Shia Muslims gather around the Husayn Mosque

Karbala (Arabic: كربلاء‎‎) is a city in Southern Iraq. It is considered one of the holiest cities in the country.

Understand

Karbala is one of the holiest cities in Shi'a Islam. In the Battle of Karbala, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Husayn was slain. To pay respects to the martyr Husayn, Shi'a Muslims visit the Imam Husayn Shrine, the biggest tourist attraction in Karbala, every year during a pilgrimage called Arbaeen.

Get in

Most travelers enter the city by bus or by car as the city does not yet have a functioning airport. Due to its religious importance, cities all across Iraq has regular bus services. The entrance to the city is well protected and check points are working hard on every single car that gets into the city. There are one or two trains each week from Baghdad and Basra. Extra trains are available on special occasions.

The Downtown Area is closed off and the entry of vehicles into the area of 1.5 km around the holy shrines is forbidden except for security, the shrines' personnel and residents. Anyone else who wants to get in must put their car in a parking and get in either via the holy shrine buses or on foot.

• 1 Karbala railway station (8 km northeast of central Karbala, along Highway 9). (updated Oct 2019)

By plane

A new dedicated airport is under construction, but as of late 2020 it is unclear when it will open. The nearest major international airport is in Baghdad.

• 2 Karbala International Airport (updated Oct 2020)

See

There are also a lot of religious places around the Holy Shrines of Imam Hussen and Abu Al-fadhl Al-Abbas.

• 1 Imam Hussein Holy Shrine (updated Nov 2018)
• 2 Al Abbas Mosque (updated Nov 2018)
• Hadrat Abbas Shrine. Historical building, the burial place of the brave son of Imam Ali (AS), and half-brother of Imam Hussein. The shrine is especially revered by the Shia who visit it every year, in the month of Muharram, and various other times of the year, to honour his legendary martyrdom in the Battle of Al-Taff. (updated Nov 2018)
• 3 Al-Hurr ibn Yazid Al-Tamimi Mosque (updated Jul 2021)

Outside the city

The areas around Karbala are rich in heritage and archaeological sites. A few sites have at least basic services for tourists, while you are left on your own when visiting others.

• 4 Imam Ali's Dropper Shrine (updated Oct 2020)
• 5 Al-Aqiser (updated Dec 2020)
• 6 Simeon's Palace (updated Aug 2021)
• 7 Tar Caves (updated Aug 2021)
• 8 Al-Rubu' Caravansarai (updated Feb 2020)
• 9 Khan al-Atshan (updated Aug 2021)
• 10 Al-Ukhaidir Fortress (updated Nov 2018)
• 11 Ruins of Mujada (updated Oct 2020)
• 12 White bridge (updated Jul 2021)

Do

Visit the Imam Husayn & Abbas shrine.

Buy

You can buy khak-e-shifa. Some Shi'a Muslims consider it sacred and miraculous, and claim diseases can be treated with it.

Eat

The restaurants are spread all around the city, especially downtown, and you can find whatever you desire of halal food at suitable prices.

Sleep

• 1 The Baron Hotel, Alhusseiniya Road, ☏ +964 78 344 037 40. Within walking distance from the holy shrines. Includes several restaurants and a promenade along the river. (updated Aug 2016)
• 2 Karbala Rayhaan by Rotana (كربلاء ريحان روتانا), ☏ +964 771 800 1800. Luxury hotel along just outside the city, along road from Baghdad. (updated Feb 2017)

Stay safe

See the warning on the Iraq article for information about the security situation.

Go next

• Najaf, another holy city in Iraq, with the Shrine of 'Ali.