You’ve decided to visit Erbil, congrats! But, where should you stay?
In this guide, I’ll share all the insights I gained while living in Iraqi Kurdistan for two years.
I’ll share the best hotels I’ve stayed at and areas I’ve lived and visited so you can make the best choice for your upcoming adventure.
So, if you’re headed to Erbil, here’s exactly where I’d stay and why:
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Erbil
Visiting Erbil is a true adventure, you’ll dive into the unknown and experience a culture that might be totally different than yours. It’s an enriching experience that you’ll never forget.
But, finding the best place to stay is key for a smooth experience.
Here is a map of Erbil where you can see all areas with available hotels.
As you can see the lay-out of the city is quite easy!
There are several areas and hotels that are the best choices in my opinion, let’s dive in:
Area: Citadel & Grand Bazaar
Of course, the Citadel is probably the most famous spot and area of Erbil. Although it is impossible to spend a night inside the Citadel, staying close to it is.
Best Hotels close to the Citadel
Hotel Syros Erbil
This local, more budget-friendly hotel is located right next to the Citadel, making it easy to explore. However, don’t expect an upscale hotel with the best service and cleanest rooms. It does provide a cool stay at the heart of daily Kurdish life, and the staff is really friendly, in my experience.
The air quality will be a bit less great compared to areas of other hotels. This is because it is a busy area with lots of cars, small restaurants, and outdoor BBQs on the street. Nevertheless, it is easy to go outside (and safe), and you don’t need a taxi, making exploring easier overall.
Compared to other hotels, getting out of the city to visit Akre or the mountains, for instance, can take quite a bit longer. I would say about half an hour longer when traffic is busy.
The hotel is in the building at the end of this street, as you can see below it is quite a lively area.
My recommended Hotels in Erbil 🛏️
Hotel Syros
Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
$ – Budget Friendly
Great location near Citadel- Walkable area on foot
- At the heart of traditional Kurdish daily life
Great location near Citadel
Erbil International Hotel
Just a bit further away from the Citadel (about 20 minutes walking), there is Erbil International Hotel. It’s more expensive than Syros Hotel, but you get some more convenience in return.
There is a really lovely outdoor swimming pool, which you will not find at many other hotels. Servers walk around, and drinks are brought to you; it’s a holiday, after all, right?
This hotel is a great to choice if you want to relax to the max after a day of exploring Kurdistan.
It’s situated next to a road that goes straight to the Citadel, which makes it easy to reach.
Tip: The surrounding area is not that interesting, but no matter which hotel you'll stay, you need a taxi or car to go to any other area.
My recommended Hotels in Erbil 🛏️
Erbil International
Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
$$ – Mid Range
- 20 minute walk from Citadel
- Amazing Outdoor Pool not many other hotels have
Tip: Discover the 'Arabian Quarter' behind the Citadel Square for scenes that look like a Middle Eastern movie.
Check out my complete guide on visiting the Citadel in Erbil.
Pros and Cons of staying in the Citadel area:
Pros:
- Great area to walk around
- At the heart of traditional Kurdish daily life
- Fewer taxi rides are needed because you can easily visit the Citadel for multiple days to really explore the area.
Cons:
- Busy traffic
- Takes longer to get out of the city
- More noise and air pollution
Area: Empire World
Some call this area little Dubai of Kurdistan, and it truly is a modern and impressive area.
You’ll find great restaurants here, with international and local food, coffee places, expensive cars, and wedding photoshoots daily.
Supermarkets like the Holland Bazar can be found here (you’ll see those plenty around town).
It’s the more upscale area of Erbil and just a bit less ‘local,’ although it is part of the daily Kurdish life in Iraqi Kurdistan, of course.
For a big part of my life in Kurdistan I didn’t have my professional camera yet so please excuse me for some of the bit lower quality photos!
Great (international) restaurants in Empire World:
- The Vinery: I’ve been here countless times; the pizza is surprisingly good.
