17 days in Iraq Itinerary

It's quite possible that a Baghdad holiday isn't on your list of things to do, but despite the city's reputation for turmoil, it still has plenty to offer to a daring traveler.

Baghdad is known for shopping, museums, and historic sites. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at Iraqi Museum, make a trip to Abu Hanifa Mosque, find something for the whole family at Zawraa Park, and pause for some photo ops at Al-Mutanabbi Statue.

To see other places to visit, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Baghdad trip builder website.

Lahore, Pakistan to Baghdad is an approximately 9-hour flight. The time zone changes from Pakistan Standard Time to Arabian Standard Time, which is usually a -2 hour difference. Traveling from Lahore in October, expect little chillier with lows of 20°C in Baghdad. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Nasiriyah.

Nasiriyah is a city in Iraq. Start off your visit on the 24th (Thu): make a trip to Ziggurat of UR.

For photos, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Nasiriyah route planner.

You can fly from Baghdad to Nasiriyah in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. On the 25th (Fri), you'll travel to Karbala.

Karbala is a city in central Iraq, located about 100km southwest of Baghdad, and a few miles east of Lake Milh. Get out of town with these interesting Karbala side-trips: Babylon (in Al Hillah), Kufa (Al Sahlah Great Mosque, Great Mosque of Kufa, &more) and Najaf (Wadi Al-Salaam Cemetery & Shrine Amir al-mo'menin Ali bin Abi Talib peace be upon him). The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Imam Hussain's Shrine.

To find reviews, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Karbala online trip builder.

Drive from Nasiriyah to Karbala in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. Expect a daytime high around 39°C in October, and nighttime lows around 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Sulaymaniyah.

Considered one of the most cosmopolitan and westernized cities in Iraq, vibrant Sulaymaniyah boasts a strong cultural scene with a good selection of museums and educational institutions.

Sulaymaniyah is known for fun & games, museums, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: have fun at Chavi Land, buy something for everyone on your list at City Star Mall, take an in-depth tour of Slemani Museum, and stroll around Sarchnar Park.

For maps, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Sulaymaniyah trip website.

Traveling by flight from Karbala to Sulaymaniyah takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Thu) early enough to drive to Erbil.

The capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, Erbil occupies perhaps the longest-inhabited land in the world, with the earliest human settlement here possibly dating back to 5000 BCE.

Erbil is known for parks, historic sites, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: steep yourself in history at Erbil Citadel, examine the collection at Kurdish Textile Museum, walk around Sami Abdulrahman Park, and browse the different shops at Family Mall.

For photos, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Erbil trip builder site.

You can drive from Sulaymaniyah to Erbil in 3 hours. In October, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Mon) so you can travel back home.