Arab States
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iraq
Iraqi World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Iraq map · historical landmarks in Iraq
Iraq has 6 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 5 cultural and 1 mixed inscriptions, inscribed between 1985 and 2019. This map of UNESCO sites in Iraq covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Iraqi World Heritage Sites range from Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) onwards; Hatra was the country's first inscription, added in 1985; Babylon is the most recent, listed in 2019; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations and sacred places.
Start with Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat), Babylon and Erbil Citadel, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 6
- Cultural
- 5
- Mixed
- 1
- First inscribed
- 1985
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- EBLArbil2 sites
- KIKKirkuk1 site
- NJFNajaf1 site
- BGWBaghdad1 site
- BSRBasra1 site
Keep exploring
All 6 sites in Iraq
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iraq
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat)The ancient city of Ashur is located on the Tigris River in northern Mesopotamia in a specific geo-ecological zone, at… | 2003 | Cultural | The ancient city of Ashur is located on the Tigris River in northern Mesopotamia in a specific geo-ecological zone, at the borderline between… |
| BabylonSituated 85 km south of Baghdad, the property includes the ruins of the city which, between 626 and 539 BCE, was the… | 2019 | Cultural | Situated 85 km south of Baghdad, the property includes the ruins of the city which, between 626 and 539 BCE, was the capital of the Neo-Babylonian… |
| Erbil CitadelErbil Citadel is a fortified settlement on top of an imposing ovoid-shaped tell (a hill created by many generations of… | 2014 | Cultural | Erbil Citadel is a fortified settlement on top of an imposing ovoid-shaped tell (a hill created by many generations of people living and rebuilding… |
| HatraA large fortified city under the influence of the Parthian Empire and capital of the first Arab Kingdom, Hatra… | 1985 | Cultural | A large fortified city under the influence of the Parthian Empire and capital of the first Arab Kingdom, Hatra withstood invasions by the Romans in… |
| Samarra Archaeological CitySamarra Archaeological City is the site of a powerful Islamic capital city that ruled over the provinces of th. | 2007 | Cultural | Samarra Archaeological City is the site of a powerful Islamic capital city that ruled over the provinces of th. |
| The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian CitiesThe Ahwar is made up of seven components: three archaeological sites and four wetland marsh areas in southern. | 2016 | Mixed | The Ahwar is made up of seven components: three archaeological sites and four wetland marsh areas in southern. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Iraq
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Iraq?
- Iraq has 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 5 cultural and 1 mixed.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Iraq?
- Hatra was inscribed in 1985. A large fortified city under the influence of the Parthian Empire and capital of the first Arab Kingdom, Hatra withstood invasions by the Romans in A.D. 116 and.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Iraq?
- Babylon, inscribed in 2019. Situated 85 km south of Baghdad, the property includes the ruins of the city which, between 626 and 539 BCE, was the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. It in.
- Which UNESCO sites in Iraq are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Iraq.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Iraq?
- The 6 UNESCO-listed sites above are Iraq's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Hatra (1985). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Iraqi World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 6 Iraqi UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.