Erbil Citadel قلعة أربيل
The great inhabited mound at the centre of Erbil, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The great mound at the centre of Erbil, with views over the modern city. Listed by UNESCO in 2014.
The citadel stands on a mound about 30 metres high, built up by thousands of years of settlement. Erbil, ancient Arbela, appears in Assyrian records, and the citadel is often described as one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world.
Its ring of 19th- and 20th-century house fronts forms the outer wall. Inside, restored houses, the Kurdish Textile Museum, a hammam and lanes being restored after the residents moved out in 2007 tell the story of the city. It was listed by UNESCO in 2014. The views over the modern city and the Qaysari Bazaar below are best at sunset.
Visit with our tour: Historical & Cultural Tour of Iraq →
Questions & answers
Where is Erbil Citadel?
Erbil Citadel is in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The map on this page shows its location.
How can I visit Erbil Citadel?
Erbil Citadel is included in our Historical & Cultural Tour of Iraq tour (10 days / 9 nights). You can book it on WhatsApp, and we arrange the guide, transport and any permissions.