Major city · Iraq
Babylonبابل
Visit Babylon for a half‑day stop, no overnight stay needed – see the ruins and nearby Saddam palace, then return to Hillah.
Babylon is an archaeological site about 5 km north of Hillah. The main attractions are the ancient ruins (Ishtar Gate replica, Lion of Babylon, Etemenanki) and Saddam Hussein’s modern summer palace. A few hours are enough; most travellers combine it with a night in Hillah or a day trip from Baghdad.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IQD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (very hot)
- Airport
- BGW
- Nights
- 0 (day‑trip) or 1 if you stay at the resort.
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Iraq before a…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Iraq ↗Check your own government travel advice for Iraq before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Iraq ↗Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region run separate entry rules; check both if relevant.
- Iraq ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Iraq before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Babylon104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Babylon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cash in dinars and US dollars covers almost everything: see Insurance & payments above.Iraq-wide
- SafetySecurity can be volatile; follow local advice, travel in daylight, and keep valuables concealed.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 122 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBGW Baghdad International Airport (Taxi or hired car to Hillah (≈ 150 km (93 mi), 2 h).).BGW Baghdad International Airport (Taxi or hired car to Hillah (≈ 93 mi (150 km), 2 h).).
- Getting aroundTaxi from Hillah is the most reliable; hire‑car or private driver also works.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeIQD 2,000–3,500
- Street or quick mealKebab (grilled meat)has: pork|beef|chickenIQD 5,000–8,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km)IQD 20,000–25,000
- Museum or sight ticketEntrance to Saddam’s palace (free)IQD 0
- Budget bedSimple room or hostel bed, a night, per personIQD 20,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IQD 30,000 · Mid IQD 45,000 · High IQD 70,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BGW Baghdad International Airport (Taxi or hired car to Hillah (≈ 150 km (93 mi), 2 h).)BGW Baghdad International Airport (Taxi or hired car to Hillah (≈ 93 mi (150 km), 2 h).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Babylon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Jun
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxi from Hillah is the most reliable; hire‑car or private driver also works. No public transport reaches the ruins directly.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hillah
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min round‑trip
Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi) north, about 15 minTaxi 3.1 mi (5 km) north, about 15 min
Base town with hotels, restaurants and bus links to Baghdad.
Baghdad
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 4 h total
Bus or private car, ~2 h each way
Longer day; consider overnight stay in Baghdad instead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Babylon Tourist Resort
Located near the site, simple rooms; good base if you need a night.
Hillah hotels
Several mid‑range options a short taxi ride away.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- IQD 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IQD 45,000–70,000 excl. bed
- High
- IQD 70,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Simple room or hostel bed1 × 1 night × IQD 20,000 | IQD 20,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × IQD 30,000 | IQD 30,000 |
| Taxi Hillah → Babylon, round trip1 × IQD 20,000 · check | IQD 20,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IQD 7,000 |
| Trip total≈ IQD 77,000 per person per day, bed included | IQD 77,000 |
2026 estimate in IQD; flights and transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | IQD 2,000–3,500 |
| Tea | IQD 1,500–2,500 |
| Kebab (grilled meat)has: pork|beef|chicken | IQD 5,000–8,000 |
| Taxi 5 km | IQD 20,000–25,000 |
| Entrance to Saddam’s palace (free) | IQD 0 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security situation can change; check current travel advisories before you go.
- The site has limited facilities – bring water and sun protection.
- Some monuments (e.g., Ishtar Gate replica) are modern reconstructions; manage expectations.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Medical
- 122
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Babylonبابل
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Medical122
Embassy
Check the US consulate in Erbil or Baghdad for current contact details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hillah → Babylon, taxi: about IQD 20,000–25,000, 15 min (check)
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marḥabā)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- كم السعر؟ — How much? (kam al‑siʿr?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the bathroom? (ayna al‑ḥammām?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Babylon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (very hot)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Taxi from Hillah to Babylon (check driver licence).
- Hire a guide for detailed site explanations (optional).
- Stay at Babylon Tourist Resort for a night if you prefer onsite lodging.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Babylon
- secondaryWikivoyage: Babylon, revision 5237299 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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