Erbil Ranked Asia’s Top Travel Destination for 2026 by Condé Nast Traveler
Condé Nast Traveler, one of the world’s leading travel and lifestyle magazines, has named Erbil as Asia’s top travel destination for 2026, highlighting the city’s stability, historic significance, and rapid development.
In its exclusive feature, the magazine describes Erbil as “a calm spot in a volatile region,” noting the city’s combination of deep-rooted heritage and modern urban growth. The selection places Erbil at the forefront of Asian destinations for the coming year.
According to the magazine, several factors contributed to Erbil’s ranking:
1. Stability and Security: Erbil is recognised as a safe and welcoming city, standing apart from regional tensions and offering visitors a peaceful environment.
2. History and Cultural Heritage: The UNESCO-listed Erbil Citadel - regarded as the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement - remains a major attraction for international visitors.
3. Urban Development and Innovation: New infrastructure, major construction projects, and the arrival of global brands, including Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger and EL&N London, reflect the city’s growing modern identity.
4. Hospitality and Social Life: The city’s renowned warmth and generosity, combined with the vibrant nightlife of Ankawa, contribute to a lively and diverse visitor experience.
5. Tourism Promotion Initiatives: The ”Visit Kurdistan” campaign, launched in 2025 with government support, is positioned as a major step in showcasing the region and attracting increased global tourism.
Condé Nast Traveler is part of the global Condé Nast network, publisher of Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, and The New Yorker. Its annual Readers’ Choice Awards and destination lists are regarded as influential benchmarks in international travel journalism.
Under the leadership of the Ninth Cabinet, the Kurdistan Regional Government has prioritised tourism development, promoting the region’s cultural heritage, improving services, and supporting private sector initiatives aimed at increasing visitor numbers.
The full Condé Nast Traveler feature can be read here:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-best-places-to-go-in-asia-in-2026
Department of Media and Information