Iraq
ALL MY TRAVEL GUIDES & BLOGS ABOUT IRAQ
BASIC FACTS ABOUT IRAQ AND IRAQI KURDISTAN
Capital of Iraq: Baghdad
Capital of Iraqi Kurdistan: Erbil
Population of entire Iraq: ~ 40 million
Population of Iraqi Kurdistan: ~ 6 million
Official language of Iraq: Arabic language
Official language of Iraqi Kurdistan: Kurdish language
Now, let’s see some basic travel facts about the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY IN IRAQ
Iraq is an emerging travel destination. There are more and more foreign tourists traveling to the region. They even organize international marathons. Hospitality is definitely running in the veins of Iraqi people. I was always treated with utmost respect and care. Iraqi people are always happy to see foreign visitors, and always welcome them with open arms.
If you wonder, how to get it started with planning your trip to Iraqi Kurdistan, I got you covered. In this travel guide, The Most Important Travel Tips for Iraqi Kurdistan, you’ll find all you need to know about traveling to Iraqi Kurdistan.
If you want to travel to travel to both Kurdistan and southern part of Iraq, read this post: Everything You Need to Know before Traveling to Iraq.
IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO IRAQ
Today, Iraq is a safe travel destination that you will also understand from my travel guides.
IRAQ VISA
Most Western passport holders including EU, USA, Canadian and Australian citizens can get a free visa on arrival valid for 30 days in Kurdistan.
More about how you can get a visa for Iraq including Kurdistan, here.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR IRAQ
Only a few companies cover Iraq. One of them is IATI.
BEST TIME TO GO TO IRAQ
Summers are too warm and winters are too cold. Autumn and spring are definitely the best time to visit Iraq.
BEST TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN IRAQ
The best and most beautiful places to visit in Iraq are listed and explained here: 38 Best and Most Beautiful Places in Iraq
To find out about the best places to visit, read 21 Best places to visit in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Many of these are some of the best places in the whole Middle East.
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL
You can absolutely do it. That’s what I have already done twice.
SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL
I cannot talk on behalf of all women in the world. I can only share with your my personal experience. As a woman traveling solo Iraq, I can only say that I always felt safe during my journey. My story of how I hitchhiked from Soran to Amadiya is probably the best example of what it was like to travel by myself as a woman. Or, my story of how I traveled from Iraqi Kurdistan to Iran.
IRAQ TOURS
If you feel more comfortable with a group, check out my latest tour offer: