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Joel Bond Travels

Iraqi Kurdistan

Explore this unique cultural gem

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Sleeps

Rest your head

Place

Shari Jwan Tower

Joel Bond:Swanky upscale hotel with a revolving 360-degree restaurant perched on top. Excellent spa and good food offerings at various bars and restaurants on site.

Place

Lalazar Hotel and Restaurant

Joel Bond:Comfortable, clean hotel in the popular Sarchinar district, within reasonable walking distance of Slemani's night life scene. In summer, the rooftop dining is not to be missed!

Limited offer

Gift from Joel Bond. Get a discount off all experiences!

Eats

Eating out

Place

فالح ابو العمبة السليمانية

Joel Bond:The best falafel sandwich you'll have this side of the Tigris River! Served with a signature bittersweet, neon yellow fenugreek sauce.

Place

Habruri Grill

Joel Bond:Erbil’s premier Chinese food joint.

Place

Nali Cafe and Pastry

Joel Bond:Hip and trendy coffee house, with a wide selection of cakes and bistro-style meals.

Sights

Worthwhile sights to see

Place

Amna Suraka

Joel Bond:Sobering museum dedicated to Saddam Hussein's genocide of the Kurds. Recent additional exhibition detailing the fight against ISIS is well worth the extended visit.

Place

مۆزەخانەی کەلەپووری کورد Kurd Heritage

Joel Bond:Petite but well-organised museum detailing parts of Kurdish heritage, including farming techniques, religious life and traditional dress. Located in the heart of the bazar, surrounding a Chaihane (tea-house) courtyard. Picturesque coloured glass windows and stone architecture make the visit aesthetically pleasing, while museum staff are more than excited to show you around (limited English spoken).

Place

Sulaimani's Great Mosque

Joel Bond:A central landmark for the most sprawling bazar in Kurdistan, this grand mosque serves as religious hub and central meeting point for explorers in the bazar. Alleys and roads radiating out from here will lead you down untold treasure paths in a bazar that is inexhaustible!

Place

Hawary Shar

Joel Bond:Expansive park hosting streams and man-made water features, bicycle hire, tea houses, and an outdoor amphitheatre built in Roman style.

Place

Azmar Road

Joel Bond:Schlep up this mountain road at sunset for some spectacular views of the city at night. Tea-houses and kebab stands make for a decent evening picnic atop the mountain in fair weather.

Place

Tomb of Cyaxares

Joel Bond:Precious little by way of information, but this cliff-side tomb boasts some commanding views of the valley below with its Zoroastrian-influenced bas relief carvings.

Place

Qalat

Joel Bond:THE most touristed place in Iraqi Kurdistan, the Citadel perches atop an old volcanic plug, with commanding views over the bazar and fountain plaza below. Purported to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, this UNESCO world heritage site is host to a grand renovation scheme, and has new exhibits and museums opening within the restored city walls. Check out the Kurdish carpet museum for some beautiful displays on traditional carpet designs and clan-related textile patterns.