'''Dahuk''' (also spelled ''Duhok'' or ''Dohuk'') is a city in Iraq.

Get in

Coming from Zakho near the Turkish border, buses and taxis run regularly and cost no more than 10 US dollars. Remember that soldiers are stationed every few km on most roads and every village, town and city has checkpoints going in and out. As a foreigner, you almost certainly will be questioned, but given the trouble in the rest of Iraq, this is a routine yet very necessary precaution.

Get around

Taxis within Dohuk should cost around 3,000 Dinar. Public transportation can be found on and off the main street at the bus station and nearby taxi stands. Buses stop in front of hotel "Baghdad".

See

Dohuk offers few touristic sights. There is an ancient mosque in the center of bazaar and a folklore museum, located near hotel Bircin.

Spectacular waterfalls and ruins of a Zoroastian temple are located north of the town (c. 20 minutes walk).

Do

Eat

  • tens of small restaurants in the bazaar area
  • Sadeer Restaurant - apparently popular among local population (c. 6,000 dinars for a dinner).
  • Duhok Paradise - located near the waterfalls, packed with tourists coming from Baghdad or Basra (c. 12,000 dinars for a dinner)
  • Drink

    You can get the best kinds of beers and spirits from around the world.

    Stay safe

    Since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, Dohuk is one of the few places that remains safe for foreign visitors. Iraqi Kurdistan, except Mosul and Kirkuk, is safe to go to. As a foreigner, you can walk the streets safely. Although some may stare, their stares are those of confusion as Iraq is the last place most tourists go and as the Kurdish north was isolated for so long, there never was any history of tourism.

    Westerners can walk and talk freely although it is possible the police or military may question you and ask for identification. Unlike other countries, this isn't a scam and they don't want money. Given the violence in the rest of the country, all non-Kurds are distrusted and checked. Don't take it personally. The stares are from the past, people of Dahuk are well used to foreigners so don't worry about it; in fact there are some westerners who live there like retired Americans or those who work for goverment.

    Get out

    Regular taxis go when full to Arbil which is around 3 hours and cost 20 USD for a taxi with 4 people.

    Sleep

    Hotel "Bircin" - located in the city center, clean and modern, $40 for a double (incl. breakfast)