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Voykit pocket guide · Iraq
Alqosh
Half a day is enough: see the monastery, the church and the tomb, then return to Duhok or Erbil. One night if you want to hike to Halamata Cave.
Alqosh is an Assyrian Christian town in the Nineveh Plains, controlled by Iraqi Kurdistan. Its main draws are the 7th-century Rabban Hormizd Monastery, the 1906 St. George's Church and the Tomb of the Prophet Nahum. The town is small and the sights take 3–4 hours. Most visitors come as a day trip from Duhok (40–60 min) or Erbil (1.5 h).
- Country
- Iraq
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (very hot), Dec–Feb (cold, possible rain)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IQD
- Money
- Cash in dinars and US dollars covers almost everything: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget IQD 30,000–50,000 excl. bed · Mid IQD 50,000–80,000 excl. bed · High IQD 80,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police (Iraqi Kurdistan) 104 · Ambulance 122
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taxi Duhok–Alqosh (one way) | IQD 20,000–30,000 |
| Taxi Erbil–Alqosh (one way) | IQD 50,000–70,000 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | IQD 5,000–10,000 |
| Bottle of water | IQD 500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- EBL · Erbil International Airport
- About 1.5 h by taxi; check road conditions and checkpoints.
- OSM · Mosul International Airport
- Check security situation before using; not recommended for most travellers.
Typical fares
- Taxi Duhok–Alqosh (one way)
- IQD 20,000–30,000 (check)
- Taxi Erbil–Alqosh (one way)
- IQD 50,000–70,000 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Alqosh is walkable. For the monastery (2 km (1.2 mi) north-east), take a taxi or hike. Taxis from Duhok or Erbil can wait and take you back.Alqosh is walkable. For the monastery (1.2 mi (2 km) north-east), take a taxi or hike. Taxis from Duhok or Erbil can wait and take you back.
See and do
Known for
- Rabban Hormizd Monastery
- St. George's Chaldean Catholic Church
- Tomb of the Prophet Nahum
- Assyrian heritage
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rabban Hormizd Monastery | Taxi or 30-min walk from Alqosh centre | 30 min |
| Halamata Cave | Taxi to Qasara, then hike up Zakho mountain | About 1 h from Alqosh |
| Lalish | Taxi via Duhok, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Erbil | Taxi, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
Sleep
- Alqosh town centre
- A few guesthouses; basic but convenient for the sights.
- Duhok
- 40–60 min by taxi; more accommodation options and restaurants.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Slawslaaw |
| Thank you | Baseemaba-see-ma |
| How much? | Kamay?ka-may |
| Yes / No | He / Lahe / la |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Military checkpoints on the road from Duhok and Mosul; carry your passport and visa.
- The monastery guard may close for lunch: aim for mid-morning or after 14:00.
- Tomb of Nahum opening hours are unclear; ask locally.
- No ATMs in Alqosh; bring enough Iraqi dinars or US dollars.
Alqosh is in a contested area but controlled by Iraqi Kurdistan, which is generally safer than the rest of Iraq. Checkpoints are routine; keep your documents ready. The main risks are landmines in unmarked areas and the security situation near Mosul.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Alqosh yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Rabban Hormizd Monastery
- St. George's Chaldean Catholic Church
- Tomb of the Prophet Nahum
- Assyrian heritage
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Alqosh, revision 4785566 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4785566
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/alqosh). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.