Major city · 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).
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 (very hot), Dec–Feb (cold, possible rain)
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Alqosh104 ▾
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 Alqosh, 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
- SafetyAlqosh is in a contested area but controlled by Iraqi Kurdistan, which is generally safer than the rest of Iraq.
- Emergency numbers104 police (iraqi kurdistan) · 122 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckEBL Erbil International Airport (About 1.5 h by taxi; check road conditions and checkpoints.).
- Getting aroundAlqosh is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Duhok–Alqosh (one way)checkIQD 20,000–30,000
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomIQD 25,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomIQD 40,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double 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 1.5 h by taxi; check road conditions and checkpoints.) · OSM Mosul International Airport (Check security situation before using; not recommended for most travellers.)
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 (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alqosh: 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)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Sep
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°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)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°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
Alqosh is walkable. For the monastery (2 km north-east), take a taxi or hike. Taxis from Duhok or Erbil can wait and take you back.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rabban Hormizd Monastery
goDoor to door: 30 min
Taxi or 30-min walk from Alqosh centre
Free entry; caves behind the buildings, views into the valley.
Halamata Cave
goDoor to door: About 1 h from Alqosh
Taxi to Qasara, then hike up Zakho mountain
Assyrian reliefs; combine with the return to Duhok.
Lalish
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Taxi via Duhok, about 1.5 h
Yazidi holy site; plan a full day.
Erbil
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Taxi, about 1.5 h
The citadel and bazaar; can be done as a day trip.
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.
Alqosh town centre
A few guesthouses; basic but convenient for the sights.
Duhok
40–60 min by taxi; more accommodation options and restaurants.
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
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × IQD 40,000 | IQD 40,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IQD 50,000 | IQD 100,000 |
| Taxi from Duhok (return, with waiting)1 × IQD 40,000 · check | IQD 40,000 |
| Taxi from Erbil (return, with waiting)1 × IQD 80,000 · check | IQD 80,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IQD 26,000 |
| Trip total≈ IQD 143,000 per person per day, bed included | IQD 286,000 |
2026 estimate in Iraqi dinars; flights and visa excluded.
Prices of common things
| Taxi Duhok–Alqosh (one way)check | IQD 20,000–30,000 |
| Taxi Erbil–Alqosh (one way)check | IQD 50,000–70,000 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | IQD 5,000–10,000 |
| Bottle of water | IQD 500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.The monastery guard may close for lunch: aim for mid-morning or after 2:00 PM.
- Tomb of Nahum opening hours are unclear; ask locally.
- No ATMs in Alqosh; bring enough Iraqi dinars or US dollars.
Emergency numbers
- Police (Iraqi Kurdistan)
- 104
- Ambulance
- 122
Pocket card
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AlqoshAlqosh
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Li vê navnîşanê, ji kerema xweTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police (Iraqi Kurdistan)104
- Ambulance122
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Duhok–Alqosh (one way): IQD 20,000–30,000 (check)
- Taxi Erbil–Alqosh (one way): IQD 50,000–70,000 (check)
Say or show
- Slaw — Hello (slaaw)
- Baseema — Thank you (ba-see-ma)
- Kamay? — How much? (ka-may)
- He / La — Yes / No (he / la)
Kurdish (Kurmanji) is the main local language; Assyrian Neo-Aramaic is also spoken.
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 Alqosh. 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 (very hot), Dec–Feb (cold, possible rain)
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 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 Alqosh
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