The shrines, city by city

Najaf

• Shrine of Imam Ali (a.s.), Amir al-Mu'minin, the heart of every visit to Iraq.
• Wadi al-Salam, one of the largest cemeteries in the world, with the shrines of the Prophets Hud and Salih (a.s.).
• Shrine of Kumayl ibn Ziyad, companion of Imam Ali and narrator of Du'a Kumayl.

Kufa

• Masjid al-Kufa, with its maqamat and a'maal, and beside it the shrines of Muslim ibn Aqil and Hani ibn Urwa.
• The house of Imam Ali (a.s.) next to the mosque.
• Masjid al-Sahla, especially visited on Tuesday nights.
• Shrine of Maytham al-Tammar.

Karbala

• Shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and the shrine of his brother Abbas (a.s.), joined by the walkway of Bayn al-Haramayn.
• Tal al-Zainabiya and the site of the camp (Khaymagah).
• Shrine of Hurr al-Riyahi, on the edge of the city.

On the road: Al-Qasim

• Shrine of Qasim, son of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.), usually visited between Karbala and Baghdad.

Baghdad

• Kadhimiya: the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s.), where Shaykh al-Mufid and Khwaja Nasir al-Din al-Tusi are also buried.
• Tombs of the four deputies (al-Nuwwab al-Arba'a) of Imam al-Mahdi (a.j.).
• Mada'in: the shrines of Salman al-Farsi and Hudhayfa al-Yamani.

Balad

• Shrine of Sayyid Muhammad, son of Imam Ali al-Hadi (a.s.).

Samarra

• Al-Askari shrine of Imam Ali al-Hadi and Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.), where Lady Narjis and Lady Hakima are also buried.
• The Sardab (cellar) associated with Imam al-Mahdi (a.j.).

Best time for ziyarat in Iraq

Special dates such as Ashura and Arbaeen in Karbala, 15 Sha'ban, and Eid al-Ghadir in Najaf are unforgettable, but they are crowded and hotels cost more. If you want calm time at the zarih, choose an ordinary week in the cooler months. Read our Arbaeen 2027 guide if you plan to travel for Arbaeen.

Etiquette at the shrines

1. Perform the ghusl of ziyarat if you can, and enter in a state of wudu.
2. Dress modestly. Women wear an abaya or chador; chadors are often available at the women's entrances.
3. Leave your shoes at the shoe-keeping counter (kishwaniya) and keep the token safe.
4. Expect security checks at every entrance. Carry only a small bag, as large bags and some items are not allowed inside.
5. Recite the permission to enter (idhn al-dukhul) before going in, then the ziyarat.
6. Be gentle near the zarih: do not push, and give way to the elderly. Men and women have separate areas.
7. Be discreet with photos and follow the instructions of the shrine staff.

Recitations to prepare

• Ziyarat Aminullah, suitable for every Imam and often recited in Najaf.
• Ziyarat Warith and Ziyarat Ashura for Imam Hussain (a.s.).
• The ziyarat of Abbas (a.s.).
• Ziyarat al-Jami'a al-Kabira, for any of the Imams.
• The a'maal of Masjid al-Kufa and Masjid al-Sahla, which are easiest with a guide.

Every Tatheer group travels with a scholar who leads the ziyarat and the a'maal in your language, so you do not need to memorise anything in advance.

Documents and packing checklist

• Passport valid for at least 6 months, visa and travel insurance
• Hotel confirmations and your return ticket
• Passport photos and copies of your documents
• US dollars in clean, recent notes, plus some Iraqi dinars
• A local SIM card (sold at the airport) or an eSIM
• Plug adapter: Iraq uses type C, D and G sockets at 230 V
• Slip-on shoes, modest clothing, and an abaya or chador for women
• Prayer mat, turbah and a ziyarat book or app
• Basic medicines, sunscreen and a water bottle

A sample 9-day route

1. Days 1 to 3: Najaf and Kufa.
2. Days 4 to 6: Karbala, with a stop at Al-Qasim on the way north.
3. Days 7 to 9: Baghdad (Kadhimiya and Mada'in), Balad and Samarra, then departure from Baghdad.

See our ziyarat packages for this route in Standard, Premium and Ultra-Lux.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need for ziyarat in Iraq?

8 to 10 days covers all the main shrines comfortably. With 5 days you can visit Najaf, Kufa and Karbala, and add Kadhimiya if your flight leaves from Baghdad.

Is it safe to travel for ziyarat?

The shrine cities have heavy security and receive millions of pilgrims every year. Travel with an organised group, keep your documents with you, follow local guidance, and check your own government's travel advice before you book.

Can women travel for ziyarat?

Yes, many women travel with family or in organised groups, and the shrines have separate women's sections. Visa conditions for women travelling without a mahram depend on nationality, so we check your case before booking.

