Middle East
Syria
Damascus old city (one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth) - Umayyad Mosque, Bait al-Mamlouk, Azem Palace. Aleppo - old souk and citadel (now in slow reconstruction).
Plan it right
Before you book the flight
Quick checks that decide whether a Syria trip actually works on your dates.
Find it on the map
Open Syria in Google Maps and drop a pin on your base before you lose signal.
Open in Google MapsCheck the visa policy
Rules for Syria change with your nationality and current advisories. Confirm before booking anything.
Read entry rulesGet help with a visa
A reputable visa service can handle paperwork and invitation letters if you'd rather not deal with the consulate.
Compare services- 1 EUR ≈ 139.2 SYP
- 1 USD ≈ 121.9 SYP
- 1 GBP ≈ 163.4 SYP
Exchange Rates Updated Daily. Last updated on 11/Jul/2026.
No McDonald's benchmark available.
Use local café / fast-food meal prices instead.
Approximate McDonald's Big Mac® price where available. Prices vary by city, branch, tax, delivery channel, and date checked. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by McDonald's.
Source: Countries with McDonald's restaurants reference
No reliable McDonald's/Big Mac benchmark found; likely no official McDonald's presence
Prices Researched at May 2026
Where to stay
8+ rated stays near Syria
Booking.com opens filtered to an 8+ guest score so you can compare photos, prices and recent reviews before choosing a base.
When to go
Best: Mar-May; Oct-Nov. Mediterranean/desert shoulder seasons; summer inland heat and winter cold/wet conditions are less comfortable.
Avoid: Jun-Sep hot, especially inland/east
Why it is difficult
Status, May 2026: Major shift following the December 2024 fall of the Assad regime. Transitional government in Damascus. Sanctions partially lifted by EU and US in 2025. Border crossings reopening. Lattakia, Damascus, Palmyra, Aleppo, Krak des Chevaliers all now accessible with operator support. SDF / Kurdish-administered north-east remains a separate political space. Idlib and some former front lines have UXO risk. Tourism volume in 2026 is the highest since 2010.
Why it is worth visiting
Damascus old city (one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth) - Umayyad Mosque, Bait al-Mamlouk, Azem Palace. Aleppo - old souk and citadel (now in slow reconstruction). Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers, Apamea, Bosra. The Mediterranean coast at Tartous and Lattakia. A country re-opening.
Practical travel notes
Currency: Syrian pound, extremely depreciated; USD widely accepted at parallel market rate. Bring USD cash in clean post-2013 bills. SIM: Syriatel or MTN; ~USD 5 with data. Foreigners need passport at a major branch. Photography: never near checkpoints, government buildings, or anything that looks military. Mosques, souks, ruins fine. Dress: women cover hair in mosques; modest in religious districts. Damascus old city otherwise relatively relaxed. Insurance: still complex. Specialist providers (Battleface, World Travel Protection) cover; Allianz, World Nomads exclude.
Access and logistics
Damascus (DAM): MEA from Beirut (the historic route, fastest), Cham Wings (private Syrian carrier, regional routes including UAE), Royal Jordanian (resumed 2025 from Amman). Overland from Lebanon at Masnaa is still the most reliable land entry. Jordan (Jaber/Nasib) reopened 2024. Overland from Iraq via Al-Tanf is currently restricted; Albu Kamal in the east reopened tentatively in 2025. Sample 7-day classic itinerary Day 1: Beirut -> Damascus by road (3 hours). Days 2-3: Damascus - Umayyad Mosque, Azem Palace, Hejaz station, souks; day-trip Maaloula and Sednaya. Day 4: Krak des Chevaliers + Hama (norias water wheels) -> Aleppo. Day 5: Aleppo - citadel, old city, souks (slow rebuild). Day 6: Apamea and Palmyra (Palmyra accessible again but verify UXO clearance with operator). Day 7: Drive Damascus, evening flight or back to Beirut.
Safety considerations
Treat security as the core planning constraint. Avoid improvising routes, keep a conservative schedule, and re-check local conditions immediately before travel.
