Inside IRAQ as a Tourist 🇮🇶

My first day in Baghdad, Iraq 🇮🇶 for years I have wanted to come to this amazing country but with everything that has happened here it was impossible to come! However Iraq is on the rise and now tourist are welcome to visit so I took that opportunity and flew to Baghdad. This is my first couple hours walking around the capital.
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#Iraq #Baghdad

[@deathbycocktail]

I've only seen little clips of Baghdad over the years, and this series looks really interesting, nice one 👍🏻

[@BackpackerBen]

More to come mate

[@zebaahmed9740]

Send me what's up nmbr

[@fdk7014]

They seem a bit surprised to see a tourist and I can understand them. I hope they will be able to rebuild their society soon and get many more tourists.

[@BackpackerBen]

Me too mate

[@1gadena]

Any Iraqis I've ever met have been really nice people who are very hospitable and welcoming it's easy to become friends with them instantly. Very happy social people

[@BackpackerBen]

I’m having that experience mate Very nice people here

[@1gadena]

@@BackpackerBen That's just my experience from meeting iraqis here in the UK working with them. Met one guy whilst working for Amazon then after a little chat invited him to go muy Thai kickboxing with me then after he invited me to a sheesh lounge Dubai nights in Sheffield and I was the only non Muslim white guy there but they all welcomed me all bringing me shit loads of free food from their keebab shops, chicken,pizza,keebabs and free drink 🤣 I'm from Plymouth too but worked with a few over the years in kitchens mainly. Lovely people who know how to have a laugh

[@van3158]

I’ve had many shoot at me 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@1gadena]

@@van3158 🤣 occupational hazard?

[@ChandChandramukhi]

Omg, you "didn't know Baghdad had rivers", that is enormous. "This river"... haha, the cradle of civilisation, the famous Mesopotamia (which means between rivers), the countless literary works about Tigris and Euphrates, all reduced to nothingness in one second. And Freya Stark, who wrote so nicely about her days in Baghdad...in the book Baghdad Sketches, from a bygone era (1937)when travel was documented in elevated forms like beautiful writing.

[@BackpackerBen]

Yeah my bad 😅🤝

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks for the comment

[@ChandChandramukhi]

@@BackpackerBen I was negative, but your genuine interest, innocence and devotion to the cause are compensating the history gaps. Also I enjoyed your trip, you are handsome and you bother to answer all the comments. Keep it going!

[@BackpackerBen]

@@ChandChandramukhi thank you!! :)

[@EamonnSheehy]

Actually it was when you said 'didn't know Baghdad had rivers..' that I said I better subscribe and see how you get on knowing zilch about the place 😅 . Very ironic scenes during the invasion of Baghdad getting bombed and shoot outs on the Tigris river. Definitely a place I want to visit. Only met a few Iraqi's and they are really friendly. Very good vids!!

[@t4om154]

Amazing video Ben. My local Barber is from Iraq. He is such a lovely guy and we often talk about Iraq and what it would be like for a white foreigner to visit (from a safety aspect) What he described is exactly what happenes in your video, people are friendly. Helpful and happy that you chose to visit their country. He also told me that Iraq isn't like we see on sky news. Its a wonderful place and I should visit I may bite the bullet and go!

[@BackpackerBen]

Do it mate. You’ll have an amazing time

[@MacTravellers]

I had no idea they did visa on arrival, sure does sound like things are getting much better!

[@BackpackerBen]

absolutely!

[@johnafrica7979]

People of Iraq are very friendly and welcoming to guests it’s great to see

[@BackpackerBen]

Nicest people I’ve met so far! 🇮🇶❤️

[@van3158]

Some are… my experience was vastly different in 03-04

[@Albert1872.]

@@van3158 were you a guest back then?

[@gxr5053]

@@van3158 yes it’s was bad around 03-04 because you came to fight in war not as tourist so there’s a different

[@gxr5053]

@@Albert1872. he didn’t came as guest he came to fight in war

[@markhannan9387]

Having lived in Saudi Arabia for 2 years I can confirm the place will come alive around dinner time to about 2am in the morning - bazaars , markets , restaurants etc. Also don’t expect too much to be open on Friday’s which is their holiest day of the week . Good video , which reminds me of down town Riyadh, the old town near all the markets. I also believe they are about to enter one of the holiest periods of the year Very interesting

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks for watching mate

[@markhannan9387]

No worries , very enjoyable mate . Make sure you keep the fluids in you - it can get pretty hot and nasty, especially when the wind blows up a bit . A good kebab and plenty of water should sort you out !!

