Is Iraq Safe To Travel?

I just came back from Iraqi Kurdistan, staying most of my time in Erbil, a city very close to Mosul, which was Isis Headquarter until few years ago…

On top of Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan at the Citadel

Is it safe to travel to Iraq?

This is the $1,000,000 question that any adventurous traveler wonders at least once in his or her’s life. The answer is: ”it depends”.

For a long time Iraq has had an negative reputation in the media and around the World for its safety issues.

The thread of ISIS

Starting with the Iraq-Iran war in 1980, to the Saddam Hussein Gulf conflict (where Saddam Hussein gassed 5,000 Kurds in Halabja etc.) and then the current civil war now after the USA invasion, where the bloodthirsty Islamic State appeared in the country..

I admit it, it doesn’t sound as the best travel destination! But the reality is different.

I stayed most of my time in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. Erbil is the most modern place in the region, guarded by the legendary Peshmerga. Therefore from a safety point of view, the entire region can be classified as relatively safe.

If you take a look at the maps below, you will see the evolution of the ISIS territory.

As you can see, from 2014 to 2017, ISIS was, basically, bordering Iraqi Kurdistan.

In July 2017, the Iraqi forces took Mosul back, so the region got safer than ever.

Isis Map period 2014-2017
Isis Map 2018 – Is Erbil Safe?

Loads of checkpoints

There are loads of checkpoints across all cities and roads, where they will ask for your passport and, occasionally, they will even check the car.

As a Western foreigner, I didn’t have any troubles, but once I was traveling by taxi with an Arab man, and the Peshmergas (Kurdish soldiers) took my driver out for 10 minutes at least. They found him suspicious in their eyes. They basically question everything here, which is a good thing to prevent terrorist attacks.

Doing a travel speech in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq

Is Kurdistan safe? What is it like to travel there?

When I went walking to Erbil’s citadel, I couldn’t believe what my eyes saw: Kids playing football in the streets, nice cafés and terraces and everybody seemed to have a happy, normal life.

Didn’t see any tourists though on my 10 km solo walk around the city, but I was quite shocked when I saw a local Kurdish guy with a beer in his hand. I would personally never drink in the streets in a muslim country, as I respect the country’s rules as a guest, but this little episode showed me that Kurdistan is one of the most liberal and open-minded parts of the Middle East, that follows a similar lifestyle to Lebanon.

The mountains here reminded me a bit of my second home, The Faroe Islands. Stunning nature!

The airport security is extreme

I had never before seen such a degree of airport security. Only Israel comes close!

From the moment I left the city until the moment I boarded the plane, I passed through over 10 different checkpoints. I had to get out at three checkpoints and they checked everything inside the car with police dogs and with all the guys armed.

Cars and buses couldn’t go to the departure or arrival terminal, so I had to walk the last part myself.

With a Kurdish man who fought ISIS close to Mosul two years ago

Should you visit Iraqi Kurdistan?

Even if you go with a friend or you go solo like me, you should! Yes, there’s a risk involved when you’re going to a country like Iraq, but there’s a risk anywhere in the World! And the risk here in Kurdistan is very low.

With a huge touristic potential, impressive landscapes, a deep history, and some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever find, Kurdistan is a must-visit destination. Just go!

Kunafa, the best dessert ever!

– Gustav

gus1thego.com

Travel Pictures Of Gustav

Here are some random pictures from all over the world. One from each country/territory. I will add more here and there from new travels and adventures, so check back every now and then. Enjoy!

Albania

Tirana Square, Tirana, Albania 2016

Algeria

Algeria Algiers Gus1thego
Salaam alaikum! A gift from my Algerian host, Algiers, Algeria. 2018

Andorra

In the tiny capital Andorra La Vella, Andorra 2016

Argentina

With Argentinian legend Diego Maradona in Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2015

Armenia

Yerevan Armenia Gus1thego
In front of the big blue kiwi in Yerevan, Armenia. 2017

Australia

Inside “The G” or Melbourne Cricket Ground Stadium, which hosts +100,000 people, Melbourne, Australia. 2015

Austria

Schönbrunn Castle, Vienna, Austria 2017

Azerbaidjan

Baku Azerbaidjan Gus1thego
Hand gestures in “the architectural love child of Paris and Dubai city,” Baku, Azerbaidjan. 2017

Bahrain

The Tea Club with family of the Bahrainian King, Manama, Bahrain. 2017

Belarus

Brest Fortress Belarus Gus1thego
At the Brest Hero Fortress, a WWII memorial, in the south of Belarus. 2017

Belgium

The beautiful La Grand Place City Square in Brussels, Belgium, 2017

Belize

Caye Caulker Belize Gus1thego
Denmark heavily represented in Caye Caulker island, Belize. 2019

Brazil

Sitting at the world-famous steps ‘Selaron Steps’ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 2016

Bulgaria

Climbing ‘The 7 Rila Lakes’ in the Rila Mountains, Bulgaria. 2018

Burkina Faso

In a village where people and crocodiles have lived together for 300 years in Burkina Faso. Surreal! 2019

Burma / Myanmar

Chilling with the buddies in Yangon, Burma. 2018

China

Beautiful sunny day at the Mutianyu section, Great Wall of China, Beijing, China 2019

Croatia

Dubrovnik Croatia Gus1thego
INSTA-SHOT 😝 Much fun walking the walls in Dubrovnik, Croatia. 2017

Cyprus

Week in Cyprus and here in party area Ayia Napa. 2016

Czech Republic

Prague Charles Bridge Czech Republic Gus1thego
Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic. 2018

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Hiking around small mountain villages on the border of Congo/Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC.) 2014

