Iraq : Safety by City
Iraq is the kind of place that shaped the world long before most countries even existed.
Located in the heart of the Middle East between the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf, it’s home to the land once known as Mesopotamia, where writing, law, and urban civilization first took root.
Over thousands of years, it was ruled by Sumerians, Babylonians, Persians, Ottomans, and the British, each leaving behind ruins, traditions, and scars.
In modern times, Iraq has become synonymous with war and turmoil, especially under Saddam Hussein’s regime and the years of conflict that followed.
Despite the tumultuous history, this is a sacred place for Muslims.
Cities like Najaf and Karbala hold deep religious significance for Shia Islam, drawing millions of pilgrims annually.
When the country stabilizes, there’s no shortage of sites that will draw in curious travelers: ancient Babylon, the Abbasid architecture of Baghdad, the vast ziggurat at Ur, the marshes of the south, and the rugged Kurdish mountains in the north.
Iraq has the bones of a world-class destination—it just needs peace and infrastructure to bring it back to life.
For now, it’s mostly a land of potential, watched from a cautious distance by those hoping it finds its footing again.
Warnings & Dangers in Iraq
OVERALL RISK: HIGH
Iraq is still a high-risk destination for most travelers (especially Westerners). While some areas like the Kurdistan Region are more stable, the rest of the country faces ongoing issues with political unrest, militant groups, and unpredictable security conditions. If you’re not visiting for essential reasons or with serious preparation, it’s probably not the right place right now.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Getting around Iraq carries medium to high risk, depending on where you are. Roads are chaotic, signage is poor, and taxi scams or unofficial drivers can be a problem. Carjackings are a known issue on highways. Stick to trusted drivers, avoid public transport, and don’t drive yourself unless you really know what you’re doing.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpocketing isn’t the biggest threat in Iraq, but it does happen in crowded areas, especially around markets or during religious gatherings. The risk is medium. Keep your valuables out of sight, and skip flashy jewelry or expensive bags. You’re more likely to deal with larger safety concerns than petty theft, but still, be smart.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Natural disasters are a medium risk in Iraq. Earthquakes can happen, especially in the north near the Iranian border. Seasonal flooding is also a problem in some regions. Sandstorms and extreme heat are more likely to disrupt travel plans than anything else, so stay weather-aware if you’re traveling during the hotter months.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
Violent crime of any kind is common across Iraq, especially in areas without law enforcement. There's little regard for crimes against Westerners. While it might sound somewhat flippant, if you escape a robbery with your life or without getting kidnapped, you're lucky.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
Terrorism remains a high risk in Iraq. While ISIS has been largely defeated territorially, pockets of insurgent activity still exist, especially in places like Kirkuk, Anbar, and rural northern regions. Attacks on security forces, public events, or religious sites can still happen.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Scams are a medium risk for travelers. Overcharging foreigners, fake tour operators, and currency exchange tricks are the most common. You won’t find as many street-level scams as in tourist-heavy countries, but that’s mostly because there aren’t many tourists to target. Still, keep your guard up, especially in markets or taxi stands.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Women face a high risk in Iraq, especially if traveling alone or without local contacts. Harassment can happen in public, and cultural expectations around dress and behavior are strict. The United States travel advisory even warns that U.S. women have faced brutal violence and other issues, "including loss of custody of children and forced marriage."
TAP WATER RISK: HIGH
Tap water in Iraq is not safe to drink. Consider this a high risk. Even locals often rely on bottled or filtered water. Contamination is a known problem, and outbreaks of waterborne diseases are all too common. Stick to sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
Safest Places to Visit in Iraq
Iraq’s tourism efforts are handled by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities—though let’s be honest, the official site isn’t exactly user-friendly or secure.
(Even pulling up one of their PDFs is something I wouldn’t recommend doing without a VPN.)
That said, the country has serious tourism potential when it becomes more stable.
Here’s a regional breakdown of what’s actually worth seeing:
Kurdistan Region (North)
If you go anywhere in Iraq, it’ll probably be here.
Erbil’s ancient citadel is one of the oldest continuously inhabited spots on Earth.
Outside the city, places like Rawanduz and Bekhal are full of waterfalls and hiking spots.
Halgurd Sakran National Park offers alpine terrain you wouldn’t expect from Iraq.
Central Iraq
Baghdad still holds pieces of its intellectual legacy, like the Iraq Museum, which houses priceless Mesopotamian artifacts.
Al-Mutanabbi Street is a historic book market that somehow still pulses with culture.
