The Najaf travel guide will help you save money and make the most of your stay in this city in the shortest possible time. Because the city of Najaf is one of the most important pilgrimage cities and it is considered a popular destination because of the presence of the first imam of the Shiites.
In this article, we talk about the costs of traveling to Najaf and name its places of interest. If you are planning to travel to Najaf and want to know everything about this beautiful city, follow us to the end of this article.
- Where is Najaf?
- The best time to travel to Najaf
- How to travel to Najaf?
- Najaf International Airport
- How much does it cost to travel to Najaf?
- Buying a SIM card in Najaf
- Sightseeing places in Najaf
- Traditional dishes of Najaf
- Najaf souvenirs
- The best shopping centers in Najaf
- The best hotels in Najaf
- Various occasions in Najaf
Where is Najaf?
Najaf is a pilgrimage city for Muslims in Iraq, home to the shrine of the first Shia Imam, Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS). This city is located in the center of Najaf province and is among the most significant cities in Iraq. Geographically, Najaf is situated in the western part of Iraq, about 10 kilometers from the Euphrates River. Notably, the city has a population of nearly 17,000 and spans an area of 1,338 square kilometers.
Najaf is located 161 kilometers southwest of Baghdad and also 80 kilometers from Karbala. Interestingly, before the establishment of Najaf province, this city was considered part of the Karbala province. It now lies between Kufa and the desert.
Learn more about Najaf Airport
Best Time to Visit Najaf
Traveling to Najaf isn’t bound by a particular month or season. Due to the presence of Imam Ali’s holy shrine, Najaf is always a popular destination and never lacks visitors. However, on special occasions like the birth or martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS), Najaf fills with devotees from all over the world. If you wish to join this passionate crowd, consider these significant occasions. But, if you prefer a tranquil pilgrimage away from the crowds, consider visiting during other times of the year.
Checking Najaf’s weather is crucial for decision-making. Since Iraq has a hot and dry climate, it’s recommended to visit this pilgrimage city from fall to mid-spring. The good news is that during off-peak times, you can not only find cheaper flight tickets but also book hotels at more reasonable prices.
How to travel to Najaf?
In the travel guide to Najaf, we introduce how to travel to this religious city:
- Land trip to Najaf
If you want to go to Najaf by land and by car, you must first reach Mehran border. On normal days of the year, it is very easy to enter the territory of Iraq in this way; But on special occasions such as Arbaeen, when there is a lot of death, you should go to other borders such as Khosravi, Shalamcheh, Chazaba.
- Air travel to Najaf
The easiest way to travel to Najaf is to buy a plane ticket. With this method, you are finally on the road for 3 hours, and after arriving at the airport, your documents will be checked without the slightest delay, and then you can move to Najaf. To use this method, just go to Imam Khomeini Airport and board the destination plane. Also, note that after the plane lands at Najaf International Airport, it is possible to go to the city center and the hotel of your choice easily using public transportation.
Najaf International Airport
The airport of Najaf is located on the eastern side of the city, on a street named after the airport itself. The distance from this airport to Karbala is about 1 hour by transport and is 10 kilometers away from Imam Ali’s shrine. Najaf Airport became operational in 2008. Before its establishment, the area was used as a military base.
Moreover, this airport includes four exit gates, accommodation for passengers, a taxiway, and amenities such as dining halls, VIP lounges, etc., for the convenience and comfort of all pilgrims. Every year, this airport hosts many flights from Iran, including airlines like Iran Air, Meraj, Airlin, and others.
How much does it cost to travel to Najaf?
Traveling by plane or private car to Najaf, in addition to their advantages and disadvantages, their costs are also different. You can select one of these routes according to your budget and the time you have allocated for the trip. We will continue to examine the costs of each of these methods:
The cost of traveling to Najaf by plane | |
Air ticket price | From Tehran and Mashhad, about 1.5 million tomans to 2 million tomans |
| Fees for leaving the countr | 400 thousand tomans |
The cost of traveling to Najaf by private car | |
Preparation of international card | 100 thousand tomans |
Preparation of international certificate | 109 thousand tomans |
| Fees for leaving the country | 400 thousand tomans |
Purchasing a SIM Card in Najaf
One of the concerns of travelers and pilgrims in the city of Najaf is purchasing a SIM card. Therefore, in this section, we intend to discuss how to buy a SIM card and its cost:
The first available operator in Najaf is “Asiacell”, where the calling rate to Iran is calculated at 280 dinars per minute. Each short message also costs 150 dinars. To view the list of internet packages for this operator, just dial *299#. “Zain” is another means of communicating with Iran, with similar charges as Asiacell. To view the list of internet packages for this operator, just enter *321#.
“Korak Telecom” is another active operator in Najaf, and by dialing *250#, the list of internet packages will be shown. If you plan to purchase a SIM card from any of these operators, you can visit the Asiacell and Zain subscriber agencies in Tehran. If you’re in Iraq, you can purchase them from SIM card sale centers.