Egypt

Visiting the Giza Piramids, Egypt. 2013

Eswatini

Ezulwini Valley, in the northwest of the former Swaziland, Eswatini. 2018

Ethiopia

With Abushe, the African boy with the blue eyes, Jinka, Ethiopia. 2018

Faroe Islands

In the country I went to 13 times, and also where my roots are from, the Faroe Islands. Visiting the island where my grandfather was born, Sandoy, Faroe Islands. 2015

Finland

Helsinki Finland Gus1thego
Uspenski Cathedral on a cold Winter day in Helsinki, Finland. 2016

Gambia

In Bijiro Nationalpark, The Gambia

Georgia

With a police officer at a street event in Tbilisi, Georgia. 2017

Ghana

In the streets of Accra, Ghana. 2019

Gibraltar

Gibraltar Gus1thego
Two homies flexing on the way to the top of Rock of Gibraltar, Gibraltar. 2018

Greece

Naxos Greece Gus1thego
Nothing beats a greek street, Naxos, Greece. 2018

Guernsey

Hitchhiking my way around the small island and British Crown Dependency, Guernsey. 2019

Guinea

Completely in dust after my most scary border crossing from Guinea-Bissau to Guinea, Labe, Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

In the slums of Bissau, Guinea-Bissau

Honduras

Honduras San Pedro Sula Gus1thego
In front of a Honduran flag in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. 2019

Hong Kong

On top of Victoria Peak Hill in Hong Kong. 2015

India

Varanasi India Gus1thego
With a ‘sadhu’ in one of the oldest still inhabited cities in the World, Varanasi, India. 2019

Iran

Varzaneh Desert Iran Gus1thego
In the soft sand dunes in Varzaneh Desert, Iran. 2018

Iraq

With a Kurdish man who fought ISIS, near Mosul, few hours from the Citadel of Arbil, Erbil, Iraq. 2019

Ivory Coast

 

Japan

Japan Tokyo Gus1thego
The fascinating Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. 2018

Jordan

Protecting Petra in Jordan. 2016

Kazakhstan

Almaty Kazakhstan Gus1thego
In front of the Giant Squirrel in Almaty, Kazakhstan. 2018

Kenya

Eating local food with my Kenyan friend John Kennedy in Nairobi, Kenya. 2015

Kuwait

Kuwait Kuwait City Gus1TheGo
Having tea inside a $8 million house in Kuwait City, Kuwait. 2017

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Issyk-Kul Gus1thego
In the Kyrgiz mountains in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. 2018

Laos

Luang Prabang, Laos
WIth buddhist kids (monks) in Luang Prabang, Laos. 2018

Latvia

Walking around the streets of Riga, Latvia. 2017

Lithuania

In Pylimo Street 66, Vilnius, Lithuania. 2017

Luxembourg

Luxembourg MClub Gus1thego
Having a Coca-Cola in 2015 at the fancy MClub in low-tax, Luxembourg. You see me or not? 😉

Macedonia

Skopje Macedonia Lion Gus1thego
The Macedonian Lion, Skopje, Macedonia. 2017

Maldives

Learning how to Scuba Dive in Rashdoo Islands, Maldives. 2015

Monaco

Monaco Supercars Gus1thego
Supercars outside of Hotel de Paris, Monte-Carlo, Monaco. 2017

Mozambique

Maputo Mozambique Gus1thego
Mozambican specialities, Maputo, Mozambique. 2018

Myanmar

Bagan Myanmar Gus1thego
Driving around on my e-bike in the city of temples, Bagan, Myanmar. 2018

Nepal

Pokhara Nepal Gus1thego
At the World Peace Pagoda, Pokhara, Nepal. 2019

Netherlands

Amsterdam Netherlands Gus1thego
Biking around one of the greatest European cities, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 2015

New Zealand

Blending perfectly in in Hobbitton, New Zealand. 2015

North Korea

Visiting North Korea for 4,5 days in 2019

Oman

Oman Gus1thego
Somewhere close to Al Khasab, Oman. 2013

Paraguay

Outside of Shopping Del Este Shopping Mall, Paraguay. 2016

Quebec

Quebec was so close as it can get it to be its own independent country, and will maybe be in the future. Quebec City. 2019

Russia

Moscow Russia Gus1thego
At the Red Square and with Saint Basil’s Cathedral shining bright in the background, Moscow, Russia. 2018

Sri Lanka

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka. 2016

South Korea

Seoul South Korea Gus1thego
In my Korean ‘Hanbok’ in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea. 2018

Spain

Real Madrid Spain Gus1thego
Inside the dressing room of Real Madrid, my favourite football team since I was 5 years old, Madrid, Spain. 2017

Sweden

Skåne Sweden Gus1thego
A great week in one of my most visited countries. Here in Örkeljunga, Skåne Region, Sweden. 2018

Tajikistan

Iskanderkul Tajikistan Gus1thego
Pretending to work at Lake Iskanderkul, Iskanderkul, Tajikistan 😝 2018

Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania
One of my greatest accomplishments! On top of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, by the age of 22 years old, Tanzania. 2015

Thailand

Spending all my money with my mate for a night in the suite from ‘Hangover 2,’ in Lebua State Tower, Bangkok, Thailand. 2012

Uganda

In top 3 of my BEST experiences ever! In the rainforest with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi, Uganda. 2014

United Arab Emirates

Dubai UAE Gus1thego
At the public beach next to Burj Al Arab with +50°C in August, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 2018

Uzbekistan

Gustav Rosted in Uzbekistan
With the Uzbeki gang at the Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan 👐 2018

Wales

Wales Portmeirion Gus1thego
In Northern Wales and the little village Portmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales. 2016

Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls ZImbabwe Gus1thego
Before taking a helicopter tour over the spectacular waterfalls in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. 2015

 

 

 

 

 

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