kurdistan tourist

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In Kurdistan, you can find a diverse community of hikers, historians, scientists, artists, foodies, and yoga enthusiasts. No matter what your interests are, there are like-minded individuals to connect with.

Backpacking under the stars in Kurdistan is a magical experience. Imagine trekking through stunning mountain ranges, meeting friendly locals, and enjoying traditional Kurdish cuisine around a campfire at night.

RELIGIOUS TOURS

Lalish temple, Assyrian heritage, Jewish heritage

ARCHEOLOGICAL TOURS

Erbil citadel, Shanidar cave, Amedi, Akre

AGRICULTURAL TOURS

Local products, Kurdish village life, Farm fields.

On March 11, 2023, a significant event took place as we, the Visit Kurdistan company, broke the Guinness World Record for the highest number of people hiking on the same path simultaneously. This remarkable feat was accomplished by 816 hikers who joined us on Mount Safeen in Kurdistan.Our motivation for organizing this event was to showcase the natural beauty of our cherished Kurdistan. We are grateful to all the wonderful participants and staff who made this achievement possible.

35 Things To Know Before You Travel To Kurdistan Iraq in 2024

As part of my big trip through the Middle East I was excited to set foot in Iraq, well... Kurdistani Iraq of course! After my trip to Syria , Lebanon and Jordan, flying to Erbil, Iraq was a perfect stop on my itinerary, although I had to fly through Istanbul. In this Kurdistan blog I will tell you all about my experiences traveling to Kurdistan, Iraq.

Surely I could understand all the questions when I said I was going to visit Kurdistan Iraq. Most Westerns think Iraq is one of the most unsafe places to travel, but I already knew for quite a while that a trip to Kurdistan was not really risky or dangerous. I guess going off the beaten path is in my nature and traveling to these kind of destinations makes me excited.

In this Kurdistan travel blog I will give you as many travel tips as possible and also show you the best things to do and places to see, some background information and some accommodation tips. Find it all in this complete Kurdistan travel guide.

1. Is it safe to travel to Kurdistan Iraq

From my experiences is a trip to Kurdistan completely safe. Keep in mind that things can change overnight as this still is a conflict area. Although over the last years the Autonomous region of Kurdistan has been doing an amazing job to make Kurdistan safe for travelers.

The Kurdistan Tourism Board claims that in the first 6 months of 2018 over 1.3 million tourists had been traveling to Kurdistan, most of them being Iraqis.

My experiences traveling Kurdistan were very laid-back so when you ask me if it is safe to travel to Kurdistan, I say: YES!  The first couple days I spent in Erbil and felt completely safe. A laid-back city to roam around in. The city center is filled with friendly locals and in the Ankawa district you can go out till late and walk home safely. Erbil is safe to travel in 2024!

When you visit Kurdistan there is no need to worry about anything getting stolen. Kurdistan sees very little crime. You can leave your phone and bag on the table while you order locals say. I would personally never do that, but according to locals it is common to do and nothing ever happens.

I also rented a car and went on a 4-day road trip. Roads are actually pretty ok, but definitely watch out for unexpected speed bumps and so now and then some potholes on less maintained roads. I drove around Northwest Kurdistan but avoided Mosul. I did not come across any problems or unsafe situations whatsoever on my road trip. Language barriers are real though, but people are very friendly and super helpful. When traveling to Kurdistan a road trip if one of the best things to do.

Watch my Instagram Story videos here: Iraq 1 , Iraq 2 and Iraq 3 .

The last 3 days I decided to travel to Sulaymaniyah, the shared taxi was pretty convenient and as I was hosted by a local in Sulaymaniyah I even got to see the city from a locals perspective. Not a single time did I feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

2. Kurdistan Iraq history

It is quite impossible to write in brief about the Kurdistan Iraq history in this travel blog. This region of the world has been fought over since the days of Karel the Great and still is a place of conflict until today. Kurdistan has had an extremely turbulent past and only in the last 30 years already they had to deal with a genocide, war against the Saddam regime, multiple humanitarian crises, fighting for independency and only recently the war against ISIS of course.

In this blog I want to focus on Kurdistan travel tips rather than its turbulent history. Though one of the best things to do in Kurdistan is to visit the Amna Suraka Museum in Sulaymaniyah. Definitely don’t miss this when traveling to Kurdistan Iraq. It is an amazing history lesson!

3. Do I need a visa to travel to Kurdistan

Most Western countries can visit Kurdistan Iraq visa free. Your passport will get stamped on arrival and you are allowed to stay up to 30 days. This only counts for the autonomous region of Kurdistan, you are NOT allowed to travel to Iraq. These are the visa free countries:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, UAE, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arabic Emirates United Kingdom, United States.

4. Is Kurdistan a real country

Kurdistan is NOT an official country! Kurdish people are considered the biggest ethnic group in the world without their own country. They are spread over 4 countries: Iran, Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Only in Iraq Kurdistan is considered an autonomous region. In Iran, Turkey and Syria Kurds don’t have a special status.

Kurdistan became an autonomous region within Iraq since 1998 and this status was reconfirmed in the Iraqi constitution in 2005.

5. Language in Kurdistan

The official language spoken in Kurdistan is Kurdish. It is related to Turkish and Farsi (Iran) and therefore many Kurds also speak Turkish. Most of them also understand/speak Arabic, but do rather not use the Arabic language.

Kurds and Arabs are not each others best friends, but live in peace together nowadays… let’s put it that way!

When traveling to Kurdistan you may want to download a translate app or use Google Translator as most local people don’t speak English at all. In touristy places, hotels, restaurants there is always someone that speaks good English though. The younger generation speaks pretty ok English.

6. Religion in Kurdistan

The majority of the Kurdish people are Sunni Muslims, like in Saoudi Arabia. That said it felt like Kurdistan was pretty liberal and not that conservative as in other places in the Middle East. There are also some minorities like Christians, Yazidis and Zoroastrians.

Steets will mostly be filled with men and you won't see that many women out on their own. In Sulaymaniyah things are changing slowly though and you see women out and about on the streeets. I know you are wondering... No you don't need to wear a head scarf as a woman!

7. Weather in Kurdistan

Be prepared for extreme temperatures when traveling to Kurdistan in summer. It can get up to 50 degrees celsius in July and August. Winters are short but cold and snowfall in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah occurs from time to time. The mountains see a lot of snow every winter.

8. Best time to travel to Kurdistan Iraq

The best time to visit Kurdistan is in spring and autumn when temperatures are moderate. Best months are March and April when the countryside is green and heavenly with waterfalls all around. October and November sees great weather with clear blue skies guaranteed.

When I was visiting in mid September it was still 35+ degrees (95+), nights were pretty nice with 22 degrees (71). Pretty damn hot during the day though so visiting the more mountainous areas was the best thing to do in Kurdistan at that time.

9. Money in Kurdistan

The local currency is the same as in Iraq: the Iraqi Dinar (IQD). The Iraqi Dinar has been very stable in the last 5 years and the going rate is around $1 USD = 1,200 IQD. It is wisely to bring at least some cash money as there are exchange offices everywhere and they charge only a small fee.

10. ATM’s in Kurdistan

International ATM’s are not common, so bringing some cash when traveling to Kurdistan is advisable. The cash machines at Erbil International Airport weren’t working on my arrival so again bring cash to exchange. Later I found a good working cash machine for Visa and MasterCard at Nobel Hotel in Ankawa.

Most ATM’s don’t accept international bank cards. Those who do sometimes limit the amount to $50,000 ($42). Pretty annoying as in my case I get charged $5 per transaction from my bank! This happened to me at Byblos Bank and therefore I would suggest you to not use that one.

11. Credit cards in Kurdistan

Most of the places I have been didn’t accept international credit cards. The car rental company did. I rented a car from Europecar and they accepted a credit card.

12. Buying a sim card in Kurdistan

Upon arrival at Erbil Airport you will find 4 shops selling sim cards straight away Korek, Asiacell, Zain and Fastlink. It is pretty simple to determine the best prepaid Kurdistan sim card for tourists as only Fastlink can offer you a 4G connections. Unforunately Korek, Asiacell and Zain only offer 3G and I can tell you that is not what you want in a modern age.

Buying a sim card at Erbil Airport is slightly more expensive, but easy, quick and convenient. However Fastlink is not open at night! :(

The downside of Fastlink is that it only works for internet so you can’t call or text. However I never do that anyway, so for me this Kurdistan sim card was the best one anyway. As I needed to buy a sim card in Erbil anyway to find to best deal for Fastlink Kurdistan I shopped around. There are uncountable phone shops but they offer different value.

A Fastnet sim card costs 10,000 IQD ($8.5) and I found a mobile phone shop that gave me 18 GB for 15,000 IQD ($12.5). Amazing deal and it worked absolutely amazing, 4G around the whole country.

13. Prices in Kurdistan

Traveling in Kurdistan is not super cheap. Budget hotels start from $30 per night and getting around is not cheap either. As there is no public transport, taxis are the way to go. Restaurants in Erbil charge around $6 for breakfast and lunch, dinner is around $8-$10 per person. A beer in a restaurant is around $2-$3, a cocktail or mix drink around $5.

When backpacking Kurdistan you will probably like to go to the cheaper local restaurants where you can already find shawarma and kebabs for $1. But you can also find skybars in Erbil where a beer is $7, but these places are rare.

14. Drinking alcohol in Kurdistan, Iraq

Since Kurdistan is predominately Muslim, most places in Kurdistan don’t serve alcohol, but especially in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah it is super easy to find alcohol and to get drunk.

In Erbil you will need to go to Ankawa, the Christian Quarter. Here you will find multiple liquor stores and also restaurants that serve alcohol. Beers in a liquor store cost $1 (Corona, Heineken, Efes, etc.). International hotels often have a license to sell alcohol as well, but are expensive.

In Sulaymaniyah finding drinks is like anywhere in Europe. Pretty much every bar/restaurant serves alcohol and prices are ok.

For some reason Kurdistan Iraq is one of those few countries in the world where Corona is the cheapest beer on the menu! Definitely a reason to travel to Kurdistan, right? ;)

15. Prostitution in Kurdistan

Yes, yes! You would probably not expect it from Kurdistan, Iraq but in Sulaymaniyah I found a red light district. Not that I got a taste of it, but I stumbled upon it and was very surprised to see decriminalised prostitution in Kurdistan. Not throwing it out here because I think it should be mentioned as a Kurdistan travel tip, just willing to take away misconceptions. Apparently Sulaymaniyah in Kurdistan Iraq is not that strict Muslim as we may think it is.

16. Tipping in Kurdistan

It is not super common to leave a tip in Kurdistan. Just paying the bill and leaving small change is normal practice and will already be appreciated. However the more popular places, especially were they serve alcohol they already add 10% tip to the bill.

17. Getting around Kurdistan

There is no organized public transport so when traveling around Kurdistan you will have to make use of taxis. The cheapest way to go from A to B are shared taxis who depart from several places around the city. If you for example want to get from Erbil to Sulaymaniyah then a shared taxi can be found from the Bagdhad Terminal in Erbil. A shared taxi from Erbil to Sulaymaniyah and the other way around cost 15,000 IQD ($13) for a back seat and 20,000 IQD ($17) for the front seat. It takes about 3-4 hours depending on traffic.

Getting around cities

Within cities it is best to grab a taxi and the going rate is somewhere in and between 2,000 ($1.5) and 5,000 ($4). From one side to the other in Erbil was 5,000 and it took about 25 minutes. Taxi drivers were friendly and easy going and never over charging.

From Erbil Airport to the city

Don’t take a taxi straight on arrival. These guys will charge you $30 set fare, although Ankawa for example is only 10 minutes by taxi. There are very limited taxis allowed at the arrival hall exit. But there is a bus you can take at the Arrival terminal. Almost everyone will take this bus, so follow the crowd. Then grab a taxi here that is dropping off passengers. In the middle of the night when taxis were very rare I found a taxi for only 8,000 IQD ($6.5) to my Airbnb in Ankawa.

