Mutanabbi Street, Literary quarter in central Baghdad, Iraq.

Al-Mutanabbi Street is a narrow, car-free street in central Baghdad running just under one kilometer from an arch inscribed with the poet's quotes to a bronze statue of al-Mutanabbi sculpted by Mohammed Ghani Hikmat in 1977, overlooking the Tigris. It is lined with bookshops, outdoor book stalls, art galleries and cafés such as Shabandar Café, and includes an entrance to the Qushla.

The street developed during the Abbasid Caliphate as Baghdad's first marketplace dedicated to book trading and was officially named after the 10th-century poet Al-Mutanabbi in 1932. It became a center where knowledge and literary works were exchanged across generations.

Local coffeehouses serve as meeting spots where people read newspapers and debate about books and ideas, keeping alive a tradition that has connected readers for decades.

Weekdays offer the best experience with most shops open and fewer crowds than weekends. Comfortable footwear is recommended as visitors walk through narrow passages between stalls and browse multiple locations.

An ornate archway at the street's end displays poetry quotes alongside a statue of Al-Mutanabbi, the 10th-century poet the location is named for. Many visitors discover this landmark unexpectedly when they reach the terminus of their walk.