You’ll also find old Islamic sites like the Abbasid Palace and Mustansiriya Madrasah, though security varies.
Southern Iraq
This is pilgrimage country.
Najaf has the shrine of Imam Ali, and Karbala draws millions to honor Imam Hussein.
Non-Muslim tourists may not feel entirely comfortable here yet, but the cities are significant.
Near Nasiriyah, the Ziggurat of Ur is a massive and surreal archaeological site worth future attention.
Eastern Iraq
Diyala is a mix of mountain and farmland, with diverse communities and natural scenery.
It’s less known and still has security issues depending on the area, so it’s one of those “maybe someday” places for now.
Places to Avoid in Iraq
While the Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk) is considered the safest area for travelers (take the word “safest” with a big grain of salt), much of Iraq still comes with serious warnings.
The pilgrimages to Karbala and Najaf are generally well-secured and safe for Arab and Muslim visitors, especially those familiar with the cultural and religious context.
Westerners, particularly non-Muslims, may stand out and could attract unwanted attention, even in areas considered “safe.”
Areas like Mosul, Anbar, and Kirkuk remain volatile due to insurgent activity and post-conflict instability.
These zones aren’t suitable for casual tourism and should only be approached with expert guides and professional security in place.
Even if you choose to go to Iraq, the places most likely to be targets of terrorist attacks are also the major draws, like mosques and busy markets.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Iraq
- Local police are divided between federal forces and Kurdish security, depending on where you are. Response times vary wildly, and corruption can be an issue. Dial 104 in the Kurdistan Region or 130 in Baghdad for police—but don’t count on English-speaking help. It’s smart to have your embassy’s number saved and ready.
- Iraq doesn’t have a public emergency alert system like you might be used to. There are no nationwide text warnings. Embassies often issue security updates, so enroll in your country’s traveler registration system. Twitter (now X) accounts from journalists or NGOs can sometimes be more current than anything official.
- Iraq requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country where it’s endemic. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and tetanus boosters are strongly recommended. Cholera outbreaks do happen. Rabies isn’t a bad idea either, especially if you’ll be in rural areas or near stray animals. Talk to a travel clinic early.
- Foreigners can drive with an International Driving Permit, but honestly, don’t. Roads are rough, traffic laws are flexible at best, and carjackings are a real threat, especially on routes from Jordan and Kuwait into Baghdad. If you must travel by road, hire a driver who knows the area and has a trusted security setup.
- Dress modestly, no matter your gender. Women should cover their arms and legs and carry a scarf in case they need to cover their hair. Men should skip shorts. The more you blend in, the less attention you’ll get. In religious areas, modesty isn’t optional—it’s a safety measure.
- Iraq is one of the hottest countries on Earth during summer. Temps can soar past 120°F (49°C), and climate change is only making it worse. Drought, water shortages, and unbearable heat waves are common. Travel in spring or fall if you can, and hydrate like your life depends on it—because it kind of does.
- Electricity is unreliable—expect frequent blackouts, especially in summer. Fire safety standards are poor, and many hotels lack alarms or extinguishers. Cell service works better in the north than in the south. ATMs don’t always work, and card payments are rare. Basically, assume you’re off-grid and pack accordingly.
- Air quality is a real problem, especially in the summer. Sand and dust storms can roll in without warning and choke the skies for days. Bring a high-quality mask if you have asthma or other respiratory issues. Even healthy travelers can feel the impact after a few days of heavy exposure.
- Don’t assume cars will stop for you—because they won’t. Pedestrian infrastructure is minimal, and traffic is fast and chaotic. Jaywalking in Iraqi cities is a gamble with your life. Use crosswalks when you can find them, and always look both ways twice before even thinking about stepping into the street.
- Iraq is not a safe destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Same-sex relationships aren’t explicitly illegal nationwide, but there are no protections either. Harassment, arrest, or violence are real risks (even by law enforcement). Social attitudes are deeply conservative, and being openly queer in public (or online) can make you a target.
So... How Safe Is Iraq Really?
Across the board, governments of the United States, Canada, and Australia rank Iraq as Level 4: Do Not Travel.
The United Kingdom lists most of the country as a place to avoid, but lowers the threshold a bit for parts of the Kurdistan region.
Keep in mind, even with the leniency there, it’s still listed as “Avoid All But Essential Travel.”
It’s also worth reminding you that ISIS stands for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
The very terrorists who want to attack Americans and other Westerns call Iraq home.
At the same time, there’s an effort to increase tourism there despite terrorism concerns.
