The best time to visit Iraqi Kurdistan truly depends on what kind of experience you seek. Each season or even month is unique!
Spring, especially March and April, is mostly seen as the prime time for a visit. This is when the Kurds celebrate their New Year, Newroz, with epic festivities. But other months have their charm as well.
Having lived in Erbil for two years, based on my experience, I can now share the best time and month to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan:
Best time to visit Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan – Key Takeaways
- Winter is great for outdoor winter BBQs and beautiful mountains with snow. But there will be heavy rainfall sometimes.
- Spring is the best time for all kinds of activities, but also the most crowded time.
- Summer is the most challenging time to visit, but the dry air can make it manageable. Trips to the high mountains are perfect. The Southern part of Iraq will be much hotter than the northern part, Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Autumn is a great time to visit because of the pleasant temperatures, but the landscapes are still dry from the summer.
When to Embark on Your Kurdish Adventure
Timing your trip to Iraqi Kurdistan can make all the difference. Paying attention to the seasons and local celebrations can enhance your experience a lot! Let’s begin with January:
Month-by-Month Guide
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in January
January is a cool and quiet time to visit Iraqi Kurdistan. The weather is (surprisingly) cold, with temperatures usually between 0°C and 10°C (30°F to 50°F), and the mountains are covered in snow.
It’s the best time to visit Kurdistan for anyone who loves wintery landscapes (I didn’t expect snow in Kurdistan!). Places like Safeen, Korek Mountain, and Choman look stunning this time of year. It’s a calm, quiet month that’s great for taking in the natural beauty without the heat or any big crowds.
Little fun fact: Unlike in South Korea, houses don’t have floor heating, so most people roll out large temporary carpets on the floor to prevent cold feet in the winter! They pack them back up when summer starts.
- Pro: Quiet and beautiful winter landscapes.
- Con: Colder than you might expect and some rainfall.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in February
February is still chilly in Kurdistan, and in my experience, it is the month with the most rain. This month feels like a typical ‘autumn’ month in the West. It’s cold, and windy with lots of rain and huge thunderstorms. Even heavy rain can flood entire villages.
Snow remains in the higher regions, offering beautiful views if you visit places like the Rawanduz Valley.
This is my least favorable month to travel in Iraqi Kurdistan during winter.
- Pro: Not many pros for this month!
- Con: The Month with the most rainfall and thunderstorms.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in March
Spring is a lively time in Iraqi Kurdistan, especially in March when Newroz takes place. This holiday is the Kurdish New Year and the arrival of spring. The main celebration takes place in Akre, one of the oldest inhabited towns in the world.
The weather warms up, but flowers aren’t blooming yet. And it’s a bit chillier than you might expect, with temperatures usually ranging from 6°C to 16°C (40°F to 60°F). Don’t miss the chance to join in the celebrations tho, it’s a fantastic way to experience Kurdish culture.
There will also be some rain this month. They say that the last rain of the year falls in March! That was true last year, after March, I can’t remember any rain at all!
- Pro: Pleasant temperature but still colder than you might expect. Newroz takes place in Akre.
- Con: No blooming flowers and still lots of rain.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in April
April is a beautiful month to explore Kurdistan, as the landscapes are genuinely lush and green! It surprised me how fast the landscape changed from dry and dull to almost Switzerland-like green fields.
This is the perfect time for hiking, especially in spots like Rawanduz or the Zagros Mountains. The days are warm but not too hot, making it easy to enjoy outdoor activities. Flowers aren’t truly blooming yet; there are primarily green leaves. You’ll see some newborn lambs outside; so cute!
This is also the month when festivals take place at Lalish, which you can visit with a tour guide.
- Pro: Green and lush landscapes, perfect for hiking and still not too crowded.
- Con: No blooming flowers
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in May
May is when Kurdistan starts to feel like summer, but the heat is very manageable. Temperatures usually range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F), making it a good time to go hiking and explore cities like Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Historical sites like the Erbil Citadel or Lalish are great to visit before the summer heat kicks in.
This is my favorite month to visit Iraqi Kurdistan because the flowers are fully blooming right now. You’ll see many flocks of sheep and Kurdish sheep herders in traditional clothing.
