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Your guide to Syria

Syria, the way locals know it

A free travel guide to Syria: landmarks, restaurants and hotels across all 14 governorates, with a map, directions and public transport, in Arabic and English.

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Krak des Chevaliers · HomsErgo, Nev1 — CC BY 2.0The Umayyad Mosque · DamascusMohamadmahfod — CC BY-SA 4.0Palmyra · HomsBernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 3.0The Citadel of Aleppo · AleppoMemorino — CC BY-SA 3.0Qal'at Ja'bar · RaqqaFrank Kidner — CC BY-SA 4.0

Discover

Syria Gate

Fourteen governorates, thousands of years of history, one guide.

  • 14governorates
  • 1,306landmarks and historic sites
  • 32,613places on the map
  • 184transport lines

Destinations

Pick your destination

Each governorate with its landmarks, its dish and the way there

DamascusDamascus6,343 placesAleppoAleppo6,013 placesLatakiaLatakia3,320 placesHomsHoms2,541 placesTartusTartus2,926 placesAs-SuwaydaAs-Suwayda599 placesRif DimashqRif Dimashq3,593 placesHamaHama2,276 placesIdlibIdlib1,503 placesRaqqaRaqqa507 placesDeir ez-ZorDeir ez-Zor643 placesAl-HasakahAl-Hasakah1,281 placesDaraaDaraa1,018 placesQuneitraQuneitra50 places
Umayyad MosqueBassel Khabbaz — CC BY-SA 4.0

Every landmark has a story

Umayyad Mosque

One of the oldest and largest mosques in the world, built in 715 AD. The golden mosaics in the courtyard glow in the late afternoon, and women visitors are given a robe at the entrance.

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Best known first

Places worth the visit

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PalmyraPalmyraAncient cityBernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 3.0Umayyad MosqueUmayyad MosqueReligious & historic siteBernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 3.0Krak des ChevaliersKrak des ChevaliersCrusader castleGianfranco Gazzetti — CC BY-SA 4.0Ugarit (Ras Shamra)Ugarit (Ras Shamra)Archaeological siteDosseman — CC BY-SA 4.0BosraBosraRoman theatre & citadelVyacheslav Argenberg — CC BY 4.0MariMariHistoric siteHeretiq — CC BY-SA 2.5Ebla (Tell Mardikh)Ebla (Tell Mardikh)Archaeological siteMappo — CC BY-SA 4.0MaaloulaMaaloulaHistoric siteBernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 3.0

The app

The whole guide in your pocket

Search and save places, see what is around you and plan your trip by car or microbus, even on a weak network.

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  • 01

    Map and directions

    The way to any place by car, bike or on foot, with voice guidance.

  • 02

    Public transport

    Microbus and bus lines in the big cities, with a trip planner.

  • 03

    Practical guide

    The new currency, SIM cards, emergency numbers and entry rules.

  • 04

    From visitors, for visitors

    Reviews, photos and places suggested by people and checked by our team.

The practical information a visitor needs

Before you travel

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01The new currencySince 1 Jan 2026 two zeros have been dropped: 100 old pounds = 1 new pound. Old notes stopped being legal tender on 31 July 2026, but many shops still quote prices in old-pound figures, so always ask.02Entry & visasMost nationalities need a visa, with fees in US dollars that depend on nationality (Foreign Ministry Decision 128 of 2025). The rules keep changing, so check with a Syrian embassy or your airline before you travel.03SIM & internetSyriatel and MTN. Bring your passport with its entry stamp or visa; the SIM is activated the same day at their service centres. Download your maps before heading out.04Getting aroundShared minibuses (servees) are the cheapest way between neighbourhoods. Taxis are everywhere — agree on the fare before you get in — and ride-hailing apps operate in Damascus.05Money & paymentsCash is king. Since late August 2026 foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted at some hotels and restaurants, but not everywhere. Some places accept US dollars; look for the “Accepts USD” tag.06EtiquetteDress modestly at religious sites. At the Umayyad Mosque women visitors are given a robe at the entrance.07Emergency numbersFree to call from any phone.

Coming up in Syria

Olive harvest seasonThe coast and rural Idlib, Hama & Homs
Christmas & New Year in Bab Touma and al-QassaaDamascus · Bab Touma & al-Qassaa
Ramadan nights in the souqsDamascus · Al-Hamidiyah Souq & al-Midan
Feast of the Cross in MaaloulaRif Dimashq · Maaloula

Start your trip to Syria

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