Best time to visit Iraq
The best months to visit Iraq are in spring and autumn, away from the sweltering heat and the winter chills.![]()
Late May to early September are very hot and dry in Iraq, with temperatures well above 40°C. At this time, your best escape route is the slightly cooler mountains in the north and east. November to February are cool with rain and some snowfall, especially in the Iraqi Kurdistan mountains. Autumn and the spring, then, are the best time to visit Iraq. Late September to October offer perfect temperatures for sightseeing, while March, April and early May bring the added bonus of wildflowers and the March celebration of Nowruz, the spring equinox and Persian New Year, when parties and mountain picnics are held throughout the region.
Iraq Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
3
13
55
FEB
5
16
57
MAR
8
21
64
APR
13
26
54
MAY
18
34
20
JUN
23
40
0
JUL
26
43
0
AUG
25
42
0
SEP
21
39
0
OCT
15
31
12
NOV
8
22
34
DEC
5
15
55
Iraq travel advice
Jim O’Brien, from our expert partner Native Eye, shares his top Iraqi travel tips:
Iraqi Kurdistan highlights
“Kurdistan has incredible mountain scenery, some fascinating sites, and a rich history. As well as this you can expect to meet friendly and hospitable people who are keen to welcome visitors to their homeland. It’s very much off the tourist trail and you can expect authentic local experiences, with nothing contrived for tourism. Erbil citadel is one of the most impressive examples of a fortified city that you might see, but for most of our travellers it’s as much about the people they meet as the sites that they visit.”
Why take an organised tour
“It’s possible to travel independently in Iraq but not as easy as it is in many other countries. Costs can be extremely high for some services, for example, and a lack of general information and tourist infrastructure can also hamper individual travel at times.”
Why take an organised tour
Aled Evans, from our partner Undiscovered destinations:“It would be possible to travel independently but the costs would be large and it would take time to research a safe trip. In regions like this, it is always best to travel with a respected and established operator. Like many other countries with an under developed tourism sector, the main challenges are logistical. Transport, accommodation and access to areas. Having good local knowledge is vital.”
Kurdistan holiday in Iraq
Amazing ancient sites of a hidden corner of the Middle East
From
£2999 to £3199
8 days
ex flights
Iraq small group tour, 7 days
7 day journey exploring Baghdad, Babylon & Karbala
From
€1895
7 days
ex flights
Iraq Kurdistan holiday
Iraqi Kurdistan is a fascinating place of sheer beauty
From
£2845
8 days
ex flights
Iraq tailor made holiday
7 day journey exploring Baghdad, Babylon & Karbala
From
€1895 to €2015
7 days
ex flights
Iran and Iraq small group tour
Travel two lands shaped by thousands of years of history
From
€3440
15 days
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Some tips from one of our travellers
“The visit to the battlefield of 331BC Gaugamela where Alexander the Great defeated Darius III was particularly good because of the excellent talk on the history and strategy employed. However the scenery in the mountains, the Kurdish people and the many historic and cultural site were all interesting and memorable. The more you have read about the area first the more I think you get from the trip. Be prepared to be flexible and enjoy it as it comes.” – Jenny Maddick, in a review of her Iraq Kurdistan holiday
More Iraq articles
Meet welcoming people and discover citadels, bazaars, and monasteries when you head north to Iraqi Kurdistan.
Iraq should be a big draw for adventurous travellers, thanks to its beautiful landscapes and its ancient cities and monuments.