Hiking through the mountains of Safeen, 45 minutes driving from Erbil, the landscape is green and full of different flowers. You would never have thought that this would be Iraq.
Remember that this month and the coming months are probably the most busy. Many locals go in big numbers outside the city to BVBQ and picnic. Especially on Friday and Saturday (which is the weekend over there). You might get stuck in a massive traffic jam with people who are all going to explore the outdoors.
- Pro: Flowers, green landscapes, birds, nice warm weather, best month!
- Con: It is much more crowded on the road, especially on the weekend.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in June
By June, summer has officially arrived in Kurdistan! The days are sunny and warm, with temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F) in lower regions.
This might seem crazy hot, but because the humidity is super low, the heat is very manageable. it is hot but still fine to do a little exploring outside, such as visiting a mosque. I enjoy this month a lot: flip flops, no jacket, just a T-shirt, and some light pants, and you’re good to go.
It’s a great month for exploring the mountains or heading to shaded spots like Bekhal Waterfall. Early mornings and evenings are the best times to explore outdoor attractions.
- Pro: Hot! but still ok…
- Con: Crowded and a bit too hot at the end of the month.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in July
July is one of the hottest months in Kurdistan, with temperatures climbing to 50°C (104°F) during the day in some areas.
It’s a great time to focus on indoor attractions like museums and shopping in air-conditioned bazaars. If you’re up for it, you can also explore the cooler mountain regions near Choman, where temperatures are more comfortable.
Carry plenty of water (always have some in the car) and plan activities for the cooler parts of the day.
You’ll notice that the landscape has completely dried out, and all the grass is green. The landscape changes very quickly from green to yellow, just within a few weeks!
- Pro: High in the mountains, the temperature is perfect, it feels like spring there. The city is too hot.
- Con: Too hot for anything in the outdoors close to the cities.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in August
August is similar to July in terms of heat. The higher mountains (or an AC) are still the best escape from the heat. Doing anything outdoors in the city during the day is basically impossible this month.
In the city, it’s even warmer because of the asphalt and cars. The landscape is dry and yellow, and there might be an occasional sandstorm.
- Pro: Not many pros this month!
- Con: Completely dried out landscapes and dusty air.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in September
September is when the weather starts to cool down; it’s the beginning of autumn. Temperatures drop to a more comfortable range of 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F).
It’s a great month for road trips and exploring historical sites like the Citadel or Shanidar Cave. The atmosphere is relaxed, and it’s an excellent time to travel without the extremes of summer or winter. It’s also less busy on the road.
You might expect some autumn colors, but most vegetation is completely dry. It actually surprised me a lot to see everything fully blooming again in April!
- Pro: The temperature is finally nice again.
- Con: Landscapes are completely dried out, and the air is dusty.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in October
October is still very pleasant! It’s perfect for hiking, exploring ancient ruins, or visiting outdoor markets. Cities like Erbil and Dohuk are lively but not overcrowded. It’s a great time to experience both nature and culture in the region.
- Pro: Temperatures are nice, even at night, and it’s not too crowded.
- Con: Completely dried out landscapes and dusty air.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in November
With cooler temperatures and shorter days, November feels like the start of winter in Kurdistan.
The air is crisp, and it’s a good time to visit cultural sites like Lalish or explore museums in Sulaymaniyah. It’s also pomegranate season, so don’t miss the chance to taste fresh, juicy pomegranates sold at roadside stands.
- Pro: Still lovely temperature during the day, colder at night.
- Con: Landscapes are entirely dried out, and the air can be quite dusty.
Visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in December
December in Kurdistan is chilly, with temperatures dropping to as low as 0°C (32°F) in some areas. The mountains often see fresh snowfall, making it a great time for winter lovers.
Cozy up at the Citadel with hot tea in local cafés or take a drive through snow-dusted landscapes.
There will be some rainfall that clears the air of dust.
- Pro: Cold but still ok, clearer air and not crowded.
- Con: Shorter days and completely yellow, dried-out landscapes.
Where to Stay in Iraqi Kurdistan
Erbil will likely be your first destination, and it’s a great place to stay when visiting Iraqi Kurdistan. It’s very central, with lots of things to do.
