A Week in Syria: A 7-Day Itinerary from Damascus to Aleppo
A 7-day Syria itinerary: Old Damascus, Maaloula, Krak des Chevaliers, Hama and Apamea, and Aleppo — where to stay and how to get around.
In this article
One week is enough to take you from the oldest inhabited capital to the greatest Crusader castle, from the waterwheels of Hama to the souqs of Aleppo. This is an itinerary we have tested, running south to north; you can do it in reverse.
Day 1: Arrive in Damascus
Collect your car at the airport or take a taxi to your hotel in or near the old city — see arriving at Damascus airport and where to stay in Syria. Evening: dinner in a courtyard house and a stroll through Bab Touma.
Day 2: Old Damascus
Follow our one-day route: Souq al-Hamidiyeh, the Umayyad Mosque, Azem Palace, the spice souq and Straight Street. Evening: coffee at the Nawfara café.
Day 3: Maaloula and Saydnaya
Half a day to Maaloula — the language of Jesus, St Thecla and the gorge — then Saydnaya and its convent. Back to Damascus, or the National Museum in the afternoon.
Day 4: Krak des Chevaliers and the Valley of the Christians
Head north through Homs to Krak des Chevaliers. Rest in the afternoon in the Valley of the Christians and spend the night in Mashta al-Helou or a valley village.
Day 5: Hama and Apamea
Morning at Apamea and its colonnade, then on to Hama: lunch by the Orontes near the norias, and halawet el-jibn. Overnight in Hama.
Day 6: Aleppo
About two hours to Aleppo. The Citadel in the afternoon and an Aleppan dinner in the evening — don't miss kibbeh and cherry kebab.
Day 7: Aleppo's souqs and home
A morning in the souqs and khans; buy laurel soap and pistachios. Then fly from Aleppo or drive back to Damascus.
Getting around
The easiest way to do this route is a car with a driver for the whole week, or a car you rent and drive yourself. It passes Krak des Chevaliers, Apamea and Maaloula, all hard to reach by public transport. Read getting around Syria.
If you have more days
- Two days on the coast: Latakia, Ugarit, Tartus and Arwad — see our coast guide.
- A day in the south: Bosra and Shahba.
- One or two days for Palmyra with a guide — see our Palmyra guide.
Before you book, pick your season with the best time to visit Syria.
Keep reading
Travel tipsMoney in Syria 2026: The New Pound, Cash and Cards, and How to Pay
Money in Syria 2026: the new pound after two zeros were removed, cash and cards, official exchange, and how you pay for bookings on Bytnaa.
Travel tipsInternet in Syria: SIM Cards, eSIM and Wi-Fi — A Practical Guide
How to get online in Syria: Syriatel and MTN SIM cards, the documents you need, eSIM, Wi-Fi in hotels and cafés, and the apps to download before you go.
Travel tipsGetting Around Syria: Buses, Serveece, Taxis and Cars With or Without a Driver
Getting around Syria: Pullman buses, serveece and taxis, distances between cities, and when a rental car or a car with a driver is best.
Travel tipsWhat to Pack for Syria — and What Not to Bring
A Syria packing list: clothes for the season and for religious sites, cash, adapter and medicines — plus customs warnings about antiquities, old coins and drones.
Travel tipsThe Best Time to Visit Syria: The Weather Season by Season
When to visit Syria: the weather season by season on the coast, in the mountains and inland, and the best months for cities, ruins and the sea.
Travel tipsArriving at Damascus Airport: From the Plane to Your Hotel, Step by Step
Arriving at Damascus airport: passport and visa, money and SIM, taxis and rental cars into the city — and how to get through the first hour smoothly.