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
Full advisory →Is Baghdad safe? 🇮🇶
Iraq · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Baghdad scores 18/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — the U.S., U.K., and Canadian governments all issue a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Baghdad, reflecting an extreme risk to personal safety. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Baghdad 🇮🇶
Iraq · Assessed 29 July 2026
18
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~6% of countries
Score capped at 18 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime51/100CautionCrime index 53.2 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment39/100ElevatedMostly 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 2026-07-23T10:34:10.1566171-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Homicide rate
9.5 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Iraq9.5Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
48
Robbery / mugging
HighMugging and armed robbery are reported in several central districts, especially at night; visitors should stay in well‑lit, heavily guarded areas such as the International Zone.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in crowded markets and transport hubs; keep bags closed and avoid carrying phones in hand.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Elevated
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
39/100
Reported feel22Mostly negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler forums describe feeling unsafe in many parts of Baghdad, especially after dark, though some report confidence when moving with organized groups.
No — the U.S., U.K., and Canadian governments all issue a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Baghdad, reflecting an extreme risk to personal safety.
Baghdad’s composite safety index is 18 / 100, placing it in the HIGH‑RISK category; crime, conflict, and institutional instability scores are all low, and the official travel advisories cap the risk at the highest level.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026U.S. journalist kidnapped in Baghdad by suspected Iranian‑backed armed group— France 24
- Jun 2026Iraqi forces raid Baghdad's Green Zone in anti‑corruption sweep targeting senior politicians— i24NEWS
- Jul 2026Demonstrators faint from tear gas during a corruption protest in Tahrir Square— reutersconnect.com
- Mar 2026Turkish Embassy in Baghdad urges citizens to avoid Iraq travel— Daily Sabah
Common scams
- overcharging tourists in unlicensed taxis
- fake tour guides demanding payment for non‑existent services
- counterfeit currency exchanged at busy market stalls
Full briefing
Baghdad is officially rated “Do Not Travel” by the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, and its composite safety index of 18 / 100 confirms a HIGH‑RISK environment. The data show low scores for conflict, terrorism and institutional stability, while everyday hazards such as heat and air quality are moderate but not the primary concern for visitors. Recent news from July 2026 records a kidnapping of a U.S. journalist, a Green‑Zone anti‑corruption raid, and street protests that turned violent with tear‑gas exposure – all events that underscore the volatile security picture. Travel‑safe forums and blogs echo the advisory stance: while a few tourists manage to stay safe by sticking to central, heavily secured districts and traveling with vetted operators, most travelers report feeling uneasy, especially after dark or in crowded markets where pickpocketing and taxi scams are common. The city’s high robbery level is concentrated around central thoroughfares and the Green Zone, whereas pickpocketing is most frequent in bustling souks and transport hubs. Practical steps include hiring a reputable local guide, keeping valuables secured, using only licensed transport, and staying informed of any sudden protests or security sweeps. In short, the current ground reality matches the official warnings – travel to Baghdad carries serious, credible threats to personal safety and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Baghdad districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Baghdad safety map.
Jurf al‑SakravoidIndustrial zone on the city’s outskirts with limited services and frequent militia activity; not recommended for visitors.
Al-MuthannaavoidPeripheral district with poor infrastructure and sporadic militia clashes; avoid entirely.
Al-MansourcautionBusy central district with markets and cafés; daytime is generally fine but stay alert after dark and avoid isolated side streets.
AdhamiyahcautionMixed‑use area near the Green Zone; daytime is okay but avoid lingering near checkpoints after sunset.
Al-SaadcautionEmerging commercial neighborhood; daytime visits are possible but watch for occasional protests that can turn volatile.
KadhimiyahsaferResidential and religious area with shrines; well‑patrolled and low crime, but keep personal belongings secure.
Al-KadhimiyasaferHistoric district with shrines and parks; daytime foot traffic is high and security presence is visible.
Al-RashidsaferQuiet residential area close to the airport; generally safe but keep valuables out of sight.
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 reported in several central districts, especially at night; visitors should stay in well‑lit, heavily guarded areas such as the International Zone.
After dark, be most careful around Jurf al‑Sakr, Al-Muthanna, Al-Mansour, Adhamiyah. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Baghdad's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight18
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight18
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight18
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight18
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight18
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight18
09 · Questions
Baghdad safety FAQ
Is Baghdad safe for tourists right now?
No — the U.S., U.K., and Canadian governments all issue a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Baghdad, reflecting an extreme risk to personal safety. Baghdad’s composite safety index is 18 / 100, placing it in the HIGH‑RISK category; crime, conflict, and institutional instability scores are all low, and the official travel advisories cap the risk at the highest level. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Baghdad should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Jurf al‑Sakr, Al-Muthanna as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Baghdad?
- overcharging tourists in unlicensed taxis
- fake tour guides demanding payment for non‑existent services
- counterfeit currency exchanged at busy market stalls
How does Baghdad compare with other places in Iraq?
Baghdad scores 18/100 — see the Iraq safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Baghdad safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Iraq safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: baghdad.json (CC BY 4.0).