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Capital and largest city of Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Wahlen at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Erbil (Hewlêr or هەولێر in Kurdish and also transliterated as Arbil) is the capital and largest city in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the fourth-largest city in Iraq. It is one of the oldest continually-inhabited sites of human civilization, and is also a rapidly-growing and urbanizing center for the oil industry and NGOs in the Middle East.
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قەڵای هەولێر, Qelay Hewlêr
The Citadel is a in the centre of the city. It is a round structure, 30 meters high which dominates the old city and has been built upon seven layers of civilization. The total area of the Citadel is 110,000 m². The history of its building dates back to 6000 years and has been continuously inhabited since its founding. The citadel has seen the reign of many historic civilizations including Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Other ancient powers including the Achaemenian, Seljuks, and Sassanians also dominated the Citadel before being finally conquered by the Muslims. The Citadel of Erbil consists of three main quarters: Topkhana, Saray, and Taki, with a total of 605 houses in the areas. Picturesque view from the upper floors of the opposite shopping center. As of June 2024 the Citadel was still undergoing restoration. While visitors can walk to the top and see the main square and road (and have their picture taken overlooking this by a man with a professional-quality camera, who charges 5000 Iraqi Dinars for five shots and transfers the photos to your phone with a USB cable immediately after), most of the back streets are blocked off. Construction and excavation make the views much less picturesque, and mosques were closed.
مزگەفتی گەورە
Erbil's historic central mosque, still open despite renovations on the Citadel.
مۆزەخانەی ڕستن و چنینی کوردی
Small museum that displays textiles produced in Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as traditional clothing and other artifacts. Located in a restored early-twentieth century traditional house.
منارەی چۆلی
The 36 m high Mudhafaria Minaret dates back to the late 12th century AD and the reign of Erbil king Muzaffar Al-Din Abu Sa’eed Al-Kawkaboori. It has an octagonal base decorated with two tiers of niches, which is separated from the main shaft by a small balcony, also decorated. Another historical minaret with turquoise glazed tiles is nearby.
بازاڕی قەیسەری
Erbil's historic covered bazaar, built out of vaulted yellow brick. It is similar to many others found throughout the Middle East and North Africa, but with less tourism than most. Market stalls sell everything from cheap toys and pirated DVDs to bulk spices to fine jewelry and carpets.
مزگەوتی جەلیل خەیات
The largest mosque in Erbil, named after Jalil Khayat who took the initiative for construction, but passed away in 2005 before it could be completed. His sons finished the project in 2007. The mosque architecturally resembles the style of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in Cairo, and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. It is widely regarded as having one of the most beautiful interiors. It relies on a combination of Islamic architecture and al-Abbasi design, except for the domes which are of Ottoman design. Standing 48 m tall, the main dome with a diameter of 20 m dominates the mosque. It is surrounded by 4 half domes and 12 quarter domes. With an area of 15 000 m², the mosque has a capacity of 1 500 to 2 000 visitors.
Mosque built in 1884.
Constructed from 1978 to 1981 with labour from volunteers, the church was designed in a distinctive Babylonian style including a main gate modelled after the Ishtar Gate. It includes a large yard and expansive gardens.
قەڵای خانزاد
A still intact castle built by Mir Xanzad, ruler of the Soran Emirate in the late 16th or early 17th century.
مۆزەخانەی هەولێر
مۆزەخانەی شارستانی هەولێر
Small archaeological museum run by the Erbil Governorate.The Erbil Civilization Museum is in the city center opposite the City Hall. It is divided into three historical sections. Antiques are exhibited according to eras starting from ancient periods until advanced ages. The origin of some exhibits goes back to 5000 BC and reflects the patterns and ways of life in Kurdistan and Iraq. A rich library is adjacent to the museum. It is considered among the most prestigious and historical libraries of the city
An excavation here in 1996 found tools from the Halaf, Ubaid and Uruk periods. On the grounds of Erbil Civilization Museum.
پارکی شانەدەر
Shanidar park feats an aerial cable car connecting with Minaret Park.
پارکی سامی عەبدوڕەحمان
Abdulrahman Park is Erbil's newly-constructed central park, spanning hectares at the edge of the city. It includes gardens, a jogging track, and ample walking paths, is mostly well-lit at night, and is a popular local gathering spot on weekends and evening.