The Arab Tourism Organization named Baghdad the Arab Capital of Tourism 2025.
“Thanks to the sacrifices of its people, Iraq has reclaimed its rightful position as an influential nation, attracting tourists from around the world to experience its rich civilizations,” said Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani in spring 2025.
Iraq still sees millions of visitors each year, mostly Arab pilgrims traveling to Shiite holy sites in Najaf and Karbala.
But that doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone.
The reality is that Iraq isn’t geared for casual Western tourism.
I highly recommend reading your home country’s travel advisory for Iraq before even thinking of this trip again.
How Does Iraq Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Iraq | 14 |
| Djibouti | 38 |
| Croatia | 83 |
| Mexico | 65 |
| France | 64 |
| Puerto Rico | 34 |
| Somalia | 16 |
| United Kingdom | 77 |
| Peru | 50 |
Useful Information
Visas
Iraq isn’t a walk-up-and-go place. You’ll need a visa, and it’s not always a quick process. Some nationalities can apply online for tourist e-visas (mostly for the Kurdistan Region), but for central/southern Iraq, expect embassy paperwork or a sponsor. Always double-check requirements—they change, and not every border crossing plays by the same rules.
Currency
The Iraqi dinar (IQD) is the currency, and cash is still king in most places. ATMs can be unreliable outside major cities, and card payments are rare. Bring crisp U.S. dollars if you can, especially for exchanges. Don’t expect to use Apple Pay or tap-to-pay anything—you’re on old-school terms here.
Weather
This is another country with extreme weather patterns. Summers are brutal, especially in Baghdad and the south, with temps easily pushing 115°F (46°C). Winters can be mild, but northern Iraq sees snow. Spring and fall are your best bets—warm, dry, and tolerable. Sandstorms happen, especially in desert areas, so pack for dust just in case.
Airports
Baghdad International is the main hub, but Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports are far easier for travelers—modern, safer, and better organized. Flights from nearby hubs like Istanbul or Doha are common. Internal flights are possible but not always reliable.
Travel Insurance
Don’t even think about skipping this. Most regular policies won’t cover Iraq by default, so you’ll need a high-risk or specialty provider. Make sure it covers medical evac, delays, and political unrest. Double-check that your coverage will work even with a Do Not Travel warning from other governments.
Iraq Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
15 | 18 | 23 | 30 | 38 | 43 | 45 | 44 | 40 | 32 | 22 | 16 |
| Low °C |
4 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 17 | 10 | 5 |
| High °F |
59 | 64 | 73 | 86 | 100 | 109 | 113 | 111 | 104 | 90 | 72 | 61 |
| Low °F |
39 | 43 | 50 | 59 | 70 | 79 | 84 | 82 | 75 | 63 | 50 | 41 |
Iraq - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Baghdad | 43 |
| Basra | 51 |
| Kirkuk | 47 |
| Najaf | 49 |
| Sulaymaniyah | 68 |
it’s amazing
I went to Iraq this summer with my mom, my two sisters, and me. it was perfectly fine. there was not one moment where I felt unsafe.
I was in the Baghdad area. everyone was living normally. it was beautiful. it makes me sad to see that my home country is always thought of as very unsafe when it’s legit perfectly good.
Why are you lying to yourself and others?
Thank you
Thank you for sharing. It is always different in real life than presented to us by media and website. Your country is beautiful.
UK government continues to advise against all travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
I’d advise against to parts of the U.K like Luton but each to their own
Don’t go
there’s literally a war there, you are dumb if you choose to go and you’re just asking to get killed
(Ob)liberated by the USA
This is what happens to countries who have been “freed” by the USA. Destroyed, raped and robbed for all eternity. Afghanistan and Libya are another fine example of “liberation”.
thanks
Finally someone realized the key of the middle east problems.
Read a Book
Sure, none of that has anything to do with the vast influx of foreign fighters and terror organizations who came to the country after the IS occupation. Note did the LONG RUNNING Iraqi civil issues cause the decay. And I guess the corruption which has infected Iraq for generations also had nothing to do with the country’s problems. It was ALL the US…”robbing and raping.” Read a book.
Read a Book
This is ridiculous. While the US occupation certainly brought strife to the country, the majority of the “raping and robbing and destruction” was caused by foreign fighters and terror groups, Iraqis fighting other Iraqis (the Shia/Sunni conflict had been going in for 1400 years) and the corruption that has plagued the country for generations. Read a book and stop regurgitating ridiculous talking points.
forign fighters haha it was everyone. Many soliders in my army platoon got our bicks wet plenty of times especially private contractors if you think americans aint getting theirs your sadly delusional.
traveller.
