Najaf Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in central-south Iraq
About Najaf
The city covered by this article, usually referred to outside Iraq as "Najaf", in fact consists of two cities which, over the centuries, have grown until they joined together. These are Najaf, in the west, and Kufa (sometimes spelled Kufah), in the east. Both are considered holy by Shi'a Muslims, containing the graves of various important religious figures. Additionally, many key events in the lives of these figures took place in Najaf and/or Kufa. As such, the vast majority of visitors to Najaf are Shi'a pilgrims (referred to as Zuwwar in Arabic, or Za'ir in the singular), and they usually travel in groups, guided by a religious scholar. Nonetheless, independent travel is now also possible.
Top Attractions in Najaf
Explore the best things to see and do in Najaf:
- ★Al-Qadisiyyah
- ★Great Mosque of Kufa
- ★Khan al-Nuss
- ★Najaf Heritage Museum
- ★Ruins of Al-Hirah
- ★Wadi-us-Salaam
Where to Stay in Najaf
- 🏨Al Sahla Land Hotel
- 🏨Qaser AlDeyafa Hotel
- 🏨Qasr AlDur Hotel
- 🏨Zamzam Hotel
Najaf Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: