Syria
Discover Syria
Syria (Arabic: الجمهوريّة العربيّة السّوريّة al-Jumhūriyyah al-ʿArabiyyah as-Sūriyyah, the Syrian Arab Republic) is a country in the Middle East. Rich in history, the capital, Damascus, is the world's oldest continuously inhabited city, and the country has been the site of numerous empires. From 2011 to 2024, the country was torn apart by a brutal civil war. This aside, the country offers numerous attractions and some daring travelers have been able to visit Syria without hesitation.
Taste of Syria...
Falafel, deep-fried chickpea patties, are available. Another popular vegetarian meal is Foul. Don't let the name put you off. It's pronounced "fool," and this fava bean paste – topped with cumin, paprika, and olive oil and served with flatbread, fresh mint, and onion – is tasty, satisfying, and filling. You may also order a salad of Fatoush with your soup. Chopped tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and herbs are mixed in a dressing and finished with a sprinkling of fried bread resembling croutons. Cheese may also be grated on top. Syrians also have a well-honed sweet tooth, with its desserts being largely similar to that of Lebanon, Jordan and the Palestinians. Syria is particularly known for its local style of ice cream, with Damascus ice cream shop Bakdash having been continuously in business for over a century. Other Syrian desserts to try include baklava, a pastry made of filo dough, nuts and syrup, and knafeh, made of kataifi and cheese. Fresh fruit juices are available from street stalls in most towns, such as mixed juice (usually banana, orange juice, and a few exotic fruits like pomegranate). Beer is cheap. Syrian wine can be found, and Lebanese and French wines are also available in a higher price bracket. Tea is served in a little glass without milk, sweetened with sugar. Add the sugar yourself, as the Syrians have a collective sweet tooth and will heap it in.
Culture & Religion
Religion
If you are of European ancestry, most Syrians assume that you are a practising Christian. Most Syrians will also be puzzled by a suggestion that you are an atheist, due to the strong influence religion has in Syrian social and cultural life. The coastal areas are much more progressive when dealing with religion and the same applies to areas of Damascus most frequented by Western tourists such as Bab Tuma, the Christian Quarter. The further you travel east, the more conservative people are. In order to avoid any protracted philosophical discussions, it is best to avoid identifying as an atheist or non practising Christian. Syria has had easy and cheap internet access. However, with badly damaged infrastructure and electricity outages common, don't rely on it. Internet is very common around the cities at internet cafés. The cafés are very friendly but in order to avoid being price gouged it is best to ask a local how much the internet costs per an hour before agreeing to sit down.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Syria into what it is today.
Syria was known as Aram in ancient times, and was one of the great civilizations of the Fertile Crescent. Some of the oldest still-inhabited cities in the world are in Syria, like Aleppo and Damascus. Later, Damascus was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate during the early days of the Islamic Golden Age, and Aleppo was one of the most important cities for the Silk Route in the Ottoman Empire. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, following World War I, France was given a League of Nations mandate over Syria. Shortly following its independence after World War II in 1945, Syria participated in the first war against the newly independent Israel in 1948. It participated in subsequent wars with the Israeli state in 1967, as a result of which it lost most of the Golan Heights, and 1973. The President of Syria between 2000 and 2024 was Bashar al-Assad, who replaced his father, Hafez al-Assad, soon after his death. Having studied to become an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) in Damascus and London, Bashar was groomed for the presidency after the 1994 car accident of his elder brother Basil. Consequently, he joined the army and became a colonel in 1999. Bashar's modernizing credentials were somewhat boosted by his role in a domestic anti-corruption drive, and he began his rule with increased openness. Bashar's position as head of the Syrian state rested on his presidency of the Ba'ath Party and his role as commander-in-chief of the army....
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsAs of April 2025, Syria offers visas on arrival for all nationalities except for Iran and Israel. Visas are needed for most individual travelers. These are available in 6-month (single/multiple entries), 3-month (single), and 15-day (land borders only) versions. Jordanian, Lebanese, Malaysian, and Mauritanian citizens do not require visas. If entering Syria by air in Damascus, a visa fee will be charged. The fee ranges between US$40 and US$350, depending on citizenship. The full list of fees can be found here. This fee is not charged at land borders. There are rumors that the Syrian government is planning on requiring foreigners to be part of organized tours to receive visas in the future, but as of April 2025 that hasn't been implemented. The information below may not be entirely accurate given the changing political situation, but it may still be relevant for travelers who want to acquire their visas in advance. Getting visas in advance is expensive and confusing....
