Al-Mutanabbi Street شارع المتنبي

Baghdad’s famous book street, busiest on Friday mornings, between the old souqs and the Tigris.

Baghdad’s famous book street, named after the 10th-century poet al-Mutanabbi. It is busiest on Friday mornings, when booksellers fill the street, ending at the Shabandar café and the riverside Qishla courtyard.

The street takes its name from Abu al-Tayyib al-Mutanabbi, the 10th-century poet still quoted across the Arab world, and has been the home of Baghdad’s booksellers and printers for generations. On Friday mornings books are laid out on the pavement, and the street fills with readers, students and families.

At the end of the street stands a statue of al-Mutanabbi near the river. Next to it the Qishla, an Ottoman government building with a clock tower and courtyard, hosts cultural events, and the Shabandar café, a meeting place for writers since the early 20th century, is the place for tea. The street was badly damaged by a bombing in 2007 and has since been rebuilt and renovated.

Visit with our tour: Baghdad & Aqarquf Ziggurat →

Travel tips

• Come on a Friday morning, when the book market is at its liveliest.
• Have tea at the Shabandar café and walk on to the Qishla courtyard by the Tigris.

Questions & answers

Where is Al-Mutanabbi Street?

Al-Mutanabbi Street is in Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq. The map on this page shows its location.

How can I visit Al-Mutanabbi Street?

Al-Mutanabbi Street is included in our Baghdad & Aqarquf Ziggurat tour (1 day). You can book it on WhatsApp, and we arrange the guide, transport and any permissions.