Major city · Iraq
Sinjarشنگال
Sinjar is a half-day stop for the Yazidi memorial and Chermera temple, not a base. One night if you want to hike Mount Sinjar at dawn.
Sinjar (Shingal) sits at the foot of Mount Sinjar, sacred to the Yazidi faith. The town was devastated by ISIL in 2014 and is slowly rebuilding. Most visitors come for the Yazidi Genocide Memorial (opened 2023) and the Chermera temple on the mountain peak. Security remains the main concern: check your government's travel advice before planning a trip.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IQD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold on the mountain)
- Airports
- EBL · OSM
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Sinjar104 ▾
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 Sinjar, 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
- SafetySinjar is in a region with a volatile security situation.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 115 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEBL Erbil International Airport (About 2 h 30 min drive; the most practical gateway for Sinjar.).
- Getting aroundPrivate taxi or hired driver is the only practical way.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealLocal meal (kebab or rice dish)IQD 5,000–10,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Private taxi Erbil–Sinjar (one way)checkIQD 60,000–80,000
- Museum or sight ticketGuide for Chermera templecheckIQD 20,000–40,000
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomIQD 25,000
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomIQD 40,000
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomIQD 60,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IQD 30,000 · Mid IQD 50,000 · High IQD 80,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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 h 30 min drive; the most practical gateway for Sinjar.) · OSM Mosul International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive, but check current security and flight schedules.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Sep
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sinjar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Sep
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 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
Private taxi or hired driver is the only practical way. The town is walkable, but the temple and memorial are on the mountain, about 10 km north of the centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mosul
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi, about 1 h 15 min east
Mosul has more sights and accommodation; combine with Sinjar.
Tal Afar
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi, about 50 km (31 mi) east on the Mosul roadTaxi, about 31 mi (50 km) east on the Mosul road
Check current security before visiting.
Hatra
skipDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Taxi via Mosul, about 2 h
Requires a full day and a reliable driver; security situation uncertain.
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.
Sinjar town centre
A handful of basic guesthouses; book through a local contact or your driver.
Mosul
More accommodation options, 1 h 15 min east; day-trip to Sinjar from there.
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
- Budget
- IQD 30,000–50,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IQD 50,000–80,000 excl. bed
- High
- IQD 80,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse room1 × 1 night × IQD 40,000 | IQD 40,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IQD 50,000 | IQD 100,000 |
| Private taxi Erbil–Sinjar return1 × IQD 120,000 · check | IQD 120,000 |
| Local driver for the day (Mount Sinjar + memorial)1 × IQD 50,000 · check | IQD 50,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × IQD 15,000 | IQD 30,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IQD 51,000 |
| Trip total≈ IQD 195,500 per person per day, bed included | IQD 391,000 |
2026 estimate in Iraqi dinars; flights and security-related costs excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Private taxi Erbil–Sinjar (one way)check | IQD 60,000–80,000 |
| Local meal (kebab or rice dish) | IQD 5,000–10,000 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | IQD 500–1,000 |
| Guide for Chermera templecheck | IQD 20,000–40,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security situation can change quickly: read your government's travel advisory and register with your embassy.
- No ATMs or banks reliably serving foreigners: bring enough Iraqi dinars or US dollars in cash.
- Mount Sinjar roads are unpaved in sections; a 4x4 is recommended for Chermera temple.
- Yazidi Genocide Memorial may have limited opening hours; check locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire and ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
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Sinjarشنگال
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
بۆ ئەم ناونیشانە، تکایەTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire and ambulance115
Embassy
Most embassies are in Baghdad or Erbil. The US Consulate General in Erbil is the nearest point of contact for many travellers.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Erbil Airport → Sinjar (private taxi): about IQD 60,000–80,000, about 2.5 h (check)
- Sinjar town → Chermera temple (taxi): about IQD 20,000–30,000, about 20 min (check)
Say or show
- سڵاو — Hello (sllaw)
- سوپاس — Thank you (supas)
- بە چەندە؟ — How much? (ba chanda?)
- تێناگەم — I don't understand (tênagem)
- توالێت لە کوێیە؟ — Where is the toilet? (twalet la kwêya?)
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 Sinjar. 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, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold on the mountain)
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 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 Sinjar
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