Travel advisory · IraqGovernments advise against all travel to Iraq.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 20 km strip along Iran border · avoid all travel · France, Italy
- Kirkuk province · avoid all travel · France, Italy, UK
- Nineveh province · avoid all travel · Italy, UK
- Salah al-Din province · avoid all travel · France, Italy, UK
- Syria border area · avoid all travel · France, Italy
- Basra province · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Dhi Qar province · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy, UK
- Karbala province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Kurdistan Region of Iraq · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Qadisiyah province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
Also named by one government: 5 km strip along Iran border (Wasit, Maysan, Basra) (UK), 5 km strip along Saudi Arabia and Kuwait borders (UK), Anbar outside Ramadi, Fallujah and their Baghdad axis (France), Anbar province (Italy), Anbar west of Ramadi (UK), Babil west of the Baghdad–Karbala axis (France), Baghdad outer districts (Sadr City, Bayaa, Jurf al Salam, Za'faraniya) (France), Diyala north of the Baghdad–Iranian border parallel (France), Diyala province (Italy), Diyala province except Baqubah (UK), Dohuk eastern mountains along Turkish border (France), Erbil governorate along the Kurdish coordination line (France), Jordan border area (Italy), Jurf al-Sakr town (UK), Muthanna desert along Saudi border (France), Najaf desert along Saudi border (France), Nineveh outside Mosul, Mosul–Erbil road and Nineveh Plains (France), Northern Iraq areas near armed groups (US), Northern mountains (Metina, Gara, Qandil) (France), Sadr City (UK), Saudi Arabia border area (Italy), Sulaymaniyah axis (Chamchamal–Darbandikhan) and north of Dokan lake (France), Anbar province remainder (UK), Babil province (France), Babil province except Jurf al-Sakr (UK), Baghdad city outside outer districts (France), Baghdad province except Sadr City (UK), Baqubah city (UK), Basra province remainder (UK), Dohuk–Amedi road and Amedi town centre (France), Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil (UK), Highway 34 between Baghdad and Baqubah (UK), Maysan province (France), Maysan province remainder (UK), Mosul city (France), Mosul–Erbil main road (France), Muthanna province (France), Muthanna province remainder (UK), Najaf province remainder (UK), Wasit province (France), Wasit province remainder (UK), Zakho–Halabja corridor (including Akre, Barzan and Soran) (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel to Iraq for any reason | Oct 23, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Reisewarnung: Vor Reisen nach Irak wird gewarnt (ganzes Land) | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel to Iraq | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Najaf
Najaf is a pilgrimage destination in Iraq, known for the Imam Ali Shrine and its place in Shia Islam.
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Najaf is a city in central Iraq near the Euphrates River. Its best-known site is the Imam Ali Shrine, which marks the burial place of Ali ibn Abi Talib, regarded by Shia Muslims as the first Imam. The shrine’s gold dome and courtyards draw pilgrims. In the surrounding old city, religious schools, shops and narrow streets sit close to the shrine. Wadi-us-Salaam, a large cemetery and an important burial place for Shia Muslims, is also in Najaf.
A visit can focus on the shrine, the old city and Wadi-us-Salaam. Najaf is a destination for pilgrims and travelers interested in Islamic history and religious life. Dress modestly at religious sites and follow instructions from shrine staff. Spring and fall are more comfortable for a visit than the hot summer months. Allow one or two days to see the main sites; plan extra time if you are making a pilgrimage or prefer a slower pace.
Najaf in five
- Check Iraq’s e-visa rulesEntry requirements depend on your passport. Check Iraq’s official e-visa portal before you travel.Visas and entry
- Dress for the Imam Ali ShrineCover your shoulders and legs when visiting the shrine, and follow staff instructions at the entrance.
- Carry Iraqi dinarsThe local currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD). Keep cash for small purchases and places that do not take cards.
- Use a local SIM or eSIMSet up mobile data before you arrive so you can use maps and contact your accommodation. Compare options in the connectivity guide.Phones and eSIM
- Check travel advice for IraqRead your government’s current advice before booking and again before departure; conditions and entry guidance can change.
Need to know
- Currency
- Iraqi dinar (IQD)
- Entry
- Visa requirements depend on nationality; check Iraq’s e-visa portal Read more
- Emergency
- 104 police, 122 ambulance, 115 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCooler, dry
- FebruaryCool, dry
- MarchMild, dry
- AprilWarm, dry
- MayHot, dry
- JuneVery hot
- JulyExtreme heat
- AugustExtreme heat
- SeptemberHot, dry
- OctoberMild, dry
- NovemberCooler, dry
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Najaf
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 42%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Najaf
02:23 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°20°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed28°20°45%Wednesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Thu26°19°33%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri26°18°21%Friday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Sat25°19°25%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sun21°16°8%Sunday: Rain. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 01:07 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,518 IQD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Kufaabout 15 to 30 min by carVisit the nearby city and its historic Great Mosque of Kufa.
- Karbalaabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carVisit another major Shia pilgrimage city, home to the Imam Husayn Shrine.
Before you go to Najaf
Rules for Najaf, checked
- Check Iraq’s e-visa portal for entry requirements that apply to your passport before travelling.Source
- Dress modestly when visiting religious sites, including the Imam Ali Shrine, and follow the site’s instructions.
- Check your government’s current Iraq travel advice before departure for safety and entry guidance.
Plan around Najaf
Entry, money and practical planning for an Iraq trip
Read the guideGetting aroundPlan transport for journeys in Iraq
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and budgeting for your trip
Read the guideVisas and entryCheck entry requirements for your passport
Read the guideWhere to stayPlan where to base yourself during your trip
Read the guideNajaf FAQ
Is Najaf worth visiting?
Najaf is a major pilgrimage destination, centered on the Imam Ali Shrine. Check current travel advice and shrine visitor rules before making plans.
What is Najaf known for?
Najaf is known for the Imam Ali Shrine and its importance in Shia Islam.
What currency is used in Najaf?
The currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD). Carry cash for small purchases; card acceptance can vary.
Do I need a visa to visit Najaf?
Entry requirements depend on your nationality. Check Iraq’s official e-visa portal before travelling.
What should I wear at the Imam Ali Shrine?
Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and legs, and follow staff instructions at the entrance.
What time zone is Najaf in?
Najaf uses UTC+3 and does not observe daylight saving time.