Travel advisory · IraqGovernments advise against all travel to Iraq.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 20 km strip along Iran border · avoid all travel · France, Italy
- Kirkuk province · avoid all travel · France, Italy, UK
- Nineveh province · avoid all travel · Italy, UK
- Salah al-Din province · avoid all travel · France, Italy, UK
- Syria border area · avoid all travel · France, Italy
- Basra province · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Dhi Qar province · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy, UK
- Karbala province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Kurdistan Region of Iraq · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Qadisiyah province · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
Also named by one government: 5 km strip along Iran border (Wasit, Maysan, Basra) (UK), 5 km strip along Saudi Arabia and Kuwait borders (UK), Anbar outside Ramadi, Fallujah and their Baghdad axis (France), Anbar province (Italy), Anbar west of Ramadi (UK), Babil west of the Baghdad–Karbala axis (France), Baghdad outer districts (Sadr City, Bayaa, Jurf al Salam, Za'faraniya) (France), Diyala north of the Baghdad–Iranian border parallel (France), Diyala province (Italy), Diyala province except Baqubah (UK), Dohuk eastern mountains along Turkish border (France), Erbil governorate along the Kurdish coordination line (France), Jordan border area (Italy), Jurf al-Sakr town (UK), Muthanna desert along Saudi border (France), Najaf desert along Saudi border (France), Nineveh outside Mosul, Mosul–Erbil road and Nineveh Plains (France), Northern Iraq areas near armed groups (US), Northern mountains (Metina, Gara, Qandil) (France), Sadr City (UK), Saudi Arabia border area (Italy), Sulaymaniyah axis (Chamchamal–Darbandikhan) and north of Dokan lake (France), Anbar province remainder (UK), Babil province (France), Babil province except Jurf al-Sakr (UK), Baghdad city outside outer districts (France), Baghdad province except Sadr City (UK), Baqubah city (UK), Basra province remainder (UK), Dohuk–Amedi road and Amedi town centre (France), Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil (UK), Highway 34 between Baghdad and Baqubah (UK), Maysan province (France), Maysan province remainder (UK), Mosul city (France), Mosul–Erbil main road (France), Muthanna province (France), Muthanna province remainder (UK), Najaf province remainder (UK), Wasit province (France), Wasit province remainder (UK), Zakho–Halabja corridor (including Akre, Barzan and Soran) (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel to Iraq for any reason | Oct 23, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Reisewarnung: Vor Reisen nach Irak wird gewarnt (ganzes Land) | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel to Iraq | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Sulaymaniyah
Visit Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan for Kurdish cultural institutions, city life, and a setting among the Zagros Mountains.
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Sulaymaniyah is a city in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, set among the foothills of the Zagros Mountains. Founded in 1784, it is associated with Kurdish literature and music. Museums and cultural institutions give visitors ways to learn about Kurdish culture, while the city’s streets and cafes provide places to spend time between visits. Sulaymaniyah can work as a base for exploring the city and nearby destinations, though transport beyond the urban area takes planning.
For a city stay, set aside time for cultural sights and views of the surrounding mountains. The destination is best suited to travelers interested in Kurdish culture and urban life, rather than a resort holiday or a tightly scheduled sightseeing stop. Spring and fall are seasons to consider for milder weather. Two days gives you time to explore at a relaxed pace; allow more time if you plan to travel beyond the city. Check current travel advice and entry requirements before booking.
Sulaymaniyah in five
- Check Iraq’s e-visa rulesEntry requirements depend on your passport. Check Iraq’s official e-visa portal before booking.
- Carry Iraqi dinarsKeep some IQD for small purchases and local transport; do not assume every business accepts cards.
- Confirm your Sulaymaniyah flightCheck your ticket for the airport name and current flight details before travelling; routes and schedules can change.
- Set up mobile dataArrange an Iraq SIM or eSIM before you need maps and local contact details.
- Save your accommodation addressKeep the address offline and in a form your driver can read, so you can show it when arranging a ride.
Need to know
- Currency
- Iraqi dinar (IQD)
- Entry
- Entry rules depend on nationality and trip
- Emergency
- Check local emergency numbers before travel
- Tipping
- Not required; small tips are discretionary
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold winter
- FebruaryCold winter
- MarchSpring begins
- AprilMild spring
- MayWarm spring
- JuneHot, dry
- JulyVery hot
- AugustVery hot
- SeptemberHot, dry
- OctoberMild autumn
- NovemberCool autumn
- DecemberCold winter
Right now in Sulaymaniyah
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 58%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Sulaymaniyah
03:58 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today22°14°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed18°14°60%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Thu17°13°85%Thursday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Fri18°11°80%Friday: Rain. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sat15°13°98%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 15°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sun14°8°99%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 99%.
Updated 12:12 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,518 IQD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Halabjaabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carVisit the city and its memorial museum; check current access and opening details before setting out.
- Dukan Lakeabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carGo for a change of scenery by the lake; arrange transport in advance for the return journey.
- Ahmed Awaabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carVisit the waterfall area in the Hawraman region; check road and local access conditions before you go.
Before you go to Sulaymaniyah
Rules for Sulaymaniyah, checked
- Check Iraq’s e-visa portal for the entry requirements that apply to your passport and trip.Source
- Keep your passport or another accepted travel document accessible during your trip.
- Confirm current local security guidance with your government’s travel advice before travelling.
Plan around Sulaymaniyah
Check entry requirements for your passport before travelling
Read the guideGetting aroundPlan transport for journeys around Iraq
Read the guideMoney and costsPlan cash, cards and spending for your trip
Read the guideWhere to stayChoose a base for your visit
Read the guidePhones and eSIMCompare mobile data options before you go
Read the guideSulaymaniyah FAQ
How many days do you need in Sulaymaniyah?
Allow two or three days for the city and nearby excursions. Add time if you plan longer drives in the Kurdistan Region.
Is Sulaymaniyah worth visiting?
Sulaymaniyah suits travelers looking for a city base in Iraqi Kurdistan, with museums, markets and day trips. Check current travel advice before you go.
What is the best time to visit Sulaymaniyah?
Spring and autumn are usually comfortable seasons for city walks and excursions. Summers are hot and winters can be cold.
How do you get to Sulaymaniyah?
Sulaymaniyah has an airport. Check current flight routes and entry requirements for your passport before booking.
What currency is used in Sulaymaniyah?
The currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD). Carry some cash for small purchases and local transport.
Do you need a visa for Sulaymaniyah?
Entry rules depend on your nationality and trip. Check Iraq’s official e-visa portal and your government’s travel advice before departure.