Regions
Explore AreasSyria has 14 governorates, but the following conceptual division used to make more sense for travelers: Syria has multiple cities, towns, and villages across the country. The eponymous capitals of the…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The taxis (usually yellow, always clearly marked) quickly get around Damascus, Aleppo, and other cities. Arabic would be helpful: most taxi drivers do not speak English. All licensed taxis carry meters, and it is best to insist that the driver put the meter on and watch it stay on. Most drivers expect to haggle prices with foreign travelers rather than use the meter. Private cab services (which advertise prominently at the airport) charge substantially more. However, there is also a bus from Baramkeh station to the airport. Visitors can rent cars at various Sixt, Budget, and Europcar locations. Cham Tours (formerly Hertz) has an office next to the Cham Palace Hotel, which offers competitive rates starting at about US$50 per day, including tax, insurance, and unlimited kilometers. Sixt Rent a Car at the Four Seasons Hotel has rates starting from US$40 per day all-inclusive). If you have never driven in Syria before, take a taxi first to get a first-hand idea of what traffic is like.
Where to Stay
A double room in a three-star hotel costs about US$50, US$80 for four stars, and can reach US$250 in a five-star hotel. Before the war, Syria became a significant destination for studying Arabic, with several language schools operating in Damascus. As of 2024, you should do careful research if you intend to work in Syria, other than for a reputable organisation that does that for you. Travelers should avoid all large gatherings as they may turn violent. Political groups have targeted foreign travelers, especially in the country's south. You could find yourself in trouble if you engage in open criticism or appraisal of whatever opinions or political measure. Your best bet is to avoid political conversations altogether to avoid any possible problems. If you engage in political discussions with Syrians, be aware that they might face intense questioning by the secret police (mukhabarat) or whatever local equivalent if you are overheard.
Money & Budget
Syria's currency unit is the Syrian pound or 'lira.' You will see a variety of notations used locally: LS, SP, or ل.س are used. You may also see £S or S£, Arabic: الليرة السورية al-Līra as-Sūriyya. Wikivoyage uses the ISO currency code SYP immediately prefixing the amount in our guides. The pound's subdivision 'piastre' is obsolete. On January 1, 2026, the Syrian pound was revalued, with 1 New Syrian pound equal to 100 of the previous pounds. Both old and new Syrian pounds will remain simultaneously in circulation for a period of 90 days, with the possibility of an extension. The new series of Syrian pound banknotes are issued in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 pounds. The old series were issued in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 pounds.
Language & Talk
Arabic is the official language. It is always a good idea to know some words ("hello," "thank you," etc.). A surprising number of people speak at least (very) rudimentary English. Learning basic numbers in Arabic to negotiate taxi fares would be worth your while. Personnel working with foreign tourists (like tourist hotels, restaurants, tour guides, etc.) generally communicate reasonably well in English. Educated senior citizens usually speak French, a legacy of French colonial rule in Syria. Syria is also a multi-ethnic country, so in some areas, you might hear other languages such as Kurdish, Armenian and Aramaic.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Travelers should avoid all large gatherings as they may turn violent. Political groups have targeted foreign travelers, especially in the country's south. You could find yourself in trouble if you engage in open criticism or appraisal of whatever opinions or political measure. Your best bet is to avoid political conversations altogether to avoid any possible problems. If you engage in political discussions with Syrians, be aware that they might face intense questioning by the secret police (mukhabarat) or whatever local equivalent if you are overheard. As a general rule, always assume that you are watched. This may change as the new government starts reforms of the system – for the better or for the worse. Since begging is common in some parts of Syria, particularly outside tourist attractions, mosques, and churches, it has been known that beggars occasionally demand money and may follow you around until you give. Some have even been known to "attack" tourists just for money and food.