Baghdad, Iraq's capital on the Tigris River, blends nearly 1,300 years of Mesopotamian and Islamic history with a still-difficult current security environment; travel here in 2026 requires real preparation and current advisory awareness.
Baghdad sits on a flat alluvial plain with a hot desert climate (Koppen BWh). Summers (June-September) are extremely hot and almost rainless, with highs regularly reaching 43-47C (109-117F). Winters (December-February) are mild by comparison, with highs around 15-17C (59-63F) and occasional cool nights near freezing. Nearly all of the year's modest rainfall (about 164mm/6.5in annually) falls between November and April; summer is essentially rain-free. Dust storms can occur, especially in spring.
Best time to visit
Best: November
Avoid: June through September, when daytime highs regularly exceed 43C (109F) and outdoor sightseeing during the day is genuinely dangerous
Peak Season: There is no conventional tourist peak season in Baghdad; visitor flow is driven far more by security conditions than by weather
Notes: Regardless of season, current safety advisories (US State Department Level 4 Do Not Travel; UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel) should weigh more heavily on trip timing than climate.
Summary: November through March, for mild daytime temperatures and the lowest heat risk
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
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February
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March
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April
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May
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June
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July
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August
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September
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October
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November
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December
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The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Winter (December-February)
Mild days, cool nights, the most comfortable and wettest season; the best time for walking tours and day trips
Spring (March-May)
Warming quickly from pleasant to hot; occasional dust storms; still a good window before peak heat
Summer (June-September)
Extreme heat (regularly 43-47C/109-117F), essentially no rain; outdoor activity should be limited to early morning or evening
Autumn (October-November)
Cooling from hot to mild; a good second window for comfortable sightseeing
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Overview
- Baghdad does not have a foreign-tourist crowd pattern in the way leisure destinations do; 'crowded' periods are driven by religious pilgrimage timing (especially Arbaeen) and local weekend/holiday patterns (Fridays, and Iraqi public holidays) at parks and markets rather than by international visitor volume.
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.