Al-Zawraa Park is one of Baghdad’s largest and most well-known green spaces. Originally an army camp, the area was converted into a family-friendly park in the 1970s. It features expansive green spaces, a roller coaster, shops, cafés, and even the Baghdad Zoo.

Igidae Coastal Walk makes for a wonderful hike along the shore of the Sea of Japan. The path itself is of moderate difficulty, with some parts featuring pedestrian bridges and others running directly through natural terrain. The entire path is about 4km long and should take about 2 hours to complete in its entirety, but there are access points along the way which you can use to cut through to a nearby bus stop. The trail can be done both north to south and vice versa, although heading north is reportedly easier and comes with an added bonus of finishing the hike at the scenic Oryukdo Skywalk, standing on a see-through platform and looking down onto the rocky shore.

Take a peaceful break from the city with a walk along the canal banks pathways or an energetic bike ride on the 40km bike path stretching from Toulouse to Port Lauragais on the south bank. Don't forget to bring your camera!