I have visited Iraq as a British woman on several occasions, I have never felt unsafe in Iraq.
Iraq is safe.
Iraq is safe what do you mean
Nah you are when you don’t travel there
Cool
Iraq looks beautiful Because I like Mosques And The Sulaymaniyah Area Is cool My most Liked Thing Is Baghdad In Baghdad you sede domes an its A cool Area I Think Iraq Is Better than Iran But I guess Yemen Is cooler
A Great Place to Visit
I have been on holy Pilgrimages in Iran as well as Iraq and Iran was definitely cleaner. Both places are peaceful and I walked on the street and ate the food and enjoyed the culture. The people are so friendly and welcoming. I would visit again, anytime.
No
Cool
I think Iraq Is better Than Lebanon To My Opinion But I think Both Of them are cool Sometimes I Like It Or not like It These are my favorite Countries: Yemen Iran Iraq Lebanon Pakistan Austria Iceland France And Russia are my Favorites
Iraq is safe for tourists you can see YouTubers videos when they visited it
You got the wrong message
No it’s not. Just because people have enjoyed their trips, doesn’t mean it’s safe. Iraq is a warzone, and I don’t have to have been there to know that.
is sad
is you are wrong and correct but youtubers can not go there
Iraq was great! No problems at all in fact, i found a decent little BBQ joint in central Baghdad, best spare ribs Ive had outside of St. Louis with a full bar and wet T Shirt concerts on Thursdays. I forget the name of the place because it was written in farsi, but wow what a trip!
Superficial opinion
Your though and opinion is dumb and very superficial!!!
Damn I hate Americans
Xavier it is obvious you just saw Google pictures of explosions from 2003 because you even said “and I don’t even have to be there to know that” get a brain for god sake
Yes just because it is a war zone, doesn’t mean you can’t feel safe, when I was still in iraq during the bombings, some people didn’t even bother going to bunkers and just decided to sleep through it and I did that too and I’m safe. Like I’ve visited Iraq multiple times and if you have common sense, travel with friends you’ll most likely be fine
Dont Judge
You never been there right? Don’t judge them by what you read on the social media.
Terrible message.
Uh no, those youtubers most definitely had protection, and absolutely knew what they were doing. Just because some youtuber goes does not mean tourists will be safe.
It’s a warzone, that should tell you a lot.
warning: do not travel to iraq because of terror. also because of warzones in the deserts ever since united states of america invaded baghad and deserts of iraq
I can't wait to go back!
I visited a family member in Erbil last year. The scariest part of the trip was trying to get lunch in Chicago before I got to the airport. Erbil is a very safe city at any hour, with a very low crime rate. Compare their murder rate with any major American city and many small towns! There are many beautiful places to see and friendly people everywhere.
There is a reason Irbil felt safe
You’re review is a bit misleading. Irbil is in a much different part of the country. While officially part of Iraq, I certainly wouldn’t consider the Kurdish areas reflective of the the rest of Iraq.
On the contrary, northern Iraq is safer even than America and some European countries
Iraq is definitely not a safe country. you don’t know what might happen when you’re outside from sexual harassment, assaulting, robbing, bombing, kidnapping..etc. No freedom No safety.
‘Some places safe, some places not. Don’t generalise
You’ve obviously never been there if you think that everything in Iraq looks like living in a Call of Duty game. People move on from war, live their lives, have shops, visits bakeries ect. Plus it has a few safe cities, especially in the North and some in the middle like Karbala that are safer than many cities in America. Not a war zone, just a recovering country. In Karbala there are lots of stops at the busy places in the street for women and men to get a quick body check to make sure that there is not a terrorist in disguise who carries weapons. There is police and army driving around for public safety in busy areas. It is not a crazy out of controlled war zone where people are just shooting and bombing each other behind building. Just people in markets trying to sell stuff, visit a mosque / shrine or go to their jobs. At summer, mostly people who have to go somewhere (jobs) at daytime are out and the rest sleep (because it is so hot and can get over 50 degrees celcius). At night, people go to the market, and you’ve got merchants demonstrating some toys or spray perfume through a big ventilator so the perfume wafts through the streets. Not the safest place in the world but definitely not what you describe. Stranger men and women don’t touch eachother or sit to close to eachother, only with their own husbands and wives. Plenty of Westerners visit India, where many Westener women ACTUALLY face a lot of sexual harassment and I’ve read so many horror stories about that. Before anyone comments here, make sure that you have actually been to Iraq cities, instead of seeing some war pictures on Google or those from the army fighting isis, and saying ‘Iraq is (inserted negative adjectives about danger) and I don’t need to have been there to know that!!” It is a big country and it’s safety levels differ greatly in different places.
e
I’m confused how this is the 5th most dangerous country on the website but it has 1 safe city?