Renting a car in Kurdistan

The best way to travel around Kurdistan is by renting a car. There are some really cool places to visit in Kurdistan, but it is fairly impossible to get there by shared taxi or public transport. Renting a car in Erbil was $60 per day and that was over the weekend, so I guess you can find it cheaper during the week.

18. Checkpoints Kurdistan

When traveling in Kurdistan you will have to go through to several checkpoints. It weren’t that many as I lately had on my trip to Syria but there are a few. You can mostly just pass by smiling and waving, although some want to see your passport. It is pretty easy and there is no need to worry for them when visiting Kurdistan. It is all about your attitude, just be smiley, be happy, these soldiers are mostly happy to see tourists in Kurdistan.

19. Kurdistan tour guide

There are a bunch of Kurdistan tour guides you can find online, but they are pretty expensive. When you are backpacking Kurdistan Im sure you don’t want to even approach them as they charge up to $150 a day for a guide/driver and when there are more people in the car they charge even more. STUPID!

When I inquired I was straight away put off by this practice as that shows it purely is a money making thing, not serving tourism. Some don't even have English speaking guides, so what is the point. So if you are looking for a Kurdistan tour guide, I am not the one to ask, because I think most of them are rip offs. At least the ones I have been in contact with.

I was lucky I got toured around in Sulaymaniyah by my online friend from Instagram (@baderkhanamerbadran) . I even stayed with his family and was treated like a family member. An amazing local experience!

20. Kurdistan tours

A great alternative is the Facebook Group called Rock Ur Bones . They organize Kurdistan tours and you can just join them. Most trips though are over the weekend, but I am sure that if you drop your request here some people are able to help. This Facebook group is amazing for ideas/inspiration for when you travel to Kurdistan, Iraq. Also great for when backpacking Kurdistan and looking for fellow travel buddies.

21. What to wear in Kurdistan

Kurdistan is predominantly Muslim and therefore for women it is advised to cover shoulders and knees at all times. Erbil is much more conservative than Sulaymaniyah and while going out in Sulaymaniyah I saw girls in skirts and heels, but only in high end bars and restaurants. As a woman you don't need to wear a head scarf like in Iran. In 2014 I travel there, it was amazing, check my Iran travel guide .

For local men it is not common to wear shorts, but for tourists it is totally excepted. I always wore my short jeans, a t-shirt and my flip flops. In Sulaymaniyah even some local young men were wearing shorts. I must say though that walking around the streets of Kurdistan Iraq I always felt underdressed. But since it was 35/105 degrees I couldn’t really be bothered.

22. Where to stay in Kurdistan

Finding accommodation when traveling in Kurdistan can be a pain. It is not that easy to book hotels online, especially outside the bigger cities. A Kurdistan travel tip is to go old school and find accommodation while on the road. During my Kurdistan road trip I found out it was very easy to book hotels/motels on the spot. Just walk in, ask for the price, see the room, negotiate and reserve. I think this is the best way to travel Kurdistan.

Couchsurfing Kurdistan

When backpacking Kurdistan I would suggest you to make use of Couchsurfing. I did not use Couchsurfing for more than 5 years, but because of a friend’s recommendation I tried it again on my trip to Kurdistan. It was a winner!!!! Wow what was I lucky with my couchsurfing host in Erbil. I ended up staying 4 nights with my host and afterwards we rented a car and went on a road trip together with another friend. We ticked off some of the most amazing things to do in Kurdistan, the road trip was epic!

In Sulaymaniyah I was equally over the moon as I got to stay with a local friend. Not directly through couchsurfing this time, but through Instagram. His family treated me like one of them and I got a real local Kurdistan experience. Thanks a million!

Airbnb Kurdistan

There are some great Airbnb places for the grab in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil but outside the cities there are very few options. I used Airbnb for several nights while traveling in Kurdistan.

Booking Kurdistan hotels online

The same counts for Kurdistan hotels on online booking sites. While on our road trip we hardly found hotels in Kurdistan online, but while driving through towns there were always a bunch of hotels or motels for the grab.

Booking.com

23. Things to do in Kurdistan

This Kurdistan travel guide wouldn’t be complete without the best things to do in Kurdistan. Northern Kurdistan is known for its amazing natural beauty with deep canyons, lakes and green mountains. On top of the places to visit in Kurdistan that I will mention in this travel blog there for sure are a bunch more but I want to focus on the main tourist attractions in Kurdistan.

24. Visit Erbil

Let’s start with the capital of Kurdistan: Erbil. As I said before I definitely liked hanging out in this city but I wouldn’t name it on my top 10 places to visit in the Middle East. Erbil is a typical Middle Eastern city where you find modern buildings next to outdated or unfinished buildings. Make sure to walk around the main square before sunset and feel the local vibe. Sit down in one of the cafes and have a tea or stroll through the bazaar.

Also see if you can arrange a visit to the Jalil Khayat Mosque and get a sneak peak inside: fabulous!

Another amazing place to watch the sunset when you travel to Erbil is the Loft skybar located at the International Hotel.

Watch my Instagram Story videos here: Iraq 1 .

The Erbil Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage site but pretty disappointing to visit to be honest. There is no entrance fee so just walk in and see it for yourself. There is a stones & gems museum, and the Kurdish textile museum, which all ask $1 entrance fee. In the middle you will find an impressively huge flag of Kurdistan.

25. Visit Sulaymaniyah

The second biggest city in Kurdistan, Iraq is not so conservative as Erbil. It definitely is more open and feels much relaxer and more modern. Where in Erbil you will mostly only see men on the streets in Sulaymaniyah also groups of girls go out by themselves. It is still not really common, but slowly slowly it is becoming a much more open society.

When visiting Sulaymaniyah don’t miss the busy city center where you will find many markets with endless food stalls to sample from. Fresh fruits, crepes, nuts, tea and coffee bars, barbecue places and many more. It is best to visit in the evening when the streets are packed and people watching while sipping a traditional Kurdish coffee is one of the best things to do in Sulaymaniyah.

When visiting Sulaymaniyah make sure you don’t miss a sunset! There are numerous viewpoints around. Don’t miss the sunset from the Goizha Mountain where you can get by taking the cable car up. This is also where I am going to paraglide next time I visit Sulaymaniyah. Families gather along the ridge of the mountain and there are places where you can buy food and drinks.

My other favorite place to visit in Sulaymaniyah is the Roman amphitheater in the Hawary Shar Park with amazing mountains views.

All about my videos about visiting Sulaymaniyah can be found in my Iraq 3 Instagram stories .

26. Amna Suraka (Red) Museum Sulaymaniyah

This museum for sure is among the best places to visit in Kurdistan. Housed in the former intelligence office of the Saddam regime this is were you will find all about the recent Kurdistan history: the 1988 Anfall genocide, the days of the Saddam Hoessein regime and even about the war against ISIS. Prepare for an emotional journey as the Red Museum in Sulaymaniyah will give you goosebumps.

These are some of the photos I took from the Amna Suraka Museum in Sulaymaniyah. 

27. Rawanduz

This small mountain village is one of the best places to visit in Kurdistan when you love the outdoors. Surrounded by mountains and deep canyons there are a ton of viewpoints, one already 10 minutes walk on the North side of this sleepy little town. To get here you will need to rent a car, but it is definitely one of my Kurdistan travel tips to write down.

28. Barzan viewpoint

With this name you will most likely find the best thing to do in Kurdistan. I was so extremely excited when I got to see this place with my own eyes. Luckily it is not mentioned in all Kurdistan travel guides yet and it is not easy to find either. The Barzan viewpoint looks like the horseshoe bend in Arizona, but then better because there are NO tourists.

The viewpoint can be found north of Rezan just before a little town called Dore. You can find it on Google Maps (36.8938876, 44.1304754).

Watch my Instagram Story videos (Iraq 2) about Barzan Viewpoint here . You will see for yourself how this is one of the best places to visit in Kurdistan.

29. Deralok Canyon

Another place you should definitely write down on your list of things to do in Kurdistan is the gorgeous canyon of Deralok. You will have to drive on a dirt road until you can’t go any further. Then cross the small river and climb up a little hill till you get to a man-made canal. Walk on the ridge for a s long as you can into the canyon. On your left hand side you will see the river and waterfalls of this oasis.

Watch my Instagram Story videos (Iraq 2) about Deralok here .

A pretty damn amazing photo spot, but not so interesting in itself to be honest. I drove through Amedi, but didn’t see anything interesting. Amedi is a village situated on top of a small hill. There are some waterfalls around, which are super touristy. Find a nice restaurant on the West side of the town and have lunch with an amazing view over Amedi.

This is the most holy place in the Yazidi religion, their Mecca or Jerusalem. There are very few Yazidis in the world who practice this monotheistic religion. This unwritten religion is taught on for generations dating back to the ancient Mesopotamians. It is often described as very mysterious and I kind a can confirm that. In Lalish you can find the clear water source related to where the Noah’s Ark stranded. Everyone is allowed to visit Lalish, but I would recommend you to fix a guide as otherwise you will be walking around not knowing what is going on here. It was an emotional, but also a very spirital experience.

Hard to express in words, may better you watch my Instagram Story videos (Iraq 3) about Lalish and this mysterious religion. In the link you find more details about the (tragic) story of the Yazidis.

32. Shanidar Cave

Coincidentally I stumbled upon the Shanidar Cave while on my road trip and I feel very lucky I did.  When you travel to Kurdistan try to make it out here (36.8337579, 44.2209624). At first I was a little disappointed as there are a lot of fences around the cave because of an ongoing excavation project. There is no guide available but talk to the one of the archeologists and he/her will explain you that this is where they found the biggest group of Neanderthals remains in the world. Another reason to visit Kurdistan!

33. Sadam's Villa Amedi

Not really sure if I should mention Sadam's Villa nearby Amedi as one of the things to do in Kurdistan Iraq, but to me it was very interesting. It definitely is not a tourist attraction as it now is a military base for the Kurdish Army. While on our Kurdistan road trip we drove by to check it out and were friendly greeting by a man with a big gun. We had no clue it was a military base nowadays so we were a bit surprised. They let us in though, gave us a tour around the building and let us shoot some photos from the landscapes from the top of the building.

This is not a Kurdistan tourist attraction, but if you are adventurous then totally go and you might be lucky to be toured around. We were not allowed to take film and take photos in the building. Before we were told not to I filmed a little bit with my GoPro.

34. Shaqlawa

A small village in and between two hills just north of Erbil. It is a popular place to visit in Kurdistan  on a weekend trip. Shaqlawa has some restaurants with good views and some hiking trails to the top of the hills. I wasn’t that impressed to be honest, but some Kurdistan travel guides rave about it. There is a female run bakery that serves delicious sweets too.

35. How to get to Kurdistan

There are two international Airports with direct flights to Europe: Erbil International Airport and Sulaymaniyah International Airport. This is the best way to get to Kurdistan, but you can also travel overland from either Turkey or Iran.

I hope all the above Kurdistan travel tips were useful for your next trip to Northern Iraq. Apart from all the amazing things to do and places to see in Kurdistan I have to thank the people of Kurdistan just as much. These warm hearted people made my trip one to never forget! Thank you for your amazing hospitality and your endless smiles.

I will definitely travel to Kurdistan again and will then continue my trip into Iran crossing the border overland. But that is something for 2024. I will definitely be back traveling in Kurdistan again.

I have traveled to almost all countries in the Middle East now. Syria was definitely one of my favorite trips. Click here for the best things to do in Syria .

Curious about more of my trips? Since December 2012 I am traveling the world continuously and have now been to more than 155 countries as of January 2024.

Interested how travel bloggers afford to travel the world  then click on the link to read my story.

