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. I rented a car from Europecar and they accepted a credit card. Travel in Iraq The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is subject to strict travel restrictions between provinces which are often introduced at short notice. In fact the Kurdish people are the nicest, friendliest, most welcoming people we have ever came across in all our years of travel. What can I say about Kurdistan that I haven’t already said? The first couple days I spent in Erbil and felt completely safe. 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. Thanks a million! Hey Conrad! There are a bunch of Kurdistan tour guides you can find online, but they are pretty expensive. Enjoy your trip to Kurdistan and thank you for reading my Kurdistan travel blog. There is a stones & gems museum, and the Kurdish textile museum, which all ask $1 entrance fee. 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. As part of my big trip through the Middle East I was excited to set foot in Iraq, well... Kurdistani Iraq of course! It is a popular place to visit in Kurdistan on a weekend trip. As a woman you don't need to wear a head scarf like in Iran. Luxury – Hotel Ramadan – Apparently, this was the first 5-star hotel in Iraq and, today, the best one in Sulaymaniyah. 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. Basically, this is Saddam Hussein’s House of Horrors. The best time to visit Kurdistan is in spring and autumn when temperatures are moderate. If they want to stay more than a month, they should apply an extension at any residency offices in the cities of Kurdistan Region.The countries exempted from applying visa:(All EU members countries, United I have now been to almost 110 countries and aiming to visit every country in the world. In 2008 I decided to go on a trip around the world and in 1 year I traveled through 24 countries from North America to South America, New Zealand, Australia and finally South East Asia. 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. As there is no public transport, taxis are the way to go. This is the most holy place in the Yazidi religion, their Mecca or Jerusalem. Go out and explore the world. The cheapest way to go from A to B are shared taxis who depart from several places around the city. In this blog I want to focus on Kurdistan travel tips rather than its turbulent history. Another amazing place to watch the sunset when you travel to Erbil is the Loft skybar located at the International Hotel. Or do I need to be careful and time my travel by shared taxi carefully? 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. If you don’t want to hitchhike, from Amedi you can take a shared taxi which costs 6,000ID. U.S. citizens should not travel through Iraq to Syria to engage in armed conflict, where they would face extreme personal risks (kidnapping, injury, or death) and legal risks (arrest, fines, and expulsion). Kurdistan is NOT an official country! Those who do sometimes limit the amount to $50,000 ($42). When traveling in Kurdistan you will have to go through to several checkpoints. The official language spoken in Kurdistan is Kurdish. Required fields are marked *. All about my videos about visiting Sulaymaniyah can be found in my Iraq 3 Instagram stories. Your email address will not be published. When I was visiting in mid September it was still 35+ degrees (95+), nights were pretty nice with 22 degrees (71). Kurdistan is a volatile region, nobody can deny that but, it has been safe for the last few years. Another reason to visit Kurdistan! 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. Work in Iraq pays very well. Definitely don’t miss this when traveling to Kurdistan Iraq. I hitchhiked from Amedi, stopped at Sarsang village to see if I could go to Saddam’s House and then took a second ride. Definitely a reason to travel to Kurdistan, right? The two most popular months for traveling to Iraqi Kurdistan are April and November. In general, Kurdistan is very safe to travel in, regardless of gender. The Erbil Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage site but pretty disappointing to visit to be honest. Yazidis have many curious things. Thank you for your time, Brian Bauer. A Kurdistan travel tip is to go old school and find accommodation while on the road. I will definitely travel to Kurdistan again and will then continue my trip into Iran crossing the border overland. I am currently travelling by bike around Iraqi Kurdistan. 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. Read more about my story and how I afford to travel in this link. Getting around Kurdistan Getting around cities. In Sulaymaniyah things are changing slowly though and you see women out and about on the streeets. Amedi is a village situated on top of a small hill. Follow Unbelievable Kurdistan - Official Tourism Site of Kurdistan on: Facebook. 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. :(. You’ll have to hitchhike again. The car rental company did. 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. Now Available for Android & iOS Devices! Hi Joan! 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. The Kurdistan Regional Government invites the worldwide business community to participate in developing Iraqi Kurdistan true potential. Winters are short but cold and snowfall in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah occurs from time to time. However, if you are not sure about traveling independently, many people travel around with a local guide. It is pretty easy and there is no need to worry for them when visiting Kurdistan. If you want to know more about him, read my Tales of Iraqi Kurdistan. It is an amazing history lesson! Great location and facilities and a super value-for-money option. To be honest, I feel that there is not much going on in Dohuk, especially if this is your last destination. STUPID! Almost everyone will take this bus, so follow the crowd. 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. On the other hand, despite being safe, Kurdistan may not be a country for everybody. One is that they manage all the transportation. Kurds and Arabs are not each others best friends, but live in peace together nowadays… let’s put it that way! In Iraqi Kurdistan, there are plenty of hotels and although they are hard to find in any travel guide, anyone on the street will direct you to a nearby place. Eduard Bernadich i Campreciós The location is on maps.me. 