Best Things To Do In Erbil (Iraqi Kurdistan)

Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, also known as Hawler in Kurdish, is a city wrapped in thousands of years of history. Known as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Erbil is an important part of Kurdish history and culture. Erbil is also most likely the city where you start your Kurdistani adventure, due to the many flights that connect its airport with Europe and other parts of Asia. Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan and Erbil was an eye-opening experience for me, and it taught me a lot about the Middle East, the Kurds, and their way of life.

I recommend visiting Erbil and Iraqi Kurdistan for anyone that is looking for a safe adventure trip, far off the beaten track, and wants to know more about Iraq, Kurdistan, and the Middle East. With that said, I found Erbil’s attractions to be less impressive than expected, contrary to other bloggers who have portrayed it as some sort of Iraqi equivalent to Dubai. I can tell from experience that this is simply not the case, and Erbil does not have that kind of a modern feel to it. My visit to Erbil has, however, scattered a lot of the prejudices that I previously had about Iraq.

After spending a couple of days in Erbil on my roughly one-week trip to Iraqi Kurdistan, I found the following to be the absolute best things to do in Erbil:

UNESCO World Heritage Citadel

The Erbil Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage site and probably the number one tourist spot in the whole of Erbil. As mentioned, Erbil is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world, with a history that spans over 6,000 years, and the Citadel stands at the core of that history. The Citadel is perched atop a hilltop in the heart of Erbil and offers panoramic views of the main square and bazaar. The Citadel has been shaped by various empires, including the Sumerians, Assyrians, and Ottomans. The citadel is now an open-air museum where ancient buildings stand, while others are being restored. The Citadel also houses a Textile Museum.

Erbil Bazaar

The Erbil Bazaar, or the Qaysari Bazaar, in the heart of Erbil is a vibrant marketplace located in front of the famous citadel and is probably the second most popular “tourist” attraction in Erbil. It’s a labyrinth of shops selling everything from textiles to local crafts and food. The bazaar is a massive shopping destination, and there is probably nothing that you can’t buy here. If I hadn’t traveled light with only hand luggage, I would have filled my suitcase with all kinds of delicious things they sell there, such as honey, pistachio nuts, or other interesting sweets. We did, however, choose to get our very own Kurdish hat known as a Servani. Don’t forget to bargain at the Bazaar; it’s part of the culture.

Machko Tea House

Located right in front of the Erbil Citadel lies the Machko Teahouse, a renowned cultural hub in Erbil, that has been a meeting place for writers, artists, and intellectuals for over 80 years. Founded by Majid Machko in 1940 and later run by his family, the tea house is famed for its contribution to Kurdish culture, displaying art and hosting traditional song performances. The tea house, like the citadel, offers great views of the main square of Erbil and has a wide selection of tea and coffee.

Khalil Tea House

No visit to Erbil is complete without a pause in one of its traditional tea houses. In Kurdish culture, tea symbolizes hospitality and is a cornerstone of social life. It is typically served strong, sweet, and in small glasses, often from a samovar. Kurdish tea houses are central to social interaction and are lively venues for discussion. One of the most iconic of all tea houses lies in the center of Bazaar in Erbil, known as the Khalil Tea House, and it’s a perfect place to grab a tea and relax after walking through the maze of the bazaar.

Have A Beer In Ankawa

Ankawa is a predominantly Christian neighborhood in Erbil, known for its diverse population, and is home to several churches, including the Chaldean Catholic, Assyrian Church of the East, and Syriac Orthodox churches. Ankawa is also the place where many western consulates are located and where many expats choose to reside. Ankawa is lively, and it’s also the place in Erbil where alcohol is sold in abundance. Here you can find a large variety of bars, restaurants, and cafes, although the beer is not as cheap as you might expect from a place like Iraqi Kurdistan; expect to pay around 5-6 USD for a beer.

Ankawa is also the area where my friend and I chose to stay during our stay in Erbil, and I can highly recommend the hotel we stayed at: Erbil Sun Hotel. The rooms are big and clean, with a good breakfast which is served with a view of the city. The hotel is also reasonably priced at around $80 per night. Also if you are looking for a place to have a beer, I can recommend you the German Bar (see map below) as well as a bar located on the second floor in the hotel next to Erbil Sun Hotel. The German bar is basically a copy of a German beer garten serving large beers, while the bar next to Erbil Sun Hotel (didn’t see the name) is cheaper option although the venue is quite dark and serves canned beer poured into glasses.

Jalil Khayat Mosque

The Jalil Khayat Mosque was opened in January 2007 and is a relatively new addition to Erbil’s skyline; however, it is still a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. It has grandeur not only in size but also in the details of its design. Visitors are welcome outside of prayer times, and it’s recommended to dress conservatively as a sign of respect. We visited the mosque just as it was about to close; however, the imam was kind enough to let us in to have a look.

Visit Erbil’s Parks

Visiting one of the many parks in Erbil promises a well-deserved break from the madness of the traffic in Erbil. The parks in Erbil are, in general, not well maintained and don’t offer much to do; however, here you will be able to disconnect from the stress of the city. The parks are a common spot for families, joggers, and newlyweds taking their wedding pictures. Shanadar Park has a small fortress, from where you can enjoy a view over the park, and there is also a cable car running through the park, which was not working at the time we visited.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks, the top things to do in Erbil according to me, which can easily be done in a day or two if you are anything as intense as I am. The good thing is that most of these attractions, such as the citadel, the bazaar, and the local tea houses, are located within walking distance from one another. Ask the driver to drop you off at the citadel, and from there you are ready to explore the best of what Erbil has to offer. Some will recommend you to visit the Arab quarter; however, in my opinion, there was nothing special about it. My top recommendation, apart from the sites mentioned above, is simply to walk around the streets of Erbil and soak up the atmosphere of being in a part of the world where few tourists make it to.

Happy Travels!

A Few Tips for Travelers

• Use a taxi when traveling around Erbil – download the taxi app Careem, which is the Uber app of Iraq.
  
• Kurds are, in general, very open to having their photo taken, making Erbil a perfect spot for street photography.
  
• Remember to bargain when purchasing anything at the Bazaar; all prices are negotiable in Iraqi Kurdistan.