Visiting the Historical City of Akre - Republic of Iraq - Kurdistan Region
Posted: May 26, 2025 | Tagged: Kurdistan
Akre is a cute little historic town, 100km from Duhok. The city dates back to the 7th century B.C. and is said to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Most people visit Akre on a day trip from either Duhok or Erbil. While this is certainly feasible, with a fellow English traveller, we headed there intending to spend at least one night, which would save us backtracking. Always moving forward was the name of the game.
We got dropped at the Laween Hotel (what a dump), met an Aussie guy who was born in Akre and was on a 4-week visit to see family, who treated us to breakfast at the restaurant next door and then drove us to the Old Town. Yes, the Kurds are very hospitable.
Here are some of the photos from Akre (it certainly is a great spot!):
Here are some of the photos from Akre (it certainly is a great spot!):
Photos of the Grand Mosque in Akre, Kurdistan. Some are from the Meer Rest Cafe and some are from the Palav Rest & Cafe, 2 great little cafes to sit at, with a tea in hand and admire the view:
Bit of a quirky find as we wandered the old streets, the House of Colours:
And the Colour Wall:
After a single night in Akre, we continued to Soran.
Getting to Akre from Duhok
Shared taxis leave from the shared taxi rank in Duhok. The chances of you finding anyone to share the ride with are slim. This is the reality of travelling in Kurdistan.
The unbusy shared taxi rank in Duhok:
The unbusy shared taxi rank in Duhok:
Accommodation in Akre
There is very little choice in Akre. There are a few homestays located within the old town, but you most likely need to go through the agency, which is near the Grand Mosque. For regular hotels, there is just 1 on the main drag, more than 5km from the old town: Hotel Laween. Musty, soulless rooms cost 30,000 IQD. No breakfast, no drinking water and no smiles from the indifferent guys at the reception. Hot water shower and Wi-Fi.