Enjoy your trip to Kurdistan and thank you for reading my Kurdistan travel blog. 

Places to visit in Kurdistan Iraq: 2-week itinerary

By Joan Torres 17 Comments Last updated on April 25, 2024

Wanna travel to Iraqi Kurdistan with Against the Compass?

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March 17th to 23rd, 2025

What can I say about Kurdistan that I haven’t already said?

Despite being such a tiny, unknown region located in the heart of the Middle East and belonging to an Arab country named Iraq – which has been in the most absolute chaos and war for the last couple of decades – Iraqi Kurdistan is a land with incredible touristic potential and plenty of amazing sites:

From dramatic and mind-blowing mountain scenery to historical villages, archaeological sites and just crazy adventures.

After scrolling down to the end of the article, I am sure that you will be more than surprised, if not excited to make a trip to this remote and off-beat region which has remained extremely safe for the last few years.

This article shows you all the places to visit in Iraqi Kurdistan , which I have split into a 2-week itinerary.

In this Iraqi Kurdistan itinerary you will find:

Table of Contents

Day 1, 2 – Erbil

• Day 3 – Visit a Syrian refugee camp

Day 4, 5 – Sulaymaniyah

• Day 6 – Halabja & Ahmadawa

Day 7, 8 – Aqrah

• Day 9, 10 – Soran & Rawandiz
• Day 11, 12 – Amedi

Day 15 – Lalish

• More information

our recommended travel insurance for Iraq

IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Iraq.

Why visit Kurdistan

There is no single week when my email inbox does not get swamped with, at least, a couple of emails from great travelers who wish to go to Kurdistan, yet, aren’t entirely sure about their safety, meaning that they are a little bit afraid.

It’s perfectly understandable.

I was also a little bit afraid the first time I went there, back in 2016 but, during my second visit in 2018, having more knowledge about the region, I was not worried at all and truth is that I was more afraid of getting robbed or assaulted when I went to Mexico in January 2018 than hitchhiking and camping in random places around Kurdistan. True story.

Kurdistan is a volatile region, nobody can deny that but, it has been safe for the last few years. If you want to know more, read: Is it safe to travel to Iraq?

On the other hand, despite being safe, Kurdistan may not be a country for everybody.

You should know that there is very little tourist infrastructure and, whether we like or not, it is a military country, with endless checkpoints and occasional random restrictions on foreigners.

During my trip, I was once arrested by the Peshmergas, I was forced to camp on the outskirts of a town because I couldn’t find a hotel and, on many occasions, I had to hitchhike because there was no public transportation and taxis there were very expensive.

However, if you are not sure about traveling independently, many people travel around with a local guide.

If you want to read my personal experience, check: Tales of backpacking in Iraqi Kurdistan: What it is like

What to visit in Iraq Kurdistan – 2-week itinerary

Interested in Iraq proper? Then, read how to travel to Mosul

Most likely, your Kurdistan itinerary will start in Erbil.

However, from an efficiency point of view, it would be better to start in Sulaymaniyah. The city has an international airport, so if you find any cheaper flight, perhaps you should fly in there.

Nevertheless, it is just a couple of hours from Erbil , so it won’t be a big deal if you fly to the capital instead.

If you are crossing into Iraq from Iran , Sulaymaniyah may also be your first destination. That’s what I did.

Anyways, let’s assume you start your journey from Erbil.

Read: Solo female travel in Kurdistan

Map of the 2-week itinerary in Kurdistan

Erbil is the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan and it will be the capital of the whole Kurdistan, including land currently in Turkey, Syria , and Iran , if Kurdistan ever becomes an independent state.

It is one of the oldest cities in the world, experts claim that first remains date back from the 28th century BC; today, however, Erbil is a pro-Western, modern capital.

From Erbil’s Citadel, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, to the Christian district of Ankawa and plenty of bazaars and epic teahouses, you are going to love Erbil and wish to have more days to spend there.

Top things to do in Erbil

I wrote a full city guide, which you can read here: Things to do in Erbil, a complete guide

Where to stay in Erbil

Budget Hotel –   Fareeq  – This hotel is slightly more expensive than the previous one but it can be booked online and it’s better. It has a good location and comments from everybody are just great.

Nicer –   Erbil View Hotel  – A very-well rated hotel and the perfect mid-range option. Good breakfast and awesome staff.

Day 3 – Visiting a Syrian refugee camp

One of the most rewarding travel experiences I ever had, not to say the best, was visiting a Syrian refugee camp.

Being able to help, even if it was on a very small scale, those people who are directly suffering the worst humanitarian crisis from the 21st century, was seriously amazing, to the extent that I just can’t explain it in words.

I went to the local bazaar to buy a huge load of toys and distributed them among as many children as I could.

I ran out of toys in a matter of minutes and dude, it was beautiful…

As you may imagine, there are many refugee camps across the region but I went to Darashakran, as you don’t need to apply for any special permit.

That was in back in 2016 but, in 2018, I also tried to visit the camp in Aqrah but, unfortunately, you do need a special permission to get there, so I couldn’t get in.

Anyways. Visiting one of those camps is a must thing to do in Kurdistan, so if you want to read my full story, check:  Visiting a Syrian refugee camp in Iraq

How to get to Darashakran from Erbil

As you can see in the above map, Darashakran is around 45km north of Erbil. There is obviously, no public transportation, but you need a car.

You could try but I personally wouldn’t go in a regular taxi, basically, because it is recommended to enter with a local friend, as he will have to talk to the military standing in front of the gates and I doubt a random taxi driver will know what is going on, if that makes sense.

Just try to find an English-speaking guide or a friend. You can ask your hotel or on Couchsurfing.

Read: Independent travel in Iran – 1 to 4-week itinerary

If the open-mindedness of Erbil surprised you, especially after strolling down the streets of Ankawa, only to see liquor shops, churches and quite some expats everywhere, be prepared when you get to Sulaymaniyah, because this is the most westernized city in Iraqi Kurdistan and, of course, in Iraq.

Despite being a predominantly Sunni Muslim city, you won’t see many women wearing hijab but, what surprised me the most is that in all the bars I went into, I always saw mixed groups of both local women and men, something rarely seen in the Middle East.

By the way, you will see that everybody pronounces and writes the city name in a different way: Sulaymaniyah, Slemani, Suli, As Sulaymaniyah, Sulemani, etc. Don’t ask me why.

Top things to do in Sulaymaniyah

Red Security Museum (Amna Suraka) – A must. Basically, this is Saddam Hussein’s House of Horrors. It portrays, in a very sobering way, the genocide against the Kurds when Saddam Hussein’s regime invaded Kurdistan.

The museum is in what used to be the headquarters of Saddam’s regime and you can still see some of its military tanks and weaponry, as well as the cells where they locked up the Kurds. Moreover, there is a brand-new Islamic State horror section.

Main bazaar – Of course, you can’t miss the city’s bazaar.

Mount Goyzha – A very popular spot among locals, this is a viewpoint from where you get the most amazing views of the city.

Where to stay in Sulaymaniyah

Backpacker Hostel – Dolphin – The only hostel in Iraq is in Sulaymaniyah. Basically, all backpackers stay here. The Wi-Fi is great and the owner organizes different tours and activities.

Nicer – Khan Saray – Top mid-range option in town. Great location and facilities and a super value-for-money option.

Luxury –   Ramada by Wyndham  – Apparently, this was the first 5-star hotel in Iraq and, today, the best one in Sulaymaniyah.

How to get to Sulaymaniyah from Erbil

Despite being quite close to each other, all buses and taxis take the longer mountain route, basically because the fastest road passes by Kirkuk, a not very safe city and, in any case, off-limits for tourists.

The longer route takes a couple of hours.

Local shared taxis – They cost 15,000ID (12.50USD)

Mini-vans – They cost 10,000ID (8.40USD). They are much slower though, especially because they take time to get filled.

Day 6 – Halabja and Ahmadawa

Halabja and Ahmadawa are within Sulaymaniyah’s district and can be visited on a day trip, even by public transportation.

In 1988, during the Iran-Iraq war , the Iranians took over a small town named Halabja and, in response, Saddam Hussein organized a massive attack with the use of chemical weapons, which killed thousands of people in a matter of seconds, mainly Kurds.

The attack was condemned by many worldwide tribunals as a crime against humanity and a real genocide.

Today, Halabja is just a normal town where you find a memorial to the victims of the attack and a museum, which is nothing else than Saddam Hussein’s House of Horrors Part 2.

The museum is at the entrance of the city and it opens from 9am to 12pm and from 13pm to 5pm.

How to get to Halabja – From the terminal in Suli, local shared taxis cost 6,000ID (5USD) per person.

Ahmadawa is a mountain village and a major local tourist spot, the top attraction being a waterfall. It’s around 30km from Halabja and I think the best way is to hitchhike.

It took me around 3 rides to get to the village and, from there, the waterfall is just a couple of kilometers away.

The trail that goes up to the waterfall is filled with tourist shops and cafés.

It is nothing outstanding but I find interesting to visit crowded touristic sites in Iraq .

How to go back to Sulaymaniyah

You need to hitchhike back to a larger town named Khurmal, just a few kilometers after Ahmadawa. There is a tiny taxi station but, if it’s late in the afternoon, around 4 or 5pm, there may not be taxis to Suli. Instead, I took a shared taxi to Sadiq Said (2,000ID) and, from there, I paid 3,000ID for a direct one to Suli.

Surrounded by beautiful nature and composed of a good-looking old city and houses, Aqrah (or Akre) is a pretty, photogenic town and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Its history is a bit uncertain and I never found much information about it, but it’s a pleasant place to walk around and meet some nice locals.

I actually met there a very interesting man named Ramzi, a 50-something-year-old dude who had lived in Austria for many years, yet, he had to come back because Saddam Hussein threatened to kill his family if he didn’t come back. He also told me a recent sad story about the Islamic State killing his brother, in revenge because he was working as a translator for the Americans. If you want to know more about him, read my Tales of Iraqi Kurdistan .

Ramzi is a man with many interesting, yet sobering, stories to tell and it turns out that he also works as a guide in Aqrah. You can contact him at +9647507560154.

I don’t know if he will remember me but you can tell him my name and nationality, no problem. I met him in April 2018 and I am the guy who was, for no reason, kicked out from the Aqrah Refugee Camp director’s house.

If you say this, perhaps he will remember me.

In Aqrah, I just walked around the old city and hung out with Ramzi, who also showed me around. There are plenty of hiking opportunities as well, including a few hours walk to an ancient Christian monastery but I just stayed in the village.

Where to stay in Aqrah

Well, in Aqrah, I actually camped just outside of the city. The locals told me about two hotels, both of them shown on maps.me , but they were closed.

Then they told me that there was a third one named Azadi, which should be open but it was too far and it was already too late, so I just planted my tent in front of a grocery shop and left early in the morning. This Azadi Hotel is right next to the Aqrah refugee camp. Here: 36.73196, 43.869507

How to get to Aqrah

If you are in Suli, you will first need to go to Erbil and, from Erbil, there are local shared taxis that charge 10,000ID (8.40USD) per person. By the way, the road from Erbil to Aqrah passes by Darashakran refugee camp and we actually stopped there to pick up one Peshmerga.

Day 9, 10 – Soran and Rawandiz

Home to the most dramatic mountain scenery, composed of lush green valleys, high mountains, and epic roads that go through them, Soran is a relatively big town, not very interesting to be honest, but the base to go to Rawandiz, a tiny settlement built at the edge of a striking cliff that forms an even more striking canyon.

This place is seriously impressive, mind-blowing and drop-dead gorgeous, like nowhere else you have seen in the region.

Once you are in Soran, you should quickly get to Rawandiz, which is about 7km. You can hitchhike or pay a 5,000ID taxi.

