What is the best time to visit Iraq?

Best Time to Visit Iraq

The best time to travel to Iraq is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).

Spring in Iraq

Spring is a great time to visit Iraq as the weather is warm and pleasant. During this season, the country is filled with blooming flowers and lush greenery. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Iraq and take part in the many cultural festivals that take place during this time. The temperatures range from mild to hot, with the average temperature being around 25°C. Visitors can also experience the unique phenomenon of the burning of the marshes, which occurs during the spring in Iraq.

Autumn in Iraq

Autumn is another great time to visit Iraq. The temperatures during this season are mild and pleasant, ranging from 17°C to 30°C. This season is the perfect time to explore the country’s many attractions, such as the ancient cities of Babylon and Ur. Visitors can also experience the unique cultural festivals that take place during this time. The autumn season is also the best time for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Iraq

Iraq in January

Weather

January in Iraq is typically cold and dry. Temperatures range from lows of around 8°C (46°F) to highs of around 16°C (60°F). Rainfall is minimal, with an average of around 2 mm (0.08 in) of precipitation.

Events

• Ashura: This Shia Muslim festival commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. It is usually observed on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
• Iraqi National Day: This day celebrates the anniversary of Iraq’s independence from Britain in 1932. It is marked with parades, fireworks, and other festivities.
• New Year’s Day: This is a public holiday celebrated on the first day of the year. It is marked with fireworks, parties, and other festivities.
• Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: This is a public holiday celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. It is marked with special prayers and other festivities.
• International Women’s Day: This is a global day of celebration for women’s rights and achievements. It is marked with rallies, marches, and other events.

Iraq in January

Weather

January in Iraq is typically cold and dry. Temperatures usually range from lows of 4-6°C (39-43°F) to highs of 13-15°C (55-59°F). Rainfall is rare, with an average of only 0-2 days of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The first day of January is a national holiday in Iraq, celebrated as New Year’s Day.
• The Arbaeen pilgrimage, a Shia Muslim religious observance, takes place in January. This event involves millions of people walking to the holy city of Karbala to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
• The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra performs a series of concerts in Baghdad throughout the month.
• The Iraqi International Film Festival takes place in January, showcasing films from around the world.
• The Iraqi International Book Fair is held in January, with publishers from all over the world participating.

Iraq in March

Weather

March in Iraq is generally warm and dry. Temperatures range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit (12-24°C). The northern part of the country sees more rain than the south, with some areas receiving up to 2 inches of rain.

Events

• The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra holds its annual concert in Baghdad on March 8th to celebrate International Women’s Day.
• The Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad hosts an annual festival in March to celebrate the country’s cultural heritage.
• The city of Basra celebrates its annual Basra International Fair in March, featuring traditional music, dance, and food.
• The city of Erbil hosts an annual festival in March to celebrate the Kurdish New Year.
• The city of Sulaymaniyah celebrates its annual Sulaymaniyah Festival in March with traditional music, dance, and food.

Iraq in April

Weather

April in Iraq is warm with temperatures ranging from 18-35 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is common during this month, with an average of 10-20 mm of rain.

Events

• April 9th marks the anniversary of the 2003 fall of Baghdad, which marked the end of Saddam Hussein’s regime.
• April 10th is a national holiday in Iraq, celebrating the anniversary of the 1958 coup d’état.
• April 13th is a national holiday in Iraq, celebrating the anniversary of the 1921 Iraqi revolt against the British.
• April 15th is a national holiday in Iraq, celebrating the anniversary of the establishment of the Iraqi Republic in 1958.
• April 17th marks the anniversary of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.

Iraq in May

Weather

May is the hottest month of the year in Iraq, with temperatures reaching up to 40°C (104°F) in the southern and central regions and up to 33°C (91°F) in the northern region. The humidity is high and there is very little rainfall.

Events

• May 1 is Labor Day in Iraq, when the country celebrates the achievements of its workers.
• May 9 is Victory Day in Iraq, which commemorates the end of the Iran-Iraq War in 1988.
• May 28 is the anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Iraq in 1958.
• May is the month of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
• May is also the month of the Arba’een pilgrimage, when millions of Shia Muslims make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala.

Iraq in June

Weather

June in Iraq is characterized by hot and dry weather, with temperatures ranging from the low 20s to the mid-40s Celsius. The humidity is low and the skies are mostly clear.

