Basra
Iraq · Asia
About Basra
Basra (Arabic: ٱلْبَصْرَة, romanized: al-Baṣrah) or Basrah is a port city in southern Iraq. It is the capital of the eponymous Basra Governorate, as well as the third largest city in Iraq overall, behind Baghdad and Mosul. Located near the Iran–Iraq border, the city is situated along the banks of the Shatt al-Arab that empties into the Persian Gulf. It is consistently one of the hottest cities in Iraq, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 50 °C (122 °F).
Built in 636 as a military camp, Basra played an important role as a regional hub of knowledge, trade and commerce during the Islamic Golden Age and is home to the first mosque built outside the Arabian Peninsula. It was a center of the slave trade in Mesopotamia, until the Zanj rebellion in 871. Historically, Basra is one of the ports from which the fictional Sinbad the Sailor embarked on his journeys. It has experienced numerous ruling shifts. In 1258, the city was sacked by the Mongols. Basra came under Portuguese control in 1526 and later fell under the control of the Ottomans as part of the Basra Eyalet, one of the provinces comprising Ottoman Iraq. During World War I, British forces captured Basra in 1914. It was incorporated into Mandatory Iraq, under the framework Mandate for Mesopotamia after 1921, which later became the independent Kingdom of Iraq in 1932.
Since Iraq's independence, the wars Iraq has fought have made Basra an active battlefield due to its strategic location. During the Iran–Iraq War, the city was heavily shelled and besieged by Iranian forces. As a result of the war, half of the city's population fled. It suffered extensive damage again during the Gulf War due to coalition attacks. In 1991 and 1999, Basra was the site of two uprisings against Saddam Hussein. On April 6, 2003, the city was occupied by the United Kingdom and United States-led coalition, becoming the first city to be captured during the invasion of Iraq, enduring further devastation. During the war, it fell under the control of Shia factions such as Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army, who were later removed in 2008. Additionally, Basra was targeted by bombings in 2011 and 2012, and was impacted by the Islamist insurgency and the war with Islamic State from 2013 to 2017.
With its strategic location and abundant oil reserves, Basra has become one of the major industrial cities in the region. As the country’s only coastal region, along with its adjoining governorate, Basra serves as a crucial transport hub. After the Iraq war ended, Basra experienced a period of prosperity and development, with numerous reconstruction projects funded by foreign investments, including the Grand Faw Port, which have gained global attention. Today, the majority of its population consists of Arab Shia Muslims, with a large Sunni minority.
Basra travel guide
Understand
Situated along the Shatt al-Arab river, formed by the confluence of the Euphrates and the Tigris, the city's many canals and creeks once gave rise to the epithet Venice of the East. The fields along the river are very fertile with agriculture being a major source of income for the region, the region is known for having the world's largest forest of date palms. Basra is a majority Shia Islam city, with small minorities of Christians, Assyrians and pre-Islamic Mandaeans. In addition to the Arabs, there is also a community of Afro-Iraqi peoples, known as Zanj. The Zanj are an African Muslim ethnic group, a mix of African peoples taken from the coast of the area of modern-day Kenya as slaves during the Medieval period. Founded at the beginning of the Islamic era in 636, Basra became a flourishing commercial and cultural center from around 1200 AD and has remained so onwards. Ibn Battuta visited it in the 1320s and was not much impressed. Basra was under the protection of the Portuguese empire from 1523 until captured by the Ottomans in 1668; it remained part of the Ottoman Empire until the end of First World War. Basra was the closest major city to the front lines of the Iran-Iraq War during the 1980s, with parts of the city destroyed by artillery fire. A few years later a rebellion against the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein was brutally crushed. While the city has largely physically recovered from these events, much of its cultural heritage has been lost. Basra is also on the front lines of climate change with summer temperatures nearing unbearable extremes. Desertification and salinization of the rivers is causing major issues. Combined with decades of neglect and social unrest, Basra is generally off-limits for tourists. Most foreigners finding themselves in the city are here because of nearby oil and natural gas facilities. However, there are still speckles of former glory left for the intrepid traveller to explore.
Climate
Basra is among the hottest cities on Earth, with temperatures exceeding 50 °C (122 °F) during July and August. While the air has a relatively low humidity, extreme temperatures can easily lead to dehydration and fatigue. Temperatures during the rest of the year are more pleasant, during winter months daily highs are around 20 °C (68 °F) while temperatures during spring and late fall hovers around 25–30 °C (77–86 °F).
Getting there
Basra is close to Kuwait. The Safwan border crossing is a safe exit point into Kuwait from Iraq, but it is highly inadvisable for foreigners to enter Iraq from Kuwait. The Iraqi immigration entry point is watched by insurgents and there is a small chance that they will try to kidnap Western-looking individuals on the road once they have crossed into Iraq. Entry from Iran is also very unsafe and is not advised.
By plane There are daily international connections from Dubai, Istanbul, Beirut and Amman and a few other hubs in the Middle East. Domestic flights are available from Erbil and Baghdad.
1 Basra International Airport (مطار البصرة الدولي). BSR IATA (updated Apr 2022)
By road The main road between Baghdad and Basra is Freeway 1, which is generally in good condition.
By train There are two overnight trains from Baghdad every day, a slower one taking 12 hours and one express train with a journey time of 6-7 hours. However, delays are quite common. Both trains carry a restaurant car and have both seats and couchettes. There are also occasional trains from the holy city of Karbala, operated mainly around religious festivals. A rail link with Iran is expected to open in 2025, with cross-border passenger service. Until then it's possible to travel by train to nearby Khorramshahr, the closest city across the border in Iran, which sees daily overnight trains from Tehran.
