National park · Iraq
Assurآشور
Visit Assur as a half-day stop on the Baghdad–Mosul highway: the site is small enough to walk in 2–3 hours, but the security situation is unstable and the condition of structures is unverified since 2015. Go only if your own government advice permits travel to northwestern Iraq, and do not stray from marked paths.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2003
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Security 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.
- Northwestern Iraq ↗Most travelers need a visa obtained in advance; e‑visa not available as of 2026.
- Northwestern Iraq ↗Urban areas are moderately safe; avoid rural zones where small ISIS cells may operate.
At a glance
- Country
- Iraq
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Approximate area of the archaeological site; the UNESCO buffer zone is larger (check).
- Established
- 2003
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Assur (Ashur) is the ancient Assyrian capital on the Tigris, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003. The archaeological area is compact — a ziggurat, temple ruins and royal tombs — but its condition has not been assessed since 2015, when the site was overrun. Visit only if your own government advice permits travel to northwestern Iraq, and stay on marked paths due to possible unexploded ordnance.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2003Inscribed as a reaction to plans to submerge parts of the site under a dam project, which was put on hold.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2003
Approximate area of the archaeological site; the UNESCO buffer zone is larger (check).
Why go
- One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with over 4,000 years of history.
- The ziggurat and temple ruins sit on a bluff above the Tigris, giving a sense of the ancient Assyrian capital.
- Very few visitors; you may have the site almost to yourself.
- A tangible link to the Assyrian empire, far less reconstructed than other sites in Iraq.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible rain; security situation may be worse in winter (check).
- FebCold, muddy paths.
- MarMild; start of the dry season.
- AprWarm, clear; best for walking the site.
- MayHot but dry; go early.
- JunVery hot; little shade.
- JulExtreme heat; security may be worse (check).
- AugExtreme heat; avoid.
- SepHot; possible dust storms.
- OctMild and dry.
- NovCool; short days.
- DecCold, rain possible.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds along the TigrisMar–May, Oct–Nov · Migratory waterfowl and resident species. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Desert reptilesApr–Jun, Sep–Oct · Lizards and snakes; keep a distance. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mosul
Drive south on Highway 1 for about 140 km (87 mi); the site is signposted near Al-Shirqat.Drive south on Highway 1 for about 87 mi (140 km); the site is signposted near Al-Shirqat.
2–2.5 h
From Baghdad
Drive north on Highway 1 for about 300 km (186 mi); the site is near Al-Shirqat.Drive north on Highway 1 for about 186 mi (300 km); the site is near Al-Shirqat.
4–5 h
From Al-Shirqat
Taxi or private car; the site is 10 km (6.2 mi) north of the town.Taxi or private car; the site is 6.2 mi (10 km) north of the town.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main archaeological area | The ziggurat, Temple of Nabu, royal tombs and other ruins within the walled city. | Open; walkable on foot. |
| Outer perimeter | The area around the site, including the Tigris riverbank. | Accessible but not part of the official site; check for unexploded ordnance. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from Wikivoyage and Wikidata; the Royal Tombs location is approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to the archaeological site | Free | person | No official fee is published; check with local authorities or your guide. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry to the site permit or guide
Photography permit no permit
Park rules
- Stay on marked paths
- Unexploded ordnance may remain from the 2015 destruction; do not stray from designated routes.
- No climbing on unstable ruins
- The structures have not been assessed since 2015; some may collapse.
- No drones
- Drone use is prohibited without permission from the Iraqi authorities.
- No littering
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins on site.
Where to stay
Near the park
Al-Shirqat guesthouses
Basic accommodation in the nearest town; check availability and security.
Near the park
Mosul hotels
A wider range of hotels, 2 hours north.
Safety
Unexploded ordnance high
Security situation high
Heat and dehydration medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The site is flat and compact; most ruins are reachable by a short walk from the car park.
- No wheelchair-accessible paths or facilities.
Visiting lightly
- Do not remove any artefacts or stones; the site is unprotected and looting is a risk.
- Hire a local guide from Al-Shirqat to support the community.
- Report any damage or suspicious activity to the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Assur?
No official fee is published. Check with the local authorities or your guide before visiting.
What are the best hikes in Assur?
The site is small and flat; the main walk is a 2–3 hour loop past the ziggurat, Temple of Nabu and royal tombs. There are no marked hiking trails.
When is the best time to visit Assur?
April, May, October and November are the best months: mild and dry. Avoid July and August due to extreme heat.
Is Assur safe to visit?
The security situation in northwestern Iraq is unstable. Check your government travel advice and consider hiring a local guide or security escort. The site itself may contain unexploded ordnance; stay on marked paths.
Can I see the ziggurat?
The ziggurat is the main structure on site. Its condition has not been assessed since 2015, but it is visible from the path. Do not climb on unstable parts.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Assur
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