Arbil: Citadel, City History and Shaqlawa

Arbil offers a range of reasons to visit: in the city of Erbil, the Citadel represents a long history of settlement, while in Shaqlawa valleys, forests and gardens shape the landscape. Which holiday rental suits your plans also depends on whether you want to focus on urban history or on the landscape around Shaqlawa.

The Erbil Citadel: Urban Form and History

The Erbil Citadel is a fortified settlement on a distinctive, egg-shaped archaeological settlement mound in Erbil Governorate in the Kurdistan Region. Erbil corresponds to ancient Arbela, an important Assyrian political and religious centre. Archaeological finds and investigations suggest that the mound contains layers and remains of earlier settlements.

The Citadel’s shape also tells the story of its development: its fan-shaped layout dates from Erbil’s late Ottoman period. The mound’s artificial topography shaped the settlement pattern; in the Ottoman urban fabric, lanes and cul-de-sacs radiating from the Grand Gate can be seen. A continuous row of tall 19th-century façades gives the impression of an impregnable fortress and defines Erbil’s skyline. Together, the mound, layout and façades form a cityscape whose historical significance extends beyond a single building.

The Bazaar and Parks as Other City Highlights

Erbil’s Qaysari Bazaar is home to the historic Mam Khalil Teahouse. It adds another historic feature to the cityscape alongside the Citadel. Shanidar Park offers a different blend of culture and landscape: it is on Halabja Street in central Erbil, opposite Minara Park and near the regional Central Bank. The park has numerous waterfalls and streams, and its architecture is considered remarkable. The Shanidar Gallery in the park features a permanent exhibition of decorative art.

The Zaitun Library is also a cultural landmark in Erbil. It is located in Sami Abdul Rahman Park. When it reopened in November 2025, the Zaitun Library held more than 300,000 books in Kurdish and other languages, as well as newspapers and magazines.

Shaqlawa: Valley, Forests and Gardens

Shaqlawa lies on the slopes of Sefin Mountain in a large valley with dense forests and gardens. It is considered an important tourist town in Iraqi Kurdistan and attracts visitors from Iraq and the region, as well as some from the Gulf states. Shaqlawa is described as having moderate temperatures; winters are very cold and bring plenty of rain and snow. In Shaqlawa, the landscape and the character of the seasons take centre stage, while in Erbil the Citadel, bazaar and city parks offer a different focus.

Shaqlawa is 50 km from the city of Erbil. This distance can help you choose a holiday destination that matches your interests: if your plans centre on the historic city and its cultural highlights, consider looking for a holiday rental in Arbil; if you want to focus mainly on Shaqlawa’s valley, forests and gardens, you can make the town your main destination.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Baghdad, Arbela, Al-Karbala, Najaf, Kurdistan Region.

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