[@jacoblanglois]

What a fascinating journey, can't wait to see the rest of it. Also that river is probably the Tigris?

[@BackpackerBen]

No clue mate 😂 but thanks

[@Rx.1]

Yes it’s

[@ridha1452]

Thank you for this video. I will visit Iraq soon. I love Iraq a lot from Lebanon.

[@BackpackerBen]

Do it bro it’s amazing

[@jerry50bmg65]

Ben, you are a brave soul. I hope you fulfill your mission, and have a great time at it. Thanks for the content. I vacation vicariously through you.

[@BackpackerBen]

Cheers Jerry I appreciate you watching

[@Albert-the-Astro]

Taking the photo from google image, to show the cab driver is a brilliant idea. Peace and Love from Texas!

[@manga1479]

This is so class. Love seeing your travels brother. Take care legend

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks mate!

[@mohammedmahmoud337]

They are in maintenance work for the area to make it look better. Greetings from Baghdad

[@BackpackerBen]

thank you my brother!

[@FreddieWanders]

I have also just arrived in Iraq! Gonna try hitchhike across. Very promising so far super warm and welcoming ❤️

[@BackpackerBen]

Good luck mate any questions let me know on Instagram

[@h.b.7104]

I think you were walking in a neighborhood called Bataween, which they tell tourists to avoid on account of it being "dangerous." As you see, it is not dangerous, but it is a poor area. Enjoy your time in Baghdad. I hope you find good food.

[@BackpackerBen]

Very nice people bro

[@f7i7]

@@BackpackerBen it's very dangerous we are the local people in Baghdad avoid it

[@brianf9615]

I bet they have some yummy food there! Be safe Ben and enjoy your visit.

[@BackpackerBen]

Cheers Brian 🍻

[@ProudMesopotamianGirl]

10:02 hahaha, dude... Tigris, a giant river runs through Baghdad and splits it into two halves. There are many other smaller rivers. 😁😂

[@kevintownsend3840]

That visa on arrival sounds nice and I'd love to return and see Baghdad without my uniform and M4

[@BackpackerBen]

Do it 😎

[@shadimadeit]

Its sad how the rivers arent flowing as they used to since Turkey build big dams upstream

[@itsmylife318]

Thank you so much for showing us Baghdad . you are a brave man .

[@BackpackerBen]

My pleasure

[@cold285]

Love it. Baghdad is on my too visit list also 😀 I really enjoy off the beaten track also, Chisinau & Transnistria for me next 👍🏼

[@BackpackerBen]

Do it ✅✅✅✅✅

[@cold285]

September matey. Loved your vids with the big bald one. He has inspired a lot of my adventures. The best of luck to you my friend ❤

[@BackpackerBen]

@@cold285 huge thanks :)

[@aronjohns4662]

Okay I want to go Iraq 🇮🇶 thanks Ben for showing it’s possible

[@BackpackerBen]

A must visit mate

[@sharonedwards3700]

Discovered your channel through Bald, really enjoying it, very interesting and informative. Looking forward to catching up on all your adventures!

[@BackpackerBen]

Thank you Sharon! 🙂

[@MarriedToTheKGB]

Your videos are getting better and better. I really like how you do them

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks mate! Many to come

[@kamrans2887]

sindbad is a famous character from 1001 Nights who lived in Baghdad. the book has 7 voyages of Sindbad. Hollywood has made many movies on it. Perhaps most famous is " 7th voyage of Sindbad" 1958

[@mohammedadel514]

Well mate you are so brave I am Iraqi and I never been to that neighborhood in my life. Take care

[@BackpackerBen]

Seems fine to me bro 😂 👍 thanks for watching

[@user-cu2gy9fc4o]

What was the name of the neighborhood?

