Baghdad

A Playful Welcome

Welcome to Baghdad, where the Tigris River flows like a sleepy dragon, the minarets outnumber the traffic lights, and your taxi driver will probably know your aunt’s cousin’s dog’s name before you’ve finished saying “Al-Mansour.” Forget everything you think you know about this city. The only thing more resilient than its people? Their ability to serve you a perfectly spiced kebab while the world outside debates whether it’s safe to visit. Spoiler: It is. And you’re going to love it.

3 Fun Facts About Baghdad (Yes, Really!)

• Baghdad was once the world’s intellectual powerhouse. In the 8th century, it housed the House of Wisdom—basically the ancient world’s version of Wikipedia, Netflix, and Harvard Library all rolled into one. Scholars from all over the globe came here to translate texts, debate philosophy, and invent algebra. So yes, your high school math teacher owes Baghdad a thank-you note.

• It has more mosques than Starbucks. While Starbucks is still trying to open its first branch (probably waiting for Wi-Fi to stabilize), Baghdad boasts over 100 mosques, many dating back centuries. One of them, the Al-Kadhimiya Mosque, is so sacred that even the pigeons seem to bow when they fly over it.

• Baghdad invented the concept of “waiting in line”… as a national sport. Whether you’re buying falafel, fuel, or a new pair of slippers, you’ll witness queues that could rival a Black Friday sale at Amazon. Locals don’t just wait—they strategize. Bring snacks. Bring a book. Bring a friend. And maybe a small altar to the God of Patience.

Local Food You Must Try (Your Taste Buds Will Thank You)

• Kubba (Kibbeh): Think of it as the Iraqi version of a meat-stuffed dumpling… but better. Made from bulgur wheat and minced lamb, then fried or boiled, it’s served with mint yogurt and enough garlic to ward off vampires and bad vibes. Pro tip: Eat it with your hands. It’s not rude—it’s tradition.

• Masgouf: The national dish of Iraq, this grilled carp from the Tigris River is cooked over open flames for hours until the skin crackles like a campfire marshmallow. Served with rice, lemon, and onions, it’s basically the culinary equivalent of a warm hug from your grandpa.

• Baklava with Iraqi Flair: Forget the syrupy Greek version. Iraqi baklava is lighter, nuttier, and often sprinkled with rosewater and crushed pistachios. Pair it with a cup of strong, cardamom-laced Arabic coffee. You’ll feel like a sultan. (Or at least a very well-fed tourist.)

One-Day Itinerary: 24 Hours in Baghdad (Do This or Regret It)

8:00 AM – Breakfast at Al-Mutanabbi Street Book Market
Start your day among the dusty, dreamy stacks of ancient and modern Arabic texts. Grab a fresh simsimiya (sesame bread) and a glass of sweet tea from a street vendor. Bonus: Bargain for a first edition of a 19th-century poetry book. You won’t regret it. (Or you will. But only because you spent your entire budget on books.)

10:30 AM – The National Museum of Iraq
Yes, it’s been looted. Yes, it’s still breathtaking. See the Uruk Vase, the Warka Head, and the oldest known written laws (yes, Hammurabi’s code is here). The staff are proud, passionate, and will happily explain every artifact like you’re their long-lost nephew.

1:00 PM – Lunch at Al-Mansour Restaurant
Order the Masgouf. Order the Kubba. Order the hummus. Then order dessert. You’re on vacation. Your waistline will forgive you. And if they ask if you want “just one more bite,” say yes.

3:30 PM – Al-Mustansiriya University & Abbasid Palace Ruins
Walk through the ruins of the 13th-century university—once the world’s first institution of higher learning. Feel the weight of history. Or just take selfies with the pigeons. Both are valid.

6:00 PM – Sunset on the Tigris River
Grab a seat at a riverside café. Watch the sun paint the water gold. Sip on mint tea. Listen to the call to prayer echo over the water. This is the Baghdad you came for.

8:30 PM – Dinner at Al-Saadiyah Street
End your night with grilled lamb skewers, fresh flatbread, and a game of backgammon with a local who may or may not be your new best friend. If he offers you a cigarette, say yes. If he offers you his uncle’s car, say no.

Expectation vs. Reality (A Humorous Comparison)

Expectation	Reality
“Baghdad is all sand, bombs, and silence.”	“Baghdad is all noise, laughter, and the sound of a kebab vendor yelling ‘ONE MORE! ONE MORE!’”
“I’ll need a bulletproof vest.”	“I’ll need a bigger stomach and a better sense of humor.”
“No Wi-Fi. No water. No hope.”	“Wi-Fi? Strong. Water? Clean. Hope? Overflowing. Also, the guy at the gas station gave me free dates.”
“I’ll be too scared to leave my hotel.”	“I left my hotel. Then I got lost. Then I was invited to dinner. Then I cried over the hummus.”

The Local’s Cheat Sheet

• Transport: Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Agree on the fare before you get in (or just say “whatever” and trust them—they’ll charge you 5,000 IQD, not 50,000). For the brave: ride the metro. It’s clean, safe, and has the best people-watching on Earth.

• Etiquette: Always accept tea. Refusing is like refusing a hug from your grandma. Also, don’t point with your finger—use your whole hand. And never, ever touch someone’s head. It’s sacred. Even if they’re wearing a cool hat.

• Hidden Gems:

  • The Baghdad Zoo: Yes, it exists. And yes, it’s better than you think. The lions have names. The flamingos are Instagram stars.
  • The Baghdad Coffee House: A 1940s-style café where poets still recite verses and old men argue about football like it’s the fate of nations.
  • Al-Rashid Street at Night: When the sun sets, this street turns into a magical parade of lights, music, and street food. Bring cash. Bring curiosity. Bring an empty belly.

An Encouraging Conclusion

Baghdad doesn’t just survive—it thrives. It laughs louder after the storm. It cooks better after the siege. It remembers its poets, its scholars, its saints—and it welcomes you with open arms, steaming plates, and zero judgment. Yes, the world has painted it in shades of fear. But the truth? It’s painted in gold, rosewater, and the smell of grilling fish.

So pack your bags. Leave your stereotypes at the airport. Come for the history. Stay for the hummus. And when you leave? You’ll carry Baghdad with you—not as a headline, but as a heartbeat.

Welcome home, traveler. Your next meal is waiting.