Karbala, Iraq

Capital City

With a population of 690,100, Karbala is the second largest city in central Iraq after Baghdad. However, the city's status as a major pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims brings its own set of challenges. The tourism industry booms during religious festivals like Ashura and Arbaeen, when hotel rates can double or even triple, and bureaucratic headaches are a persistent annoyance. And while the city enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, the extremely hot, dry summers are brutal. Karbala is best suited for devout Shia pilgrims undeterred by crowds, high prices, and bureaucratic obstacles.