2-Day Samarra, Hatra, and Mosul Tour｜Iraq

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 2: Mosul

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.