Basra
Basra (Arabic: البصرة Al Baṣrah) is a port city in Southern Iraq, very close to the border with Kuwait. It is Iraq's third largest city with a population of 2,150,000 (2017).
Get in
By plane
Basra International AirportWith daily international connections from Dubai, Istanbul, Beirut and Amman and a weekly flight from Beijing. Domestic flights are available from Erbil and Baghdad.
By train
There are two overnight trains from Baghdad every day, one slower taking 12 hours and one express train with a journey time of 6-7 hours. However, delays are quite common. The train carries a restaurant car has both seats and couchettes. and There are also occasional trains from the holy city of Karbala, operated mainly around religious festivals.
Al Maqal railway station
By boat
A river ferry is available from nearby Khorramshahr, across the border in Iran, taking just 45 minutes to complete the journey. The ferry is run by Valfajar Shipping Company and there are multiple sailings each week.See
Basra MuseumOpened in September 2016 in the former Lakeside Palace of Saddam Hussein.
Old mosque of BasraThe first mosque in Islam outside the Arabian peninsula.
Sayab's house ruinsThe most famous home of the poet Badr Shakir al-Sayyab.
Sayab statueA statue of poet Badr Shakir al-Sayyab, one of the statues in Basra done by the artist and sculptor nada' Kadhum.
Sinbad IslandA tourist landmark, named after Sinbad the Sailor, who embarked on his legendary journeys from Basra. Decades ago, this island was known for its parks and nightlife. Perhaps it still is!
Sayyed Ali al-Musawi MosqueThis mosque was built for Shia Imami's leader Sayyed Ali al-Moussawi in Iraq and neighboring countries.
- Palm tree forests
Corniche al-BasraA street which runs on the shore of the Shatt al-Arab, from the Lion of Babylon square to the four palaces.
Do
Basra Sports CityA major sports complex that opened in 2013.
River cruiseThere are boats that will take you for a short cruise along the Shatt al-Arab.
Basrah LandOne of the oldest theme parks in southern Iraq, and the largest, involving a large number of games giants.
Buy
Indian marketOne of the main bazaars in the city.
Hanna-Sheikh bazaarAn old market which was established by the powerful and famous Hanna-Sheikh family.
Sleep
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phone: +964-781-5555472One of few high-end hotels in town, has a swimming pool, tennis court and five restaurants. Service, however, is not on par with the quite hefty price.
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phone: +964 781 116 5777address: Al-Watan Street
Mnawi Basha HotelOne of the big hotels in Basra. It implies it is a 5-star, but does not make 4-star on any normal scale. It is secure, food is edible, rooms reasonable and there is acceptable Wi-Fi. There are also ATMs.