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Hit

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City
—°1
Hit (Iraq)
ℹ️

Practical info — Hit

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Be prepared for the strong sulfur smell around the ancient bitumen springs.
  • The summer months are extremely hot; visiting in spring or autumn is highly recommended.
  • Take a stroll along the Euphrates to see the historic waterwheels (norias).
  • Always check current travel and security advisories before planning your trip.

🍽 Food

🍽
Masgouf

Traditional Iraqi grilled carp, best eaten at restaurants overlooking the Euphrates.

🍽
Iraqi Kebab

Spiced grilled meat served with fresh bread and greens, available at local eateries.

🍽
Fresh Dates

Hit is surrounded by palm groves, making local dates a must-try sweet snack.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Old Town Markets

Explore the narrow streets for local spices, tea, and traditional goods.

🛍
Date Vendors

Buy fresh and dried dates straight from the local markets.

🧘
Euphrates Riverbanks

Enjoy the calm flow of the river and the sound of the waterwheels.

🧘
Palm Groves

The agricultural areas outside the immediate city center offer a quiet escape.

Hit is an ancient city on the Euphrates in the al-Anbar Governorate, about 170 kilometers northwest of Baghdad. The city has a history spanning millennia, dating back to Sumerian and Babylonian times, and is famous for its bitumen deposits. This natural pitch was used in antiquity for building the walls of Babylon and waterproofing boats. A unique feature of Hit is the traditional water wheels, known as norias, which have been used for centuries to irrigate fields and define the cityscape. The city is perched on a natural hill and surrounded by an old city wall, remnants of which are still visible today. Hit was for a long time an important river port and a trade center for agricultural products from the desert. Despite the destruction in modern wars, Hit has preserved much of its historical charm and cultural significance as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Mesopotamia.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Oct.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C81117222934363632261610
Rain mm201716145000071615

Geography

Population
31,901 (2020)
Coordinates
33.64000, 42.82300

Facts

  • Hit has been continuously inhabited since at least 3000 BC.
  • The city is famous for its natural bitumen springs.
  • The traditional water wheels (norias) of Hit are powered by the Euphrates current.
  • Hit was a vital stop on the ancient caravan route between Syria and Baghdad.
  • The minaret of the Farouq Mosque is a prominent landmark of the city.
  • In antiquity, Hit was referred to as 'Is' by the Sumerians.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Lake ThartharLake Tharthar56 km · NEExplore →
RamadiRamadi57 km · NExplore →
Haditha DamHaditha Dam69 km · SEExplore →
Lake HabbaniyahLake Habbaniyah79 km · NExplore →
EuphratesEuphrates101 km · NWExplore →
Hamrin MountainsHamrin Mountains103 km · NEExplore →
FallujahFallujah109 km · NExplore →
Lake RazzazaLake Razzaza120 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Hit (1)

hit castle🏰 castle

This ancient citadel perches on a hill overlooking the Euphrates and is known for its strategic position in the city of Hit.

Frequently asked questions

What are the 'Norias' of Hit?
Traditional water wheels on the Euphrates used for irrigation.
Are there bitumen springs in Hit?
Yes, Hit has been famous for its natural bitumen since antiquity.
Can the water wheels be visited?
Yes, they are clearly visible from the riverbank.
In which province is Hit located?
The city is located in the Anbar province.
When is the best time to visit Hit?
Between October and April, to avoid the summer heat.
Hit: where is it located?
Hit is located in Iraq.
Hit: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Oct.
Hit: why is it worth visiting?
Hit is an ancient city on the Euphrates in the al-Anbar Governorate, about 170 kilometers northwest of Baghdad.
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Nearby cities

Ramadi — Hit (Iraq)
Ramadi
The capital of the Al Anbar Governorate, located on the Euphrates.
Fallujah — Hit (Iraq)
Fallujah
A city on the Euphrates in Al Anbar province, known as the city of mosques.

Nature

Lake Habbaniyah — Hit (Iraq)
Lake Habbaniyah
Lake Habbaniyah is a shallow lake in the desert of Al-Anbar province, used for flood control of the Euphrates River.
Euphrates — Hit (Iraq)
Euphrates
The Euphrates is the longest and most historically significant river in the Middle East, shaping the landscape of Iraq.
Lake Tharthar — Hit (Iraq)
Lake Tharthar
Lake Tharthar is the largest lake by area in Iraq and serves as an important water reservoir.

More places

Haditha Dam — Hit (Iraq)
Haditha Dam
A massive dam on the Euphrates River, housing Iraq's second largest hydroelectric power station and crucial for regional energy supply.
Western Desert — Hit (Iraq)
Western Desert
The vast expanse of the desert in the Al-Anbar province, reaching into Jordan and Syria, intersected by wadis.
Akashat Phosphate Mine — Hit (Iraq)
Akashat Phosphate Mine
A significant phosphate mine in the western desert of Iraq, supplying raw materials for fertilizer production and agriculture.
Syrian Desert — Hit (Iraq)
Syrian Desert
This vast desert region in the western part of the country is characterized by arid plains and rocky plateaus.
Trebil Border Crossing — Hit (Iraq)
Trebil Border Crossing
A critical hub for international trade and freight transport between Iraq and the Kingdom of Jordan.