Kirkuk
Iraq · Asia
About Kirkuk
Kirkuk is a major city in northern Iraq, serving as the capital of the Kirkuk Governorate. The city is home to a diverse population of Kurds, Iraqi Turkmens and Arabs. Kirkuk sits on the ruins of the original Kirkuk Citadel which sits near the Khasa River.
Due to its diverse population, shaped by various forms of demographic engineering such as Arabization, the status of Kirkuk is highly contested and has led to recurring disputes. Jalal Talabani described Kirkuk as "the Jerusalem of Kurdistan," emphasizing its central symbolic and political importance to Kurds, while the government of Iraq has instead portrayed the city as a "small version of Iraq," presenting it as a model for coexistence among the country’s diverse communities. Turkmen, meanwhile, regard Kirkuk as a historic city of theirs. Following the adoption of the 2005 Iraqi Constitution, Kirkuk was designated a disputed territory under Article 140, requiring normalization of demographics, a census, and a referendum to decide whether it belongs to the Kurdistan Region (KRI) or remains under Iraqi authority. Intended to be completed by 2007, the process remains unresolved, leaving the city's status in limbo.
Kirkuk travel guide
Getting there
By plane Kirkuk has its own airport served by a limited number of domestic and international routes within the Middle East. Many visitors also use the major airport in Baghdad.
1 Kirkuk International Airport. (updated Jan 2024)
By bus There are plenty us buses departing daily from Baghdad as well as most other cities in Iraq. International long distance services are available from cities in Southeastern Turkey and limited services from Istanbul and Ankara. Journey times are grueling, even if most routes have decent amenities.
By car Highway 2 connects Kirkuk with Baghdad, Erbil, Mosul all the way up to the Turkish border. Checkpoints are quite common along parts of the road, increasing travel time massively.
By train The Iraqi government has announced the restoration of passenger services between Baghdad and Kirkuk. However delays in infrastructure projects is the norm in Iraq so while trains might return to Kirkuk in 2025-26, don't count on it.
Getting around
It may be best to contact a local to help you get around. You can also go to tourism offices for advice but there aren't a lot of them here due to the small amount of tourism in this city.
See
1 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. (updated Dec 2018) 2 Mosque and Tomb of the Prophet Daniel (جامع النبي دانيال) (Inside the citadel). One of many traditional burial places for Prophet Daniel as well as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The site is visited by both Muslim and Christian worshipers and revered by Iraqi Jews as well. (updated Apr 2024) 3 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. (updated Dec 2018) 4 Eternal fire of Baba Gurgur. More than 4,000 years old. (updated Dec 2018) Pirehmerd market (Bazari Pirehmerd). (updated Dec 2018)
Do
Visit many of its historical and modern attractions modern attractions may include places like smileland amusement park (also has a place in Mall of Kirkuk)and baba gurgur amusement Park (it has two areas one near smileland and the other north)
Buy
1 Qaysareyah Market. One of the oldest still standing bazaars in Kirkuk, dating back to 1855. Filled with small shops selling jewelry, textils and much more. (updated Jan 2024) 2 Mall of Kirkuk. Largest shopping mall in Kirkuk. (updated Jan 2024)
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
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.
Go next
The archaeological sites of Qal'at Jarmo and Yorgan Tepe are found at the outskirts of the modern city.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.