soran Valley

A picturesque valley in the Erbil Governorate, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and characterized by rivers and green meadows.

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Hawizeh Marshes
national-park

Hawizeh Marshes

The Hawizeh Marshes are a vast wetland in southern Iraq on the border with Iran, hosting a unique biodiversity.

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Bekhal Waterfall
tourist-attraction

Bekhal Waterfall

A popular destination in the mountainous region of Rawanduz, known for its refreshing cascades and natural beauty.

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Tree of Knowledge
tourist-attraction

Tree of Knowledge

A symbolic site at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates, which local legend claims was part of the Garden of Eden.

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Western Desert
desert

Western Desert

The vast expanse of the desert in the Al-Anbar province, reaching into Jordan and Syria, intersected by wadis.

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Safwan Border Crossing
trade-hub

Safwan Border Crossing

The central and economically highly important border crossing in the south of the country, connecting Iraq with Kuwait.

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Syrian Desert
desert

Syrian Desert

This vast desert region in the western part of the country is characterized by arid plains and rocky plateaus.

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Chavi Land
kid-friendly

Chavi Land

One of the largest amusement parks in the Kurdistan Region, located on the slopes of Mount Goizha in Sulaymaniyah.

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Majidi Land
kid-friendly

Majidi Land

A family-friendly leisure complex in Erbil, combining shopping facilities with an indoor amusement park.

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Gali Ali Beg Canyon
valley

Gali Ali Beg Canyon

A deep and impressive canyon in the north, through which mountain rivers rush and form picturesque waterfalls.

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Kish
ruin

Kish

An important ancient city that, according to tradition, hosted the first royal dynasty after the Great Flood.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the top attractions in Iraq?

Among the most popular are Dohuk Dam Park, Abu Hanifa Mosque, Baghdad Tower, Sami Abdulrahman Park, Azadi Park and many more – the full top 50 list is on this page.

When is the best time to visit Iraq?

May to October offers the most pleasant weather; July and August are warmest and busiest.