Bagdad

Baghdad is the capital and largest city of Iraq, set on the banks of the Tigris River in the country's central region. It is a city that visitors come to for its long historical role rather than for any single landmark, and its story reaches back to the period often called the Islamic Golden Age, when it was a centre of learning and culture.

What the city offers

• The Tigris riverfront, where the river shapes the city's life and gives a sense of its geography.
• Its place in history, since Baghdad was the centre of the Islamic Golden Age, a link that runs through much of what visitors come to explore.
• The city as a whole, as the capital and largest city of Iraq, which makes it the main gateway to the country's public and cultural life.

Planning a visit

Baghdad suits travellers interested in history, urban life and the cultural background of the wider region. Because it is a large capital city, a visit is best approached as an exploration of neighbourhoods and river views rather than a single day of sightseeing. Anyone planning a trip should check the current travel advice for Iraq before going, as conditions there can change.