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…

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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:…

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Started by Tripatini
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  • Ahmed Abbas June 23, 2023 at 6:55pm
    Syria's news agency recently reported an amazing 40% jump in visitor arrivals in the past five months. Given the source, perhaps worth taking with a grain of salt, but there's little doubt that the country is experiencing a boom in various areas, including tourism. https://sana.sy/en/?p=310989
    Number of tourism arrivals in Syria has increased by 40 % in five months - Syrian Arab News Agency
    Damascus, SANA- Tourism arrivals in the country has increased over the past five months as compare t
  • Jordan Simon May 24, 2023 at 6:20am
    Well, Syria has been back in the news again upon being readmitted to the Arab League. And at the same time, its visitor numbers have been climbing, as this article explores in TheCradle.co, an online news outlet covering West Asia: https://thecradle.co/article-view/23694/arab-tourism-to-syria-sees-...
  • Tripatini February 11, 2023 at 11:27am
    Our profound and heartfelt condolences to the people of Syria, already suffering from the effects of a brutal civil war on the wrenching devastation wrought by this past week's catastrophic earthquake, and we urge our readers to contribute to relief efforts being coordinated by numerous aid groups around the world, to help the millions who have been ijured and made homeless in severely cold weather. You can find a list of highly rated such groups at https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/e....
    Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
    Highly rated charities providing relief and recovery in the wake of the devastating earthquakes affecting Turkey and Syria.
  • María José February 9, 2023 at 1:57pm
    Sad news from Aleppo: after reopening in 2018 following repair of damage caused by the horrendous fighting in the country, the UNESCO World Heritage Site here has suffered new damage as a result of this week's massive earthquake: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/sites-damaged-unesco-turkey-...
    UNESCO site 'in danger' faces greater peril after earthquake
    The devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on Monday have damaged important historic sites, including the ancient city of Aleppo in northwest Sy…
  • Wissam Al Khoury October 29, 2022 at 12:39pm
    The Assad régime has launched a flurry of tourism development projects and promotion campaigns - including Western travel blogger/vlogge/influencerr dupes - designed to convince prospective visitors (and investors) that Syria is a safe place for a wonderful vacation. Plenty of critics aren't having it, though. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/oct/28/whoever-...
    ‘Whoever says Syria’s safe is a liar’: country’s tourist drive at odds with human rights record | G…
    Vloggers visit the country to create audience-boosting content, but critics say they’re being cynically used by the Assad regime
  • Tripatini March 18, 2022 at 11:12am
    We do not at this time encourage travel to Syria because of its dictatorship's brutal oppression of its people and support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is, however, our fervent hope is one day visitors can return to discover and explore its cultural and historic riches.
  • María José November 20, 2018 at 6:49pm

    Wow, just read that Syria is starting to promote tourism again, to Damascus (with the partial reopening of its once impressive national museum), Aleppo, and Homs, hoping to attract 2 million visitors by the end of this year. Is it still too hard a sale to make?

    More info here:

    https://www.newsweek.com/syria-renowned-national-museum-reopens-gov...

    Syria's renowned national museum partially reopens as government hopes to attract millions of touri…
    Most of the museum's exhibits were removed and kept in secret locations for their protection.
  • David Paul Appell March 2, 2011 at 8:49pm
    Please click here to help a Tripatini member with a question about travel to Syria. Thanks!
    Syria and Jordan - Safe?
    Any advice about going to Syria and Jordan a month from now?
  • David Paul Appell February 17, 2011 at 6:51pm
    A fellow Tripatini member has a question about getting a Syrian visa upon arrival at Damascus airport. To help her out, please respond at this link.  Thanks!
  • Nicholas Reardon October 27, 2010 at 8:17pm
    See the EU links to Syria

    http://www.nicholasreardon.com/eu.htm
    Nicholasreardon of REARDON PUBLISHING (The Cotswold Publisher)
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