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Voykit pocket guide · Iraq
Babylon
بابل
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.
- Country
- Iraq
- Local name
- بابل
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (very hot)
- Stay
- 0 (day‑trip) or 1 if you stay at the resort. 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 30,000–45,000 excl. bed · Mid IQD 45,000–70,000 excl. bed · High IQD 70,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 104 · Medical 122
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | IQD 2,000–3,500 |
| Tea | IQD 1,500–2,500 |
| Kebab (grilled meat) | IQD 5,000–8,000 |
| Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km) | IQD 20,000–25,000 |
| Entrance to Saddam’s palace (free) | IQD 0 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BGW · Baghdad International Airport
- Taxi or hired car to Hillah (≈ 150 km (93 mi), 2 h).Taxi or hired car to Hillah (≈ 93 mi (150 km), 2 h).
Typical fares
- Hillah → Babylon, taxi
- about IQD 20,000–25,000, 15 min (check)
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
Taxi from Hillah is the most reliable; hire‑car or private driver also works. No public transport reaches the ruins directly.
See and do
Known for
- Ishtar Gate replica
- Lion of Babylon
- Etemenanki (Tower of Babel)
- Saddam Hussein’s Babylonian Summer Palace
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hillah | Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi) north, about 15 minTaxi 3.1 mi (5 km) north, about 15 min | ≈ 30 min round‑trip |
| Baghdad | Bus or private car, ~2 h each way | ≈ 4 h total |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | مرحباmarḥabā |
| Thank you | شكراshukran |
| How much? | كم السعر؟kam al‑siʿr? |
| Where is the bathroom? | أين الحمام؟ayna al‑ḥammām? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Security can be volatile; follow local advice, travel in daylight, and keep valuables concealed.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Babylon yet. Suggested stay: 0 (day‑trip) or 1 if you stay at the resort. nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Ishtar Gate replica
- Lion of Babylon
- Etemenanki (Tower of Babel)
- Saddam Hussein’s Babylonian Summer Palace
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Babylon: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Babylon, revision 5237299 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5237299
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/babylon). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.