The towering, crumbling ziggurat of Agargouf (ancient Dur-Kurigalzu - a former capital of Babylonia) offers a great day-trip from Baghdad.

A reconstruction of the lower level of the ziggurat and other buildings make the site expansive and interesting. Don’t miss tracking down original cuneiform tablets amongst the palace buildings.

The wider grounds are a popular picnic spot for locals and, ergo, wild dogs scavenging leftovers. These wild dogs shouldn’t bother visitors. Hopefully, the site’s museum will be restored and the restaurant reopened.

In the meantime, there are some very basic facilities in the grounds.

Agargouf is an easy day-trip from Baghdad, which can be tied in with other sites in the vicinity. Entry costs IQD25,000 for foreigners and technically IQD3,000 for Iraqis, if levied.