When is the best time to visit Iraq?

The best time to visit depends on where you go. Baghdad: March & November; Basra: February & March; Erbil: April & March; Karbala: March & November; Mosul: April & November.

Which month is best overall in Iraq?

Averaged across our 5 destinations in Iraq, the strongest months are March, April, February. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.

Which cities in Iraq does bestime.to cover?

We currently score 5 destinations in Iraq: Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Karbala, Mosul.

How are the Iraq travel scores calculated?

Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Best Time to Visit Iraq: Weather by Month

01 · Iraq

About Iraq

Iraq covers the broad Mesopotamian plain between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, with marshlands in the south and rugged Kurdish mountains in the north. Baghdad, Basra and the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala carry deep history, while Erbil and the northern valleys feel greener and cooler. Spring and autumn are the gentlest seasons for travel; summer is extremely hot across the plains, and winter brings rain in the center and snow to the mountains.

Did you know?

Iraq is home to Mesopotamia, the land between the rivers, where writing and the first cities appeared.
Babylon, Ur and the southern marshes are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Kurdish north holds mountain scenery and the citadel of Erbil.

Weather

Iraq: weather by month

Warmest month: August (39°C). Wettest: March (41 mm). Best overall score: March (9.5/10).

Month	Avg temp	Rain	Sunny days	Score
January	10°C	26 mm	6	7.7/10
February	12°C	15 mm	13	8.7/10
March	17°C	41 mm	21	9.5/10
April	24°C	26 mm	29	8.9/10
May	29°C	18 mm	31	6.8/10
June	36°C	1 mm	30	5.8/10
July	38°C	0 mm	31	5.8/10
August	39°C	0 mm	31	5.8/10
September	34°C	0 mm	27	5.8/10
October	27°C	0 mm	16	6.6/10
November	18°C	40 mm	7	8.4/10
December	13°C	24 mm	4	8.0/10

Travel Tips

01Best time & timing: The strongest months are March, April, February: March peaks at 9.5/10, while September drops to 5.8/10.
02Weather & what to pack: 17°C and 41 mm of rain shape a typical March here. Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening.
03Crowds & value: Book early for March, the busiest stretch; April is the value window at 8.9/10.

Things to do in Iraq

Iraq. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

FAQ

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Iraq?: The best time to visit depends on where you go. Baghdad: March & November; Basra: February & March; Erbil: April & March; Karbala: March & November; Mosul: April & November.
Which month is best overall in Iraq?: Averaged across our 5 destinations in Iraq, the strongest months are March, April, February. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.
Which cities in Iraq does bestime.to cover?: We currently score 5 destinations in Iraq: Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Karbala, Mosul.
How are the Iraq travel scores calculated?: Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

Curated in Iraq