- Under 500: Everything is under 500 calories
- Origin: Great coffee place
- Two Princesses: An English pub (I never expected that in Iraq!)
Best Hotels Empire World
Divan Hotel
3 minutes walking from Empire World, you can find Divan Hotel.
My family and I stayed at the Divan Hotel for almost two months! It took quite some time before we were able to find a house, so I know all the ins and outs of this hotel.
The hotel is a slightly outdated and certainly not cheap, but it has some great benefits:
- Great Indoor swimming pool and gym
- Car rental options and ATM inside the building
- There is a huge garden in the back where you’ll see wedding shoots almost every day.
- Close to the Samî Abdulrahman Park
- The service is excellent, and they are super friendly people.
Our cats enjoying some TV while several wedding photoshoots take place outside at Divan Hotel.
It is within walking distance from Empire World, where you can find restaurants, coffee places, and supermarkets. But keep in mind that Erbil is not a city built for pedestrians.
Walking to Empire World is possible, but you’ll have to cross a road without any crossovers, traffic lights, or anything that might help pedestrians. Please be super careful and don’t expect a car to see you; traffic is the most dangerous thing in Erbil, in my opinion. The road you need to cross is not too busy, tho.
Occasionally, events are held in the garden, which can cause some noise, but they usually finish around 11 pm.
My recommended Hotels in Erbil 🛏️
Divan Hotel
Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
$$$
- Good Location
- Great service
- ATM and car rental service inside
Next to the Divan Hotel is an empty construction site. It is surrounded by walls and fences, but you can see some people living there in tents and self-made homes. It is a sad sight and a reminder of the harsh environment Iraq can be.
Rotana Hotel
Rotana is a great hotel
Outdoor swimming pool, although it’s a bit more for just having a drink, relaxing and not so much for swimming.
Occasionally, events are held in the garden, which can cause some noise, but they usually finish around 11 pm.
The hotel is also close to Samî Abdulrahman Park like Divan, but further away from Empire World. Too far to walk perhaps.
Yes that’s me below trying some Shisha for the first time with locals!
Area: Ainkawa Christian Neighborhood
Ainkawa, or Ankawa, is the Christian neighborhood of Erbil. It is one of the few areas that is more focused on pedestrians than cars. It has a kind of European feeling, and it’s a fun area to walk around and explore.
You’ll see lots of churches and a very mixed crowd. For street photography, this is such an amazing neighborhood.
It is also an area where you can buy alcohol in many shops because the Christian religion is less strict in that matter compared to Islam. I find it truly heartwarming to see these two religions live so peacefully together.
You can find shops with local hand-made products, clubs, bars, and restaurants.
Tip: Try some Kurdish flatbread from a local bakery; boy, do I miss that!
In December, you’ll see several shops selling Christmas items. People from every religion visit the shops. I just love it when people from various backgrounds mix so easily, respect each other and show interest in each other’s customs and traditions.
The American consulate is situated in Ainkawa, which is basically a small town inside the area. It is guarded by an enormous wall and other things. It is quite fascinating to see!
Tip: Visit the Mars Rooftop bar in Ainkawa for an epic view.
Great restaurants in Ainkawa:
- Armenian restaurant: Nazeli
- Well Done Bowl: Great Asian restaurant
- Basili’s
- Classic Rock Cafe
- Liam’s Trattoria & Pizzeria
- Amazing local food: Fuul w Hummus
Liam’s Trattoria is a real authentic Italian restaurant with great pizza. What I find so fascinating is that the restaurant is kind of in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by empty space, sand, or some random construction sight. And then, there is this really nice-looking building with amazing pizza in Iraqi Kurdistan. It’s a bit further outside the center of Ainkawa, so a taxi might be a good choice.
Best Hotels in Ainkawa
Classy Hotel
A fine mid-range hotel at the center of Ainkawa close to the US consulate, with several restaurants 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.
