Syria

At the Mediterranean's eastern end, this once gradually liberalizing Arab country and up-and-coming travel destination possesses some gems of ancient history, including Aleppo, Palmyra, and various landmarks of Phoenician, Roman, and Crusades history. But except for capital Damascus, much of Syria has been devastated and made unsafe for travelers by a decade of horrific civil war.

But now that the brutal dictatorship of Bashir Al-Assad has been overthrown by rebels with a promising message of remaking the country as a more pluralistic democracy, we can hold out hope that soon more visitors can return to discover and explore its amazing cultural and historic riches.

Group photo: James (Jim) Gordon; cover photo: Bernard Gagnon

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Syria Is finally free – but is it finally ready to visit again? Plus 5 of its top destinations

Bernard Gagnon For many years, this ancient country was the Middle East’s great “what if?” — home to some of the planet’s oldest cities and most extraordinary archaeological treasures, yet effectively sealed off from mainstream tourism by civil war, sanctions, and security fears. But in 2026 travelers are beginning to return, cautiously and curiously, to a country still emerging from one of the 21st century’s defining conflicts. I hope to join them soon, because I was born in Damascus and…

Started by Ahmed Abbas

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Damascus´ Umayyad is one of ´10 of the World´s Most Magnificent Mosques´

alazaat Also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, this is one of the world's largest and oldest, finished in 715 and named for the Ummayad Caliphate during which it was built. Also considered the fourth holiest site in the Islamic world (after the mosques of Makka/Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem), it has three high domes; three minarets; a large courtyard with several domed pavillions; and an interior adorned with marble paneling, ornate grilles, and elaborate mosaics. One interesting note:…

Started by Tripatini

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Syria travel/tourism sector expanding again

Though war, sanctions, and most recently the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic have dealt a blow to what was once a mainstay of the Syrian economy, as this article from the Catholic missionary society PIME shows; read it here.

Started by María José

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'Dark tourism' on the rise in Syria - and opposed by some Syrians

Interesting piece not long ago in The Guardian on how some tour operators are promoting normalization of tourism in war-torn Syria and why some locals affected by the war are against it. How do you feel about this issue? Read it here.

Started by David Paul Appell

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Tripatini October 18, 2010 at 7:14pm

PLEASE CLICK HERE to help a member with a question on travel to Syria. Thanks!

Syria - recommendations wanted for private guided tour

My husband and I want to visit Syria, ideally with a private guide/driver. The options we've found so far (booking through a UK based company) are a…
Nicholas Reardon September 20, 2010 at 8:16pm

Hi take a look at my slide show on syria http://www.nicholasreardon.com/1.htm

Nicholas Reardon of Reardon Publishing