ERBIL - IRAQ'S SUCCESS STORY! - Discover the Kurdistan Capital (Cultural Travel Guide)

Looking for a positive story about Iraq? Well, you’ve found one - Erbil is a dynamic city that has fast risen to become the business hub for Iraq. The capital of Kurdistan is one of the oldest cities in the world and for years extended little further than the famous citadel. Now its high rise suburbs stretch out in all directions and construction cranes dominate the skyline.

However, the modern shopping malls cropping up in the newer districts will never have the sights, sounds, and smells of the Qyesariyeh bazaar, which draws you from the square like a magnet. It’s the oldest in Erbil and a veritable rabbit warren. I never could find the tea house hiding in the centre, but I didn’t mind getting lost, especially when there were so many sweet temptations around every corner. Until the citadel reopens, this area is the focus for tourism in the city. A visit to the teahouse at the foot of the citadel is a must.

Erbil in the evening is bustling and very safe, but if you want to find some peace then I recommend Minaret park. The 1000 year old minaret may have partly fallen but Erbil’s population continues its rapid ascent. The metro area population is now approaching 1 million inhabitants and there are lots of new apartments to fill. In the film, Brusk Ako of Kurdistan Expeditions explains where the new residents are coming from.


Thank you to Brusk and Palin at Kurdistan Expeditions

Filmed October 2023
Jonathan Wheeler
@travelobscurer
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All music licensed though Artlist

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