Basra (Arabic: البصرة Al Baṣrah) is a port city in Southern Iraq, close to the border with Kuwait and Iran. It is Iraq's third largest city with a population of 2,150,000 (2017).
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Situated along the Shatt al-Arab river, formed by the confluence of the Euphrates and the Tigris, the city's many canals and creeks once gave rise to the epithet Venice of the East. The fields along the river are very fertile with agriculture being a major source of income for the region, the region is known for having the world's largest forest of date palms. Basra is a majority Shia Islam city, with small minorities of Christians, Assyrians and pre-Islamic Mandaeans. In addition to the Arabs, there is also a community of Afro-Iraqi peoples, known as Zanj.
A public transport system is available, but it's chaotic and provides little to no information in English. Walking is difficult as there are few footpaths. Taxis and ride-hailing services are however both plentiful and cheap and is generally the best way of travelling longer distances within the city.
This list also features some sites located in nearby the nearby city of Az Zubayr. 1 Basra Museum (متحف البصرة). 09:00-15:00. Opened in September 2016 in the former Lakeside Palace of Saddam Hussein. Iraqi citizens US$1, foreign visitors $10. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Basta Natural History Museum (متحف البصرة للتاريخ الطبيعي). (updated Jul 2023) 3 Badr Shakir al-Sayyab statue (At al-Basrah Corniche). Basra was the home of one of the Arab world's most celebrated poets, Badr Shakir al-Sayyab (1926-1964). This statue of him stands at the corniche. (updated Aug 2018) Badr Shakir al-Sayyab Home. Birthplace of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab, now a cultural center. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Sinbad Island.
1 Basra Sports City (مدينة البصرة الرياضية). A major sports complex that opened in 2013. (updated Jul 2022) 2 River cruise. There are boats that will take you for a short cruise along the Shatt al-Arab. (updated Aug 2017) 3 Basrah Land (formerly Basrah Fun City). One of the oldest theme parks in southern Iraq, and the largest, involving a large number of games giants. (updated Mar 2021)
Most restaurants are located along the corniche, many with excellent views over the river. 1 Shatt Al Arab Restaurant (مطعم وملتقى شط العرب السياحي). Large and popular restaurant with traditional Iraqi foods along the river. (updated Sep 2020)
Tap water is not safe to drink, with many people getting sick due to drinking contaminated water.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Nov, Basra typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 1 rainy days.
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