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Voykit pocket guide · Iraq
Ctesiphon
Half a day from Baghdad: see the Arch of Ctesiphon and Salman Al-Farsi Mosque, then return. No hotels in town.
Ctesiphon is a single-ruin site 35 km south of Baghdad. The only standing structure is Taq Kasra, the world's largest unreinforced brick arch, built by the Sasanian Empire. The nearby town of Salman Pak has a mosque with the tomb of Salman the Persian. No accommodation exists on site; most visitors come from Baghdad for a morning or afternoon.
- Country
- Iraq
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold and muddy)
- Stay
- 0 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. transport from Baghdad · Mid IQD 50,000–80,000 excl. transport · High IQD 80,000+ excl. transport (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 104 · Ambulance 122 · Fire 115
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taxi Baghdad–Ctesiphon one way | IQD 15,000–25,000 |
| Bottle of water | IQD 500–1,000 |
| Snack at Salman Pak bakery | IQD 2,000–5,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BGW · Baghdad International Airport
- About 50 km (31 mi) north; taxi to Ctesiphon about 1–1.5 h, check security situationAbout 31 mi (50 km) north; taxi to Ctesiphon about 1–1.5 h, check security situation
Typical fares
- Taxi Baghdad–Ctesiphon one way
- IQD 15,000–25,000, about 1 h (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
Private car or taxi from Baghdad is the only practical option. Roads to Salman Pak are paved; check local security advice before travel.
See and do
Known for
- Arch of Ctesiphon (Taq Kasra)
- Salman Al-Farsi Mosque
- Sasanian Empire capital ruins
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Baghdad | Taxi or private car, about 35 km (22 mi) northTaxi or private car, about 22 mi (35 km) north | About 1 h |
| Babylon | Taxi south, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Baghdad
- No hotels in Ctesiphon or Salman Pak. Stay in Baghdad and drive south.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكمas-salamu alaykum |
| Thank you | شكراshukran |
| How much? | بكم؟bikam? |
| To the arch, please | إلى القوس، من فضلكila al-qaws, min fadlik |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- No hotels, restaurants or shops in Ctesiphon itself; bring water and snacks.
- The arch is fragile and may be closed for conservation: check on site.
- Security situation near Baghdad varies; read your government travel advice and the Iraq warning.
Ctesiphon is in the Baghdad Belts, a region with variable security. Read the Iraq travel warning and your government advice. Travel with a local guide or trusted driver.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ctesiphon yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Arch of Ctesiphon (Taq Kasra)
- Salman Al-Farsi Mosque
- Sasanian Empire capital ruins
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Ctesiphon, revision 5234992 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5234992
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Ctesiphon
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلك
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Most embassies are in Baghdad. Check your government's travel advice for contact details.
Carry your passport and visa at all times; checkpoints are common.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/ctesiphon). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.