Visa or permit notes
Pre-arranged through a Syrian tour operator who will obtain a security clearance from the new transitional government (40-60% approval rate for Americans during the 2025 transition; higher for Europeans). Cost USD 75-100 plus operator handling. Lebanon (Beirut) used to be the standard transit; some travellers now enter directly via Damascus or via Amman/Jordan. Operators (from the archive) Mr. Ayoub (Damascus-based, referenced via Joan Torres / Against the Compass posts). The archive includes traveller exchanges with him; “communication has been prompt and professional”; sets expectations honestly about American security-clearance probability. Against the Compass Syria tours - Joan Torres runs small-group annual departures; the archive includes a 2022 trip-report cascade with detailed itineraries. Untamed Borders, Lupine Travel and Young Pioneer Tours all run regular Syria departures. Sun Pearl Travel and Marota Tours are local Damascus operators.
Local guides, drivers and fixers
These contacts may help with guiding, transport, permits, logistics, translation, or local arrangements. Always confirm prices, availability, safety conditions, and exact services before booking.
Khaldoun Al-Alamy (Golden Target)
Tour OperatorSyria
Long-established Syria tour operator
Email: alamy.goldentarget gmail com / khaldoun.goldentarget gmail com / Alamy.gtts outlook com / Goldentarget.tours hotmail com
Joan Torres (Against the Compass)
Tour OperatorSyria
Licensed Syria operator, tailored & group trips
Email: joan againstthecompass com
Jude Joher
Local Syrian Contact / GuideSyria
Happy to help visitors
Email: jude.joher gmail com / Jude.joher gmail com
Hayley Arthurs
Traveler contactSyria
Was planning Syria trip
Email: hayley.l.arthurs gmail com
Lotte Beckers (De Morgen journalist)
JournalistSyria
Belgian journalist who interviewed Joan
Email: lotte.beckers demorgen be
Karen Kranenburg
Tour participantSyria
Wanted to join May tour
Email: karenkranenburg aol com
Caroline Horca
Tour participantSyria
Wanted to join May tour
Email: horcac gmail com
On the ground
10 practical tips
The decisions that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.
Choose the strongest season
Use Mar-May; Oct-Nov as the first planning window for Syria, then check weather, access and local conditions again before booking.
Avoid the hardest months
Be cautious about Jun-Sep hot, especially inland/east, because the wrong season can make transport, outdoor access and backup plans much harder.
Confirm entry rules first
Verify current entry rules through official channels before booking; recent planning notes suggest Pre-arranged through a Syrian tour operator who will obtain a security clearance from the new transitional government (40-60% approval rate for Americans during the 2025, but this should not be treated as final.
Plan the access route
Build the itinerary around the real access route: Damascus (DAM): MEA from Beirut (the historic route, fastest), Cham Wings (private Syrian carrier, regional routes including UAE), Royal Jordanian (resumed 2025 from Amman).
Re-check security conditions
Treat Syria as a highly sensitive, operator-dependent trip and verify access, insurance and sanctions-related practicalities before making any payment.
Plan cash and payments
Check how you will actually pay for hotels, drivers and emergencies in Syria, because international cards, sanctions or banking restrictions may limit normal payment options.
Secure scarce accommodation
Book the first night and trusted transfers before arrival in Syria, then avoid relying on last-minute local arrangements in sensitive areas.
Use local support selectively
Shortlist a reputable local operator for Syria before departure, then confirm route, permissions, security expectations, inclusions and cancellation terms in writing.
Build in buffer days
Treat 7 to 14 days, depending on route and security constraints as a planning range for Syria, but add buffer time if the route depends on flights, boats, permits, road conditions or security checks.
Decide if the trade-off fits
Choose Syria for Damascus old city (one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth) — Umayyad Mosque, Bait al-Mamlouk, Azem Palace, but only if you are comfortable with the main trade-offs: political instability, health or safety concerns, difficult permits.
Good to know
Syria FAQ
Honest answers, including the ones that might change your plans.
Can tourists visit Syria?
Tourism may be possible in parts of Syria, but conditions can change quickly. Check current government travel advisories, embassy guidance, local contacts, and recent traveller reports before booking.
What visa do you need for Syria?
Visa and permit rules vary by nationality and can change without much notice. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm current requirements with official government, embassy, or consulate sources.
What is the best time to visit Syria?
The usual planning window is Mar-May; Oct-Nov. Weather, access, holidays, security conditions, and transport schedules can still affect the final route.
How long do you need for Syria?
A realistic first plan is 7 to 14 days, depending on route and security constraints. Add buffer days for permits, route changes, weather delays, and unreliable transport.