From Baghdad: 2-Day Samarra, Ashur, Hatra and Mosul Tour｜Iraq

Day 1: Samarra, Ashur, and Hatra

Begin your journey in Samarra, exploring the 9th-century spiral Malwiya Minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra. Continue to Ashur, the first capital of the Assyrians and home to their main deity, Ashur. See Ashur’s ziggurat, the city’s gate, the royal cemetery, and other remains.

Next, head to the ancient ruins of Hatra, one of the first Arab kingdoms in Iraq, which reached its zenith in the 2nd century AD. Explore mesmerizing temples and buildings featuring a distinctive blend of Roman-Greco and Eastern architectural elements. End the day with dinner in Mosul and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Mosul Day Tour

Start the day with a morning walk in the old Bab Al-Saray bazaar, seeing a variety of markets, including coppersmiths and spice markets. Walk through the fish market and see the different types of fish. Witness the tragic destruction in the old town of Mosul, which experienced intense battles, and see old houses decorated with ornamented facades.

Visit the fifth oldest mosque in the Islamic world and the second oldest in Iraq. Walk in the narrow alleyways of the old town and see the historical al-Nouri Mosque and its famed Leaning Hadba’ Minaret, which was destroyed by the terrorist group ISIS but has been rebuilt by UNESCO from the original bricks.

Visit al-Tahira and the Clock Catholic churches. Relax at Bytna Cultural Center and Museum-Cafe. Visit the capital of ancient Assyria, Nineveh, and see Adad Gate, one of the fifteen gateways of the ancient city.