---
title: "Erbil, Iraq"
description: "Iraq · airport EBL"
canonical: "https://sorted.travel/places/erbil"
last-updated: "2026-10-11"
---

# 🇮🇶 Erbil, Iraq

Iraq · airport EBL

## On the ground

- Safety: Avoid all travel
- Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD). 100 USD = 151488 IQD
- Phone code: +964
- eSIM: [https://airalo.pxf.io/yRV1DW](https://airalo.pxf.io/yRV1DW)
- Taxi / ride-hailing: Careem
- Wikivoyage: [https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Iraq](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Iraq)

## Brief

- Try local Kurdish and Iraqi dishes such as **dolma**, **kubba**, grilled kebabs, and **masgouf** where available. Kurdish tea (**chai**) is widely served.
- Carry Iraqi dinar cash for smaller shops and taxis; card acceptance can be limited.

## Safety and health

- Security conditions have deteriorated following recent drone attacks west of Erbil. Avoid military, refugee-camp, diplomatic, and other strategic sites, remain alert for further strikes, and monitor airport and local security updates. ([newarab.com](https://www.newarab.com/news/drone-attack-erbil-renews-kurdish-fears-over-iran-war-fallout) | [shafaq.com](https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Two-drone-attack-targets-refugee-camp-in-Erbil))
- The US-led coalition completed its withdrawal from Erbil Air Base on September 30, leaving Iraqi and Kurdish forces with primary responsibility for security. This transition may increase uncertainty around protection from regional threats. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-military-iraq-withdrawal-isis-operation-inherent-resolve-over/) | [foxnews.com](https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-ends-operation-inherent-resolve-mission-iraq-final-forces-leave-erbil))
- Drink sealed bottled water and avoid tap water, ice of uncertain origin, raw foods, and untreated drinks. Avoid swimming, wading, or bathing in untreated freshwater because of waterborne disease risks including schistosomiasis. ([cdc.gov](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/iraq) | [wikivoyage.org](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Iraq))
- Use insect and tick protection, particularly outside the city. Iraq has risks from leishmaniasis and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever; avoid tick bites and contact with animal or human blood and bodily fluids. ([cdc.gov](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/iraq))
- Avoid close contact with sick people and use extra caution around camels because of Middle East respiratory syndrome risk. ([cdc.gov](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/iraq))
- A yellow-fever certificate is required for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from countries with yellow-fever transmission, including qualifying airport transits longer than 12 hours. It is not required for direct travel from the United States. ([cdc.gov](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/iraq))

## Recent News

- **October 8-9, 2026:** Two explosive-laden drones targeted a camp for Iranian Kurdish refugees in Khabat district west of Erbil. No casualties were reported, but the attack raised renewed concerns about drone threats and reduced air-defence coverage after the coalition withdrawal. ([newarab.com](https://www.newarab.com/news/drone-attack-erbil-renews-kurdish-fears-over-iran-war-fallout) | [shafaq.com](https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Two-drone-attack-targets-refugee-camp-in-Erbil))
- **September 30, 2026:** The US completed its withdrawal from Erbil Air Base and formally ended its anti-ISIS military mission in Iraq. Iraqi and Kurdish forces now have the leading security role, while targeted US support continues from outside Iraq. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-military-iraq-withdrawal-isis-operation-inherent-resolve-over/) | [foxnews.com](https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-ends-operation-inherent-resolve-mission-iraq-final-forces-leave-erbil))

_Updated 2026-10-11._

## Weather and timing

The best times to visit Erbil are March to April and October to November, when mild to warm conditions suit city walks, historic sites and nearby excursions. January, February and December are cooler and wetter, while June to August brings extreme heat and frequent dust storms; September is hot, with dust storms possible through mid-month.