[@mohammedadel514]

@@user-cu2gy9fc4o البتاوين

[@alexford6956]

I stayed at the same hotel in Baghdad! Baghdad is a great city loved it there

[@trident1125]

2:38 btw that's Firdous Square where the famous Saddam statue was toppled. I just got back from backpacking Baghdad as well, blazing hot but amazing😅

[@BackpackerBen]

Awesome mate! Where did you go? It’s amazing here the people are so nice

[@trident1125]

​@@BackpackerBen I spent 5 days in Baghdad, saw most of what the city had to offer. Like you, I stayed in Karrada, a hell of a place to be at night. Great kebabs on every block. Then after Baghdad I ventured up to Erbil on a shared taxi. That was a straight up highway from hell lol. One of the checkpoint guards outside Kirkuk was like "An American? What the hell are you doing here!?!?!?" 🤣. I then spent a couple nights in Erbil before setting off for Turkey. Amazing food, amazing people, and an amazing place with so much history and culture. Iraq 10/10 can't wait to visit it again! 🇮🇶

[@MadaraUchiha-wd2qe]

A nice spliff and your videos = a good time relaxing keep up the hard work mate I’m enjoying your content

[@ColinDerbyshire]

Really interesting Ben, enjoy your trip.

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks mate!

[@benjismith593]

I can't wait for more videos of this country! To all that say "it's dangerous"... Go to a bad part of LA, NYC, Chicago or St. Louis in America. Walk around as a white guy with a camera alone. You're either going to get mugged, beat up, possibly shot, or told to get the hell out of there by concerned people. The cops would harass you thinking that you're probably there buying drugs. Good on you Ben for going here! Live your life bro! Iraqis are good people, and are just ready to move on with life.

[@BackpackerBen]

Spot on bro! 👏🏼

[@LOLLOL-kg4dz]

or walk around as a black guy in white trump area will get shoot for no reason

[@nooraldeenalbaaj4812]

I can't believe what you're doing on your own really amazed me. If you come again to Iraq, contact me so you can visit much better places

[@BackpackerBen]

Thank you bro 😎 I loved it there 🇮🇶

[@surreal_traveller]

Hello Noor, I plan to come next week. Can you help me!?

[@cubelol6127]

im from iraq, ty for visiting my country, the man at 10:33 was my dad

[@YungR.J.Fischer]

brightest video on youtube, oh this is sunny

[@Muhaned-jk3pf]

Ben , You came to the oldest areas of Baghdad And some people out there don't know your language And I knew very good people I noticed that ? They just want to live in peace And always welcome to Baghdad 🌹

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks brother I loved it in Baghdad

[@ma.gildaquitua2165]

You look so good!Mr.Ben!Iraq is a beautiful place ,beautiful people and lots of history!Your so lucky for the opportunity!Keep safe Ben! and enjoy!

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks for watching ✅

[@jokerall]

Great. The new, young Bald!

[@ColinDerbyshire]

Bald's son lol

[@BackpackerBen]

hahhahaa

[@TomMannis]

Well done. I'm always amazed by the universality of English. Tee shirts in English. Shop signs in English. Many Iraqis who understand and speak at least a bit of English. They even speak a form of English in the U.K.

[@gxr5053]

We even study English at schools and i can say most of the people knows the basics of English

[@BackpackerBen]

english spoken is rare but many young do speak well

[@TomMannis]

@@BackpackerBen All kidding aside, that's an amazing thing. Another great video, sir!

[@imtiyaz3447]

That guy was trying to say back then it was dangerous but now its getting better, slowly. Nice Video

[@BackpackerBen]

👍👍

[@fragilechords5118]

You are so right about the hallway giving vibes of that scene in The Shining! 😱

[@BackpackerBen]

💀💀💀💀

[@my.pfp.say.it.all.5u5]

I recommend not to come in summer time it's burning here 🥵 except north iraq it's nice

[@dkfldlgldldld]

Can't wait to watch more videos 😎 Greets from switzerland (only 30 deg. 🥵)

[@BackpackerBen]

More to come! :)

[@petervaughan6201]

As a Brit i couldnt help feel awkward in Iraq , the military occupation still seems very recent.

[@hikerwoody182]

yes you're spot on with the Shining hotel scene, freaky!! Food was a bit limited, couldn't even get a deep fried Mars

[@BackpackerBen]

I know mate gutted !!

