Erbil is the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, set in the north of the country in Asia. It is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a history that reaches back more than 6,000 years, and that long settlement is part of what gives the city its character today.
What a visit offers
Erbil suits travellers who are interested in history and in how an ancient city has kept living as a modern regional capital. The old urban core and its surroundings invite slow walking, and the contrast between long-established neighbourhoods and newer districts gives a clear sense of the city's continuity.
Planning your trip
- Who it suits: visitors drawn to ancient cities and to regional history.
- Pace: allow time to wander rather than rushing between sights.
- Setting: as the seat of the Kurdistan Region's government, Erbil is a place where administrative and everyday life sit side by side.
Because the city's appeal rests on its depth of time, the best approach is to come with curiosity and an open schedule. Check current travel advice for the region before you go, as conditions in Iraq can change.
