The 13 Best Day Trips from Mosul

How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.

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There are 13 good day trips from Mosul, Iraq, led by Erbil, Kirkuk, Dihok. The closest is Sīnah, about 1 hr by car, and 1 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Built from 13 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.

Day trips from Mosul

  1. 1

    Erbil, Iraq

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car81 km east of Mosul

    Known for الشركة متين سولة.

  2. 2

    Kirkuk, Iraq

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car150 km south-east of Mosul

    Known for اندورا ستي.

  3. 3

    Dihok, Iraq

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 10 min by car60 km north of Mosul
  4. 4

    Ash Sharqāt, Iraq

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car91 km south of Mosul
  5. 5

    Sumayl, Iraq

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car63 km north of Mosul
  6. 6

    Simele, Iraq

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car63 km north of Mosul
  7. 7

    Cizre, Turkey

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 10 min by car138 km north-west of Mosul
  8. 8

    Sīnah, Iraq

    Half-day trip
    About 1 hr by car53 km north of Mosul
  9. 9

    Silopi, Turkey

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 50 min by car117 km north-west of Mosul
  10. 10

    'Ākra, Iraq

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car81 km north-east of Mosul
  11. 11

    Zaxo, Iraq

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 30 min by car98 km north-west of Mosul
  12. 12

    Soran, Iraq

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 5 min by car132 km east of Mosul
  13. 13

    Hakkâri, Turkey

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car148 km north of Mosul

A sample day: Mosul to Erbil

  1. 08:30Leave Mosul
  2. 09:45Arrive in Erbil (1 hr 15 min drive)
  3. 10:00الشركة متين سولة
  4. 12:00Lunch
  5. 13:15Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Erbil
  6. 15:45Head back to Mosul
  7. 17:00Home in Mosul

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Mosul?
The best day trips from Mosul are Erbil, Kirkuk, Dihok, Ash Sharqāt, Sumayl. The closest is Sīnah, about 1 hr away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Mosul?
Sīnah is the closest, 53 km north of Mosul, roughly 1 hr by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Mosul?
One place is within about an hour's drive of Mosul: Sīnah (1 hr).
What is the biggest city near Mosul for a day out?
Erbil is the largest city in day-trip range, 81 km east of Mosul and about 1 hr 15 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
Where can I go for a weekend from Mosul?
For a weekend away from Mosul, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Kirkuk (150 km, 2 hr 20 min), Hakkâri (148 km, 2 hr 20 min), Cizre (138 km, 2 hr 10 min), Soran (132 km, 2 hr 5 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
How far is too far for a day trip from Mosul?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Kirkuk at 150 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.

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