[@sarahjane8949]

Can’t wait to watch this 👏👍🤗

[@eliotalderson5143]

ارجو ان تكون بخير وترحل بخير عزيزي بن 🙏

[@GreenJumper]

The graffiti was painted in 2019 during the anti Iranian influence October protests, the protesters were getting shot in the head with gas canisters and hundreds died (vids online of it)

[@BackpackerBen]

Really!??

[@BlackmanDaTraveller]

great video looool the taxi part made me laugh

[@BackpackerBen]

It’s blackman the traveller 👏🏼

[@michelledelagiroday7822]

I don't think his travels are more interesting than mine or anyone else's. He just goes to dangerous places to get more likes. He just does the same things in Iraq that u can do in India. Why is visiting places where u can get blown up interesting? How does this make him a more valid, humble and soulful person?

[@Kustomone]

Yeah, it is the same as small towns in the U.S. They just don't speak English.

[@brandimorgan7473]

My son is going to kirkuk to play basketball. Any suggestions?? Please and thank you.

[@BackpackerBen]

no sorry i only went to erbil

[@ameeralshahir6351]

I was born in Baghdad myself, love to see westerners visit it. People isn't good in English there. But man if you ever want a guide/translater I'm down for it

[@BackpackerBen]

Thank you bro 😎 unfortunately I’ve left now

[@surreal_traveller]

Hey Ameer, I am coming to Baghdad next week. Could you please help me?

[@StuartHurry]

This is really interesting, I enjoyed this, thanks!

[@BackpackerBen]

cheers mate!

[@trudybegin8333]

Ben, I wish you would go to places In Europe a 70 year old woman from Canada could travel to safely. Love your show❤

[@j_r_-]

Thanks!

[@BackpackerBen]

thank you John!

[@automaticacidemer]

Amazing video! Great work 👏

[@BackpackerBen]

thanks!!

[@Mis_con_strued]

Definitely giving The Shining vibes😂😂😂

[@brianoc6057]

Thanks for sharing the experience iam surprise they let anyone in the country

[@BackpackerBen]

Easy access mate 😎

[@beautyobserver2022]

Beautiful Iraq and Iraqi people. There must be NEOM PROJECT there.

[@BackpackerBen]

Neom?? What’s this

[@beautyobserver2022]

@@BackpackerBen Neom project like Saudi Arabia

[@jackpotbob1504]

Great video Ben

[@TravelTarget779]

Good content! Found you channel through Bald and are enjoying your videos :)

[@BackpackerBen]

Awesome cheers 🍻

[@y.z.7432]

U always seems to show the REAL side of the society. GOAT

[@BackpackerBen]

🤝😎

[@jackobey2815]

Google translates App is very very good, not sure about how well it does with arabic, but russian and the european languages it works wonderfully, (i work in a job with tourists who often dont speak much english and we use it to communicate)

[@BackpackerBen]

It’s weird though cuz it jumbles the words and it’s confusing for the locals 😆

[@jackobey2815]

@@BackpackerBen ah yes ive heard this with some languages, i think its mostly down to google prioritising certain languages over others, a few years back it did the same to russia. i think its because other languages are spoken "backwards" compaired to english. like in Irish Ta Ocras oram literally means 'i have a hunger on me' where as in english its 'i am hungry' etc

[@BackpackerBen]

Yeah it’s backwards in Arabic so it just confuses them 😆 thanks though mate

[@PhillyAvGeek]

6:39 you saw and identified the jordanian flag but enough didn't mind big Ben and the double decker picture behind him 🤣

[@chrisc9869]

This is brilliant I didn’t know you can get a visa on arrival

[@BackpackerBen]

Yessss mate

[@ecfilms9113]

Yes I have seen a few people telling Ben that he is from England to Iraq people better be not but,it's not his fault it's Tony Blair that put England in it there ,but it would be hard for an English person to walk around such a country so he is brave lovely people and Ben is a good lad to keep up the blogging mate 👍

[@BackpackerBen]

Appreciate the comment mate

[@GhostvaperYT]

well Ben we are due 43c temps here in UK so we will be able to experience the heat! My bro in law is from Iraq Suleimania in fact he and my sister flew there today! Enjoy Iraq.

[@BackpackerBen]

43 in England 😂 no chance And thanks mate!