This hotel is a great option to stay at, not too expensive, and lots of things in the neighborhood. Ainkawa is quite a big area so you can easily take 2 or three days to really explore everything without needing a taxi.
A typical street in Ainkawa, seen here below.
My recommended Hotels in Erbil 🛏️
Classy Hotel
Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
$
- Great central Location in Ainkawa
-
Lively area walkable on foot
Arjaan
This hotel is just outside Ainkawa, but it is worth considering.
It’s a bit more upscale, ‘Western’ and expensive than Classy Hotel but cheaper than Divan and Rotana.
The location is, okay. It is right next to a busy road, but it is close to several great restaurants, such as Defermo which is one of the best bigger restaurants with local food (easy to walk to) and CUE on the other side of the street. Although there is no way to cross the street without risking your life to go to CUE. I recommend taking a taxi.
It’s also next to a small park, which is okay, and there are several small shops, coffee places, and restaurants. An ATM is inside the hotel that has always worked for me.
My recommended Hotels in Erbil 🛏️
Arjaan Hotel
Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
$$
- Close to Defermo Restaurant
-
ATM inside
Pros and Cons of staying in Ainkawa:
Pros:
- Great area to walk around
- Close to the highway, so it doesn’t take long to get out of the city
Cons:
- Busy traffic/neighborhood
- More air pollution
Radisson Hotel
This hotel is a bit further from Ainkawa but still close. It is kind of between several areas.
It is next to the Gulan Mall, which is more upscale than Family Mall. There is a nice international restaurant on the ground floor called The Grill, and you can find other local restaurants in the neighborhood.
There is the possibility to walk outside and explore the area on foot to some extent.
About 5 minutes walking from the hotel, you’ll find lots of restaurants, from great Sushi to Local Food. The Gulan Mall has a big Holland Bazar supermarket inside. This is the entrance by car.
Below on the right is the outside terrace of The Grill and on the left is the Gulan Mall.
My recommended Hotels in Erbil 🛏️
Radisson Hotel & Residences
Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
$$$
- Close to local and international restaurants
-
Next to Gulan Mall
-
Central location
Great restaurants close to Radisson:
Area: Dream City
Although there are no hotels in this area, I want to mention it. It is known for its long bar street, which is a great place for a night with food and drinks. There is even a Friends-themed cafe in Iraq! You’ll find mostly international food, fast food, hot wings, Heineken bars, and some more expensive restaurants.
It is right next to Empire World and thus close to Divan, but walking to Dream City is not possible, or at least not recommended. Take a taxi through Careem, which should only be a few minutes.
Tip: There are some enormous MTV crib-style villas in Dream City, which are truly mind-blowing houses.
Visiting Erbil for the first time? Awesome! Find out all you need to know in my guide for first-timers. And, of course, feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below.
South and East of Erbil
The south and east areas of Erbil are, in my opinion, less interesting to visit. They’re either residential blocks or blocks with stores such as garages, small industrial factories, or malls that aren’t that interesting.
Is Erbil Safe?
Crime-wise, Erbil is super safe; I never felt unsafe during my two years living there. Even at night, you will not have to worry about anything. Leaving something in your car is totally fine, and I’ve never heard of pickpockets.
Things that aren’t safe:
- Traffic
- Some parts of the mountains (old landmines)
- Regions close to the borders
- Air pollution
Find out all you need to know regarding safety in Iraqi Kurdistan in my complete Safety Guide.
What you should know when booking a hotel in Erbil
Erbil is a unique destination, and visiting it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But, when booking a hotel, there are 4 things you need to know:
1. At the more expensive hotels, security dogs check cars that enter the parking lot. A guard will walk around the car once and sometimes check the underside with a mirror to see if there is anything suspicious. There will also be guards with large weapons outside the gate.
2. This might sound a bit scary but it is a bit like a service, like in entering an expensive club kind of way. At first I thought, wow whats this? And it caught me of guard, but you get used to it very quickly.