Just hang around, meet friendly locals and go to the edge of the village to see the cliff. Then, get out of town in the opposite direction of Soran, towards Bekhal waterfall, another spot crowded with local tourists. You will have to hitchhike because it is quite far. The location is on maps.me .

The waterfall is all right but if you continue for one more kilometer, you will find a very random beer shop and, in my opinion, the best perspective and view of Rawandiz Canyon. Just buy a beer and enjoy the views. I also continued walking for a few more kilometers and got other beautiful views as well.

Rawandiz is one of the best places to visit in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Where to stay in Soran

In Rawandiz, you only find expensive resorts and hotels but, in Soran, there is a budget hotel named Zagros Hotel , very close to the center in the main roundabout. It was pretty decent and they were asking for 20,000ID but I bargained it down to 15,000ID. This was the location: 36.654925, 44.539426.

How to get to Soran

From Aqrah, there are direct shared taxis which cost 10,000ID.

Day 11, 12 – Amadiya

Amadiya (or Amedi) is my most favorite place in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Basically, it is a 5,000-year old village located on the top of a flat mountain, super gorgeous, and the ancient stone gate to the village is still there, very well-preserved.

Amedi is rather small but there are plenty of things to do around, like hiking to the surrounding peaks to see the village from above because, otherwise, you can’t really appreciate its composition.

The village has been inhabited by several civilizations, including Persians, Christians, Jews and Assyrians and, today, it is a Muslim Sunni village, even though there are a few Christians living there, as there is one liquor store.

For more information, read my guide to visit Amadiya

Where to stay in Amadiya

There are no hotels inside the village but outside, a few kilometers away.

I actually asked a random dude if there was any guesthouse close by and he said that I could stay in the mosque, as many visitors are actually welcome there, so that’s what I did.

I went to the mosque and they told me that I could just lie on the carpet, right next to the entrance, no problem. However, when I had my sleeping bag already set up, some local students came and invited me to their student house, so I was very lucky.

How to get to Amadiya

I came straight from Soran, which is 170km away if you follow the mountain road.

There was, however, no public transportation or shared taxis and, according to a local, you should take a shared taxi to Dohuk and, from there, to Amadiya, which is a very long and expensive route.

Instead, I left the hotel very early in the morning and hitchhiked the 170km mountain road, which took me the whole day, as the road goes through loads of tiny villages, so had to take around 10 different rides, but I made it there just before the sunset.

By the way, on the way to Amadiya from Soran, there is a village called Barzan , which is the hometown of Mustafa Barzani , a national hero and one of the most prominent political Kurds ever.

In Barzan, you can find his tomb (he died in 1979) and memorial, which is also a very popular spot among locals. I was very lucky that one of the families I hitchhiked with wanted to stop there for lunch.

Day 13, 14 – Dohuk

Dohuk is the third city in Kurdistan and a transit spot for people going to and coming from Turkey.

To be honest, I feel that there is not much going on in Dohuk, especially if this is your last destination. I didn’t do much, besides wandering around to the old bazaar, which is very big, but I have already seen hundreds of bazaars around the world .

There is also a river which takes you to a dam and an artificial lake, the top tourist attraction in the city. It was a bit boring.

By the way, on the way from Amadiya to Dohuk, you can stop at one Saddam Hussein’s many summer houses , which is on the top of a mountain from where you get incredible views.

How to get to Saddam Hussein’s summer house

First, you need to go to a village named Sarsang, which is right in between Amadiya and Dohuk. From here, you take a 14-kilometer mountain road that takes you straight to the house. There is no public transportation and a round-trip taxi was charging too much, so I decided to hitchhike.

However, it was raining a lot and, after one hour, no cars passed by so I decided not to go, especially because it was too foggy anyways, so couldn’t have enjoyed the views. If you come on a weekend, you may be luckier.

Where to stay in Dohuk

Budget Hotel – Parleman Hotel – There are some budget hotels around the bazaar but they can’t be booked online. I actually Couchsurfed there but Parleman Hotel is the only one I’ve heard of.

Nicer – Kristal Hotel Dohuk – This is the most frequented hotel by most mid-range travelers.

How to get to Dohuk

I hitchhiked from Amedi, stopped at Sarsang village to see if I could go to Saddam’s House and then took a second ride.

If you don’t want to hitchhike, from Amedi you can take a shared taxi which costs 6,000ID. If you are in Erbil, you can easily find both buses and taxis.

The last day is reserved for the weirdest and most peculiar place in Kurdistan: Lalish.

Have you ever heard of Yazidism?

Yazidis are a religious group who mainly live across the Middle Eas t, the Caucasus, Turkey, and Russia but Iraq has the largest population.

Their religion is monotheist and it is a mix of Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianism, and Judaism. It is a bit complicated so I don’t want to enter into details and I don’t really know it anyways.

One of their holiest places is Lalish, a tiny village in Iraqi Kurdistan which has a very holy Yazidi temple.

The first thing you need to know about Lalish is that you can’t wear shoes but you need to walk around barefoot. At the entrance of the village, there is a police checkpoint and they tell you to leave your shoes there.

However, Lalish is not like those mosques which have very soft floors.

It is a village and the streets of Lalish are unpaved, full of rocks and very hilly.

Yazidis have many curious things. For example, they have one ancient ritual which consists of hugging a very ancient tree and, if you are able to surround it completely and touch your fingers, it means that you will find your true love. If not, you may die alone.

I was actually not only able to touch my fingers but could grab my own hands and, apparently, this means that I will have 4 or 5 wives at the same time. I don’t know, that’s what they told me.

Where to stay in Lalish

There are no hotels. I came here on a day trip from Dohuk.

How to get to Lalish

There is no public transportation either. You’ll have to hitchhike again. I personally took a taxi till the edge of Dohuk and hitchhiked from the highway. Luckily, people like to stop very quickly.

More information for visiting Iraqi Kurdistan

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Iraq.

As well as all our Iraq articles:

• A City Guide to Mosul
• Visiting Syrian Refugee Camp
• Is Iraq Safe?
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraq
• Iraq Itinerary
• Erbil Travel Guide
• Tales of Backpacking in Iraqi Kurdistan
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraqi Kurdistan
• Travel Guide to Amedi
• Iraqi Kurdistan Travel Guide

17 comments

I love your itinerary. We spent 10 days in Iraqi Kurdistan and it was SO worth it. Like you, we went with a guide, and we agree that Karwan Wahed is fabulous. He really put a lot of thought into our itinerary; we visited places that he customized to our interests.

Anyway, I’d like to mention that although it’s easy to backpack through the region, there are advantages to hiring a private guide. One is that they manage all the transportation. Karwan also negotiated cheaper hotel rates than what they had posted. But the primary reason we like to use local guides is that they know the language and culture. You miss a lot when you can’t interact with the locals.

Thanks for the super useful post, Joan. I’m planning on spending two or so weeks there this fall after travelling in Iran, and your recommendations are great.

Safe travels!

thanks, enjoy Iran and Kurdistan!

This is all very useful info! Planning my Kurdistan trip right now. Little question, are there numerous shared taxis throughout the day to the various destinations?… and do they run into the later afternoon? Or do I need to be careful and time my travel by shared taxi carefully?

Thanks for taking the time and sharing!

Hey Conrad! Yes, they run all day long and they leave when they are full. Sometimes you wait for 5 minutes, whereas others you wait for like half an hour. What is late afternoon for you? They start early morning and I once took one at around 8pm for going to Suli. I guess it depends on the destination you go to. If you go to a village such as Amadiya, the last one may be earlier

I’m planning a bike travel in late April to Kurdistan. The itinerary could be: Erbil-Soran-Rawanduz-Barzan-Amadia-Barzan-Aqra-Erbil, perhaps combining shared taxi with biking. Around 11 days. Could you help me with some issues? 1) Aqra and especially Lalish are near Mossul troublesome area.Are this villages safe for foreigners? 2) It seems traffic is heavy in some roads. Any comment about the issue or the itinerary? 3)I’ve seen only a shop in Erbil to rent bikes, maybe you know some more information about rent a bike (better mtb). Best wishes, Eduard Bernadich i Campreciós Catalunya PD(catalan): molt interessants els teus viatges, l’enhorabona Joan. Moltes gràcies per endavant

Bon dia Eduard, Thanks for your message. My replies: 1 – They are super safe 2 – Not that I can recall of. In fact, the roads were pretty trafficless, except nearby the cities of course 3 – I don’t know of any rental bike shop, sorry! Salut company i gràcies!

Hi, I am currently travelling by bike around Iraqi Kurdistan. The route you mentioned is the most beautiful one, mesmerizing landscape and super welcoming people. Wild camping is not possible… there is always someone who will came invite you to your place so be prepared to feel the kurd hospitality.

It is completely safe, lot of checkpoints but no problem at all. If you want more detailed information about the route i followed (road bike, lot of hills) you can write to me (català cap problema) to [email protected]

P.S (catalan): Molt bon blog, informació molt útil. Gràcie!

Hi Joan! I wish I had seen your website sooner. I am afraid I haven’t enough time to prepare for the March Expedition of Kurdistan. I was in Mosul, Iraq in 2004-2005 (not pleasure, I was in U.S. Army). I lived with, trained, and fought next to several Kurds while there, and I fell in love with them. They are so kind and sincere. I have visited Dohuk and the short trip from desert Mosul to mountain Oasis is something I will never forget. In any case, if I can not arrange to take this excursion, your website is BOOKMARKED! Very interesting. Thank you for your time, Brian Bauer

Hey Brian, thank you for telling us about your experience, I am sure you have amazing tales to tell 🙂 Hope you can join us in one of the expeditions one day!

Hello Brian,

I’m Sirwan, from kurdistan, I would be glad to chance meet you and do hospitality in our beautiful region, things much changed since your last visit, you can’t believe how big and beautiful Duhok city behind the mountains right.

Let me know, if you have any plans for visiting.

Oh Sirwan, it was such a difficult time and place to be, Mosul. The only fond memories I have are the wonderful Kurdish people, and the desert night sky. Both hold a special place in my heart. I pray for you people daily!

Destroying a Prosperous country through your filthy conspiracies, wars, and sinister plans and then having the shameless dare of visiting the same land under the guise of tourism in order to spy and achieve your sinister objectives doesn’t make you a friend or loyal to us Muslims of the World.

All of you useless brainwashed ignorant terrorist westerner spies disguised as tourists whole position and value is absolutely nothing more than that of a ordinary visitor so keep your mouth shut, complete your spying i.e. so called visit and get lost never to come back again. You have no right to unnecessary meddle into the internal matters of our countries plus it’s simply none of your business what happened in the past, what’s currently going on, and what will happen in the future in our Muslim lands.

Keep your BS agenda in your filthy head and go deal with the mess in your own lawless craphole. SMH

Thanks for the tip for that random beer shop near Rawanduz. Wouldn’t have noticed. Drinking now cold beer in the shade with that view – priceless

haha, yes, super priceless, was just there again 1 week ago

Visiting Kurdistan in mid March. Looking for a local to take me outside of Erbil. Traveling solo. Appreciate responses [email protected] Many Thanks

Ați fost? Și pe mine mă interesează și vreau să merg prin locuri mai izolate, chiar pe jos. Cum este, e dificil, riscant? Sunt mine, probleme. Se poate închiria o mașină?

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A Complete Guide to Travelling in Iraqi Kurdistan

If you’re contemplating travelling to Iraqi Kurdistan and wondering what you need to know about going there as a tourist, then look no further. In this blog post, I have covered all the important practical travel tips anyone would need to know before travelling to Kurdistan based on my experience.

Iraqi Kurdistan is not what many people expect it to be. It’s quite far removed from the dominant narrative of war, terrorism and religious fanaticism that we are fed in the media. Although, if you’re contemplating a trip there, then I’m assuming you already know that. 

