Book a flight to Erbil and you’ll be visiting a city that is set to become the one of the most popular tourist hotspots in the Middle East. However, Erbil is only just coming onto the radar, so booking now will give you the chance to explore the city before it’s flooded with visitors. The city is a vibrant fusion of ancient tradition and rapid redevelopment.
Set against a dramatic, mountainous backdrop you’ll find a city blossoming with ancient, sweeping minarets and tall, pristine, contemporary buildings. You can catch flights to Erbil with Fly Baghdad, allowing you to soak up authentic Kurdish tradition and enjoy the best of a city that is looking firmly forward.
The Erbil Citadel is reason enough on its own to take a trip to Erbil. It’s a living, breathing archaeological wonder that is thought to date back at least 8,000 years. Inside, you’ll find a complex system of tight alleyways and buildings fronted with rows of rolling arches. Beautiful wooden doors and staggering statues add an air of magic to the whole, high-walled sight. UNESCO is currently restoring this evocative fortress-style maze to make it a World Heritage Site.
Korek Mountain is one of the most beautiful natural sights in the region and although it’s a couple of hours from the city, is well worth a visit. Before you get to the mountain itself, you’ll travel through Gully Abi Beg, a huge, yawning canyon, and beautiful cascading waterfalls. You’ll get some of your best views from the cable-car journey to the top, but the summit of the mountain offers a panorama that has to be seen to be believed.
Travel to Erbil and you’ll find impressive, modern malls springing up all over the place. If you’re after branded goods, these are the places to go. However, no trip to Erbil would be complete without a visit to the Central Souk. Narrow shops bristle with buyers and the air practically bubbles with the cries of traders looking to attract custom.
Although you won’t find designer goods here, you will find shimmering cloths, hand-woven carpets and plenty of jewellery. This souk has an alley dedicated to cheese and the smell is only just dampened by those from the spices and incense that are so popular. The most popular buy from this souk has to be Manna bread, which is served in flat, dough-like rounds, dusted with flour and neither sweet nor savoury.
There is a good selection of hotels in Erbil and occasion for all Budgets. Click here to book your accommodation.
Flights to Erbil will take you to Erbil International Airport, where there are plenty of taxis available and good car-hire facilities. Erbil International Airport is about 7 km to the north of the city of Erbil.