Erbil, Iraq Travel Guide

Erbil, the capital and largest city of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq, is the fourth largest city in the region after Baghdad, Basra and Mosul. Located 80 km from Mosul and 350 km from Baghdad, Erbil is among the best cities to live in the Middle East.

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Erbil, which rose to the position of a city of commerce, shopping and tourism after the discovery of oil, is a metropolis with a cosmopolitan structure with its population consisting of Kurds, Turkmens, Arabs, Chaldeans and Syriac Christians. Along with Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk, it is one of the important settlements of the autonomous administration.

Erbil History

Erbil, where the first settlement dates back to the Assyrians, has been at the crossroads of transportation routes throughout history. The city, which was established between the Lower and Upper Zab waters, was administered as a township center in Baghdad until the beginning of the 19th century. It has become a major trade center for centuries. When it became the capital of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the administration, which received 17 percent of Iraq's oil revenues, chose to reconstruct the city by healing the wounds of years of war, and today the term "Dubai of the Future" has begun to be attributed to Erbil due to the high buildings being built.

Erbil places to visit

With its wide squares and tree-lined roads, Erbil resembles a Mediterranean city. The center of Erbil was established around Erbil Castle, which is also the oldest settlement in the city. It is possible to see the people of Erbil in the evenings in the region, which hosts most of the places to visit and see. There are three neighborhoods called Tophane, Saray and Takya within the castle area surrounded by walls. While Saray District was the residence of elite families, Takya District was the residence of dervishes. Tophane Neighborhood, on the other hand, was the area where farmers and tradesmen lived. Molla Efendi Mosque is also located within this historical boundaries of the castle.

In Erbil, where there are many minarets built by the Turkish sultan, Muzafferüddin Kökböri, only one has survived to the present day. The Mudhafaria Minaret is 36 meters long and is located inside the Minaret Park. The building, which is a work of the 12th century and has a hexagonal foundation, is located in an area that dominates the region. To reach this point, it is necessary to pass through the large intersection area in the southwestern part of the walls.

On the south side of Erbil Castle, there is the Ibn Mustafa Statue and Kela Hewler Park, which will allow you to breathe on the way to the castle. Apart from these, Sami Rahman and Shanidar Parks in Erbil, Art Gallery, Textile Museum, the area known as the Christian quarter, Aikawa, which is more famous for its lively nightlife, Civilization Museum on Kılıç Ağa Hill, Ary Kon, the archaeological area to the west of the city walls, is one of the contemporary Islamic works. Celil Hayat Mosque, which is the main entrance of the city walls, and Kayseri Bazaar, which is located at the main entrance of the city walls, are some of the places you can visit.

Events such as the Literature Festival, the International Erbil Fair and the International Erbil Marathon are also held in Erbil, which is a center of culture and arts.

Eating, drinking and shopping

Restaurants in the city, which is rich due to its cosmopolitan structure, also offer examples from Turkish, Lebanese, Arabic, Kurdish and world cuisines. The basis of the local cuisine is lamb meat, local spices, rice and bulgur. Kebab, shawarma and lahmacun are among the traditional dishes. Fast-food restaurants are also popular in the city.

In addition to the shopping malls that have increased in recent years in Erbil, it is a tradition to bargain with street vendors selling local products. You can stop by Qalat Street for carpets, rugs and souvenirs, and the Kayseri Bazaar right next to Erbil Castle for fruit, vegetables, cheese and textile products. You can find world brands at the Family Shopping Center, the largest shopping center in the city, and you can dine at restaurants as well as shopping at Majidi Shopping Center.

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