Major city · Iraq
Lalish
Half a day from Duhok or Erbil: see the Yazidi holy site, walk barefoot through the temples, then return. No overnight needed unless you want the festival.
Lalish is the spiritual centre of the Yazidi faith, a valley of conical stone temples and shrines set in the hills of Iraqi Kurdistan. The main sight is the Tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, but the whole site is a living religious complex. Most visitors come for a few hours from Duhok (1 hour, IQD 40,000 return taxi) or Erbil (2 hours). The September Feast of the Assembly draws thousands of pilgrims.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IQD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold and muddy)
- Airports
- EBL · OSM
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Iraq before a…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Iraq ↗Check your own government travel advice for Iraq before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Iraq ↗Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region run separate entry rules; check both if relevant.
- Iraq ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Iraq before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Lalish104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lalish, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cash in dinars and US dollars covers almost everything: see Insurance & payments above.Iraq-wide
- SafetyLalish itself is safe for visitors, but the surrounding Nineveh Plains have a checkered security history.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 122 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckEBL Erbil International Airport (About 2 hours by taxi; check road conditions before travel.).
- Getting aroundLalish is compact and walkable.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EBL Erbil International Airport (About 2 hours by taxi; check road conditions before travel.) · OSM Mosul International Airport (About 1.5 hours, but security situation may vary; check current advice.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Aug
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Mar (11 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lalish: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Jul
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Aug
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Lalish is compact and walkable. You must remove your shoes before entering the temple area. A local guide can show you the underground chambers and explain the rituals.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Duhok
goDoor to door: 1 hour
Taxi, about 1 hour
Base for Lalish; also see the Duhok Dam and bazaar.
Alqosh
goDoor to door: 1.5 hours
Taxi via Duhok, about 1.5 hours
Visit the Rabban Hormizd Monastery and the town.
Halabja
cautionDoor to door: 3 hours
Taxi via Erbil, about 3 hours
A full day; check road conditions.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Duhok
The nearest city with hotels; 1 hour by taxi. Best base for a day trip.
Erbil
More accommodation options; 2 hours by taxi. Combine with other sights in Iraqi Kurdistan.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Day trip from Duhok
- IQD 40,000 (return taxi) + meals
Watch out
Safety
- Shoes off before entering the temple complex; socks are fine.
- Photography restrictions inside some shrines: ask permission.
- The Feast of the Assembly (September) is crowded; book transport and accommodation in advance.
- Check the security situation in Nineveh Governorate before travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Ambulance
- 122
Pocket card
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LalishLalish
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
بۆ لالش، تکایەTo Lalish, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Ambulance122
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Duhok → Lalish return: IQD 40,000, about 1 hour each way (check)
- Taxi Erbil → Lalish return: IQD 80,000–100,000, about 2 hours each way (check)
Say or show
- سڵاو — Hello (sllaw)
- سوپاس — Thank you (supas)
- ئەوەندە چەندە؟ — How much? (awanda chanda?)
- پەرستگا لە کوێیە؟ — Where is the temple? (parastga la kuyya?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lalish. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold and muddy)
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Lalish
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