The Kurdish people are some of, if not the most, friendliest people I’ve come across on my travels. The difference I found with the Kurds, was that their friendliness was genuine and some of my most memorable experiences were thanks to the locals I met. When tourism ramps up in the area who knows what may happen, however, for now, tourists are a rare sight, welcomed with open arms and treated like a true guest.  

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links which means I get a commission if you buy a product through my link at no extra cost to you. By doing so, I can keep this blog going and continue to create helpful guides for you. Read more:  Privacy Policy

When to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan

Most people agree that the best time to visit Iraqi Kurdistan is in  March  and  April  when the Kurds celebrate Nawroz, or New Year. To witness the celebrations is apparently an incredible experience, particularly in the village of Akre. 

Otherwise,  October  and  November  are also good times to visit in terms of climate. I was there in  September  and the weather was perfect. 

Where to go in Iraqi Kurdistan

For a quick rundown on the main places of interest in Iraqi Kurdistan:

The three largest cities,  Sulaymaniyah, Erbil  and  Duhok , are on most people’s Iraqi Kurdistan itineraries. 

As are  Lalish  (the holiest Yazidi temple),  Alqosh  (Christian village and home of the Rabban Hormizd monastery),  Akre  (Kurdistan’s “prettiest village”) and  Amedi  (an ancient hilltop village). These towns can easily be explored on days trips from the major cities.

If you have more time, Rawanduz  canyon is also often visited for its incredible landscape and  Halabja  is a popular half-day trip from Sulaymaniyah for those interested in recent Kurdish history.

Read next: Best Things to Do in Sulaymaniyah

How to get around Iraqi Kurdistan

Most places can be reached by  shared transport , with the exception of Lalish (which is not really on any main road). This is the cheapest option and is relatively straight forward, with shared parking lots full of comfortable taxis and vans waiting to fill up in most cities, known as a garaj .

Otherwise, you can opt to hire a  private driver or tour  to see Iraqi Kurdistan. This is a good option if you’re short on time and want to see multiple places in one day. It’s not cheap, with daily rates starting at around USD$100 for a driver. 

I used a combination of both, local shared transport as well as private drivers. The shared transport is easiest to move between major cities like Sulaymaniyah and Erbil for example. However, it’s a great idea to combine Lalish, Alqosh and Akre in a day trip with a private car hire/tour either from Erbil or Duhok, simply for the ease and convenience.

Other day trips, such as to Amedi from Duhok and Halabja from Sulaymaniyah can be done by either shared transport or private hire. I did both by shared transport and it was not too difficult. 

You could technically cover all the main places in Iraqi Kurdistan within a week if you hired private transport. Otherwise, you’ll likely need at least 10 days if you plan on seeing things by shared transport. 

If you’re looking at doing a more  organised   tour  or want a contact for hiring private taxis, I would recommend  Haval . He is one of two local  Iraqi Kurdistan tour guides  that are quite well established and highly recommended. He is based in Erbil but organises trips all over the area. If you want to use him as a guide, I suggest contacting him before arriving as he is in high demand. He can be contacted through Facebook  here .

Public transport in Iraqi Kurdistan

As it’s a relatively small region there is no need for a large bus network with regular services. As mentioned above, there are shared  minivans  and  taxis  that make runs between towns which leave whenever they’re full. 

They’re quite comfortable, move quickly and aren’t too expensive. They leave from a parking area usually called a  garaj . In the bigger cities like Erbil and Sulaymaniyah there are more than one of these garaj’s servicing different areas, so it’s best to check with hotel staff which one you need. As soon as you arrive at a garaj you will hear men shouting destinations and people are more than happy to point to the correct vehicle for you.

Is Iraqi Kurdistan safe to visit?

Yes. In fact, someone told me that fewer people have died from terrorist attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan than in Europe in recent years. The cities of Sulaymaniyah, Erbil and Duhok are extremely safe, even at night, and petty crime is almost unheard of. I would just take regular precautions as you would travelling in any country.

But you have to understand that Iraqi Kurdistan is very different from Arab Iraq and just a short distance away, cities are still very fragile and unstable. Even cities like Mosul and Kirkuk which are not too far away are only just beginning to rebuild and recover from the war against ISIS. 

There is also a heavy military and police presence, especially on the major highways and passport checks are common. This shouldn’t be of any concern as a foreign tourist, although you should always listen to local and on the ground advice while you’re there.

Read next: A Travel Guide to Erbil

Kurdish politics

Politics is very pervasive in Kurdish culture and everyday life, and people are generally very open to talking about it. It’s also very important to understand at least the basics of Kurdish politics and the region in general, as that will only better inform you while travelling as to why things are the way they are. So, here’s a brief summary of Kurdish politics in Iraq to date, if you’re interested (can you tell I have a degree in political science?).

Regional politics is an extremely complex affair. For a start, Kurds want their own nation, ideally incorporating western Iran, southeastern Turkey, northern Syria and northern Iraq, which they refer to as  Greater Kurdistan . At this point, it seems unlikely, but many Kurds remain hopeful that one day there will be an official country called Kurdistan. Iraq is the only place where they have achieved some sense of stable independence and they operate on a semi-autonomous system under Iraq’s central government. 

The  Kurdistan Regional Government  is made up of two dominant political parties; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The KDP has been dominated by the Barzani family and tribe since it was founded in 1946, which has led many to criticise it as autocratic. The PUK split off from it in 1975 as a sort-of socialist, left party.

The two fought against each other in the 1990s in what is referred to as the Kurdish civil war and led to a division, whereby the PUK controlled the area around Sulaymaniyah and the KDP controlled Erbil and the surrounding area.

After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the KDP and PUK slowly worked on a more unified government. Barzani as the leader of the KDP was elected leader of the Kurdistan Regional Government in 2005 and he only stepped down in 2017 after the failed referendum. There are still many Kurds who have strong opinions about the Barzani family and the divisions between PUK and KDP supporters still exists.

The KRG and Peshmerga forces were one of the US’s greatest allies in the fight against ISIS in both Syria and Iraq and it was largely thanks to the Peshmerga in Iraq that the country has been liberated from them.

In 2017, Barzani called for an independence referendum which upset the Iraqi central government. The result reportedly was that at least 92% of Kurds voted in favour of independence but it was quickly quashed with clashes between Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga. It was a devastating blow, as the KRG lost control over Kirkuk, one of their most profitable oil fields and they were forced to sign an agreement whereby they would never seek independence from Iraq again.

Visas for Iraqi Kurdistan

Immigration for Iraqi Kurdistan is controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government. For European nationals, American, Canadian, Australian, Japanese and Korean passport holders,  visas are not necessary  and you’ll be granted  30 days  free on arrival. 

Note that this is different from the  Iraq visa , in which most foreign nationals require to  apply for in advance . If you want to visit cities like Mosul or Kirkuk, which are now under Iraqi control, then a proper Iraqi visa is required, even to use the roads leading to those cities.

Iraqi Kurdistan borders

The international borders with  Turkey  and  Iran  are open as well as the internal border with  Arab Iraq . Visas for all these borders need to be obtained beforehand. Turkey has an easy to use e-visa system, whereas for land border crossings into Iran you need to have applied and received a visa prior to crossing (visa on arrival is only for airport arrivals) and the same for Iraq (see above). 

Iran  || There are two border crossings between Iran and Iraq. You can cross near Sulaymaniyah which takes you into Iranian Kurdistan and Marivan, or you can also cross through Rawanduz and Soran, north of Erbil, which is closer to Tabriz on the Iranian side. Read more: How to cross the Iran-Iraq Border from Marivan .

Turkey  || The main border crossing with Turkey is northwest of Duhok at the Ibrahim Khalil Border Crossing. This takes you into Kurdish-majority southeastern Turkey. Read more: How to cross the Iraq-Turkey Border .

Syria  || Technically, the border between Iraqi Kurdistan and the Kurdish-autonomous region inside Syria has been open on and off in the last few years. For tourists, it is not permitted to cross, but this may change in years to come though.

Female and solo travellers in Iraqi Kurdistan

As a female, I had no problems travelling in Iraqi Kurdistan and I felt much more free than I had in Iran. It’s conservative on some levels but is also quite progressive. In the cities, you will notice Kurdish girls tend to wear whatever they feel like and a headscarf is not that common. I would still wear relatively conservative clothing. I felt comfortable in a t-shirt, but always kept my legs covered. I always carried a scarf but rarely wore it on my head.

However, rural life is quite different and if you visit any villages or smaller towns, people will naturally be more conservative. Kurdish family life is still very traditional in many respects and women are still confined to indoor duties and looking after the home. 

As a foreigner, however, I didn’t feel that people were overly judgemental and I felt that they were pretty accepting of the fact that I was travelling alone. They were just perhaps very curious about it. Of course the age-old, “are you married?” question will be asked a lot, but it’s not to be mistaken as a sleazy gesture but a genuine inquiry, as it is quite a different concept for them that a single young girl can freely travel on her own.

Otherwise, as a solo female traveller in Iraqi Kurdistan, you shouldn’t face any more difficulties than you might in other countries and in fact, I had far less hassling than other countries in the Middle East.

Money and ATMs in Iraqi Kurdistan

Kurdistan uses the  Iraqi Dinar  as their currency. US dollars are widely accepted and even Euros in some hotels. It is truly a cash economy, and almost nowhere accepts credit cards unless you stay in more expensive hotels, but I wouldn’t rely on it.

ATMs  are notoriously hard to come by. In Sulaymaniyah, there are a few around the central area, but in Erbil, most ATMs are located on the outer parts of the city and in the Ankawa neighbourhood. Not all ATMs accept foreign cards either. 

Byblos Bank  does accept foreign cards and it can also give you USDs as well as Iraqi dinar but they seemed to charge extra fees for foreign cards (or at least my card). I found the best ATM and bank to use was the  Bank of Baghdad  which charged no fees and you could also withdraw both USD and dinars. 

You can find foreign exchange markets in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, if you’re bringing cash into the country. Although the rates will likely not be very good.

Budget for Iraqi Kurdistan

In terms of  budget , keep in mind that Iraqi Kurdistan is not a cheap place to travel, when you compare it to its neighbours. A 2 star hotel ranges from USD$20-40 per night for a single/double room and a meal at a local restaurant costs around USD$5-9.

Shared minivans and taxis are not too badly priced, a seat in a minivan between Sulaymaniyah and Erbil for example cost USD$9. For a private taxi hire/tour for a day with multiple stops, you’ll be looking at USD$120+.

Language in Kurdistan

Kurdish language has many  dialects  and in Iraq the main two are Sorani and Kurmanji, and along with Arabic, they are the languages you will hear most around Kurdistan.

Not too many people speak  English  but you’ll find the younger generation almost all speak at least some.

Food in Iraqi Kurdistan

You wouldn’t go travelling in Iraqi Kurdistan just for the food necessarily. It’s pretty standard Middle Eastern cuisine; very  meat-heavy  with  rice  and  bread  making up the rest of most meals. If you’re lucky most places will have some sort of basic salad or eggplant or bean stew, but as for any other vegetables, you won’t really get any. A plate of olives is also a common starter.

A standard meal is chicken or red meat with rice, bread, beans and a plate of onion (plus a plate of eggplant if you’re lucky), refer to picture below. There are cheaper street food and take away options such as kebabs, sandwiches and falafel if you’re on a tight budget.

Vegetarians will find it difficult, but beans and eggplant are staple dishes almost all restaurants will have in some form and falafel sandwiches are a good choice.

Drinking in Kurdistan

Alcohol  is available in the major cities at supermarkets and designated alcohol shops. It’s not frowned upon to drink and some of the alcohol is even smuggled across the border into Iran. Although if you’re a solo female traveller I’d restrict alcohol intact to just well-known bars in Erbil or Sulaymaniyah to avoid any sort of problem.

Tea  is basically the national drink and you’ll find teashops and young boys walking around with a thermos practically everywhere. It’s largely a male affair and you’ll rarely, if at all, see a woman sitting at a tea shop. However, as a foreign woman, I didn’t have any issues and many locals often invited me to sit for tea (unfortunately, the different treatment between foreign and local females is quite obvious here).

Accommodation in Iraqi Kurdistan

Accommodation in Iraqi Kurdistan is limited to standard hotels, with guesthouses and hostels not a ‘thing’ yet. Hotels are pretty good quality though, with even 2 star hotels at a pretty good standard. They all generally have private bathrooms, WiFi and tea and coffee available, while some also offering free breakfast.

The only exception to this is  Dolphin Hostel  in Sulaymaniyah owned by Shah, which is the only true hostel offering dormitories in Kurdistan. I highly recommend it and Shah is likely to become a good friend after your stay. He’s well known amongst foreign travellers who pass through Sulaymaniyah and I wouldn’t recommend staying anywhere else.

I booked my accommodation through Booking.com while travelling in Iraqi Kurdistan and found it the easiest way to guarantee a room.

For my other  hotel recommendations  you can see the individual posts for  Sulaymaniyah ,  Erbil and  Duhok .

Internet and SIM cards in Kurdistan

Internet  and  WiFi  is relatively good when you can get it travelling in Iraqi Kurdistan. All hotels have WiFi as do all the more upmarket restaurants and cafes. 

SIM cards  are relatively painless to get. If you’re travelling to Iraqi Kurdistan I would recommend that you get one for convenience and safety.

I was lucky enough to get one from two people who crossed from Iraq into Iran and so I didn’t personally go through the application process. I was given a  Newroz  SIM which had unlimited data for 30 days and it costs USD$20 or 25, 000 ID for the month. It worked pretty much everywhere.

I heard that  Asiacell  was likely better, as it’s one of the biggest companies, but prices are relatively similar no matter who you go with. 

Find all my Iraqi Kurdistan posts

• A Travel Guide to Erbil

Best Things to Do in Sulaymaniyah

• How to Visit Amedi from Duhok
• Why You Should Explore Akre, Lalish and Alqosh

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How to Visit Amedi from Duhok in Iraqi Kurdistan

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A Travel Guide to Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan’s Capital

[…] crossing the border from Iraqi Kurdistan, I arrived in Mardin. I really hadn’t known much about the town before arriving there, other than […]

This comprehensive guide to travelling in Iraqi Kurdistan provides valuable insights and practical tips for tourists. The author’s personal experience highlights the friendliness of the Kurdish people and their welcoming nature towards visitors. The guide covers important topics such as when to travel, places to visit, transportation options, safety, visas, and cultural aspects. The inclusion of personal recommendations and useful information on accommodation, food, and language adds to the overall value of the guide. It’s a helpful resource for anyone planning a trip to Iraqi Kurdistan.

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Kurdistan is a region named after the Kurdish people in the Middle East , divided between Turkey , Syria , Iraq , and Iran .

The Yazidis are an offshoot of the Kurds, Kurdish speakers who still practice a version of the pre-Islamic Persian religion, sharing a common origin with Zoroastrianism . Most Kurds, however, are followers of Sunni Islam .

Regions [ edit ]

• Northern Kurdistan or Turkish Kurdistan — parts of Southeastern Anatolia and Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. The Kurdish population also spills across the border into a small part of Armenia , but the Kurdish-majority part of Armenia is not usually considered a part of Kurdistan.
• Western Kurdistan , Syrian Kurdistan or Rojava — as of 2017, the area is de facto independent from the other contestant forces in Syria. Rojava consists of two disjoint areas along the Turkish border in the northern Syrian Desert and Northwestern Syria , but its borders are very much in flux due to the ongoing war in Syria.
• Southern Kurdistan or Iraqi Kurdistan — an autonomous part of Iraq. In a referendum held in 2017, an overwhelming majority of the voters opted for the independence of the region, but this has not led to any moves so far. Some of the traditionally Kurdish areas, such as the area around Kirkuk and Mosul , are not part of the autonomous region. Under an informal power sharing agreement that has been in place since Saddam Hussein was ousted, the presidency of Iraq has been reserved for a Kurd.
• Eastern Kurdistan or Iranian Kurdistan — parts of Iranian Azerbaijan and Western Iran ( Kurdistan , Kermanshah , and Ilam Provinces )

Understand [ edit ]

There have been various Kurdish states from the 8th to the 20th century, but never for long a recognised independent nation of Kurdistan. During the Crusades many Kurds were mercenary soldiers (janissaries) for the Seljuk Turks; Richard the Lionheart's most famous opponent, Saladin, was a Kurd.

With current borders, there are predominantly Kurdish regions in four countries; in all four the Kurds have sometimes complained of persecution and the national governments have sometimes complained of Kurdish subversion and secessionism. As of the early 2020s, there are Kurdish regions with de facto independence in both Iraq and Syria, and those are (by Middle Eastern standards) quite stable.

Kurdish militias were prominent in the fight against Da'esh , the so-called Islamic State. Da'esh was particularly vicious toward the non-Muslim Yazidis and took many Yazidi women as sex slaves.

There is considerable tension between Kurds and the Turkish government, though there has not been open warfare since a Turkish offensive in 2019. Many Kurds feel that they were betrayed by the US (in particular, the Trump administration) which accepted them as allies against Da'esh then stood aside as the Turks attacked them.

Buy [ edit ]

The region's best-known products are Kurdish carpets .

Talk [ edit ]

Kurdish is an Indo-European language closely related to Persian . It has three major dialects: Kurmanji or Northern Kurdish, spoken mostly in Turkey, Syria and Armenia, Sorani or Central Kurdish, spoken in most of Iraqi Kurdistan and parts of Iranian Kurdistan, and Pehlewani or Southern Kurdish spoken mostly in Iran. These dialects are not immediately mutually intelligible with each other. The script of choice for written Kurdish also differs according to the country — the Roman alphabet is in use in Turkey, Syria and Armenia while the Kurds of Iraq and Iran use the Arabic script.

Zaza or Zazaki is a related language spoken in parts of Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. While from a linguistic standpoint, Kurdish and Zaza are distinct languages, many native Zaza speakers identify with the Kurds.

Most of the locals are bilingual in the national language of the country they live in: Turkish , Arabic , or Persian . The main exception is in Iraqi Kurdistan, where most people are monolingual in Kurdish. The Kurds of Armenia are often trilingual in Kurdish, Armenian and Russian . There are also minorities with different native languages in the region, such as the Syriac .

Stay safe [ edit ]

Much of the region is prone to ethnic strife, political conflict or is a war zone : do your research well before attempting any visit.

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Iraqi Kurdistan Travel Guide

Iraqi Kurdistan is quickly becoming one of the hottest tourist destinations in the Middle East . Owing to it’s historical sites, beautiful mountainous regions and incredibly hospitable locals, more and more tourist are choosing Kurdistan as their next ‘off the beaten track’ holiday destination.

Iraqi Kurdistan is an area of Southern Kurdistan that occupies the northern part of the Republic of Iraq. It is home to 5.1 million people, a million of which reside in the region’s capital city of Erbil. Kurdistan gained official autonomous status from the Republic of Iraq in 2007, and is working hard to gain complete independence in the near future.

YPT has been running organized group tours to Kurdistan for many years now, so we are considered experts in the region. We have access to the best guides and have extensive knowledge on all there is to see in the region.

Here’s our guide to this fascinating part of the Middle East .

Why Visit Iraq Kurdistan?

The Kurdistan Region is a vastly different place from the Republic of Iraq. Since the region gained autonomous status, terrorist activity has been at an all-time low and foreign investment is at an all-time high. There have been some huge economic developments in the region, including some insane investments and development of infrastructure and tourism. Subsequently, Kurdistan is fast becoming a “gateway to Iraq”, and a must-see stop on any itinerary to the middle east .

Kurdistan is blessed by untouched mountains, waterfalls, rivers and lakes and has long been known as an area of outstanding natural beauty in the middle east . Kurdistan is also littered with ancient citadels, holy cities, Saddam Hussain’s old palaces and even ski resorts so there really is something for everyone.

Things to do in Kurdistan

We’ve been running tours to Kurdistan for years, so we think we’ve got the best itineraries nailed down. Here are some of our must see things in Kurdistan.

Erbil citadel

The Erbil Citadel is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world and has been inscribed on the World Heritage List since 2014. The earliest evidence for occupation of the citadel dates back to the 5th millennium BC, but it’s probable that the actual date could be much earlier. This is a must-see spot in Erbil!

Saddam Hussein’s former palace

This is truly an amazing site. It is estimated that Saddam Hussein built up to 100 palaces during his 24 year reign, and his mountain top palace is one of the finest. Although still surrounded by hundreds of land-mines, the palace remains open to anyone who knows how to get there – we do! It was looted during the Kurdish uprising against Baghdad rule in 1991 and has remained idle ever since. It offers spectacular views of the Amedi Valley; so much so that it’s been nicknamed the “Kurdish bird’s nest”.

Sulaymaniyah Red Prison

Located in Kurdistan’s second city of Sulaymaniyah, the Amna Suraka, or Red Prison, is a must-see site. It functioned as the headquarters of the Iraq’s secret intelligence agency. The prison was used as the location for the state’s torture and imprisonment of Iraq’s Kurdish population. Thankfully these days the torture has stopped and you can visit the old prison and torture cells. There is also a part of the museum dedicated to the very recent war against ISIS which is well worth checking out.

Halabja was the scene of a mass chemical attack on the Kurdish people, perpetrated by the Baathist regime in 1988. Mustard gas was used in the attack, along with other unidentified nerve agents in the persecution of thousands of innocent civilians. The attack is still the largest chemical weapons attack directed against a civilian-populated area in history. These days, you can pay your respects at the Martyrs’ Monument and Cemetery which serves as a monument and cemetery for the innocent Kurdish lives that perished, but also a place for eternal remembrance of the crimes committed against the Kurdish people.

How to get to Iraqi Kurdistan?

The easiest and most convenient way to get into Iraqi Kurdistan is by plane. Iraq Kurdistan is served by two international airports: Erbil international Airport and Silamani International Airport. However, most passengers will arrive in Erbil as it has the most connections. There are daily flights from Europe and Turkey as well as other Middle Eastern cities, such as Beirut, Dubai and Amman. YPT can also organise overland transport from Iran, Turkey and the Republic of Iraq.

What to eat in Iraqi Kurdistan?

You can read our dedicated blog on Cuisine in Kurdistan here . In short, lots of meat, carbs, vegetables and of course black tea served by the litres!

Nightlife in Iraqi Kurdistan

As with most Muslim countries, drinking isn’t a huge part of the culture.  Fear not though, YPT know all the best spots to share a beer or six with locals and tourists alike. Alcohol is readily available in Kurdistan, which makes it unique to most other countries in the region.

There is a surprisingly nice mix of bars and clubs to be found in Erbil. You’ll find everything from jazz bars to full-on nightclubs and everything in between. In fact, it’s said that there are more nightclubs being built in Erbil than mosques! Shisha bars are also a staple in the region, so you can kick back with a couple of beers and smoke some of the most flavourful shishas you’ll ever taste.

When is the best time to visit Iraqi Kurdistan?

Kurdistan benefits from year-round sunshine, so it is possible to visit at any time of the year. However, we’ve found that running tours in the spring and the autumn yield the best balance between not being too overcrowded with tourists and avoiding the unreasonable scorching hot days the summer would bring.

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Kurdistan Tourism

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Kurdistan tourism is a quickly flourishing industry. Compared to other countries and parts of the Middle East, Kurdistan is one of the safest places to travel. With the exception of Syria, all regions of Kurdistan offer gorgeous and historic attractions, with utmost safety. In 2014, the Arab Council of Tourism celebrated Kurdistan tourism by declaring Erbil the Arab tourism capital of 2014.

Turkish Kurdistan Tourism

With the resolution process progressing in the  Kurdish region of Turkey , tourism is becoming more and more popular. The resolution process, also known as the peace process, refers to the government-led initiative aimed at ending the three-decade-long conflict between Turkey’s security forces and the outlawed PKK. The peace process in the Kurdish region of Turkey has helped boost the tourist flow to eastern and southeastern Turkish provinces that were roiled by violence in previous years, a report issued by Turkey’s top tourism organization has found, underlining the significance of peace amid tension on the country’s southern borders.

According to the “Resolution Process and Regional Tourism Report” released by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), the number of local and foreign tourists visiting the region reached 1.5 million in 2012, and surpassed 2 million in 2013. TÜRSAB Chairman Başaran Ulusoy said tourism was one of the main sectors providing employment opportunities to the region, underlining that the boost in the sector had already triggered investments in other industries and has also triggered a remarkable increase in air transportation to the eastern provinces.

There are numerous Kurdish and Turkic heritage and cultural sites in Southeastern Turkey including Cappadocia, Diyarbakır, Van, Hakkari, Yüksekova, Şemdinli, Doğubayazıt, Sason.

Iraqi Kurdistan Tourism

Iraqi Kurdistan is relatively safe, especially in the capital of Erbil . Iraqi Kurdistan has two international airports, one in Erbil and the other in Sulaymaniyah , providing direct flights from and to Kurdistan. There are several direct international flights from and to these two airports.

Erbil was appointed to be the 2014 Arab tourism capital by the Arab Council of Tourism, evidence of the city’s recent growth and modernization.

Kurdistan Regional Government

Representation in the united states, visiting kurdistan.

For decades, Kurdistan was a popular destination for Iraqis and looking for a respite from the heat or some relaxing time in the mountains. Today, Kurdistan's tourism sector is rapidly expanding, with visitors from all of the world coming to experience the many sights and adventures that Kurdistan has to offer. With a growing number of hotels and tour companies, and ever-improving domestic infrastructure, Kurdistan is an ideal location for travelers on any budget.

For more information, click here to visit the website of the Kurdistan Board of Tourism .

Adventure Tourism

The Kurdistan Region is known for having valleys, mountains, forests, as well as small and large rivers. Tourists can enjoy mountain climbing at Halgurd, Pera Magrun, Korek, Bradost, Sheren, and Saffen mountains. A state-of-the-art cable car has recently opened on Korek Mountain, and takes visitors up to its peak to enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding areas. Visitors can also take tours through the region's valleys, rivers and caves. Skiing is also becoming more popular.

There are a great number of caves and mountains to discover across the region, many of which are still unexplored. Many of the caves are of unknown depth and some mountain peaks have rarely been seen. Tourists from abroad visit Kurdistan yearly to enjoy its adventure tourism.

The Guardian ranked Kurdistan in its top international destinations for adventure tourism in 2015.

Religious Tourism

The coexistence of different religious and ethnic groups in Kurdistan Region, paired with its security  and stability, has helped the religious tourism sector develop by attracting a large and increasing number of religious tourists from around the world. Foreign tourists who have traveled to Kurdistan Region and visited the religious attractions appreciate efforts made by the Kurdistan Region's leadership to create a safe and secure environment.

While the existence of many ethnic and religious groups in the Region gives color, variety and an image of a multicultural identity locally, it has also been a major of attraction for foreign visitors. 

The reason behind these developments in the religious tourism sector are the security, stability and economic development and the Region’s welcoming character.

Religious tourists can visit temples, mosques and churches in all governorates in the Kurdistan Region.

Statistics from the Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs show that more than one million tourists visited the Region's religious attractions, including Islamic, Christian, Yezidi and Kakai sites.

Political Tourism

Many local and foreign authorities have ruled the Kurdistan and many conflicts in the wider region have been fought and settled on Kurdistan land. Perhaps one of the most well known was the Battle of Gaugamela , between Alexander the Great and Darius I, which occurred near the city of Erbil in 331 BC.

Other notable conflicts that took place on Kurdistan soil are Islamic attacks, as well as occupation by Iraqi, Mongol, Ottoman and British forces. The ruling palaces of Kurdish princes, from Medes to Sheikh Mahmod, are still popular tourist attractions.

In recent history, the people of Kurdistan experienced a very different form of suffering at the hands of the Ba'ath party and its methods of governing in Kurdistan, including many political and military crimes against the Kurds.

Those crimes will never be forgotten. During the genocidal Anfal campaign against the Kurds, chemical bombardment destroyed over 5,000 villages, killing 182,000 Kurdish civilians and leaving hundreds of mass graves. The Halabja Monument and Peace Museum documents the genocidal use of chemical weapons against civilians in the city of Halabja, which killed 5,000 people. The remnants of many traditional and locally made weapons can be seen in Kurdistan's museums, including the Red Terror Museum  in Slemani. There are numerous monuments and graveyards remembering the genocide, along with statues of leaders and revolutionaries. Many historical books, journals and documentaries document the events in detail.

Cultural tourism

There are many different ethnic groups across the Kurdistan Region, including Kurds, Assyrians, Turkmen, Chaldeans, Armenians and Arabs. Each of these groups has its own culture, clothing and dialect belonging to their district. They also have their own agricultural tools, dishes and procedures for carrying out different activities and can be identified by their traditional dress, which includes unique clothing, gold and jewelry items.

These different cultures have their own ways of preparing traditional food and guests are always warmly welcomed to share in the delights.

The region's best-known arts and crafts are carpets and other textiles. These handicrafts can be seen and admired at cultural museums in the cities or Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok and Kalar.

Archaeological Tourism  

There are more than 3,500 archaeological sites in the Kurdistan Region. Some of them are significant in terms of tourism, such as the citadels of Erbil, Khanzaf, Dere, Sartika, Akre, Amedi, Rawanduz, Sherwana, Barzinja and others. Other points of interest include engravings at Qisqapan, Khinis, Halamtan, as well as some engraved skeletons in Harir, Belola Darband, Gawir Darband, Mirqolyand and more.

Other historic sites in Kurdistan include Shanidar cave, where nine Neanderthal skeletons, dating back to 60 thousand B.C., have been found. There is also Chwar Astoon cave, which was the site of a Zardasht (Zoroastrian) temple. Engravings can been found in several caves including Gundik, Bastoon Cave and Hawdyian, Chami Razan, Hazar Merd and Zarzi - where many other archaeological remains have also been found. Heritage pieces in their hundreds can be studied and admired at the museums in the main cities of Erbil, Duhok and Sulaimani.

Agricultural life in Kurdistan started around 10 thousand B.C. in the village of Zawia and in 7 thousand B.C. in Charmo. Interested tourists can also see many ancient artifacts from these periods.

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Kurdistan Tourist Attractions | Things to Do in Kurdistan (Kordestan, Iran)

Kurdistan, a congenital part of iranian culture.

Kurdistan is a Province in the western north region of Iran. It is named Kurdistan since its people are mostly Kurds. This province has a prosperous culture, mysticism, and history. The history of Kurdistan, turns back to the age of Medes, when Parsua was, an ancient Iranian city located in the region Sanandaj (the capital of Kurdistan Province). The richness of Kurd culture in Iran and the relics from the ancient ages, along with the beautiful nature of Kurdistan have turned this place into heaven for tourists. Kurdistan tourist attractions are of different types and they are so diverse in terms of interests, that different tastes can’t say no to them.

• 1 Kurdistan Tourist Attractions
• 2 Natural Kurdistan Tourist Attractions
• 3 Historical Tourist Attraction in Kurdistan
• 4 Iran Kurdistan Tourist Attractions – Zivieh Fortress
• 5 Iran Kurdistan Tourist Attractions – Asef Mansion
• 6 Iran Kurdistan Tourism Places – Dar-ol-Ehsan or Jameh Mosque of Sanandaj
• 7 Iran Kurdistan Tourism Places – Tajvanchi Caravanserai
• 8 Other Historical Attractions in Kurdistan Iran Tourism
• 9 Cultural Kurdistan Province Attractions
• 10 Iran Kurdistan Tours
• 11 Kurdistan or Kordestan province on Map

Kurdistan Tourist Attractions

Tourist attractions in Kurdistan are not just limited to famous places in Kurdistan. You can say Kurdistan tourism has a triangle, the dimensions of which are: Cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Cultural attractions in Kurdistan are intangible remains of ancient customs and rituals that are even as fresh as the past. The music of this region for example is formed in harmony with mysticism and Sufism. Needless to say, Kurdish mystics are raised from the deepest layers of Islamic spirituality. As an example of a historical attraction in Kurdistan, Zivieh Fortress, the governmental castle of the Medes is located in Kurdistan province. Natural attractions in Kurdistan as well involve many beautiful caves, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and so on.

Kurdistan Tourist Attractions – Zrebar Lake (Zarivar Lake – Zrewar)

Natural Kurdistan Tourist Attractions

Due to its good climate and environmental prosperity, Kurdistan has been a great place to live and accommodate since long ago. There are many lovely green miraculous jungles in Kurdistan, that have the 2 nd rate of importance, after northern Iran jungles. These jungles are full of fruit and fruitless trees and they’re mostly located in Baneh and Marivan regions. In addition to jungles, there are many other natural tourist attractions in Kurdistan, including:

• Zarivar Lake (one of the biggest sweet water lakes in Iran);
• Hawraman (A lovely village, in the Zagros domain)
• Qarveh Mineral Water Fountain
• Karaftu Cave (An ancient cave in Divandarreh)
• Zarrinehrud (A long river in the western north of Iran, ending in Orumieh Lake)

Historical Tourist Attraction in Kurdistan

Kurdistan is one of the most important centers of Iranian history. There are many famous places in Kurdistan, with historical backgrounds. Kurdistan has relics and remains from the ancient and post-Islamic ages of Iran. Historically famous places in Kurdistan, include castles, mansions, mosques, caravanserai, bridges, and bazaars.

Kurdistan Tourist Attractions – Zivieh Archaeological Hill (Ziviyeh Castle)

Iran Kurdistan Tourist Attractions – Zivieh Fortress

This fortress is a remnant of an ancient castle. Zivieh fortress was a governmental castle in the age of Medes. The age of this historical remains is more than 2700 years. Many relics and antique items and an ancient treasure were found in this fortress. This fortress has halls and chambers, rooms, a big yard, an entrance, stone stairs, and a granary.

Kurdistan Tourism Places – Asef Vaziri Mansion (Kurdish House)

Iran Kurdistan Tourist Attractions – Asef Mansion

This Mansion is an important attraction in Kurdistan tourism. Asef mansion was first built in the Safavid age, by Mirza Alinaqikhan Lashkar Nevis (Asef the great).  This mansion developed further, in the age of Qajar and Pahlavi. The Mansion  (s0-called the Kurd House); these days people refer to this place as a manifestation of Kurd culture and a center of Kurdish anthropology.

Kurdistan Iran Tourist Attractions

Iran Kurdistan Tourism Places – Dar-ol-Ehsan or Jameh Mosque of Sanandaj

Dar-ol-Ehsan is a religious and historically famous place in the Kurdistan capital, Sanandaj. It has lovely Islamic architecture, and it is also a school for Islamic religious scholars. This Mosque was built in the age of Fathali Shah (a Qajar king), by Amanullah Khan Ardalan. Dar-ol-Ehsan is on a corner, higher than the other parts of the city. It is also decorated with the Islamic art form of tiling, which gives the mosque a heavenly view.

Kurdistan Iran Tourist Attractions – Tajvanchi Caravanserai

Iran Kurdistan Tourism Places – Tajvanchi Caravanserai

One historical attraction in Kurdistan is Tajvanchi Caravanserai, a caravanserai from the Age of Zand kingdom. There are historical clues that Saqez (a city in Kurdistan) was an important trading center of Iran in the age of the Safavid and Zand kingdom. This caravanserai was a traditional hotel for travelers and merchants of that time. This caravanserai has rectangular land, cylinder columns constructed on square brick column bases, a fountain in the yard, and many rooms around it.

Other Historical Attractions in Kurdistan Iran Tourism

• Salar Saied Mansion (a historical mansion and museum in Sanandaj)
• Khosrow Abad Mansion (The mansion of the Kurdistan ruler from the Qajar age)
• Qishlaq Bridge
• Do Menara Mosque (a mosque from Zand and Afshar)

Cultural Kurdistan Province Attractions

Kurd culture is a prosperous source of Iranian culture . Kurd people are famous for their special mysticism. Most Kurdish mystical methods have taken inspirations from Islamic spiritualities. Due to the Kurd people’s significant richness in arts, especially their tendency for music, their mysticism as well is so in relation and harmony with the music. Tanbur, for example, is a favorite instrument for Kurdish artists. Kurd mystics and Sufis as well try to include music in their prayers and spiritual rituals. Kurd people are also famous for their generosity and hospitality. All in all, culture is a key point in Kurdistan tourism; and many tourists from around the world join Kurd people to experience their deepest roots of mysticism and culture.

Final Words

Thank you so much for following us in this passage. Here on IranOnTour we try to share knowledge alongside the business. We’d also be grateful if you enlighten us with your experience and knowledge. Also, we’d be so glad if you let us know how did you feel reading this blog.

Keywords:  Kurdistan destinations, Kordestan Iran, Kurdistan Tourism, Kurdistan in Iran, things to do in Kurdistan, tourist places in Kurdistan, famous places in Kurdistan, Kurdistan places to visit, Kurdistan landmarks, historical places in Kurdistan

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Iraqi Kurdistan Tours

Travel to iraqi kurdistan.

"The Other Iraq"

Iraqi Kurdistan has always been a beacon of peace in an otherwise tinderbox of a region. The area has it’s own borders and army – the Peshmerga. It’s not just a political success story. With a budding tourism infrastructure, the region has plenty to offer.

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Are you planning on travelling somewhere a little bit different next year? What if we told you there was a place in the centre of the middle East that is and always has been very safe – Welcome to Northern Iraq and the home of the Kurds. Our Iraqi Kurdistan Tours are the perfect starting insight in this most interesting and welcoming of regions.

The main airport of Erbil now has extremely good connections to Dubai, Doha, Amman, Baghdad, Istanbul & many more. The Kurdish regional government also introduced a visa free policy for many countries including all of the EU. It’s never been easier to visit Iraqi Kurdistan.

Once arrived our local guides will take you on a trip you’ll never forget. Visit the Yazidi temple at Lalish, the oldest continuously inhabited human settlement in Erbil and Saddam’s former torture prison in Sulaymaniyah. This is to name but a few. Kurdistan is also blessed with amazing mountains and lakes. Something for all the family! Visit Kurdistan on one of our two tours per year in April or October. Dates don’t fit? Contact us for info on a private tour!

Our group Iraqi Kurdistan Tours take in every corner of the regions from Erbil to Duhok to Sulaymaniyah.

Have something more specific in mind? Contact us for personalized private itinerary today.

We run two group Iraqi Kurdistan tours per year. We can also arrange private trips for any dates you wish.

Passports from the EU, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brazil and some others are visa free for 30 days in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Passports from other countries not eligible for visa on arrival can apply for a visa through our partners in Erbil for an extra cost.

Tour   Itineraries

Itinerary Autumn 2023

We cover every corner of Northern Iraq as we celebrate the Yazidi festival of Autumn Assembly.

• Oct 2 - 8th, 2023

Itinerary Spring 2024

We cover every corner of Northern Iraq in this action packed tour as we celebrate the new years festival of Nowruz.

• Mar 15 - 21st, 2024

Itinerary Summer 2024

Our classic Iraqi Kurdistan tour with added sunny swimming spots!

• May 19 - 25th, 2024

What are the differences between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq?

Iraqi Kurdistan vs Federal Iraq Iraq is a complicated place. Sectarian divisions have long characterised the country, be that between the various factions of Islam

Is it safe to travel to Iraq as a tourist?

Tourism in Iraq The image that Iraq usually conjures is one of fighting, unrest and turmoil — but slowly, that is changing. Life is returning

Travel to the Great Mosque of Samarra

How To Travel to the Great Mosque of Samarra The Great Mosque of Samarra is not the easiest place to get to in Iraq –

Iraqi Kurdistan Tours - FAQs

Most frequent questions and answers for our tours in iraqi kurdistan..

Iraqi Kurdistan has always been generally safe as it has separate borders with the rest of the country. It is protected by the foreign aided fighting force – the Peshmerga.

Passports from the EU, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brazil and others are visa free for 15 days in Iraqi Kurdistan. Passports from other countries can apply for a visa through our partners for an extra cost.

For flights into Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, the main gateways are Istanbul and Dubai. It’s also possible to travel overland from Turkey or Iran.

USD and Euro are both accepted in currency exchanges. Make sure to bring cash.

Generally it is about 10 in Iraqi Kurdistan.

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e-Visa Portal

Kurdistan regional government, who needs visa.

Citizens of Country List A can obtain an e-Visa either through the E-VISA portal or upon arrival at any entry point.

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To apply for all types of visas, your passport should have at least six months of validity beyond your actual travel date. therefore, you are not able to submit your application if your passport is expiring in less than 6 months., eligibility checker.

Use our visa search tool to enter your citizenship country and travel document type to determine if you are required to obtain a visa or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

If my visa application has been refused, will I be refunded?

How long can I stay in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq?

What visa types are available to come to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq?

How long will my visa be valid for?

• Cities Erbil Suleymaniyah Duhok Halabja

Kurdistan Tourism Website

The website for Kurdistan tourism is a comprehensive, integrated travel resource. The website provides every aspect needed for a visiting tourist. This project was created to guide visitors to tourism websites.

Capital of Kurdistan

sulaymaniyah

City of Culture

The city of poets

Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region in Northern Iraq. It borders the Kurdish regions of Iran to the east, Turkey to the north, and Syria to the west, along with the rest of Iraq to the south. The regional capital is Erbil, known in Kurdish as Hewlêr. The region is officially governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Erbil-Hawler

The geographical coordinates of Erbil (also spelt as Arbil or Irbil and Hawler in local Kurdish language) is 36.2oN Latitude, 44.0oE Longitude and 420 meters above mean sea level. The Old City of Erbil along Qalat Street is very nice and a great way to enjoy the old city. Also a victor can especially enjoy the area in front of the old Bazaar or Souk just below the Erbil Citadel. There are water fountains in this small park and it is very nice to simply sit and relish the people. When you are in Erbil you must make time to visit the old city especially along Qalat Street. You will not be disappointed because Erbil has many things to see: the Citadel, bazaar, parks, mosques, museums.(Hawler) is the capital of Kurdistan Region and is the largest city in northern Iraq. It is located approximately 350 kilometers north of Baghdad and has about 850,000 inhabitants, and its governorate’s population was over 2,000,000 in 2015. Human settlement at Erbil can be dated back to possibly 5000BC, and it is the oldest continuously inhabited areas in the world. At the heart of the city is the ancient Citadel of Erbil.The city has been under the rule of many regional powers since that time, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Arabs, and Ottomans.

Sulaymaniyah-Slemani

Sulaymaniyah, also called Slemani, also known as “City of Culture” is a city in the east of the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, not far from the Iran-Iraq border. It is surrounded by the Azmer Range, Goyija Range, and the Qaiwan Range in the northeast, Baranan Mountain in the south, and the Tasluja Hills in the west. The city has a semi-arid climate with very hot dry summers and cool wet winters. From its foundation, Sulaymaniyah was always a center of great poets, writers, historians, politicians, scholars, and singers, such as Nalî, Mahwi, and Piramerd. The modern city of Sulaymaniyah was founded in 1784 by the Kurdish prince Ibrahim Pasha Baban, who named it after his father Sulaiman Pasha.[8] Sulaymaniyah was the capital of the historic principality of Baban from 1784 to 1850.Sulaimaniya, also known as the “City of Culture” is located in the South of Kurdistan. It is no doubt one of the most culturally exciting cities in Kurdistan, it is surrounded by mesmerizing mountains such as the Goyzha, Azmar and Gilla Zerda. It not only captivates your heart with its breathtaking scenery, but also enchants any person who sets their eyes on it. The natural mountains are well known for their stunning greenery during spring and summer, perfect for picnics or just gazing over the city of Slemani whilst appreciating the stunning sunset which can only be appreciated when viewed from the mountains.

Duhok is well-known for its impressive natural Landscape, and it is one of the most attracted area for tourist where the residents can sense the four seasons. Duhok Dam, Zaweta, Sarsang, Amedy, Akre, Zakho and Sulav are the most important places that attract tourists.Duhok has rich ancient heritage and historical ruins which dates back to 705-681 BC. There are more than 42 archeological sites such as Grand Mosque , Old Bazar in the city center, Saint Ith Ilaha church, and Charstin, Shindokha and Hallamat caves.Finally, even though Duhok has seldom been the heading of investors and attempting to relocate itself as a modern city with vast reconstructions, commercial and educational activities but it has been of prime historical values since long time. It is worth to mention that, after a great academic efforts and since February 2011, Amedy Castle has been included within the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Site paving the way for it to become the centre of proud Kurdish heritage landmark.

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Kurdistan foresees surge in tourism for 2024

Shafaq News / The Kurdistan Region Investment Authority confirmed on Sunday a rise in the influx of foreign tourists to the region over the past three years, projecting that 10 million tourists will visit Kurdistan this year.

Amal Jalal, the head of the Kurdistan Region Investment Authority, stated during a press conference in al-Sulaymaniya, "In line with the eight-year plan we have devised, we have succeeded in augmenting the annual tourist numbers by two million for the past three years, reaching eight million tourists last year. It is anticipated that we will achieve 10 million tourists this year."

She further noted, "The number of foreign tourists from abroad has also seen an increase, reaching a growth rate of 25% over the past three years, and we remain committed to further enhancing this rate." Jalal highlighted, "This upsurge in tourist numbers has contributed significantly to the rise in financial revenues."

Jalal highlighted the importance of "providing essential services and effective promotion for tourism, which includes ensuring infrastructure like roads, tourist attractions, municipal services, and security measures to attract tourists, alongside appropriate promotional efforts."

She urged all pertinent ministries to "offer necessary services for tourist destinations and ensure adequate security measures," while also calling on the media to "play a proactive role as promoters, in addition to their pivotal responsibility of portraying an accurate image of the Region."

Furthermore, she emphasized "the integration of the tourism sector with the agricultural sector, under the guidance of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Qubad Talabani, by fostering a conducive agricultural environment with locally produced goods catering to tourists and visitors."

Related News

Covid-19: 3 fatalities and 102 new cases Today in Kurdistan

Health authorities recommend total lockdown in Kurdistan

Kurdistan announces recording five new Covid-19 cases

Kurdistan: 2 fatalities and 171 new Covid-19 cases today

Kurdistan: new instructions to fight Covid-19

Two Covid-19 patients die in Kurdistan

Shafaq news english

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Introduction

The name Kurdistan literally means Land of the Kurds. In the Iraqi Constitution, it is referred to as the Kurdistan Region. The full name of the government is the Kurdistan Regional Government (often abbreviated as the KRG).

The KRG is also referred to as Kurdistana Bashur or Bashuri Kurdistan (South Kurdistan) referring to its geographical location within the whole of the greater Kurdistan region.

Iraqi Kurdistan or the Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region of Iraq. It borders Iran to the east, Turkey to the north, Syria to the west and the rest of Iraq to the south.

The regional capital is Erbil, also known as Hawler. The region is officially governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government. 

Kurdistan in General

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Sulaimaniya province.

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Halabja province, garmian administration.

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