Syria Travel Guide

-- Syria Travel Guide --

Unlike Saudi Arabia, while Syria is mostly Islamic, it’s a secular state, so if you’re planning a desert holiday, and want less restrictions on your options, then it’s a great choice. This is really a country where you can live out your Arabian Nights fantasies.

Palmyra

Like most of the world, or at the very least the Northern Hemisphere, the Romans made their way into Syria, and Palmyra is one of the most spectacular ruins they left behind. Make a trip out there to see a little of what the world was like in ancient times.

Apamea is another ruined city, that used to house around a half a million people. Most of the city was destroyed in an earthquake, but there’s a long column lined street that you can walk down, and imagine what the city must have been like.

-- Syria Travel Guide --

Castles

Crac de Chevaliers and Saladin’s Castle are two castles that are very different, but can be very interesting to visit. The western castle gives you a look in to the lives of crusaders, and Saladin’s palace is a little like an oasis, peaceful and quite. Both worth a visit if you’re interested in history and culture.

The Dead Cities

Imagine – a series of towns where no one lives. Part of Antioch, these long abandoned towns are interesting to visit, but a little spooky too, so if you’re not too scared of eerie sights, make a trip to them and have a look around.

Damascus

While you’ll probably want to spend a lot of time exploring the desert cities and towns of Syria, there are many attractions in Damascus, the capital, that you should not ignore.

It is, after all, said to be the city in the world with the longest continual inhabitation! It was founded sometime between 10 000 and 8000 BC, which means it’s been around for over ten thousand years – and it shows – the winding, narrow lanes, and strangeness of the old city are very clearly different, but fascinating to explore.

One place you shouldn’t miss is the Souq-al-Hamidiyya, which is entered through and ancient temple, and smells of spice. There are plenty of interesting little shops crammed in the souk, where you can buy silks, leather and other products. Eat in the Old City if you can. There are several restaurants there, and if you do visit one, you really can imagine that you’ve been transported back in time. You’ll have to walk though – the Old City’s roads are too narrow to accommodate cars!

Another must do in Syria is to see the city from the top of Mount Qasioun, and since it’s accessible all the time, you can take a trip up at sunset, then watch the sun set over the desert, and the city of Damascus come to life as the lights switch on.

Syria is a fascinating country, with an ancient history, that’s got a lot to see and do, whether you want to visit the desert, take a Turkish bath, eat local food, or wander around ruins. It’s also a little more tolerant to Western culture than some of its, which makes it attractive to travelers. Definitely worth a visit. Different, interesting and fascinating.

-- Syria Travel Guide --

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