What is Arbaeen?

Arbaeen, meaning "forty" in Arabic, marks forty days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his companions at Karbala on Ashura in 61 AH. Every year millions of pilgrims travel to Karbala to visit the shrines of Imam Hussain and his brother Abbas (a.s.), and many of them arrive on foot.

It is one of the largest annual gatherings in the world. In 2026, Iraq's Security Media Cell reported more than 1.8 million foreign visitors from 172 nationalities in the weeks before Arbaeen alone.

When is Arbaeen 2027?

Arbaeen falls on 20 Safar. In 2027 (1449 AH) that is expected around 24 or 25 July 2027, depending on the moon sighting in Iraq. Most pilgrims arrive 7 to 10 days earlier so they can visit Najaf, walk, and be in Karbala on the night and day of Arbaeen.

Islamic dates can move by a day depending on the moon. Choose flights with some flexibility and confirm the date with your group leader.

The walk from Najaf to Karbala

The best-known route starts at the shrine of Imam Ali (a.s.) in Najaf and follows the road north to Karbala. The road is marked by 1,452 numbered poles (called amood), about 50 metres apart, which pilgrims use to measure progress and as meeting points.

Along the way, thousands of mawakib (volunteer service stations) offer free food, water, tea, first aid and places to rest. Their hospitality towards the visitors of Imam Hussain is one of the most moving parts of the journey.

Some pilgrims walk much further, for example from Basra, which takes around two weeks. Families with elderly members often walk one section and travel the rest by coach.

A typical walking plan

1. Day 1: ziyarat in Najaf, then start before sunrise and walk to around pole 400. Rest through the afternoon heat.
2. Day 2: continue to around pole 900, walking in the early morning and evening.
3. Day 3: reach around pole 1,300.
4. Day 4: the final stretch into Karbala and Bayn al-Haramayn.

Visa for Arbaeen 2027

Iraq has no permanent Arbaeen visa. Each season the government announces temporary arrangements, often only a few weeks before Muharram, and they differ by nationality. Plan around the normal entry routes and treat any Arbaeen concession as a bonus.

• Iran: citizens enter Iraq without a visa under the Iran–Iraq agreement. Iranian pilgrims also register on Iran's Samah platform before travel.
• Gulf states, Europe, the Americas, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and others: apply for Iraq's federal e-visa before you fly. Health insurance is now required with Iraqi entry visas.
• Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Africa and others: pilgrim visas usually go through licensed Iraqi tourism companies or an e-visa with a sponsor.

In June 2026, Iraq also tightened the rules for Pakistani pilgrims. Visas were valid for 30 days only, one visa could not cover both Ashura and Arbaeen, unmarried men under 50 were refused, and fees were not refunded if a visa was rejected. Expect similar conditions in 2027 and apply early.

Our team checks the current rule for your passport and prepares the application for you. Read our Iraq visa guide for the details of each route.

When to book

1. 4 to 6 months before: choose your dates and make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after arrival.
2. 3 months before: book hotels in Karbala and Najaf. Prices rise sharply as Arbaeen approaches.
3. 6 to 8 weeks before: apply for the visa once the season's rules are announced.
4. 2 weeks before: confirm flights, airport transfers and your group's meeting points.

Arbaeen packing list

• Comfortable walking shoes you have already broken in, plus slip-on sandals for the shrines
• Several pairs of cotton socks and blister plasters
• Light, loose clothing and a hat or umbrella for shade
• Electrolyte sachets (ORS) and a refillable water bottle
• Power bank, charger and an offline map on your phone
• A small backpack, leaving heavy luggage at the hotel
• Copies of your passport and visa, and your hotel address in Arabic
• US dollars and some Iraqi dinars in small notes
• Personal medicines, with a doctor's note if needed
• Prayer mat, turbah and a ziyarat book or app

Staying safe in the heat

Late July in Iraq is extremely hot, often above 45 °C. Walk in the early morning and the evening, drink water regularly, and rest at a mawkib during the afternoon. Agree on a meeting pole with your group and keep the name of your hotel with you at all times.

If someone feels dizzy or confused, or stops sweating, move them into the shade and take them to the nearest medical tent straight away.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need for Arbaeen?

Most pilgrims plan 9 to 12 days: 2 to 3 days in Najaf, 3 to 4 days walking, 2 to 3 days in Karbala, and if possible a visit to Kadhimiya and Samarra.

Can elderly people and children come?

Yes. Many families walk only part of the route and use coaches for the rest. Our packages can include transport and hotel nights so nobody has to walk the full distance.

Where do pilgrims sleep during the walk?

Mawakib along the road offer free sleeping space, but it is basic and crowded. Many groups return to a hotel at night or book rooms in Karbala in advance.