باغی شار
Parki Peshmerga
Annual marathon organized since 2011, with departure and finish line in the Sami Abdulrahman Park. In addition to the full 42 km marathon, there are also 10 km and 5 km tracks.
Popular street lined with cheap Kurdish and Turkish kebab shops, as well as one of the center of (male) social gathering. Kebabs are usually served with a soup, bread, and assortment of pickled vegetables.
Erbil's most famous bakery and confectionery, and stems out of an equally famous Baghdad bakery that has been open since 1973.
Among the best places in Erbil for European-style espresso drinks. Also offers light sandwiches and an attractive space.
Shops near the Quayseri Market offer a cheap, quick lunch of kebabs and bread.
An iconic (and physically sprawling) Erbil restaurant serving standard Kurdish cuisine (salads, soups, and meat-based entrees), as well as a popular spot for local celebrities.
Features fairly typical, heavy Kurdish restaurant cuisine, with live music (Arab, Kurdish, and Turkish) and an attractive outdoor garden. Serves alcohol.
Serves Lebanese mezzo and meats, in a more intimate environment than most Erbil restaurants and with attentive service. Serves alcohol.
Good Italian cuisine, including oven-baked pizzas, good pasta dishes, and Western-style salad. Also has one of Erbil's better espresso bars
کەبابخانەی یاسین
Good Middle Eastern, halal, excellent kebabs.
داوا ٢
Particularly good local restaurant serving meat kebabs. All freshly prepared, often in front of you. This is a large modern and clean place. Have a look at the 'rogues' gallery of well known people that have dined at the restaurant.
Erbil's only sushi bar, at the top of the Divan Hotel with panoramic views of the city. Prices are astronomical, but the sushi is good. This is a place to see and be seen, and attracts a wide range of celebrities and politicians. Serves alcohol.
Buffet.
Despite the name, is a steakhouse with Mediterranean accents rather than a proper Greek restaurant. The food is good, however, and prices are more reasonable than other high-end hotel restaurants. Serves alcohol.
For German draught beer and food. Features dancing and Western music on weekend evenings.
Cocktails, wine and beer, and dancing at the top of the Noble Hotel.
American-style sports bar and lounge. Features plasma TVs with international sports.
One of the cheapest options in town. Numerous other hotels exist in this area or just west of it.
With a little restaurant on site.
Little cookies and things for breakfast.
Very basic, not all rooms with windows, but AC.
میوانخانەی نێودەوڵەتی هەولێر
Nicknamed "The Sheraton". Erbil's oldest high-end hotel, built in 2004, and centrally located. There are several relatively good restaurants in the hotel (including East Asian and Indian food).
میوانخانەی پالاسی عەنکاوە
It is nice and clean, the staff is very helpful.
Business-oriented hotel in Ankawa, popular with international travellers.
میوانخانەی دیڤان
Major luxury hotel with several restaurants, popular bars and lounges, a duty-free shop, and large gym and pool. Along with the Rotana, a center of the high-society social scene. Higher security than in other hotels.
میوانخانەی ڕۆتانای هەولێر
Major luxury with spa and outdoor swimming pool, plus popular bars and restaurants. Along with the Rotana, a center of Erbil's high-society social scene. Security is tighter than in other hotels.
ماجدی مۆڵ
A large, Western-style shopping mall opened in November 2009, with stores such as Mango, Adidas and Levis as well as Turkish and Gulf brands. Also has a very large hypermarket in the basement of the mall, and a food court at the top.
فاملی مۆڵ
The largest shopping mall in Erbil (and one of the largest in Iraq) with predominantly American, European, and Turkish clothing labels and other stores. Includes a movie theater and food court
ڕۆیاڵ مۆڵ
The most centrally located of Erbil's large, Western-style shopping malls. Includes a popular food court as well as clothing stores
مێگا مۆڵ
تابلۆ مۆڵ
Tablo Mall is one of the famous malls in Erbil City, it has 270 shops, a hypermarket, games hall for children, furniture shops and many cafeterias.
بازاڕی لەنگە
گراند ماجدی مۆڵ
ئاڤێنیوی هەولێر
By plane
Other destinations are served with less frequent flights.
By bus
There are many Iranian bus companies that run services connecting Iran to Erbil. This is about 916 km or 10 hours.
Public transportation is available in the form of taxis and some bus routes, but automobiles are the main mode of transportation.
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