Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATMs are found in Damascus and Aleppo, but they are not reliable.
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Asia · Western AsiaOutline guideCountry in West Asia
Photo: Lazhar Neftien, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Syria.
Cards and cash
ATMs are found in Damascus and Aleppo, but they are not reliable.
Arabic
Arabic is the official language.). 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.
Mobile networks
Healthcare in Syria is well below Western standards, and essential medication is not always available.
Syria is a majority Muslim country with long-established Christian, Jewish and Yazidi minorities.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital claimed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world
a once-great ancient citadel with great views, much of Aleppo has been destroyed by fighting in the Syrian civil war. Once the heart of Syria's Armenian community, but it is unknown how many remain after the war.
a desert town on the Euphrates River bank.
known for its famous waterwheels.
an ancient city by the Orontes river, amazing green mountains in Spring.
a major port city, Saladin's Castle, Fronloq Forests and Al Samra Beach near Kasab.
a historical port city and historical small island called Arwad.
former capital of ISIS's self-proclaimed caliphate
a former Roman city that once housed about half a million people. Apamea was hit by an earthquake in the 12th century and much of it was destroyed but it still boasts a long street lined with columns, some of which have twisted fluting.
a Roman city in southern Syria close to the Jordan border noted for the use of black basalt stones and its well preserved theatre
a series of towns that once formed part of Antioch. They have long since been abandoned but make an interesting stop for tourists. Al Bara boasts pyramidal tombs and formerly grand archways set on modern farm land. Serjilla is another famous dead city.
not a tourist site, but an active Christian monastery actively promoting Islamic/Christian dialogue. Welcomes Christians and followers of other religious traditions. It is 80 km north of Damascus.
the archetypal Crusader castle, magnificently preserved and not to be missed
formerly held the magnificent ruins of a Roman city, in the middle of the desert. Once considered the main attraction in Syria, the UNESCO-listed heritage site was severely damaged by Daesh extremists in 2015. Restoration and de-mining is underway as of 2019.
a quiet gem in a valley with pine trees about 37 km inland from Latakia
Places in Syria on the World Heritage List.
Bosra
Listed 1980
Dead Cities
Listed 2011
Ancient City of Aleppo
Listed 1986
Ancient City of Damascus
Listed 1979
Ancient City of Bosra
Listed 1980
Sitt er-Rum (Syria)
ancient village of Northern Syria
Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din
Listed 2006
Ruweiha Roman Temple Tomb
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Aleppo, one of the oldest cities in the world, as well as the Dead Cities, 700 abandoned settlements in the northwest of the country
A volcanic plateau in the southwest of Syria, also includes the capital Damascus and its sphere of influence
The Orontes Valley, home to the towns of Hama and Homs
Green and fertile, relatively Christian, somewhat liberal, and dominated by Phoenician and Crusader history. Also serves as the country's main access point to the sea.
A vast sparsely populated desert with the oasis of Palmyra, as well as the basin of the Euphrates, which is associated with the Assyrian and Babylonian history
Occupied militarily by Israel in 1967 and annexed in 1981 in a move not recognized by Syria and the international community, the portion of the Golan Heights under Israeli occupation is covered in Golan Heights. A small area of land centered on Quneitra was returned to Syrian control in 1974 and is covered here.
Public transport and paid services in Syria.
By bus or coach
Air-conditioned coaches are one of the easy ways to make longer hauls around Syria, for example, the trip from Damascus to Palmyra.
By train
In August 2025, a test run to restore service between Aleppo and Hama was completed, but as of March 2026, there are no reports of the service being open to passengers.
By car
Visitors can rent cars at various Sixt, Budget, and Europcar locations.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Syria.
Finding apps for Syria…
Other ways to travel:By microbusBy bicycle
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Damascus · International · DAM
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Damascus
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 10° | 12° | 16° | 21° | 27° | 32° | 35° | 35° | 31° | 25° | 17° | 12° |
| Avg. low | 0° | 1° | 3° | 7° | 11° | 15° | 18° | 18° | 16° | 12° | 6° | 2° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 69 | 57 | 29 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 35 | 57 |
| Humidity | 76% | 72% | 65% | 56% | 46% | 36% | 33% | 36% | 40% | 47% | 61% | 71% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$65
Per person, per day
Luxury
$180
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $40 | $105 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $10 | $30 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $15 |
| Activities | $5 | $10 | $30 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2021). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 4 of 4Do not travel
Do not travelto Syria for any reason due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, crime, and armed conflict. Do not travel to Syria for any reason. The U.S. government suspended U.S. Embassy operations in 2012. The Czech Republic is the protecting power for the United States in Syria. The U.S. government cannot offer emergency or routine consular services to U.S. citizens in Syria due to the safety risks. Unrest Syria has experienced active armed conflict since 2011. No part of Syria is safe from violence. Hostage taking, terrorism, unexploded ordnance, and aerial bombardment pose significant risk of death or serious injury. The destruction of infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, and power and water utilities has also increased hardships in Syria. The U.S. government strongly warns private U.S. citizens against traveling to Syria to engage in armed conflict. The U.S. government does not support this activity. U.S. citizens who undertake such activity face extreme personal risks, including hostage taking by armed groups, injury, or death. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Syria. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more. Bombings, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and assassinations remain a threat in parts of Syria. Providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations, including designated ISIS and al-Qa’ida (AQ) affiliates, is a crime under U.S. law. It can result in prison time and large…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to the whole country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all travel to Syria FCDO advises against all travel to Syria due to unpredictable security conditions and the threat of terrorist attacks. UK government support Consular support is not available from the British government from within Syria. The FCDO may become aware of support provided by other organisations which can be shared with British nationals. If you need help, call the FCDO in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000. Regional tensions The US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 17 June in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, however the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. Since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region against US military and civilian infrastructure. There is a risk of more attacks and unforeseen escalation in the region. Before the ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including organisations, businesses, facilities, and institutions. British nationals currently in the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions, and should: read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis” sign…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Syria.
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