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Voykit pocket guide · Iraq
Tikrit
Check current security advice before considering Tikrit. If safe, a half-day stop covers the main sights; no need to stay overnight.
Tikrit is a small city on the Tigris, known as the birthplace of Saladin and Saddam Hussein. Its sights – a damaged 8th-century church, a former presidential palace, and historic mosques – are few and mostly in ruins. The city is safe to visit during daylight but lacks tourist infrastructure. Most travellers pass through on the Baghdad–Mosul road without stopping.
- Country
- Iraq
- Best months
- March–May, October–November
- Avoid
- July–August (extreme heat), December–February (cold, rain)
- 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 (check) · Mid IQD 50,000–80,000 (check) (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 104 · Fire and ambulance 115
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local taxi ride (within city) | IQD 5,000–10,000 |
| Simple meal (kebab, rice, bread) | IQD 5,000–8,000 |
| Bottle of water | IQD 500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BGW · Baghdad International Airport
- About 170 km (106 mi) south; the nearest major airport. Onward transport and timing: check.About 106 mi (170 km) south; the nearest major airport. Onward transport and timing: check.
Typical fares
- Taxi Baghdad → Tikrit
- about IQD 25,000–40,000, 2–3 hours (check)
- Local taxi per ride
- IQD 5,000–10,000
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 only practical option within Tikrit; negotiate the fare before getting in. The city is compact enough to walk between the main sights in a few hours.
See and do
Known for
- Birthplace of Saladin and Saddam Hussein
- Saint Ahoadamah Church (Green Church)
- Former presidential palace complex
- Forty Martyrs Mosque
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Samarra | Taxi or private car, about 1 hour south on Highway 1 | About 1 hour (check) |
| Mosul | Taxi or private car, about 1.5 hours north on Highway 1 | About 1.5 hours (check) |
| Kirkuk | Taxi or private car, about 2 hours northeast | About 2 hours (check) |
Sleep
- City centre
- A few basic hotels near the main square. Availability, payment methods and amenities: check.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكمas-salaam alaykum |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much? | بكم؟bikam? |
| Yes / No | نعم / لاna'am / la |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Check your government's travel advice for Iraq before planning any trip.
- The road between Baghdad and Mosul has seen robberies and hijackings: travel during daylight, use a reputable driver.
- No passenger rail service to Tikrit; the station is closed.
- Cash only; no ATMs that accept foreign cards (check).
- Most sights are damaged or partially destroyed; set expectations accordingly.
Check your government's travel advice for Iraq before planning any trip. The security situation can change quickly; travel with a trusted driver and avoid night travel.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tikrit yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Birthplace of Saladin and Saddam Hussein
- Saint Ahoadamah Church (Green Church)
- Former presidential palace complex
- Forty Martyrs Mosque
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: Tikrit, revision 5285902 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5285902
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/tikrit). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.