2 Basra al-Maqal railway station (محطة قطارات المعقل) (northern end of city centre). (updated Jun 2021)
By boat A river ferry is available from nearby Khorramshahr, across the border in Iran, taking just 45 minutes to complete the journey. The ferry is run by Valfajar Shipping Company and there are multiple sailings each week.
Getting around
A public transport system is available, but it's chaotic and provides little to no information in English. Walking is difficult as there are few footpaths. Taxis and ride-hailing services are however both plentiful and cheap and is generally the best way of travelling longer distances within the city.
See
This list also features some sites located in nearby the nearby city of Az Zubayr.
1 Basra Museum (متحف البصرة). 09:00-15:00. Opened in September 2016 in the former Lakeside Palace of Saddam Hussein. Iraqi citizens US$1, foreign visitors $10. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Basta Natural History Museum (متحف البصرة للتاريخ الطبيعي). (updated Jul 2023) 3 Badr Shakir al-Sayyab statue (At al-Basrah Corniche). Basra was the home of one of the Arab world's most celebrated poets, Badr Shakir al-Sayyab (1926-1964). This statue of him stands at the corniche. (updated Aug 2018) Badr Shakir al-Sayyab Home. Birthplace of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab, now a cultural center. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Sinbad Island. A tourist landmark, named after Sinbad the Sailor, who embarked on his legendary journeys from Basra. Decades ago, this island was known for its parks and nightlife. Perhaps it still is! (updated Dec 2017) 5 Corniche al-Basra. A street which runs on the shore of the Shatt al-Arab, from the Lion of Babylon square to the four palaces. (updated Dec 2017) 6 Basra Memorial (20 km southeast of the city, near town of Az Zubayr). A Commonwealth War Graves Commission war memorial. The memorial commemorates 40,682 Commonwealth forces members, of which 99% were Indians, who died during the Mesopotamian Campaign of World War I. (updated Aug 2020) 7 Basra War Cemetery. A Commonwealth War Graves Commission war memorial that used to contain almost 3,000 graves including 280 Indian graves. Vandalized after the Iraq War, only fragments of the cemetery remains. (updated Jul 2023)
Mosques 8 Imam Ali Mosque (جامع خطوة الإمام علي). Founded in 635, this is one of the oldest mosque in the history of Islam. Parts of the original structure remain. It's often referred to as the old mosque of Basra. (updated Mar 2020) 9 Sayyed Ali al-Musawi Mosque (Al-Basrah great Mosque) (In the city center on al-Gazear street). This mosque was built for Shia Imami's leader Sayyed Ali al-Moussawi in Iraq and neighboring countries. (updated Dec 2017) 10 Great Mosque of Basra. Largest mosque in Basra. (updated May 2021) 11 Mausoleum of Imam al-Hasan of Basra (مرقد الإمام الحسن البصري). Built in 1185, the mausoleum is dedicated to Ḥasan of Basra, an early Muslim theologian. (updated May 2021) 12 Anas Ibn Malik shrine. Historic shrine believed to be the burial site of Anas ibn Malik, a well-known early discipline of Islam. (updated Jun 2021) 13 Husayn ibn Ali Mosque (مزار عبد الله بن علي الهادي), Istiklal St. Ottoman-era Shia mosque. Located next to the (updated May 2022) 14 Al-Maqam Mosque (جامعة المقام). Built by the
Do
1 Basra Sports City (مدينة البصرة الرياضية). A major sports complex that opened in 2013. (updated Jul 2022) 2 River cruise. There are boats that will take you for a short cruise along the Shatt al-Arab. (updated Aug 2017) 3 Basrah Land (formerly Basrah Fun City). One of the oldest theme parks in southern Iraq, and the largest, involving a large number of games giants. (updated Mar 2021)
Buy
Indian market (Al-magaeiz). One of the main bazaars in the city. (updated Dec 2017) Hanna-Sheikh bazaar. An old market which was established by the powerful and famous Hanna-Sheikh family. (updated Dec 2017) Shanshal Mall, Al-Gazar Street, ☏ +964 770 577 7771. (updated Jun 2020) Basra Times Square, Dinar St, ☏ +964 771 330 3338. Daily 10:00-00:00. Indoor mall (updated Jun 2020)
Eat
Most restaurants are located along the corniche, many with excellent views over the river.
1 Shatt Al Arab Restaurant (مطعم وملتقى شط العرب السياحي). Large and popular restaurant with traditional Iraqi foods along the river. (updated Sep 2020)
Sleep
Apart from the more luxurious hotels there are several low- and mid-range options, which have limited online presence.
1 Basra International Hotel (فندق شيراتون البصرة) (In Al Ashar District), ☏ +964-781-5555472, [email protected]. One of few high-end hotels in town, has a swimming pool, tennis court and five restaurants. Service, however, is not on par with the quite hefty price. Prices from US$475 per night. (updated Feb 2019) 2 Shams Al Basra (شمس البصرة), Al-Watan Street, ☏ +964 781 116 5777. (updated Jul 2016) 3 Mnawi Basha Hotel (Menawi Basha Hotel). One of the big hotels in Basra. It implies it is a 5-star, but does not make 4-star on any normal scale. It is secure, food is edible, rooms reasonable and there is acceptable Wi-Fi. There are also ATMs. (updated Feb 2019) 4 Grand Millennium Al Seef Basra, +964 782 505 5555. One of the largest luxury hotels in Basra. (updated Aug 2023) 5 Basrah International Airport Hotel, ☏ +964 782 720 6970. Business-oriented hotel, located next to the airport. (updated Apr 2022)
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Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.