Erbil's 7,000-year-old citadel has an illustrious history that can be compared to other greats such as Cadiz and Byblos. Throughout history, Erbil has been a significant city. As a result, the city boasts numerous notable and uncommon historical landmarks. In addition to this, the city's cultural legacy and nature draw an increasing number of tourists each year.

Erbil Citadel is located in the city center and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2014. The citadel is massive and yet home to thousands of people. Erbil Citadel was constructed in 3000 BC and served as a political and strategic center for numerous civilizations. The citadel is a must-see and the city's most popular attraction.

Other things not to miss include the Erbil Civilization Museum and the Kurdish Textile Center, both of which are excellent resources for learning about the history and culture of this fascinating region of the world.

Location: Erbil, Iraq

Ur is famous for its Biblical stories of epic floods and frightening Babylonian kings, but it is also home to one of the region's most stunning ancient ruins.

Ur, located in the southern Iraqi deserts, is the location of the Ziggurat, a huge structure with high walls and steep staircases that were used to worship the Akkadian moon gods in ancient times. Ziggurats are tiered pyramid temples built in Ancient Mesopotamia that may be seen throughout Iraq and Iran. The Ziggurat of Ur, built by King Ur-Nammu about the 21st century BC, is one of the most well-preserved ziggurats. At the top of the ziggurat is a temple dedicated to Nanna, the patron deity of Ur, which is now located in Tell el-Muqayyar, southern Iraq. The ziggurat is supposed to have been used for both agricultural trade and spiritual purposes.

This has to be one of the strangest and most puzzling sights in Iraq.

Location: Ur, Iraq

The city of Baghdad has suffered in recent years as a result of insurgent group bombings and attacks. Baghdad, with its unique location in the center of Mesopotamia, is a fascinating city. The city has long been an important cultural, commercial, and political hub in the Islamic World.

Today, Baghdad does not receive as many tourists as it once did, but the city is on its way to re-establishing itself as an important tourism destination. To enter the city's Green Zone, a special permit is required, but there is hope that people will be able to visit this city again soon.

If you muster the bravery to visit Baghdad, make a point of seeing the following sites: the Baghdad Museum, the Al-Faw Palace (Water Palace), the famous Firdos Square, the Qadisiyah Swords, the Al-Shaheed Monument, the Iraqi National Museum, the renowned Mutanabbi Street book market, the Umm Al-Qura Mosque, the Ottoman Castle, the Cathedral, Khan Murjan caravanserai, Al-Rashid Street market.

Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Basra is the economic center of Iraq and is located in the Lower Mesopotamia area of southern Iraq. Because of its distance to both Iran (15km) and Kuwait (50km), as well as the fact that it is Iraq's main port.

Many people are familiar with the word Basra because it was the site of one of the most critical engagements during the Iraq War. However, if you scrape beneath the surface of this city, you will discover one of the most fascinating sites in the entire country.

But there are a lot of great things about Basra these days; it's one of the most vibrant cities in Iraq, with a lot of building going on, mainly along the coast of the Shatt al-Arab river, which runs through the city. According to legend, Sinbad the Sailor set off from the coast of Basra.

Even Saddam Hussein's old palace in the city has been converted into the Basra Museum, which houses thousands of artifacts from Mesopotamian, Babylonian, and Persian civilizations, some of which date back to 6000BC.

Location: Basra, Iraq

Karbala, also known as Kerbala, is a city in central Iraq, approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Baghdad and a few dozen miles east of Lake Milh. Karbala is the capital of the Karbala Governorate and has a population of approximately 700,000 people.

The city, best known as the site of the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE or the Mosques of Imam Husayn and Abbas, is revered by Shi'ite Muslims in the same manner as Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem are. Tens of millions of Shi'ite Muslims visit the site twice a year, making it a pilgrimage destination on par with Mecca.

Millions of Shi'ites commemorate Husayn ibn Ali's martyrdom every year. Up to 8 million pilgrims visit the city to commemorate Ashura (the tenth day of Muharram), the anniversary of Husayn's death, but the biggest event is the Arba‘īn (the 40th day after Ashura) when up to 30 million visit the holy cemeteries. The majority of pilgrims walk from all around Iraq and more than 56 nations.

