Iraq: What to Know Before You Go

Cuisine Highlights

• Masgouf, the Iraqi national dish; a large carp split and grilled on riverside stakes for hours over an open fire; best eaten on the banks of the Tigris in Baghdad
• Tashreeb, a comfort dish of slow-braised lamb with a thick tomato-based stew poured over toasted bread; deeply warming and ubiquitous across Iraq
• Dolma, stuffed vine leaves, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant with spiced lamb and rice; Iraqi dolma uses a tamarind and tomato sauce for a sweet-sour flavor
• Dates, Iraq has 30 million date palms; Medjool and Barhi dates from the south are world-class; date syrup (dibs) is used like honey

Traditions & Festivals

• Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, the dominant religious celebrations; markets burst with preparations and families travel to reunite
• Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the world's largest annual human gatherings; millions walk from Najaf to Karbala to commemorate Imam Hussein's martyrdom
• Mesopotamia heritage, Iraq is the cradle of civilization; ancient sites like Ur, Babylon, and Nineveh are central to Iraqi cultural identity

Language & Communication

Arabic and Kurdish are both official languages. English is spoken in Erbil (Kurdistan Region) and increasingly in Baghdad's business sectors.

Key Arabic phrase: "Marhaba" (مرحبا) means hello; "Shukran" (شكرا) means thank you. The Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq is significantly more stable and welcoming to tourists than other parts of the country.

Consult current travel advisories, security conditions vary greatly by region.

Cultural Etiquette

• Iraq is a Muslim-majority country, dress modestly in public; women should cover shoulders and knees; more conservative dress is expected outside major cities
• Hospitality is absolute, Iraqis will insist on paying for guests; accept with grace and reciprocate when you can
• The sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia communities is complex, avoid expressing opinions on this topic as an outsider
• Photography near military checkpoints, government buildings, and religious sites requires explicit permission