Mosul الموصل
An old city on the Tigris facing ancient Nineveh, heart of the Assyrian lands.
Mosul stands on the west bank of the Tigris, across from the ruins of Nineveh, once the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. For centuries it was a trading city of mosques, churches and markets.
Much of the old city was destroyed in 2017. Since then many landmarks have been carefully rebuilt, and the governorate around Mosul is full of Assyrian, Parthian and Christian heritage, from Nimrud and Hatra to old monasteries.
Nineveh was the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire under kings such as Sennacherib and Ashurbanipal, whose library of clay tablets preserved the Epic of Gilgamesh. Nimrud and Ashur, earlier Assyrian capitals, lie to the south of Mosul, and the Parthian-era desert city of Hatra to the south-west.
In the old city, the rebuilt al-Nuri Mosque with its leaning al-Hadba minaret, the restored Our Lady of the Hour Church and the riverside lanes show the result of UNESCO’s “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” project. Around the city, the Yazidi sanctuary of Lalish, the monastery of Mar Behnam and the rock reliefs of Khinnis make easy day trips. Mosul is also known for its kubba Mosul, large flat rice-and-meat dumplings, and for its sweets.
Tours in Mosul
Nineveh Heritage Tour · 1 day · from $200
Hatra & Ashur Historical Tour · 1 day · from $200
Lalish & Khinnis Historical Tour · 1 day · from $150
Travel tips
- Hatra and Ashur make a full day from Mosul. Bring water and sun protection for the open sites.
- Some archaeological sites need advance permission. We arrange the paperwork for our tours.
- Try kubba Mosul and the city’s famous sweets in the old markets.
Questions & answers
Is Mosul open to visitors?
Yes. We regularly guide international groups, including from the Netherlands and Britain, through Mosul and Nineveh. Check your government’s travel advice before you book.
Which tours start in Mosul?
Our Nineveh Heritage, Hatra & Ashur and Lalish & Khinnis private tours all depart from Mosul.
Where can I stay in Mosul?
See our hotels page for selected hotels with rates, or ask us to book for you.
Photos
Map of Mosul
Pins show the sites in this guide. Locations are approximate.
Learn more
Sites to see in Mosul
Great Mosque of al-Nuri & al-Hadba
Mosul’s 12th-century mosque and leaning al-Hadba minaret, rebuilt after 2017.
Prophet Yunus (Jonah) Hill
The hill of the Prophet Yunus (Jonah) in east Mosul, above an Assyrian royal palace.
Nineveh walls & Mashki Gate
The walls and gates of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire, on the east bank of the Tigris.
Nimrud
Kalhu, the palace city of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II, south-east of Mosul.
Hatra
A round, fortified desert city of the 2nd century AD, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat)
The first capital and religious centre of Assyria above the Tigris, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mosul Museum
Mosul’s museum of Assyrian and Hatrene sculpture, being restored after 2015.
Our Lady of the Hour Church
The 19th-century Dominican church of Our Lady of the Hour in Mosul’s old city, known for its clock tower.
Bash Tapia Castle
The remains of Mosul’s medieval castle on the bank of the Tigris.
Mar Behnam Monastery
A Syriac Christian monastery south-east of Mosul, famous for its medieval carved stonework.
Lalish Temple
The holiest place of the Yazidi faith, in a valley north-east of Mosul.