A fortified settlement on the hill

The Erbil Citadel is a fortified settlement on a distinctive, oval-shaped archaeological mound in Erbil Governorate, in the Kurdistan Region. Its artificial topography shaped the settlement pattern, so the form of the site and its history are directly intertwined. This offers a special introduction to Arbil: rather than a single monument, an entire settlement mound provides the framework for the historic urban structure.

The citadel’s fan-shaped layout dates from Erbil’s late Ottoman period. Lanes and cul-de-sacs branch out from the main entrance, the Grand Gate, making the Ottoman urban fabric visible as a labyrinthine structure. A continuous row of tall 19th-century façades gives the impression of an impregnable fortress and defines Erbil’s silhouette. The two periods should be distinguished: the street pattern belongs to the late Ottoman period, while the distinctive row of façades dates from the 19th century. Together, they give the site an urban form that is not limited to a single building.

Arbela, the bazaar and parks

The area’s older history can also be read in different layers. Erbil corresponds to ancient Arbela, an important Assyrian political and religious centre. Archaeological finds and studies also suggest that the mound contains layers and remains of earlier settlements. While Arbela represents the political and religious history, the finds point to possible older settlements on the same mound. Erbil’s Qaysari Bazaar is also home to the historic Mam Khalil Teahouse, another named historic site in the city.

Another side of Arbil can be seen at Shanidar Park. It is located on Halabja Street in central Erbil, opposite Minara Park and near the regional central bank. Its landscape includes numerous waterfalls and streams, and its architecture is considered remarkable. The Shanidar Gallery, which features a permanent exhibition of decorative arts, is also located in the park. The landscape, architecture and collection each bring a different focus to the site. For your trip planning, you can contrast it with the Citadel: there, the emphasis is on the evolved settlement structure; here, it is on the combination of park architecture and decorative art.

Another cultural landmark is the Zaitun Library in Sami Abdul Rahman Park in Erbil. Following its reopening in November 2025, a report put its collection at more than 300,000 books in Kurdish and other languages, as well as newspapers and magazines. In contrast to the Shanidar Gallery’s focus on decorative art, this collection points to a different cultural profile: books and periodicals in several languages.

Shaqlawa and the landscape

Shaqlawa adds another place to the destination, with a distinct landscape. It is situated on the slope of Mount Sefin, in a large valley with dense forests and gardens, 50 km from the city of Erbil. The town is considered an important tourist destination in Iraqi Kurdistan and attracts visitors from Iraq and the region, as well as some from the Gulf states. Erbil’s historic urban structure and Shaqlawa’s landscape of valleys, forests and gardens therefore appeal to different travel interests.

Shaqlawa is described as having moderate temperatures; however, winters are very cold, with heavy rain and snow. This seasonal contrast adds a practical consideration to the landscape when planning your trip. When weighing cultural discoveries in Erbil against the landscape of Shaqlawa, you can take into account the different climate descriptions as well as the attractions of each place.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Shaqlawa, Al-Karbala, Najaf, Arbela, Kurdistan Region, Baghdad.

Back to the main travel overview: Iraq.