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Things to Do in Syria

From the desert ruins of Palmyra to the ancient streets of Damascus - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them, when conditions allow.

Travel guide - last updated September 2026

Syria holds one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world in Damascus, and once counted Palmyra's desert ruins among the most visited archaeological sites in the Middle East. Prolonged conflict has caused significant damage to some heritage sites and made most of the country inaccessible and unsafe for travel for many years. This page records the country's historical significance for reference; check your government's official travel advisory carefully before considering any visit, and be aware that political conditions remain in transition.

Top attractions

The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.

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Palmyra

A UNESCO World Heritage ancient city that was once one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world, with monumental colonnades and temples - significant sections were damaged during the conflict, and current site conditions vary.

📍 Palmyra, Homs Governorate

🚉 Check current travel advice first. Palmyra lies 215km north-east of Damascus on the desert highway, and the site suffered severe deliberate damage during the war - access depends entirely on current conditions and permissions.

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Old City of Damascus

Widely considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with the Umayyad Mosque as its centerpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage old city predating most other capitals by millennia.

📍 Damascus

🚉 The walled city is walked: the Umayyad Mosque, the Straight Street souq and Bab Touma are all within it, and Damascus itself is reached by road from Beirut in three to four hours when the border is open.

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Krak des Chevaliers

One of the best-preserved Crusader castles in the world, described by T.E. Lawrence as 'the finest castle in the world,' overlooking the plains of western Syria.

📍 Near Homs

🚉 The crusader castle is near Homs, about two hours north of Damascus by road - there is no public transport to the gate, and visits are arranged with a local driver.

Mark Syria, get the stamp

🇸🇾SYRIAVISITED

🇸🇾SYRIALIVED

🇸🇾SYRIAWISHLIST

In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.

Open MyPassportStory

Planning questions

How many days do you need in Syria?

Not a straightforward answer under current conditions - check your government's official travel advisory before planning any specific itinerary.

What's the best time to visit Syria?

Current safety and access conditions should be your primary consideration, not seasonal weather.

Is Syria good for a first-time visit?

Not currently recommended for most travelers - check your government's official travel advisory carefully, as conditions remain in transition and vary significantly by region.

Do I need a visa to visit Syria?

Visa requirements vary by nationality, but this is secondary to the current travel advisory situation. Check the official information for your nationality: mofaex.gov.sy.

What are some things to do in Syria on a tight budget?

Not applicable under current conditions - this section will be updated once travel to Syria is broadly considered safe and accessible again.

Can I rent a car in Syria, and what licence do I need?

Most governments advise against all travel to Syria, and that is the starting point for any planning. Where visits do happen, they are arranged through licensed local operators who provide the vehicle, the driver and the internal permissions - there is no ordinary rental market for visitors, and checkpoints, restricted areas and unexploded ordnance make independent driving unwise. Entry requires a visa arranged in advance, usually through an operator. Consult your own foreign ministry and a Syrian embassy before making any arrangements.