Location: Karbala, Iraq

Hatra is a historic city in Iraq's al-Jazira area, 290 kilometers northwest of Baghdad and 110 kilometers southwest of Mosul. It was founded between the third and second centuries BC and served as the capital of the first Arab Kingdom. It was constructed in the military tradition of a circular layout with inner and outside walls while being strengthened by more than 160 towers.

The town developed as a result of its advantageous location, and it became a significant religious and commerce center. In the first and second centuries, Hatra was known as Beit elh, House of God, referring to the city's numerous temples dedicated to the gods of the Greek, Aramean, Mesopotamian, and Arabian pantheons.

Hatra was the best-preserved Parthian city, as well as one of the most educational and impressive. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985.

Location: Hatra District, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Dur-Kurigalzu was a city in southern Mesopotamia, some 30 kilometers west of Baghdad, near the confluence of the Tigris and Diyala rivers. It was established in the 14th century BC by a Kassite monarch of Babylon, Kurigalzu I, and was abandoned after the Kassite dynasty fell. Dur-abandoned Kurigalzu's ruins date back 3,500 years, and this section of Iraq was once the center of southern Mesopotamia's Cradle of Civilization.

The prefix Dur- is an Akkadian phrase that means "fortress of," but the Kassite royal name Kurigalzu, which appears several times in the Kassite king list, might have a descriptive meaning as an epithet, such as "herder of the folk." Dur-Kurigalzu had a ziggurat, temples dedicated to Sumerian gods, and a regal palace. The ziggurat, which stood to a height of around 52 meters, was extraordinarily well-preserved. It would have also been used as a signpost for camel caravans en route to Baghdad.

Location: Dur-Kurigalzu, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq

Sulaymaniyah may not be as well-known as other Iraqi cities, but don't let that mislead you. Sulaymaniyah is a modest but lovely up-and-coming tourist spot that is well worth a visit. Some of the interesting things to do and places to visit at this secret getaway will astound you.

Some foreign countries consider this city to be safe to visit because it is one of the most hospitable and relaxed in Iraq.

Sulaymaniyah is located on the steep highlands of northern Iraq and has a cooler climate than many other cities in the country.

It also has a booming arts scene and is well-known for its abundance of delectable cafes serving toothsome spiced kofta, biryani, and a variety of other delights. If you wish to visit the oases, cities, and valleys of the Goyija and Azmer mountains, this is also a good spot to start before traveling farther out.

Location: Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Babylon was originally the capital of the Babylonian Empire and was a hub of commerce, art, and learning. According to the Bible, Babylon captured and destroyed the Kingdom of Judea, driving the inhabitants into a 70-year exile. Because of persistent security concerns, few tourists visit Iraq these days, but it was previously a popular tourist destination.

Babylon evoked thoughts of ancient civilizations, hanging gardens, and legendary wars between Alexander the Great and Persian kings. It is fair to say that repair and preservation have taken a back seat here in recent years, but you can still see some of the spectacular castles and the huge remnants of Homera.

As you visit Babylon, keep in mind that you are following in the footsteps of great monarchs from this area of the world, and you can marvel at treasures like gracefully crumbling lion statues and envision what the Hanging Gardens of Babylon might have looked like.

Location: Hillah, Babil Governorate, Iraq

The ruins of the ancient Persian capital, Ctesiphon, are located 35 kilometers/22 miles southeast of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, and are one of the ancient world's great unknown wonders.

Ctesiphon was a minor Persian village on the banks of the Tigris River around the middle of the fourth century BC. However, in the first century AD, it became the Parthian capital and expanded to incorporate the city of Seleucia. This meant that by the 7th century, Ctesiphon had grown to become one of the largest towns in the region, and it was here that the Arch of Ctesiphon was built.

Taq Kasra, the world's most colossal single-span vault of unreinforced brickwork, is now the only remaining structure on Ctesiphon and is regarded as a monument in the history of architecture. Taq Kasra was part of a magnificent vaulted hall that served as the palace for the Persian Empire's monarchs, but after the Arabs invaded Ctesiphon, the palace was utilized as a Mosque for a short time until the entire city was abandoned.

Location: Salman Pak, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq