Erbil

Erbil is known for the Erbil Citadel, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on Earth, its covered Qaysari Bazaar, the Christian quarter of Ankawa with its restaurants, and as the gateway to the Zagros mountains — Shaqlawa, Rawanduz and the Gali Ali Bag waterfall are all within two hours.

Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) are the best times: daytime temperatures sit between 18 and 28 °C, the hills around Shaqlawa are green, and Newroz on 21 March fills the city with celebrations. Summers regularly exceed 40 °C, so plan indoor sightseeing for July and August.

Erbil International Airport (EBL) has direct flights from Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Amman, Frankfurt and Vienna. From Baghdad it is a 4–5 hour drive or a one-hour flight. Taxis and ride-hailing apps cover the city; shared taxis run from the garage stations to Sulaymaniyah, Duhok and Kirkuk.

Erbil is considered the safest city in Iraq and has welcomed tourists for over a decade. Police (104), ambulance (122) and the Tourist Police (+964 66 216 2500) answer around the clock. Carry a copy of your passport, use licensed taxis at night and register with your embassy for longer stays.