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. A pretty damn amazing photo spot, but not so interesting in itself to be honest. The local currency is the same as in Iraq: the Iraqi Dinar (IQD). Sit down in one of the cafes and have a tea or stroll through the bazaar. Fresh fruits, crepes, nuts, tea and coffee bars, barbecue places and many more. This only counts for the autonomous region of Kurdistan, you are NOT allowed to travel to Iraq. This happened to me at Byblos Bank and therefore I would suggest you to not use that one. Best places to travel to in Iraqi Kurdistan: Erbil, Lalish, Alqosh, Mar Mattai Monastery, Akre, Soran, Rawanduz, Amediya, Sulaymaniya, Halabja Kurdistan sees very little crime. The Iraqi Dinar has been very stable in the last 5 years and the going rate is around $1 USD = 1,200 IQD. In Sulaymaniyah I was equally over the moon as I got to stay with a local friend. Yes, they run all day long and they leave when they are full. Make sure to walk around the main square before sunset and feel the local vibe. Since December 2012 I am traveling the world continuously and have now been to more than 100 countries as of September 2019. It is completely safe, lot of checkpoints but no problem at all. Finding accommodation when traveling in Kurdistan can be a pain. You can ask your hotel or on Couchsurfing. I did not come across any problems or unsafe situations whatsoever on my road trip. This unwritten religion is taught on for generations dating back to the ancient Mesopotamians. If you come on a weekend, you may be luckier. This place is seriously impressive, mind-blowing and drop-dead gorgeous, like nowhere else you have seen in the region. If you are in Erbil, you can easily find both buses and taxis. The KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) has produced a fact sheet (PDF) on travel to the Kurdistan region of Iraq. It is still not really common, but slowly slowly it is becoming a much more open society. Budget Hotel – Parleman Hotel – There are some budget hotels around the bazaar but they can’t be booked online. This is also where I am going to paraglide next time I visit Sulaymaniyah. It weren’t that many as I lately had on my trip to Syria but there are a few. Just walk in, ask for the price, see the room, negotiate and reserve. Location: 36.188962, 44.007374. The last day is reserved for the weirdest and most peculiar place in Kurdistan: Lalish. In Sulaymaniyah even some local young men were wearing shorts. Instead, I took a shared taxi to Sadiq Said (2,000ID) and, from there, I paid 3,000ID for a direct one to Suli. There are no hotels inside the village but outside, a few kilometers away. 2 – Not that I can recall of. Hi, There are very limited taxis allowed at the arrival hall exit. The same counts for Kurdistan hotels on online booking sites. It is all about your attitude, just be smiley, be happy, these soldiers are mostly happy to see tourists in 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. Rates run about USD15-25 per night for a single room with bathroom. For travel throughout the Region, bring some comfortable shoes and clothes. But you can also find skybars in Erbil where a beer is $7, but these places are rare. The easiest way to safe money when traveling. Kurdistan became an autonomous region within Iraq since 1998 and this status was reconfirmed in the Iraqi constitution in 2005. The itinerary could be: Erbil-Soran-Rawanduz-Barzan-Amadia-Barzan-Aqra-Erbil, perhaps combining shared taxi with biking. ❌, Instagram Story videos (Iraq 2) about Barzan Viewpoint here, Instagram Story videos (Iraq 2) about Deralok here, how people afford to travel the world all the time, Check out my 155K Instagram account @traveltomtom. Not that I got a taste of it, but I stumbled upon it and was very surprised to see decriminalised prostitution in Kurdistan. The younger generation speaks pretty ok English. Little question, are there numerous shared taxis throughout the day to the various destinations?… and do they run into the later afternoon? Another very important point is that you should be careful when choosing your travel insurance. It is a bit complicated so I don’t want to enter into details and I don’t really know it anyways. Trip planning, top tourist sites, offline viewing, and much more, for free. Buying a sim card at Erbil Airport is slightly more expensive, but easy, quick and convenient. Disclosure: As a traveler, I use all the companies I recommend and you should know that, if you buy any service through any of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I lived with, trained, and fought next to several Kurds while there, and I fell in love with them. It is often described as very mysterious and I kind a can confirm that. Then, get out of town in the opposite direction of Soran, towards Bekhal waterfall, another spot crowded with local tourists. For more information, read my guide to visit Amadiya. 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. My replies: You can’t book it online but it is in Bata Street, West of the bazaar. There is also a river which takes you to a dam and an artificial lake, the top tourist attraction in the city. Salut company i gràcies! I also continued walking for a few more kilometers and got other beautiful views as well. 3)I’ve seen only a shop in Erbil to rent bikes, maybe you know some more information about rent a bike (better mtb). Iraqi Kurdistan Travel Guide Iraqi Kurdistan is quickly becoming one of the hottest tourist destinations in the Middle East . 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. Then cross the small river and climb up a little hill till you get to a man-made canal. You will have to drive on a dirt road until you can’t go any further. This Facebook group is amazing for ideas/inspiration for when you travel to Kurdistan, Iraq. Most flights into Kurdistan will connect via Istanbul and Dubai. Don’t miss the sunset from the Goizha Mountain where you can get by taking the cable car up. 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. 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! Another place you should definitely write down on your list of things to do in Kurdistan is the gorgeous canyon of Deralok. 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. It is pretty simple to determine the best prepaid Kurdistan sim card for tourists as only Fastlink can offer you a 4G connections. Don’t take a taxi straight on arrival. They can obtain one month entry visa on arrival. Mount Goyzha – A very popular spot among locals, this is a viewpoint from where you get the most amazing views of the city. 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. 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. An amazing local experience! Click on the image to see the full interactive map. Budget Hotel – Fareeq – This hotel is slightly more expensive than the previous one but it can be booked online and it’s better. The route you mentioned is the most beautiful one, mesmerizing landscape and super welcoming people. 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. Though one of the best things to do in Kurdistan is to visit the Amna Suraka Museum in Sulaymaniyah. I hope all the above Kurdistan travel tips were useful for your next trip to Northern Iraq. It is nothing outstanding but I find interesting to visit crowded touristic sites in Iraq. 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. Best wishes, When visiting Sulaymaniyah don’t miss the busy city center where you will find many markets with endless food stalls to sample from. We were not allowed to take film and take photos in the building. Most of them also understand/speak Arabic, but do rather not use the Arabic language. 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. When backpacking Kurdistan you will probably like to go to the cheaper local restaurants where you can already find shawarma and kebabs for $1. It took me around 3 rides to get to the village and, from there, the waterfall is just a couple of kilometers away.