How to visit Akre in 2025

Alexander
May 17, 2025
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How to Visit Akre in 2025 – Kurdistan’s Most Beautiful Mountain Town

Akre is probably not the most famous destination in Kurdistan but definitely worth a visit. During my two weeks of travelling, Akre almost felt like the most authentic town I encountered: The simple Kurdish life outside the noise of modern citties. If you’re into history, Akre’s centuries-old stone architecture and its former role in regional trade are reason enough to stop by. And if you time your visit around Newroz, the Kurdish New Year, you’ll witness one of the most stunning cultural celebrations in the Middle East.

Travelling through Iraqi Kurdistan? Check out:

Iraqi Kurdistan – A Travel Guide

📜 Quick History of Akre

Akre is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in Iraqi Kurdistan, with roots that stretch back over 2,500 years. Its strategic location in a valley between steep cliffs made it an important settlement throughout the ages—first for the Assyrians, later under various empires including the Medes, Persians, Ottomans, and more recently, the Kurdish principalities. You see, Akre has seen quite some things over the years.

Historically, Akre was a vibrant trade hub connecting Mesopotamia with the mountainous regions to the north. And despite its rich history, Akre hasn’t been overly commercialized or restored for tourism, which is part of its charm.

🚕 How to get to Akre

Getting to Akre is a pain in the ass and will take quite some time.

Getting to Akre from Soran: This is where I came from. I went to the local Garage in Soran early morning and found a Driver going there right away. I thought I got lucky but I had to wait two full hours until we found one more passenger and the driver started the car – probably out of pity. I paid 10.000 IQD for the ride and would have probably been a lot faster by hitchhiking.

Getting to Akre from Erbil: A friend I made along the way made the trip from Erbil and had a similar experience. She waited around 90 minutes until the taxi filled up and departed. The journey took about 1.5 hours and also cost 10,000 IQD.

Ironically, leaving Akre was much easier. In the evening, we both managed to find shared taxis within just 10 minutes. It really depends on your luck I guess.

💡 The taxi will drop you off in a roundabout between old Akre and new Akre, no matter where you come from. This is where the taxis also depart again. I marked the loaction here

🕌 What to do in Akre

Before I start with this section let me give you a quick overview about the town’s layout. Akre is essentially split into two parts—the old town and the new town.

In the new town, you’ll find Akre’s castle, most of the hotels, and a more modern atmosphere with wider streets and newer buildings.

The old town, on the other hand, offers a much more historic vibe. This is where Akre really shines, with centuries-old stone houses, narrow alleyways, and the Great Mosque of Akre, which is believed to be the oldest mosque in all of Kurdistan.

But let me break down the few highlights:

The Great Mosque Of Akre

One of the most historically significant landmarks in Akre is its Great Mosque, considered by many to be the oldest mosque in all of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Visitors are welcome, but keep in mind that this is an active place of worship. Dress modestly, and avoid visiting during prayer times unless invited.

Wander Around The Old Town

Wait, your highlight of Akre is just walking around? Well… bare with me for a moment here.

Akre’s old town feels like a different world. Compared to modern cities, this part of Akre is untouched by time. Almost every stone, wall, and alley looks like it’s been there for centuries. And I would not be surprised if they actually were. The narrow, winding streets, the aged stone houses, and the panoramic views over the town create an atmosphere that’s hard to describe unless you’ve walked through it yourself.

And because the entire town is so old, you’ll constantly stumble across unexpected pieces of history. In Western Europe, some of these places would probably be fenced off, plaque-covered, and under strict historical protection. But here, they’re just part of daily life.

If you’re someone who enjoys soaking in authenticity and discovering hidden corners, the old town of Akre is one of the most rewarding places in all of Kurdistan.

Akre’s Castle (Or At Least A Good View)

This site is located in New Akre. And while Akre isn’t a particularly large town, the old and new sections are surprisingly far apart. Walking would take up to an hour, so I’d recommend either taking a Taxi or take this as a chance to wander a bite more through town.

The castle today is just a ruin, but you’ll get an amazing scenery in from here. (Sorry if that disappointed you) It’s especially beautiful in the late afternoon as the sun starts to dip.

Some More Points Of Interests In Akre:

Akre’s Bazar, located right next to the Great Mosque
Akre’s official View Point located here
Meer Rest Cafe, a slightly more expensive Resteraunt which you should mainly come to for the views
The colored Walls and Wallpaintings you can find around the old town
Akre’s old fort

🔥 Newroz in Akre

If there’s one time of year when Akre truly comes alive, it’s during Newroz, the Kurdish New Year, celebrated around March 21st, marking the arrival of spring.

And among all of Kurdistan, Akre is the place to experience it.

The town is famous across the region for its unique Newroz celebrations. In the days leading up to it, Akre starts to fill with families, youth groups, and travelers from all over Iraqi Kurdistan—and even from the Kurdish diaspora abroad. Everyone is here for one reason: to walk up the mountain with torches in hand, forming a glowing line of fire zigzagging its way into the night sky. It’s not just beautiful—it symbolizes light triumphing over darkness and has come to represent both cultural pride and the ongoing struggle for freedom and dignity.

During the day, the town turns into one big celebration. People dress in traditional Kurdish clothes, music echoes through the streets, picnics are set up on the hills, and kids run around waving flags and wearing flower crowns. Expect a lot of dancing, a lot of tea, and a warm, joyful atmosphere that’s hard to put into words.

💡 Newroz usually takes place on March 21st, but also on the 19th and 20th. Look up the exact date before going.

🛏️ How long to stay in Akre

While in my personal opinion one day is enough to get a solid impression of Akre. You can explore both, the old and new town, wander the alleys, take in the views, and even hike a bit around the surrounding hills. That said, I’ve met other travelers who ended up staying for several nights—not necessarily for any specific attractions, but simply to soak up the calm, authentic vibe of the town. If you’re someone who enjoys slow travel, scenic hikes, or chatting with locals over endless cups of tea, you might find yourself wanting to stick around too.

As far as I know there aren’t that many Guesthouses or Hotels in Akre. But with Couchsurfing or by just asking around in town, you’ll likely find something without too much hassle. Kurdish hospitality goes a long way.

A save bet though is the Lareem Hotel, located in new Akre. It’s 25.000 IQD a night and located here.