Karbala

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.



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.



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



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.



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.

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.