Damascus

Ancient Alleys, Bazaars and Minarets

Damascus stands as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with roots stretching back thousands of years. Its history is visible in ancient stone walls and markets where spices fill the air. The city holds mosques, churches and ruins that show layers of different cultures living side by side. Local cafes serve strong coffee while street vendors sell fresh bread and sweets. Walking through its neighborhoods reveals a mix of tradition and daily life shaped by centuries of change.

Add to list Map view

City in Syria

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 2.6

General Safety:	2
Health & medical:	4
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	2

Read details

2/5

English is spoken in some hotels, tourist shops, and by younger locals, but is limited elsewhere. Most signage is in Arabic. A local guide or phrasebook is highly recommended for deeper exploration and safety.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

There is a travel warning issued for this country. Please check the website of your country's foreign office for the latest information.

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Damascus Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Notable for ancient history and traditional markets. Walk historic streets, visit old mosques, explore bustling souks and experience centuries-old culture.

Place score

5.8

Best at:

Historic sites

Architecture

Religious sites

Traditional culture

Walkable

Personal score

Suited for

👶 3

Families

🧓 3

Seniors

❤️ 4

Couples

🥗 4

Vegetarian

Syria – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type L Type C: Type L: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Syrian Pound (SYP) £1 ≈ SYP 147
Cashless info:	Rating 2/5 Cashless payments are not widely accepted in Syria, and cash is the preferred method of payment. Larger businesses in urban areas may accept credit cards. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	We cannot recommend an eSIM provider for this country. We advise getting a local SIM card.

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Syria, usually around 5-10% in restaurants. Small tips are appreciated by taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in Syria, and alcohol is typically consumed in private or in licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is common in Syria, and it is allowed in outdoor public spaces and designated indoor areas.

Independence Day (17 April)	Celebrates Syria’s independence from France
Eid al-Fitr (date varies)	Celebrates the end of Ramadan

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (Police), 110 (Ambulance), 113 (Fire)
Taxi apps:
Other:	Syria has a rich cultural history, but the ongoing conflict makes travel dangerous. Travellers should be aware of the volatile security situation.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Damascus, Syria

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

🔥

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	April - May, Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, June, Sep., Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset

Fridays: many shops and sights closed in the morning, Old City very quiet until afternoon prayers end

Eid holidays: most shops and offices close for several days, Old City souks shut

Don't miss

🕌 Explore the ancient Umayyad Mosque, one of the world’s oldest
🛍️ Wander through Al-Hamidiyah Souq and shop local crafts
🌆 Stroll the narrow alleys of the Old City at dusk
🏛️ Admire Roman ruins at the Temple of Jupiter
🍢 Taste traditional mezze and shawarma in a local café
🏰 Visit the Azem Palace and its beautiful courtyards

You've been here?

Why travel to Damascus?

Damascus is a dream for history lovers, architecture buffs and anyone curious about the crossroads of civilizations. Highlights include wandering the legendary Al-Hamidiyeh Souk, tasting traditional ice cream at Bakdash, discovering the grandeur of the Umayyad Mosque and exploring Ottoman-era palaces like Azem Palace. The city’s spiritual and cultural diversity is on full display, from ancient churches to vibrant mosques and shrines. Locals are famously hospitable and the food scene is rich with Levantine flavors. However, it’s crucial to note that Damascus remains an extremely high-risk destination due to ongoing conflict, terrorism and instability. Violent crime, kidnappings and civil unrest are real dangers and basic services (including medical care) can be limited or unreliable. Solo, family and especially female travelers face additional risks. Most governments advise against all travel to Syria and visiting should only be considered for essential reasons, with careful planning, local guidance and robust contingency plans.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 A'zm Palace
2 Citadel of Damascus
3 Mausoleum of Saladin

🎡Places for activities

1 Tishreen Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Barada River
2 Jardin Public Joseph Skaf

🛍️Shopping

1 Bakdash Ice Cream

🎈Events

Religious festivals (Eid, Ramadan)
Local cultural events (if held)
Pilgrimages to shrines
Occasional art or music events
Traditional food fairs (limited)
National holidays (variable)
Street celebrations in Old Town
Religious processions
Family gatherings during holidays
Community events at mosques

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Check current travel advisories; entry rules can change fast.
Carry your passport and visa copies; checkpoints exist and ID checks happen unexpectedly.
Bring cash in small bills; cards and ATMs can be unreliable for visitors.
In the Old City, dress modestly and ask before photos – locals are welcoming, but privacy norms matter.

How to travel to Damascus

Damascus International Airport is the main entry point but flights are limited and subject to sudden changes. Overland travel from Lebanon is possible but risky and may involve long waits or closures. Entry requirements, visas and border conditions are subject to rapid change – always check the latest updates and travel advisories before planning any trip.

Access summary

From Damascus Intl (DAM): Taxi or shuttle along motorway, around 20–30 min.
From Beirut: Shared taxis or buses over border, typically 3–4 hours.
From Amman: Long-distance bus or shared taxi services, usually 5–7 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Damascus

Damascus offers a mix of traditional guesthouses in the Old City, modern hotels and budget hostels. Many historic properties have been restored, but quality and availability can vary due to the ongoing situation. Book in advance, confirm all details locally and be prepared for fluctuating power, water and internet.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

We couldn't find any nearby hotels for now.

How to get around Damascus

The Old City is best explored on foot – its narrow alleys are a joy to wander. Microbuses (servees) and city buses connect most districts, but signs are in Arabic and routes can be confusing. Taxis are plentiful and affordable, but driving is not recommended due to traffic and safety concerns. Walking in modern districts should be limited to safer areas and always remain alert as a pedestrian.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-64 %

Daily expenses in Damascus are around 64% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+4620 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to SYP) is 4620% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£19	£44	£119
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£5	£14	£34
🍝 Food per day	£13	£28	£75
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£2	£11

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£7
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.40
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.40
☕ Cappuccino	£1.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.30

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.08
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£7.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.28

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£2.60
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£3.30
🤧 Cold medication	£2.30
💇 Basic haircut	£2.40

Safety information overview

General safety

Damascus is currently considered extremely unsafe for tourists due to ongoing conflict, terrorism and instability. Risks include violent crime, kidnapping and civil unrest. All travel should be carefully reconsidered and avoided unless absolutely essential.

Health & Medical

Medical care is limited and facilities may be unreliable due to the conflict. Bring all necessary medications and supplies and have robust travel insurance. Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled or filtered water only.

Accessibility

Most historic sites have uneven ground, steps and narrow alleys, making accessibility difficult for those with mobility issues. Public transport is crowded and not adapted for wheelchairs. Confirm accessibility needs in advance.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Always use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth. Public fountains are rare; carry water with you, especially in summer.