Here are my low, mid, and high budget recommendations:
➡️ Low Budget: Hotel Syros Erbil
This local, more budget-friendly option ranks among the cheap hotels in Erbil and is located right next to the Citadel, making it easy to explore.
➡️ Mid Budget: Classy Hotel Erbil Iraq
Classy Hotel Erbil, Iraq, is a fine mid-range hotel at the center of Ainkawa
You’ll find several great restaurants close by, such as Well Done Bowl and Nazeli. ATMs can be found across the street, close to the hotel, and a money exchange shop as well.
➡️ Mid Budget (Great Value): Erbil International Hotel
Just a bit further away from the Citadel (about 20 minutes walking), there is Erbil International Hotel Iraq. It’s more expensive than the Syros Hotel, but you get more convenience in return with an amazing pool that not many hotels have in Erbil.
➡️ High Budget: Radisson Hotel
This hotel is next to the Gulan Mall, there is a nice international restaurant on the ground floor called The Grill, and you can find other local restaurants in the neighborhood.
Visiting Erbil for the first time? Check out my complete guide for first-timers and my Where To Stay in Erbil guide to find the best areas and hotels.
Traveling Safely
Traveling in Iraqi Kurdistan is not without risk.
Traffic
Especially, traffic is hectic, and many people don’t follow traffic rules. During the busy months, it can become crazy busy. You’ll encounter basically anything on the road: people walking on the highway, wild dogs, food stands, sheep and cows, you name it! I would advise only going if you’re an experienced traveler and driver.
Political instabilities
There are also political instabilities in the region, so always keep an eye on the official travel advice.
Crime
Crime-wise, Iraqi Kurdistan is a very safe region, including the city centers. You will not have to worry about your goods or anything getting stolen. Kurdish people are one of the most honest and friendly people I’ve ever met.
Air Quality
The quality of the air ranges from very good to very bad, it very much depends on the day and time of the day!
During the day, it is mostly fine, in the evening, you’ll notice it can become very bad due to power generators and the increase in traffic,
Read more about safety concerns regarding traveling in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Transportation and Visa Essentials
The city’s layout is quite simple, with no extensive subway network, so you won’t feel lost.
Ease of Entry:
Getting into Iraqi Kurdistan is relatively easy for many travelers. You can obtain a Visa Online at the official Kurdistan visa website.
Don’t forget to carry sufficient cash, as some locations may not accept cards. Once your visa is sorted, you’re ready to explore!
Travel Insurance: Better Safe Than Sorry
Before heading out on your trip, consider travel insurance. It’s not just a good idea; it’s a smart move.
Insurance can cover trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. Look for policies covering Iraq, as some providers do not include this area.
Ensure it includes medical evacuation and covers activities you plan to do, like hiking or exploring urban areas.
In Iraqi Kurdistan, if a major accident happens and you need to go to the hospital, you have to pay upfront or show an insurance that pays (similar to the states).
Having insurance lets you breathe easy. You can focus on enjoying your trip without worrying about what happens if things go differently from what you might have planned.
Final Thoughts & Tips
There is no time like the present!
It’s an adventurous, fascinating destination, but one that’s particularly suited for the more seasoned traveler.
If you plan to visit Erbil or Iraqi Kurdistan, send me a message. I’m curious about your adventure!
F.A.Q.
Got safety concerns? Is it currently safe to trek through Kurdistan?
Yes, Iraqi Kurdistan is generally safe for travelers. Many visitors have positive experiences. However, it’s wise to keep updated on local news and follow any travel advisories before you go.
Looking for a holiday roadmap? Can you recommend an itinerary for the ultimate adventure in Iraqi Kurdistan?
For an excellent itinerary, start with Erbil, then head to the ancient city of Amedi. Don’t miss the stunning valleys in the region. A week-long trip allows for a mix of culture, history, and outdoor fun!
Can travelers from the USA easily roam Kurdistan in 2024?
Iraqi Kurdistan is the most ‘pro-American’ place in the region, but traveling as an American to Iraqi Kurdistan has some specific safety concerns due to the political instability. Please refer to your embassy to see if you can travel there.
