2-Day Samarra, Hatra and Mosul Heritage Tour

2 Days Round trip from Hotel or Airport Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Samarra's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the iconic Malwiya Minaret
02 Visit Abbasid-era landmarks such as the Pond Palace, Abu Dulaf Mosque minaret, and Qasr al-Ashiq
03 Discover Hatra, the remarkable ancient city of the Arab kingdoms
04 Walk through ancient Nineveh and see the impressive Adad Gate
05 Tour Mosul's key landmarks, including Al-Nouri Mosque, Al-Tahira Church, and the Mosul Heritage Center
06 Experience local life at Mosul's fish market and the Right Side district

Discover some of Iraq's most extraordinary heritage over two immersive days, traveling from Baghdad toward Mosul with meaningful stops at Samarra and the ancient city of Hatra. Explore Samarra's celebrated Abbasid-era landmarks, from iconic spiral minarets to palace ruins that evoke the city's time as a medieval capital. Continue through Hatra, a remarkable ancient city of Arab kingdoms, before spending a full day in Mosul tracing layers of history from ancient Nineveh to revered mosques and churches. This journey blends UNESCO-listed sites, archaeology, and powerful modern stories of resilience.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Baghdad, Mosul, Samarra

Languages Arabic, English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Samarra's Abbasid Landmarks, Hatra, and Arrival in Mosul

Day 1: Samarra, Hatra, and Mosul

Set out for Mosul with a stop in the historic city of Samarra to explore its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Begin with a visit to the iconic spiral Malwiya Minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra.

Continue to the Abbasid Pond Palace, a recreational complex named after the pond at its center. Another highlight is the spiral minaret of the Abu Dulaf Mosque, rising 32 meters high and built in 859 AD from baked bricks by the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil.

Explore Qasr al-Ashiq, or the Lover's Palace, located on the western side of Samarra and dating back to the 9th century, during the period when Samarra served as the Abbasid capital. Then, head to visit Hatra, an ancient city of Arab kingdoms. Finish your day in Mosul.

Day 02

Mosul's Historic Landmarks and Ancient Nineveh

Spend a full day discovering the historical and cultural treasures of Mosul. Begin with a visit to the Al-Nouri Mosque and its famed leaning minaret, Al-Hadba'.

Explore the archaeological site of ancient Nineveh, where the impressive Adad Gate-one of the fifteen original gateways-still stands as a testament to Assyrian grandeur.

Continue to Al-Tahira Church, one of Mosul's oldest and most cherished churches, followed by a stop at the unfinished Grand Mosque of Mosul. At the Mosul Heritage Center, gain deeper insight into the city's rich and resilient past.

A stroll through the vibrant fish market offers a glimpse of daily life, while a walk through the Right Side of Mosul reveals the visible scars left by recent battles-a sobering reminder of the city's endurance and spirit. Spend another night in Mosul. On the next day, return to Baghdad.

The route