[@nielsreyngoud2870]

Amazing. Never knew you could simply book a flight and get a visa on arrival. And just walk around alone. I thought Iraqi Kurdistan was the only safe area but I’m happy that I was wrong.

[@abshirmohamed3527]

Great trip and great vedio very content vedio I love Iraq very civilians

[@Preppy-b2j]

Fucking hot mate, 43 is crazy. I lived in Baghdad for 35 years and never got used to the weather. Thanks for sharin.

[@deepblue1909]

باللة الولد جوعان و لا واحد كدر يدلي، يمعودين اللة ايخليكم ركزو. ية الاجانب مو فضحتونا

[@Lionking1190]

Amazing 🤩

[@BackpackerBen]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@libertytaker669]

Do you get travel insurance when you visit places like Iraq? The UK foreign office advises against all travel there so UK travel insurance companies won't cover it.

[@BackpackerBen]

Yep you can for Iraq But for Syria I couldn’t Iraq is more chill and easier to travel unlike Syria

[@kyletelan6945]

I am an American and really want to go to Iraq!!

[@krar1054]

اهلا وسهلا بكم في العراق نصيحة لا تأتي في هذا الوقت بسبب ان الجو حار جدا اذا اردت الزيارة افضل وقت هو شهر 11

[@imtiazkhan2481]

Amazing Benjamin

[@BackpackerBen]

thanks!

[@john8058]

new sub mate. great video

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks for the sub mate

[@darwingraves372]

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are the reason Baghdad exists.

[@BackpackerBen]

yes I am now learning about this

[@wilystancech]

Very beautiful I would love to visit

[@wingnutbert9685]

Seems like with traffic in many of these cities, buying a cheap bicycle and using it would be 10x fast getting around and possibly safer! LOL!

[@georgeliakaris53]

Tim was there , he dropped a few grenades , im sure of it

[@ridhaaali1007]

If u come to Iraq, Babylon. Do hesitate to call me for help. You will be welcomed Ben!

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks bro 😎

[@johnafrica7979]

Can’t wait for this series!!!

[@BackpackerBen]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@tigran2197]

3:20 "Shwei Shwei" 😂

[@BackpackerBen]

looooool

[@bettyswallox1240]

Ben, you got big balls ⚽⚽ Stay Safe

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks bro! All good here

[@tammymorrison7709]

Awesome video ... You are so brave ...💖💖😐

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks Tammy

[@js3244]

7:50 that encounter was so funny

[@Rx.1]

5:48 It is said that inside this building, nuclear radiation consolidated due to the American bombing in 2003, which caused the destruction of the tower

[@johnmclean1046]

Cleaner than Glasgow

[@BackpackerBen]

no doubt

[@adrianvarela6107]

Hey travelling to iraq in june. Is that hotel ggod whts the name?

[@hawiatuk]

Welcome in Iraq 🇮🇶 ❤

[@van3158]

I was in Baghdad in 04, saw the country sitting behind a machine gun. There were people out during the day then, but we had curfews in place that would have you shot for being out at night.

[@BackpackerBen]

Where you from?

[@29goodvibes]

6:55 Ummmm....me eat all food already!!! :D :D

[@nicklyon3780]

While travelling through Islamic countries, try to keep your camera in your left hand, and gesticulate with your right. Waving and pointing with the left (wiping) hand is seen as not good form. Love this video! The normal people of the Middle East are very friendly and welcoming. Having been all over that region I am jealous you managed to go to Iraq.

[@BackpackerBen]

Had no idea about that

[@BackpackerBen]

Thank you for watching

[@nicklyon3780]

Eating with the left hand is also a no no obviously. In a restaurant with knife and fork is ok, but not street food.

[@marcbernicker206]

we should never have removed saddam hussein, he knew how to run that country

[@angelbellhermano-gg2dk]

Whats the name of your hotel? Its affordable and nice.

[@MrDongodon]

Thankz Ben...

[@BackpackerBen]

cheers!

[@xm47ecr36]

Lol I'm sorry but I wouldn't let Iraqi give me haircut with straight razor after telling them I'm American 😂😂😂😂

[@Northern_Rockhopper]

Balls of steel lad. Applause.

[@stevenmccoombe6434]

Longer vids please

[@BackpackerBen]

🙏🏼🙏🏼