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Voykit pocket guide · Iraq
Amarah
العمارة
Half a day to see the war cemetery and museum, then move on: Amarah is a stopover, not a destination.
Amarah is the capital of Maysan province, founded in 1860 as an Ottoman outpost. It has a small archaeological museum, a First World War cemetery and a 1940 church. Most travellers pass through on the way to Basra or Nasiriyah.
- Country
- Iraq
- Local name
- العمارة
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (extreme heat, over 46°C (115°F))Jun–Sep (extreme heat, over 115°F (46°C))
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IQD
- Money
- Cash in dinars and US dollars covers almost everything: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget IQD 30,000–50,000 excl. bed · Mid IQD 50,000–100,000 excl. bed · High IQD 100,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 104 · Fire and ambulance 115
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea at a local café | IQD 500–1,000 |
| Kebab meal | IQD 5,000–10,000 |
| Taxi ride within the city | IQD 3,000–7,000 |
| Shared minibus to Basra | IQD 10,000–15,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BSR · Basra International Airport
- About 2 h by road; taxis and private transfers available
Typical fares
- Basra airport → Amarah, taxi
- about IQD 50,000, about 2 h (check)
- Amarah → Nasiriyah, shared minibus
- about IQD 10,000–15,000, about 1.5 h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis are the main way to get around; negotiate the fare before you get in. Walking is possible in the centre but limited by heat and traffic.
See and do
Known for
- Maysan Archaeological Museum
- Amara War Cemetery
- Saint Josef Church
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Basra | Taxi or shared minibus, about 2 h | About 2.5 h |
| Nasiriyah | Taxi or shared minibus, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
Sleep
- City centre
- Near the museum and main market; Kurmick Maysan Hotel is the main option.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكمas-salamu alaykum |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much? | بكم؟bikam? |
| Yes / No | نعم / لاna'am / la |
| Where is the museum? | أين المتحف؟ayn al-mathaf? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Check your government's travel advice before planning a trip to Amarah.
- The war cemetery is not in the best condition; manage expectations.
- Extreme summer heat: carry water and avoid being outside between 11:00 and 16:00.
Amarah is generally safe for travellers who follow local customs and check their government's travel advice. The main risks are heat, traffic and the condition of the war cemetery.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Amarah yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Maysan Archaeological Museum
- Amara War Cemetery
- Saint Josef Church
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission — Amara War Cemetery: www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/69100/amara-war-cemetery/
- Wikivoyage: Amarah, revision 5221825 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5221825
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/amarah). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.