Sightseeing places in Najaf
This is you and these are the most important places to visit in Najaf:
Sightseeing places in Naja | address | visiting hours |
Hanana Mosque | Between Najaf and Kufa – near the cemetery of Thawi | 24 hours a day |
Hazrat Adam grave | Wadi-o-salam Cemetery – near Hazrat Ali shrine | – |
Nimrod Tower | Abadi Dhil al-Kafel – next to Shat | – |
Moze-al-Asbaein | Shrine of Imam Ali | 24 hours a day |
Indian mosque | Next to the library of Ayatollah Hakim | 24 hours a day |
Khornaq Palace | Two kilometers from Najaf | 24 hours a day |
Dhi al-Kafel’s tomb | 40 km from Najaf Road | 24 hours a day |
Tomb of Sheikh Tusi | near the shrine of Imam Ali | – |
Learn more about the places of interest in Najaf
Traditional Foods of Najaf
Surely you have heard about the traditional foods of Najaf. The city has delicious traditional dishes that you can try during your stay in Najaf for a sweet and memorable journey. One of the most famous dishes of Najaf is “Qeyma”, which is popularly known as “Najafi Qeyme”. If you have participated in the Arbaeen walk, you have surely been tempted to try this traditional dish.
“Fasolia” is another dish from the city of Najaf. This Arabian stew, which includes chicken and white beans, has an incredible aroma and flavor. This traditional dish is served with rice. “Al-Biryani” is also a very delicious Arabian rice dish and is considered one of the best traditional dishes of Najaf.
Najaf’s “Bamia” and the Iraqi kebab are other enticing dishes from this city that we recommend you definitely try. Of course, “Dolma Kebab” also has many fans in Najaf. The aroma and taste of this dish are indescribable, and anyone who tries “Dolma Kebab” once becomes its lifelong fan.
Najaf Souvenirs
Pilgrimage cities like Najaf have notable souvenirs, perhaps the most important being dates, seals, prayer beads, and sacred soil. These items are the primary souvenirs of cities like Najaf and Karbala, and alongside them, prayer rugs have a special place. Sometimes, leather products such as bags – available in handheld, shoulder styles, etc. also purchased as souvenirs from Najaf, each of good quality.
Oud incense burners and various fragrant powders are also considered Najaf souvenirs. Silver rings with precious stones and “Dishdasha”, the traditional Arab men’s dress, are other souvenirs from Najaf. Of course, edible souvenirs like Baklava also have their unique fans. Some shops in Najaf sell wooden and metal paintings, as well as gold, copper, and silver utensils, each of which can be an attractive souvenir and a beautiful memory of Najaf.
Best Shopping Centers in Najaf
Najaf city has two main and amazing markets, with Najaf Market being one of them. Travelers and pilgrims can easily visit this market to purchase necessities and souvenirs from Najaf. This market is located on Imam Zain-ul-Abidin Street and is currently considered one of the chicest markets in Najaf. You can buy various prayer beads, prayer mats, and chadors from Najaf Market and also check out the goldsmiths on your way.
City Mall is another shopping center in Najaf, covering an area of 80,000 square meters, offering the best products at reasonable prices to pilgrims. This market has a café, several restaurants, an indoor game center, a hypermarket, and more, all accessible to every traveler. The mall is located near the holy shrine.
The best hotels in Najaf
We have listed the most important hotels in Najaf in the table below:
Najaf hotels | address | facilities |
Qasr-Aldur Hotel Najaf | Imam Zain al-Abidin Street, Najaf | It has two restaurants named Qatar Elandi and Panorama, equipped with a coffee shop, free Wi-Fi |
Kowsar Hotel Najaf | Next to the new courtyard of Hazrat Zahra | Amazing architecture, close to Hazrat Ali shrine |
Arz Al Sahlah Hotel in Najaf | Rasool Street | Private bathroom, equipped with a restaurant with local and international dishes |
| Qasr al-Ziyafa hotel in Najaf | Imam Sadiq Street, in front of Hazrat Zahra Square | It has a high-quality restaurant, free internet |
Zamzam Hotel Najaf | near Safi Safa shrine, next to the post office | Restaurant with open buffet, coffee shop, playground for children, private parking |
Different Occasions in Najaf
On the birth anniversary of Imam Ali (PBUH), Najaf takes on a different atmosphere. In honor of this auspicious day, the courtyard and premises of the holy shrine are adorned with bouquets of flowers, and the shrine is prepared for celebration.
Various banners specifically made for this special holiday are also set up in the shrine’s courtyard. Meanwhile, in the city of Najaf, pavilions are set up at the city entrances and around the shrine to host the visitors. It’s worth mentioning that during the celebration of Imam Ali’s birthday, poetry readings, eulogies, and religious hymns are held at the highest quality, attended by enthusiasts and lovers of the Ahlel Beyt.
It’s also worth noting that the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Ali is another event held in Najaf, which is respected and observed every year.
When planning an air trip to Najaf, the first step is to buy a flight ticket to Najaf. Using the “Sepehran” website, you can easily and conveniently reserve your flight ticket. Benefit from our online services during the ticket reservation, such as seat selection on the flight, the option to purchase Excess Baggage, and meal-selection, ensuring a delightful journey to your destination.
last word
We don’t know if you have ever traveled to Najaf before, but in our opinion, even for those who have visited the city previously, having a good guide can turn a trip to Najaf into one of the best and most memorable journeys. So, in this article, we’ve tried to cover everything about this pilgrimage city, answering all your questions about travel expenses, how to buy a SIM card, the best hotels, and shopping centers in Najaf.
