 | WARNING: Many governments advise against all travel to Iraq. See the warning on the Iraq article. |
| (Information last updated Aug 2020) |
Basra (Arabic: البصرة Al Baṣrah) is a port city in SouthernIraq, close to the border with Kuwait and Iran. It is Iraq's third largest city with a population of 2,150,000 (2017).
Understand
Founded at the beginning of the Islamic era in 636, Basra became a flourishing commercial and cultural center from around 1200 and has remained so onwards. 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 last few decades have, however, been rough for Basra as it was the closest major city to the front lines of the Iran-Iraq War during the 1980s, with parts of the city destroyed by artillery fire. A few years later a rebellion against the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein was brutally crushed. While the city has largely physically recovered from these events, much of its cultural heritage has been lost. In this arid climate, summer temperatures near unbearable extremes, and with decades of neglect and social unrest, Basra is generally off-limits for tourists. Most foreigners finding themselves in the city are here because of nearby oil and natural gas facilities. However, there are still speckles of former glory left for the intrepid traveller to explore.
Climate
- See also: Hot weather
Basra is among the hottest cities on Earth, with temperatures exceeding 50 °C (122 °F) during July and August. While the air has a relatively low humidity, extreme temperatures can easily lead to dehydration and fatigue. Temperatures during the rest of the year are more pleasant, during winter months daily highs are around 20 °C (68 °F) while temperatures during spring and late fall hoovers around 25–30 °C (77–86 °F).
Get in
Basra is close to Kuwait. The Safwan border crossing is a safe exit point into Kuwait from Iraq, but it is highly inadvisable for foreigners to enter Iraq from Kuwait. The Iraqi immigration entry point is watched by insurgents and there is a small chance that they will try to kidnap Western-looking individuals on the road once they have crossed into Iraq. Entry from Iran is also very unsafe and is not advised.
By plane
- 1 Basra International Airport (BSR IATA). With daily international connections from Dubai, Istanbul, Beirut and Amman and a weekly flight from Beijing. Domestic flights are available from Erbil and Baghdad.
By train
There are two overnight trains from Baghdad every day, one slower taking 12 hours and one express train with a journey time of 6-7 hours. However, delays are quite common. The train carries a restaurant car has both seats and couchettes. and There are also occasional trains from the holy city of Karbala, operated mainly around religious festivals.
Nearby Khorramshahr, the closest city across the border in Iran, has daily trains from Tehran.
- 2 Al Maqal railway station (محطة قطارات المعقل) (Northern end of city centre).
By boat
A river ferry is available from nearby Khorramshahr, across the border in Iran, taking just 45 minutes to complete the journey. The ferry is run by Valfajar Shipping Company and there are multiple sailings each week.
Get around
A public transport system is available, but it's chaotic and provides little to no information in English. Taxis are however both plentiful and cheap.
See
- 1 Basra Museum. 09:00-15:00. Opened in September 2016 in the former Lakeside Palace of Saddam Hussein. Iraqi citizens US$1, foreign visitors $10.
- 2 Great Mosque of Basra. Largest mosque in Basra.
- 3 Imam Ali Mosque (جامع خطوة الإمام علي). Founded in 635, this is one of the oldest mosque in the history of Islam. Parts of the original structure still remains. It's often simply referred to as the old mosque of Basra.
- Sayab's house ruins. The most famous home of the poet Badr Shakir al-Sayyab.
- 4 Sayab statue (At al-Basrah Corniche). A statue of poet Badr Shakir al-Sayyab, one of the statues in Basra done by the artist and sculptor nada' Kadhum.
- 5 Sinbad Island. A tourist landmark, named after Sinbad the Sailor, who embarked on his legendary journeys from Basra. Decades ago, this island was known for its parks and nightlife. Perhaps it still is!
- 6 Sayyed Ali al-Musawi Mosque (Al-Basrah great Mosque) (In the city center on al-Gazear street). This mosque was built for Shia Imami's leader Sayyed Ali al-Moussawi in Iraq and neighboring countries.
- Palm tree forests
- 7 Corniche al-Basra. A street which runs on the shore of the Shatt al-Arab, from the Lion of Babylon square to the four palaces.
- 8 Basra Memorial (20 km southeast of the city, near town of Az Zubayr). A Commonwealth War Graves Commission war memorial. The memorial commemorates 40,682 Commonwealth forces members, of which 99% were Indians, who died during the Mesopotamian Campaign of World War I.
- 9 Church of the Virgin Mary (كنيسة مريم العذراء). Inaugurated in 1930 and restored in 2019, this is the largest Chaldean Catholic in Basra.
Old Basra
Only a few blocks remains of the old Basra, once described as the Venice of the East with colonial and Ottoman mansions lining the city's canals. Many houses feature the iconic shanasheel design, built to protect interior of houses from the heat of the day.
- 10 Basra Heritage Museum. A small heritage museum, housed in an historic building that used to be the Greek consulate during Ottoman times.
Do
- 1 Basra Sports City. A major sports complex that opened in 2013.
- 2 River cruise. There are boats that will take you for a short cruise along the Shatt al-Arab.
- 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.
Buy
- Indian market (Al-magaeiz). One of the main bazaars in the city.
- Hanna-Sheikh bazaar. An old market which was established by the powerful and famous Hanna-Sheikh family.
- Shanshal Mall, Al-Gazar Street, ☏ 964 770 577 7771.
- Basra Times Square, Dinar St, ☏ 964 771 330 3338. Daily 10:00-00:00. Indoor mall
Eat
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.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Basra International Hotel (فندق شيراتون البصرة) (In Al Ashar District), ☏ 964-781-5555472, ✉[email protected]. One of few high-end hotels in town, has a swimming pool, tennis court and five restaurants. Service, however, is not on par with the quite hefty price. Prices from US$475 per night.
- 2 Shams Al Basra (شمس البصرة), Al-Watan Street, ☏ 964 781 116 5777.
- 3 Mnawi Basha Hotel (Menawi Basha Hotel). One of the big hotels in Basra. It implies it is a 5-star, but does not make 4-star on any normal scale. It is secure, food is edible, rooms reasonable and there is acceptable Wi-Fi. There are also ATMs.