Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, a Tigris River city of about 8 million founded in 762 CE as the Abbasid Round City. This guide covers its museums, book street, shrines, riverside food and the advisory context every visitor must weigh first.
Accommodation overview
Baghdad's hotels cluster in four areas: the Green Zone (Mövenpick Al Zaytoon, Royal Tulip Al Rasheed), the Firdos Square/Karrada riverside (Ishtar, Palestine, Al-Fanar, Baghdad Hotel), Jadriyah (Babylon Rotana, university district) and the Al-Saadoun/Rusafa commercial streets for budget stays. Rates are quoted in US dollars and paid in dollars or dinars; international cards work only at the large hotels. Most properties run generators and screen vehicles at the gate.
- Budget
- 30,000-65,000 IQD ($23-50) per night
- Mid-range
- 90,000-180,000 IQD ($70-140) per night
- Luxury
- 220,000-420,000 IQD ($170-320) per night
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Dijlat Al-Khair Hotel
Three-star budget hotel on Al-Saadoun Street, one of the cheapest sensible central options.
Check rates on Booking.comSakar Hotel
Basic three-star hotel on Street 101 off Al-Saadoun Street, priced from about $27 a night.
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Ishtar Hotel
Former Ishtar Sheraton on Firdos Square, a tall riverside hotel beside the Palestine Hotel with rooms looking over the Tigris and the city centre.
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Landmark hotel on Firdos Square used by visiting press and delegations since the 1980s; central Rusafa location, short taxi to Mutanabbi Street.
Check rates on Booking.comAl-Fanar Hotel
Mid-range hotel a block from Firdos Square, used by business visitors for its central position and lower rates than the riverside towers.
Check rates on Booking.comBaghdad Hotel (Hotel Baghdad)
1950s modernist hotel on the Tigris near Abu Nawas Street, an early symbol of the capital's modernisation and a short walk from the masgouf restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comAl-Mansur Hotel
Large five-star-rated hotel on the west bank with banquet halls, popular with business travellers and delegations.
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Business hotel in the western Yarmouk district with conference rooms, favoured by contractors and delegations.
Check rates on Booking.comCoral Palace Hotel
Four-star hotel in Karrada close to the shopping and restaurant streets, rated 8.5 on Booking.com.
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Central hotel with restaurant and meeting room, rated 8.2 on Booking.com.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Taj Premium Hotel
Premium business hotel in Karrada listed at about $200 a night, with restaurant and event space.
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Mid-priced hotel in central Karrada, rated 7.9 on Booking.com.
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Four-star hotel on Airport Road, a practical first or last night for early flights, rated 9.0 on Booking.com.
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Sister property near the University of Baghdad campus on the Jadriyah peninsula.
Check rates on Booking.comBaghdad International Hotel
Tall hotel on Al-Saadoun Street in Rusafa with a central address near Tahrir Square and the old city.
Check rates on Booking.comShanasheel Palace Hotel
Four-star hotel on Al-Nidhal Street named for the ornate wooden shanasheel balconies of old Baghdad houses.
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Three-star hotel on Rusafi Street in the old east-bank commercial district.
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Four-star hotel rated 9.0 on Booking.com for cleanliness and value, from about $85 a night.
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Four-star hotel named for the ancient Sumerian city, rated 9.1 on Booking.com from about $65.
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Four-star hotel rated 9.4 on Booking.com for staff and rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comCarthage Suites Hotel
Four-star apartment-style suite hotel rated 9.1 on Booking.com.
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Four-star hotel on the Jadriyah peninsula rated 8.5 on Booking.com, near the university and riverside restaurants.
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Mid-range hotel offering suite rooms, rated 8.7 on Booking.com.
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Serviced-residence hotel scoring 9.8 on Booking.com, from about $150.
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Mid-range city hotel listed on Tripadvisor among the city's main properties.
Check rates on Booking.comQasr Al-Sadeer Hotel (Al-Sadeer Palace)
Mid-range Karrada hotel scoring 6.9 on Booking.com; best for its location.
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Hotel in the old city near Mutanabbi Street and the Qishla, the best base for walking the bookstreet.
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Hotel with its own restaurant, from about $170 a night.
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Hotel rated 8.3 on Booking.com, from about $97 a night.
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Apartment hotel in Al-Kadhimiya, useful for pilgrims and for visiting the shrine on foot.
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On-site airport hotel about 16 km from the city centre, about EUR 195 a night, for very early or late flights.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
Babylon Rotana Hotel
Five-star tower hotel in the Jadriyah district on the Tigris peninsula, with a pool, spa and several restaurants; one of the few international-brand business hotels outside the Green Zone.
Check rates on Booking.comMövenpick Hotel Al Zaytoon Baghdad
Five-star business hotel inside the International (Green) Zone with 197 rooms, 72 serviced apartments and event space; entry requires clearance arranged by the hotel.
Check rates on Booking.comRoyal Tulip Al Rasheed Hotel
Historic 1970s state hotel inside the Green Zone, re-run under the Royal Tulip brand; access depends on Green Zone entry rules, so confirm clearance before booking.
Check rates on Booking.comWorld Heart Hotel
Five-star hotel with a companion World Heart Residences building, rated 9.0 on Booking.com for service and rooms.
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Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Karrada and Firdos Square
Riverside and shopping district with the Ishtar and Palestine hotels, cafes, juice bars and Christian-run shops.
Best for: All travelers
Jadriyah
Tigris peninsula with the Babylon Rotana, university campuses and masgouf restaurants on Abu Nawas Street.
Best for: All travelers
Green Zone (Karkh)
Fortified international zone with the Mövenpick Al Zaytoon and Royal Tulip Al Rasheed; most secure but access-controlled.
Best for: All travelers
Al-Saadoun and Rusafa
Central east-bank streets with budget hotels such as Dijlat Al-Khair and Sakar, ten minutes from Mutanabbi Street.
Best for: All travelers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Babylon Rotana Hotel
Five-star tower hotel in the Jadriyah district on the Tigris peninsula, with a pool, spa and several restaurants; one of the few international-brand business hotels outside the Green Zone.
Check rates on Booking.comMövenpick Hotel Al Zaytoon Baghdad
Five-star business hotel inside the International (Green) Zone with 197 rooms, 72 serviced apartments and event space; entry requires clearance arranged by the hotel.
Check rates on Booking.comRoyal Tulip Al Rasheed Hotel
Historic 1970s state hotel inside the Green Zone, re-run under the Royal Tulip brand; access depends on Green Zone entry rules, so confirm clearance before booking.
Check rates on Booking.comIshtar Hotel
Former Ishtar Sheraton on Firdos Square, a tall riverside hotel beside the Palestine Hotel with rooms looking over the Tigris and the city centre.
Check rates on Booking.comPalestine Hotel
Landmark hotel on Firdos Square used by visiting press and delegations since the 1980s; central Rusafa location, short taxi to Mutanabbi Street.
Check rates on Booking.comAl-Fanar Hotel
Mid-range hotel a block from Firdos Square, used by business visitors for its central position and lower rates than the riverside towers.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book on Booking.com or Agoda for the large hotels and by phone or WhatsApp for budget places.
Ask the hotel to arrange airport pickup; the official airport taxi desk charges 40,000-45,000 IQD ($31-34).
Green Zone hotels need advance clearance; send passport details before arrival.
Prices roughly double around Arbaeen; book months ahead.
Confirm that generator power and hot water are included.
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.