Travel Warning WARNING: Travel to Iraq is unsafe and should be avoided. See the warning on the Iraq article for more information.
Government travel advisories
(Information last updated 16 Jun 2023)

Kirkuk (Kurdish: کەرکووک, Arabic: كوكوك, Turkish: Kerkük) is a city in Northwestern Iraq also known as Kurdistan. Its population is ethnically mixed, and it is under the control of the Iraqi government.

Get in

Kirkuk Airport, Erbil-Kirkuk road and Baghdad-Kirkuk road.

Map of Kirkuk

Get around

See

  • 🌍 Kirkuk Citadel (قلعة كركوك, Qal’at Karkuk). Dating back to 858 BCE, this citadel stands on an artificial mound, 40 metres high, on a plateau across the Khasa River. Several hundred families still live in the citadel.
  • 🌍 Tomb of Prophet Daniel. One of many traditional burial places for Prophet Daniel, inside the citadel.
  • 🌍 Qishla of Kirkuk (قشلة كركوك). This qishla, meaning barracks in Turkish, was built in 1863 to be the headquarters of the Ottoman army in Kirkuk. It is in disrepair.
  • 🌍 Eternal fire of Baba Gurgur. More than 4,000 years old.
  • Pirehmerd market (Bazari Pirehmerd).
  • Mall of Kirkuk Mall of Kirkuk. First shopping mall in Kirkuk.

Do

Buy

Eat

  • Today Rest & Cafe, Baghdad Road. Typical Iraqi fare and traditional tea (sweet). Daily 10:00-23:00. +964 770 347 4444
  • Spicy Rest, Baghdad Road. Fast food and traditional Iraqi cuisine, nice spot has a nice terrace which looks onto Baghdad Road

Drink

Sleep

  • Kirkuk Plaza Hotel, Baghdad Road. This one, rising like a sheet of glass off the desert floor. +964 773 088 0044
  • Altun Saray Hotel Altun Saray Hotel Tisin, next to the Turkish visa appiclation center.

Stay safe

The bombings and attacks have stopped since 2023, but still exercise precaution.

Travel Warning WARNING: LGBT Travelers: Militias have targeted the LGBT community in Kirkuk. Local police will not help you if you feel threatened for being gay.
(Information last updated 04 Feb 2019)

Go next

The archaeological sites of Qal'at Jarmo and Yorgan Tepe are found at the outskirts of the modern city.

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