Karbala
City in Iraq
Karbala is a city in Iraq with a population of 690,100 in 2014. Located 84 km from Baghdad, it draws visitors to its prominent shrines and fortress.
What to see
The city features notable religious sites including the Imam Husayn Shrine and Al-Abbas Shrine. Visitors can also view the historical Al-Ukhaidir Fortress.
When to go
January and February have daily highs of 15 °C to 18 °C and lows of 6 °C to 8 °C, with rain on about 3 days per month. March sees highs of 24 °C and lows of 12 °C. From May through September, daily highs range from 37 °C to 44 °C and lows from 23 °C to 30 °C, with little to no rain. October brings highs of 33 °C and lows of 20 °C, while November and December cool down to highs of 17 °C to 23 °C and lows of 8 °C to 13 °C.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base in Baghdad, located 74 km away.
Top sights in Karbala
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 44 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 15 | 18 | 24 | 31 | 37 | 41 | 44 | 44 | 40 | 33 | 23 | 17 |
| Average low, °C | 6 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 13 | 8 |
| Rainfall, mm | 21 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 18 |
| Rainy days | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Karbala (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.