| Month | Fit | Avg °C | Rain mm | Sun hours |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| January | OK | 13 | 9 | 7 |
| February | OK | 15 | 9 | 7 |
| March | Great | 20 | 10 | 10 |
| April | Great | 25 | 5 | 12 |
| May | OK | 31 | 8 | 12 |
| June | Avoid | 37 | 0 | 13 |
| July | Avoid | 39 | 0 | 12 |
| August | Avoid | 39 | 0 | 12 |
| September | OK | 35 | 0 | 12 |
| October | Great | 29 | 7 | 8 |
| November | Great | 19 | 13 | 7 |
| December | OK | 14 | 10 | 7 |

### Month by month

- **January (OK):** January is cool and occasionally rainy, around 3-13°C. Museums and historic sights suit the season, while showers can interrupt outdoor plans.
- **February (OK):** February is cool with occasional rain, around 5-16°C. Sightseeing suits dry spells, with warm layers useful during mornings and evenings.
- **March (Great):** March is mild, around 8-21°C, with spring flowers and Nowruz celebrations. Rain can occur, while the climate suits city walks and nearby sights.
- **April (Great):** April is mild to warm, around 13-26°C, with spring scenery and occasional rain. Walking tours and excursions beyond Erbil suit the daytime climate.
- **May (OK):** May is hot and dry, around 18-34°C. Morning sightseeing is more manageable, while afternoon heat can make lengthy outdoor visits uncomfortable.
- **June (Avoid):** June is extremely hot and dry, around 23-40°C, with daytime temperatures often above 40°C. Limit outdoor sightseeing to the coolest hours.
- **July (Avoid):** July is extremely hot and dry, around 26-43°C, with frequent dust storms that can reduce visibility and disrupt transport. Extensive outdoor sightseeing is uncomfortable.
- **August (Avoid):** August is extremely hot and dry, around 25-42°C, with frequent dust storms that impair visibility and disrupt transport. Afternoons are unsuitable for lengthy outdoor visits.
- **September (OK):** September is hot and dry, around 21-39°C, with dust storms possible through mid-month. Early starts suit city sightseeing before the strongest daytime heat.
- **October (Great):** October is warm and generally dry, around 15-31°C. The climate suits visits to historic sites, markets, and nearby countryside.
- **November (Great):** November is mild, around 8-22°C, with rain returning during the month. Sightseeing is comfortable between showers, though wet weather can affect outdoor plans.
- **December (OK):** December is cool with frequent rain, around 5-15°C. City sightseeing works between showers, while warm layers are useful during chilly evenings.

### 7-day forecast

_Forecast by [Foreca](https://www.foreca.com)._

| Day | High °C | Low °C | Precip chance |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 27 Oct 27 Oct | 30 | 15 | 2% |
| 28 Oct 28 Oct | 28 | 17 | 54% |
| 29 Oct 29 Oct | 26 | 16 | 75% |
| 30 Oct 30 Oct | 24 | 15 | 70% |
| 31 Oct 31 Oct | 23 | 12 | 19% |
| 01 Nov 01 Nov | 24 | 11 | 14% |
| 02 Nov 02 Nov | 22 | 13 | 82% |

## Visa

Passport-specific visa stance is on the HTML page after you set a passport, or via MCP `check_visa_requirements`. Confirm with a government source before you fly.

## Related destinations

- [Baghdad](https://sorted.travel/places/baghdad)
- [Tehran](https://sorted.travel/places/tehran)
- [Shiraz](https://sorted.travel/places/shiraz)
- [Al-‘Ula](https://sorted.travel/places/al-ula)
- [Ashgabat](https://sorted.travel/places/ashgabat)
- [Yerevan](https://sorted.travel/places/yerevan)

## More

- HTML: [https://sorted.travel/places/erbil](https://sorted.travel/places/erbil)
- MCP: [https://sorted.travel/mcp](https://sorted.travel/mcp) (`get_destination_info`, `get_destination_weather`, `check_visa_requirements`)
- Discover: [https://sorted.travel/discover](https://sorted.travel/discover)