Every season has its own charm — choose what suits you
Best time to visit Syria! Mild weather with green, blooming nature. Perfect for archaeological sites and nature walks.
Tip: Best time for Palmyra and the castles — ideal weather for walking and exploring.
Hot inland but beautiful on the coast. Latakia and Tartus are ideal — beaches, resorts, and mountain retreats.
Tip: Escape the heat to the coastal mountains — Slunfeh, Kassab, Mashta al-Helou. Family resorts at their finest.
Pleasant weather, lower prices, fewer crowds. Autumn colours in the mountains are mesmerising.
Tip: Best time for major cities — Damascus and Aleppo without the summer heat.
Cold with snow in the mountains. Snow dusts Bloudan, Zabadani and Slunfeh, while Damascus cafés stay warm and the atmosphere is magical.
Tip: Bloudan and Zabadani are the closest snow to Damascus — just an hour away, perfect for a winter day trip.
Most nationalities now get a visa on arrival at Damascus and Aleppo airports and at land borders. The official e-visa portal (evisa.sy) is not currently operational, so no prior application is needed in most cases.
Paid in US dollars in cash on arrival, roughly $25–$400 depending on nationality, length of stay and number of entries. Bring the cash with you.
Register with immigration within 72 hours. Hotels do this automatically at check-in.
Entry is not permitted if your passport contains an Israeli stamp — check before travelling.
Varied and affordable options — from taxis to buses to microbuses
Available in all major cities. Very affordable compared to any other country. Negotiate the price before getting in (usually no meter).
Tip: Damascus airport to city centre: about 1,000 SYP (≈ $8)
Cost: $8–15/day
A network of buses connects major cities. Companies like Kadmous and Karnak offer comfortable, air-conditioned intercity trips.
Tip: Damascus ↔ Aleppo by AC bus: ~370 SYP (≈ $3) — 5-hour journey.
Cost: $1–5/trip
Available in major cities and through hotels. You need an international licence. Petrol is very cheap.
Tip: Small car rental starts from ~$25/day — best option for a free tour.
Cost: $25–50/day
Syrian airspace fully reopened in April 2026 and more than 12 international airlines now serve Damascus and Aleppo. Domestic routes are still limited.
Tip: From Europe: Damascus ↔ Amsterdam resumed in July 2026, and Aleppo ↔ Düsseldorf launched in August 2026.
Cost: $30–60/domestic trip
The most popular transport! Microbuses connecting neighbourhoods and nearby cities. Very cheap and practical.
Tip: Ask locals for the right service line — there are no official maps.
Cost: $0.10–0.50/trip
The railway network is being rehabilitated. The famous Hejaz Railway once connected Damascus to Medina.
Tip: The Hejaz Station in Damascus is worth visiting as a historic building even without a train ride.
Cost: Coming soon
Syria is one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world — a small budget is enough for a wonderful experience
Prices are approximate, in new Syrian pounds, at ~122 SYP = $1 (September 2026 — subject to change)
Choose the plan that suits your time and budget
Essentials you shouldn't forget before travelling to Syria
For mosques & conservative areas — shoulders and knees covered
You'll walk a lot through old souqs and archaeological sites
The Syrian sun is strong — especially in summer and at open sites
Syria uses European type C plug — 220V/50Hz
Photograph your passport and visa — keep a digital and paper copy
Card acceptance is growing but still thin outside larger hotels and restaurants — bring US dollars in small denominations
For daily outings — carry water, camera, and documents
Painkillers, anti-diarrhoea, plasters — pharmacies exist but it's better to be prepared
12 essential phrases in Syrian dialect — they'll open hearts before doors