WARNING Basra remains extremely dangerous and is emphatically NOT safe for tourists. Those who are going there on business are strongly advised to consult their own government first, and have an armed guard with them..
Paddling up the Shatt-al-Arab in Basra
Basra (Arabic: البصرة Al Baṣrah) is a port city in the Lower Mesopotamia region of southern Iraq, very close to the border with Kuwait. It is Iraq's third largest city with a population of 1,700,000 (2003).
Serving the city is Basra International Airport (IATA: BSR) with international connections from Dubai, Istanbul, Dubai, Beirut and Amman. Domestic flights are avalible from Arbil and Baghdad.
An over-night train service from Baghdad departs daily at 6:30PM and is schedueld to arrive 6:10AM the next morning, however delays are common. The train usually carries a resturant car and sometimes "tourist"-class carriages.
Basra is close to Kuwait. The Safwan border crossing is a safe exit point into Kuwait from Iraq
The old mosque of Basra, the first mosque in Islam outside the Arabian peninsula.'
Sinbad Island is a tourist landmark.
Palm tree forests
Sayab's house ruins is the most famous home of the poet Badr Shakir al-Sayyab. There is also a statue of Sayab, one of the statues in Basra done by the artist and sculptor nada' Kadhum located on al-Basrah Corniche
Corniche al-Basra is a street which runs on the shore of the Shatt al-Arab running from the Lion of Babylon square to the four palaces
Sayyed Ali al-Musawi Mosque or Mosque of the children of Amer, which is located in the city center on al-gazear street which was built for Shia Imami's leader sayyed Ali al-Moussawi in Iraq and neighboring countries.
Basrah Land formerly called Fun city of Basrah is one of the oldest theme park entertainment cities in the south of the country and the largest involving a large number of games giants.
Indian market (Amogaiz) which is one of the main bazaars in the city.
Hanna-Sheikh bazaar, is an old market which was established by the powerful and famous Hanna-Sheikh family.
Basra International Hotel (فندقشيراتونالبصرة), (In Al Ashar District), ☎ +964-781-5555472 (info@basrahinternationalhotel.com), [1]. This hotel with 205 rooms has just re-opened. It has a swimming pool, tennis court and five resturants.IQD 240-IQD 730 per night. edit
