Yep, solo female travel in Iraq is possible! I was there for a month, and I survived and, dare I say, thrived.
Iraq does not evoke ideas of safety and security for most people. Decades of war and violence—caused largely in part by my home country, the United States—destabilized the country and made living both dangerous and difficult for residents and tourists alike. These days, Iraq is on the mend, and the security situation has improved. So much that in , the country introduced visas on arrival for citizens of 37 countries.
To some, solo female travel to Iraq may seem a laughable idea. And the idea of an American gasp! But to me, it was the perfect time to give solo female travel in Iraq a go.
Yes, I, American Alex, traveled solo in Iraq for one month on my motorcycle. Yes, it was a blast. No, not that kind of blast. The question now is… is solo female travel in Iraq safe?
Clearly I lived, naturally I learned, and definitely I recommend it to some female travelers. Read on for everything you need to know about solo female travel in Iraq. With motorcycle or without. Note: This article refers to solo female travel in southern Iraq Federal Iraq. Iraqi Kurdistan in the north is far more frequented by foreign tourists, and Kurdish culture is also distinct from the Arabic culture in the south.