Events

• The Iraqi National Festival of Music and Dance is held in June each year, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage.
• June is a popular month for religious pilgrimages in Iraq, with many Shia Muslims visiting the holy city of Karbala.
• June is a popular time for outdoor activities in Iraq, with many people taking advantage of the warm weather to enjoy camping, hiking, and other activities.
• The Iraqi National Day, a public holiday, is celebrated on June 3rd each year.
• The Iraqi National Football Team competes in the World Cup qualifiers during June.

Iraq in July

Weather

July is Iraq’s hottest month. Temperatures average around 40°C (104°F) in the southern and central regions and around 33°C (91°F) in the northern regions. Rainfall is minimal, with only around 5-7 days of precipitation.

Events

• July 1st marks the anniversary of the 1958 Revolution in Iraq.
• July 3rd marks the anniversary of the 1958 coup that overthrew the monarchy in Iraq.
• July 14th marks the anniversary of the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq.
• July 16th is a national holiday in Iraq, marking the anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Iraq in 1958.
• July 25th marks the anniversary of the 1991 uprising against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq.

Iraq in August

Weather

August in Iraq is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from an average high of 43°C (109°F) to an average low of 28°C (82°F). Rainfall is rare, with an average of 0.4 inches (10 mm) of precipitation throughout the month.

Events

• The Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha is celebrated in August, marking the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
• The Arbaeen pilgrimage is held in August, with millions of Shia Muslims visiting the city of Karbala to commemorate Imam Hussein’s death.
• August marks the start of the Iraqi school year, with students returning to classes after the summer break.
• The city of Basra hosts the Basra International Festival of Arts and Culture in August, with performances, art exhibitions, and workshops.
• The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra performs in Baghdad in August, showcasing classical and traditional music from Iraq and the Middle East.

Iraq in September

Weather

September in Iraq is generally hot and dry with temperatures reaching an average high of 38°C (100°F) and an average low of 24°C (75°F).

Events

• The Iraqi National Day is celebrated on September 3rd and commemorates the establishment of the Republic of Iraq in 1958.
• The Islamic New Year is celebrated on September 11th and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
• The Arbaeen Pilgrimage is a major Shia Muslim pilgrimage that takes place in Iraq in September.
• The Iraqi National Football Team plays several international matches throughout the month of September.
• The Iraqi International Film Festival is held in September and showcases the best of Iraqi film and television.

Iraq in October

Weather

October in Iraq is typically warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. Rain is rare, and the skies are generally clear.

Events

• October 1 is the anniversary of Iraq’s independence from Britain in 1932.
• October 8 is the anniversary of the start of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980.
• October 25 is the anniversary of the start of the Gulf War in 1990.
• October 31 is Halloween, celebrated by many in Iraq with costumes, decorations, and parties.
• October is also the month of the Arba’een pilgrimage, a Shia Muslim religious observance that draws millions of pilgrims to the city of Karbala.

Iraq in November

Weather

November in Iraq is a warm month, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 10°C (50°F) to an average high of 24°C (75°F). Rainfall is minimal, with an average of just 0.5 inches (13 mm).

Events

• Ashura: Ashura is a religious holiday celebrated by Shia Muslims in Iraq. It marks the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, and is celebrated with processions and mourning ceremonies.
• Iraqi National Day: Celebrated on November 3rd, Iraqi National Day is a holiday that marks the anniversary of the Iraqi Revolution of 1958, which overthrew the monarchy and established the Republic of Iraq.
• Basra International Book Fair: Held in Basra, the Basra International Book Fair is an annual event that takes place in November. It features book exhibitions, seminars, and workshops.
• International Conference on Water Resources: This annual conference is held in Baghdad and focuses on water resources management and development in Iraq.
• International Conference on Renewable Energy: This annual conference is held in Baghdad and focuses on renewable energy and its potential applications in Iraq.

Iraq in December

Weather

December in Iraq is a mild month with temperatures ranging from an average high of 16°C (60°F) to an average low of 5°C (41°F). Precipitation is low, with an average of 12mm (0.5in) of rainfall over the course of the month.

Events

• Ashura, a Shia Muslim religious observance, is held on the 10th of December. It marks the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
• The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra performs a special concert on the 15th of December to commemorate the founding of the orchestra in 1959.
• The Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad hosts an annual exhibition of traditional Iraqi crafts and artworks from December 20th to December 31st.
• The Iraqi National Library and Archive holds a book fair from December 25th to December 31st, featuring books from all over the world.
• The Iraqi capital of Baghdad hosts a special Christmas celebration on December 25th, with live music, food, and fireworks.