Embarking on a journey to Iraq with your family is undoubtedly a bold and enriching adventure. As intrepid travellers and parents, it’s natural to approach this unique destination with a mix of excitement and caution.
Iraq, a land steeped in history and culture, offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking to explore ancient civilizations, from the majestic ruins of Babylon to the bustling markets of Baghdad.
We are still working on this section of our Middle East website as we have had very few of our friends or readers visit Iraq.
We will be differentiating between Federal Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan; the latter has been open for tourism for a longer period of time, and entry requirements differ between the two with a border crossing.
Important Facts Republic of Iraq
| Official Name | Republic of Iraq |
| Capital | Baghdad |
| Currency | Iraqi Dinar (IQD) | 1IQD=0.00076 |
| Language | Iraqi Arabic |
| Religion | Shia 51% and Sunni 42% + Minorities |
| Leadership | President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia'Al Sudani |
| Important Dates | July 14 Republic Day Muslim holidays of Eid, Islamic New Year Dec 10 Victory Day |
| Climate | Arid desert and semi-arid |
| Electrics | 230V Type C, D & G |
| Visas | Visit visa and VOA |
| Safety | Varies by region - see travel advisories |
Important Facts Iraqi Kurdistan/Northern Iraq
| Official Name | Iraqi Kurdistan (Southern Kurdistan) |
| Capital | Erbil (Hawler) |
| Currency | Iraqi Dinar (IQD) | 1IQD=0.00076 |
| Language | Kurdish dialects + Arabic |
| Religion | Sunni Majority |
| Leadership | Kurdistan Regional Government |
| Important Dates | April 9 - Liberation Day July 14 - Republic Day Oct 3 - Independence Day Muslim religious holidays |
| Climate | Mediterranean |
| Electrics | 230V Type C, D & G |
| Visas | Visit visa and VOA |
| Safety | Varies - see travel advisories |
Current Safety Warnings For Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan
Presently, major overseas governments have Do Not Travel advisories in place for Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan. This situation could change, so please see current government advisories from:
Iraq Visa Information
With careful planning, awareness of local customs, and a spirit of adventure, a trip to Iraq can be a profoundly educational and memorable experience for your family, opening up a world of ancient history and vibrant culture to explore together.
As the situation for travelling to Iraq improves, we will bring more updates to this page.
Further Iraq Travel Resources
Please note that we have no articles specifically about taking children to The Republic of Iraq or Iraqi Kurdistan at this point. As tourism is slowly opening up to various regions in Iraq, we are updating the information contained in this section and directing you to appropriate planning resources though none of our writing team or blogger community has visited Iraq WITH children.
Want to be our first contributor to this section? We’d love to have you join our team of writers and photographers to add your personal perspectives – apply here
If you would still like to learn more about Iraq, or possibly visit as a solo tourist, we have found these interesting resources that you should check out:
- [LISTEN] Travel to Kurdistan – Podcast with Amateur Traveler
- [READ] Iraq Travel Guide in 2024: Everything you need to know before traveling to Iraq – a really comprehensive guide taking you through both south Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan from The Globetrotting Detective
- [READ] Everything you want to know before visiting Iraq – a guide through southern Iraq with Unusual Traveller from 2019
- [BUY] Brandt Travel Guide to Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan (updated 2022)
- [BUY] A Brief Guide to Iraqi Kurdistan (published 2022)
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