It actually has about 4-5
Not safe
Hello I don’t want to go here anymore, it’s a season of a big war.
Kurdistan Iraq is rather safe. This report ignores that region!
A very slanted and conjectural report. Sure, Baghdad and most of (Arab-speaking) Iraq to the south is very unsafe indeed.
But to the north, in Iraqi Kurdistan, which includes such cities of Duhok, Zakho and Erbil, it is pretty safe with many natural wonders and vistas that are visited by many Kurds and Assyrians living abroad. Last time I checked, they all came back in one piece. Some even go there and live for a few years. Sure, these areas are still not the safest in the world, but are still fairly safe for WORLD STANDARDS!
Such a shame that your report or review on Iraq was purely based on its Arab-populated, defunct, dangerous cities like Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk and Basra.
Either revise this report (where you include Duhok) or just make one solely for Iraqi Kurdistan. I’d personally give that region 55-60 out of 100.
Best country
Iraq isn’t the world safest country. But it is pretty safe. It is safer than most cities actually. Please don’t let the media fool you. Remember, this country just stopped being in war. It is still recovering from the war with america (which Iraq won) anyway yes there will be explosions once every 6 months or so but they aren’t something to worry about. Iraq is still safe and everyone who denies that Iraq is safe should visit it themselves
5
I just came back from a month in Iraq (November 2021) and I didn’t feel unsafe at all anywhere! I’m a you tuber and solo female traveller , I travelled around by shared taxi and I even took the train to Basra, I went to many places alone even Mosul and everyone was so kind and hospitable to me ! I had no problems at all and I met quite a few westerners on my trip ! Absolutely not what the media makes it out to be … I went to the Kurdistan region which is extremely safe …
I assume all those making negative comments here have actually been for themselves and not just listening to what you hear on government websites or the media
Kurdistan is very safe
As overlanders and full time travelers, we’ve been in the kurdish region weeks ago for one month and never ever felt unsafe. Erbil and Sulaimanyia are very safe too and are a great joy to visit. The rest is beautiful and there are dozens of checkpoints, which lead you the right way, once, your way to much off the beaten track.
That said, Kurdistan is perfect for travel.
We’re now at the Basra border, entering the arabic Iraq tomorrot and will see, how safe or unsafe it really is.
A beautiful country, unblemished by tourism
I am an American in Baghdad with my family (staying with my family who is, albeit, Iraqi) and it has been nothing but lovely! Outrageously extravagant malls, restaurants, and foods, contrasted with the effervescent markets and vibrant city life, makes for an amazing and unique trip!
People are generally kind and hardworking. The biggest negative is the traffic and absence of traffic laws, but that is a somewhat minor inconvenience. And people also look at you kinda funny when you speak loudly in English, but the biggest risk seems to be being overcharged by the local vendors (which is to be expected, and common in most places, not just Iraq).
It is genuine, and special, and stands out against countries like the UAE, Qatar, and to a lesser extent, Kuwait, which has become one big shopping center, with fewer and fewer Arabic speakers and locals. A gem in the rough.
Sad
I feel bad for the overseas workers in my country (PH) who chose to go here for a job and became a victim of trafficking instead
For those interested in Iraq
Iraq is not a safe place to visit, but with a lot of care, research, and trusted friends, Iraq can be a very interesting place to visit.
Don’t go to the wrong places or talk to the wrong people. And if you are up to date and prepared, you can go there!
Safer than Iceland if you take precautions
Iraq is such a beautiful place. It’s fun, crazy, and overall worth it. Stay away from war zones and sketchy areas, because that’s a death sentence for you. Women travelers also have to take serious precautions, because It can result in rape or sexual assault. If you stay safe and be careful of your surroundings, some people find it safer than Iceland in some cases. If you have a family member that is currently in Iraq, it’s way better. I have no family members in Iraq, but I do have an Iraqi friend that lives there. She was very kind and helped us. If you hear gunshots or bombs, please don’t panic and calmly go to a safe place such as a hotel or a house. I had this once and my friend welcomed us in her home. Gotta say, the food there is phenomenal. GO TO IRAQ