Do Not Travel
“There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S.”
Updated Mon, 02 Mar 2026
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Is Baghdad safe? 🇮🇶
Iraq · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Baghdad scores 20/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Baghdad is currently rated High Risk and carries a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory from multiple governments. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Baghdad 🇮🇶
Iraq · Assessed 19 August 2026
20
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~7% of countries
Score capped at 20 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime47/100CautionCrime index 39.5 / 100
Sentiment44/100CautionExtremely negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability35Elevated
Health62Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Federal Iraq FCDO advises against all travel to: The parts of Anbar province which are west of, but not including Ramadi City Diyala province except for Baqubah City Kirkuk province Ninawa province Salah al-Din province Jurf al-Sakr town in Babil province Sadr City, part of Baghdad province Within 5km of areas that border Iran in Wasit, Maysan and Basra provinces Within 5km of Iraq’s borders with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: The remainder of Al-Muthanna province Al-Qadasiyah province The remainder of Anbar province Babil province (except Jurf al-Sakr town) Baghdad province (except Sadr City) The remainder of Basra province, including Highways 1 and 8 and the Safwan-Kuwait border crossing Dhi Qar Province Karbala Province The remainder of Maysan province The remainder of Najaf province The remainder of Wasit province Baqubah City in Diyala province The road sections of Highway 34 between Baghdad and Baqubah, and Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil Kurdistan Region of Iraq FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.”
Updated 2026-07-22T16:11:21Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Iraq: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
7.2M residents
57
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon in central districts but can occur in peripheral neighborhoods, especially at night
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are prevalent in crowded markets and transport hubs such as Al‑Rashid Street and near the Green Zone
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Extremely negative
44/100
Reported feel12Extremely negative
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveller reports and forum posts describe feeling unsafe, with many cancelling plans after hearing about kidnappings and bombings
No — Baghdad is currently rated High Risk and carries a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory from multiple governments.
The composite safety index of 18 reflects extreme danger from conflict, terrorism and weak institutions; recent data shows frequent militant attacks and limited emergency support.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026U.S. journalist kidnapped near Green Zone; rescued after 48 hours— France 24
- Jun 2026Iraqi forces raid Green Zone in anti‑corruption sweep targeting senior politicians— i24NEWS
- Aug 2026Thousands of graduates protest in Baghdad demanding public sector jobs; protests remained peaceful but heightened security presence— Rudaw
- Aug 2026Farmers protest unpaid wheat dues in Baghdad; road blockades reported near Al‑Muthanna Bridge— Shafaq News
Common scams
- fake charity collections targeting tourists
- overpriced 'guided' tours by unlicensed operators
Full briefing
Baghdad today is rated High Risk and carries a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the U.S., Canada and the UK. The composite safety index of 18 reflects extreme danger from ongoing conflict, terrorism and weak institutions; recent data shows frequent militant attacks and limited emergency support. While mugging and armed robbery are only moderate risks, pickpocketing and bag‑snatching are high in crowded markets and transport hubs such as Al‑Rashid Street and near the Green Zone. Scams targeting visitors include fake charity collections and overpriced “guided” tours by unlicensed operators. Recent incidents from the live dossier illustrate the volatile environment: a U.S. journalist was kidnapped near the Green Zone in July 2026 (France 24), Iraqi forces conducted an anti‑corruption raid in the Green Zone in June 2026 (i24NEWS), and large protests over unpaid wheat dues and public‑sector employment created road blockades and heightened security presence in August 2026 (Rudaw, Shafaq News). Travelers who do proceed report an extremely negative consumer sentiment, with many cancelling plans after hearing about kidnappings and bombings. Practical safety tips include registering with your embassy, using only vetted drivers, avoiding travel after dark, carrying a personal safety alarm and staying in hotels with 24‑hour security. Even in relatively stable periods, the security landscape can shift rapidly, so constant vigilance and reliance on local, trusted guidance are essential.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Baghdad districts for visitors: 2 safer, 5 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Baghdad safety map.
Al-MuthannaavoidAvoid due to active militia checkpoints and frequent armed confrontations reported in August 2026
Al-MansourcautionCaution advised due to frequent militia presence and occasional indirect fire incidents reported in recent weeks
KadhimiyahcautionCaution advised as sporadic clashes between security forces and armed groups have occurred near the shrine complex
AdhamiyahcautionCaution advised because of occasional targeted attacks on civilian vehicles in the area
Al-RusafacautionCaution advised due to heightened checkpoints and occasional roadside bomb discoveries reported in July 2026
KahdimiyacautionCaution advised as the neighborhood experiences occasional protests that can turn volatile
MansoursaferGenerally safe for visitors during daylight with normal precautions; low crime and stable security presence
Al-SaadsaferGenerally safe for visitors during daylight with normal precautions; low crime and stable security presence
07 · After Dark
Is Baghdad safe at night?
49% of people in Iraq say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2018).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon in central districts but can occur in peripheral neighborhoods, especially at night
After dark, be most careful around Al-Muthanna, Al-Mansour, Kadhimiyah, Adhamiyah. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Baghdad safety FAQ (2026)
Is Baghdad safe right now (2026)?
No — Baghdad is currently rated High Risk and carries a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory from multiple governments. The composite safety index of 18 reflects extreme danger from conflict, terrorism and weak institutions; recent data shows frequent militant attacks and limited emergency support. (Assessed 19 August 2026.)
Is Baghdad safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Baghdad report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Baghdad should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Al-Muthanna as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Baghdad (2026)?
- fake charity collections targeting tourists
- overpriced 'guided' tours by unlicensed operators
How does Baghdad compare with other places in Iraq (2026)?
Baghdad ranks #1 of 4 Iraq destinations we've assessed, scoring 20/100. See the Iraq safety overview for the full list.
How is this baghdad safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More Iraq reports
3 reportsNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Iraq safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: baghdad.json (CC BY 4.0).