3. Besides that, Erbil is generally not a city built for pedestrians, so going for a walk outside is not an option most of the time when staying at a hotel. Except in the Citadel area and a big part of Ainkawa.
4. Finally, power generators can catch on fire because the air is dry, people smoke, and maintenance is sometimes not optimal. Just for safety, book a room on a lower floor just for some extra caution.
What’s the best time to visit Iraqi Kurdistan?
Spring and Autumn are the best periods to visit. Find out the best month to visit in my complete month-to-month travel guide.
Tip: Friday until about 3 pm is the quietest time of the week in Erbil, with the least traffic.
Final Erbil Travel Tips
- Valet parking is very common at restaurants (even at Burger King!), and it’s totally safe to hand over the keys. Tipping when picking up your car is not mandatory, but it is always appreciated. 5000 dinar (about 3 dollars) is a generous tip.
- Always use the Careem app when booking a taxi.
- Iraqi Kurdistan is a fantastic destination, but I would recommend it for the more seasoned travelers due to its dry climate especially in the summer, hectic roads and traffic, off limit regions in the mountains, and political instability (although you’ll probably not really notice that).
- When going to the citadel park here. The parking fee is about 3000 dinar (2 dollars) (you’ll get a receipt that you have to give back when exiting the parking).
- Finally, before going, feel free to ask me anything and I’ll respond asap.
Final Thoughts
Living in Erbil and exploring Iraqi Kurdistan has been a time of my life that I’ll never forget. What I love so much about the region is the warm and friendly people, the culture shock in a good way, the local food, the not touristy places that are absolutely incredible, and the cultural sights.
You will need a taxi or rent a car to really explore Erbil and Iraqi Kurdistan. Or go on a tour with Kurdistan Outdoor when you want to explore outside of the city and see more of the beautiful nature. Always go with a tour guide when going to the mountains, never go alone. Read my full safety guide here.
Visiting Erbil takes some preparation, but it is totally worth it. Please read my guide for first-timers to have a smooth trip! 👍
Where To Stay in Erbil F.A.Q.
What kind of hotels can I expect?
Everything from luxury 5-star hotels (like Divan or Erbil Rotana) to guesthouses and simple budget hotels. Many offer Wi-Fi, breakfast, and airport pickup.
How far is the airport from the city?
Erbil International Airport is about 15–20 minutes by taxi from most hotels such as Divan, Rotana, or Arjaan. Taxis straight from the airport are more expensive, about 25 dollars because there is only one taxi company allowed close to the airport terminal.
Can foreigners book hotels easily?
Absolutely! Most hotels welcome foreigners, and English is often spoken. You can book online through booking.com, Agoda, or Hotels.
Do I need to speak Arabic or Kurdish?
Mostly, no, that is not necessary at all. At all the hotels, staff can speak English perfectly fine.
Discover more of Iraqi Kurdistan
Where to Stay in Erbil, Iraq: 7 Best Hotels & Areas
An Unforgettable Encounter with Nomads in Iraq: Life On The Move
Visiting Erbil & Iraq For The First Time: Expert Guide + Tips
The Best Time to Visit Iraqi Kurdistan: A Month-by-Month Guide
Why Visit Iraqi Kurdistan? 9 Genuine Reasons You Need to Know
Lalish Temple Secrets: The Hidden Culture of the Yazidis
Iraq’s Zagros Mountain: 5 Wonders That Will Fuel Your Wanderlust
Hiking in Iraq: Off the Beaten Path to Iraq’s Best Trekking Spots
The Beautiful Kurdish Culture: 12 Hidden Customs & Traditions
Renting a Car in Erbil? Complete Guide to Make the Best Choice
Rawanduz Revealed: Iraq’s Best-Kept Secret (Travel Guide)
Moving Jack
Hi! I’m Chris, a traveler who’s explored over 40 countries and lived in fascinating places across Asia and the Middle East. Featured by top travel outlets, I’m here to offer real insights, hidden places, and practical tips to make the most of your travels. Let’s go!
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