Sulaymaniyah is the second largest city of the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq. It is a young settlement, founded in 1784 by the Baban princes, and it leans against the foot of Mount Goizha, which rises to its west. At around 850 metres of altitude, its summers are noticeably cooler than those of Baghdad or Basra. Two buildings define the city and they stand in opposition to each other: Amna Suraka, the Ba'ath era security headquarters, is now a museum, and beside it sits the Slemani Museum, which holds the richest archaeological collection in the region.
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See flights to Sulaymaniyah →When to visit Sulaymaniyah
April to May and September to October are the most balanced windows, with green countryside and daytime highs between 20C and 28C. July and August bring days above 40C in the shade. Snow falls between December and February and the mountain roads around the city can close.
Things to do in Sulaymaniyah
Amna Suraka
The red painted Ba'ath era security headquarters was turned into a museum without patching over the bullet holes. The tanks in the courtyard and the hall of mirrors along the corridors form the permanent exhibition on recent Kurdish history.
Slemani Museum
Opened in 1961, this is Iraq's largest archaeological collection after Baghdad's. The display runs from Palaeolithic finds to cuneiform tablets and Assyrian reliefs, gathering thousands of years of the region's layers under one roof.
Mount Goizha
The ridge northeast of the city reaches about 1,900 metres and a paved road climbs to the viewpoint over town. Its walking trails fill with wildflowers in spring, and in the evening the whole grid of city lights is visible from the top.
Azadi Park
The largest green space in the centre, with rows of plane trees and an artificial pond, is where the evening walk collects. The tea gardens inside fill with families at weekends and entry is free.
Sulaymaniyah Grand Bazaar
The covered bazaar has stood on the same ground since the city was founded, its lanes divided between spice sellers, goldsmiths and tailors. Kurdish dress and hand woven kilims are sold here, and tea stalls sit inside the arcades.
Lake Dukan
The reservoir on the Little Zab lies about 60 kilometres northwest of the city and is the largest lake in Iraq. Picnic grounds and boat jetties line the shore beneath the mountains, and it is where people go to cool off in summer.
Flights from Turkey to Sulaymaniyah
A direct flight from Istanbul to Sulaymaniyah takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. Turkish Airlines flies from Istanbul Airport while Pegasus and AJet operate from Sabiha Gokcen, with weekly frequencies varying by season.
Sulaymaniyah FAQ
How many days do you need in Sulaymaniyah?
Two days cover the centre, the museums and the bazaar. Adding Lake Dukan and the mountain valleys around the city makes three or four days a comfortable pace.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Sulaymaniyah International Airport is about 14 kilometres from the centre. The taxi ride takes around 25 minutes.
Do you need a visa for Sulaymaniyah?
Entry rules for the Kurdistan Region are handled separately from the rest of Iraq and they can change. Check the current guidance from your foreign ministry and the practice at the airport before booking.
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