Latakia, SyriaVideo: Abd Alsattar Ardati, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Syria
Syria, made clear: ancient cities, crusader castles and some of the warmest hospitality anywhere
Syria holds some of the oldest cities on earth: the covered souks and Umayyad Mosque of Damascus, the great citadel of Aleppo, the waterwheels of Hama and the crusader fortress of Krak des Chevaliers. After years of war the country is reopening, slowly and unevenly, and most governments still advise against travel. This guide sets out the honest picture on safety, entry, cash and transport so you can decide with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you decideCurrent government advice, entry rules, insurance and cash, answered honestly
- ArrivingDamascus airport or the land border from Lebanon or Jordan, SIM cards and your first night
- Your days in SyriaOld cities, castles and the coast, planned at a careful, realistic pace
- Home againLeaving smoothly, with photos, sweets and stories to share
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersHonest guidance on the questions first-timers and returning families actually ask about Syria.
- Official sourcesSafety, entry and health facts point you to official pages to confirm before you go.
- No price surprisesWe explain cash, dollars, the Syrian pound and tipping so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Syria deserves a clear eyed guide, not hype and not fear. We set out what current advice says, what has changed since the end of 2024 and what still needs care, so you can decide calmly and, if you go, travel well and find your Bliss.
Coming back from Berlin, Istanbul, Toronto, Detroit, Stockholm or the Gulf to see family for the first time in years? This guide was written with you in mind too.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip you feel ready for.
- Read the adviceStart with your own government's current travel advice for Syria, and check your travel insurance will cover you.
- Choose your SyriaOld cities, castles, the coast or family visits: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for restaurants, souks, hammams, museums and stays.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link Damascus, Homs, Hama, Aleppo and the coast sensibly.
Everything your Syria trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Krak des Chevaliers and the Latakia coast, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, souks, hammams, mosques, castles and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Damascus and Aleppo and stays in the old cities.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and shape a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Syria route
Damascus, the castles, Hama and Aleppo
Most first trips begin in Damascus with three or four nights in or near the Old City: the Umayyad Mosque, Souq al Hamidiyah, Straight Street, the Azem Palace and long evenings in courtyard restaurants in Bab Touma. From there the M5 highway runs north past Homs to Krak des Chevaliers and the Valley of the Christians, then on to the waterwheels of Hama, and finally to Aleppo, where the citadel and the slowly rebuilding souks tell the story of the war and recovery. Some travellers finish on the coast at Latakia. Allow ten days for the full loop.
- Evening prayers and the courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque
- The ramparts of Krak des Chevaliers
- The creaking norias of Hama on the Orontes
- The Citadel of Aleppo at sunset
Start with the destinations
See how the capital, the castles and the north fit together.
Syria destinationsPlan with care
Your route, without the guesswork
Syria needs more preparation than most countries: current government advice read, insurance that covers you confirmed, entry rules checked for your passport, plenty of clean US dollar notes, and a route that stays in areas open to visitors. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- What current advice says, region by region
- Cash, dollars and the Syrian pound
- Realistic driving times between cities
Where to go in Syria
From the Old City of Damascus to the citadel of Aleppo, the waterwheels of Hama, the crusader castle above the Valley of the Christians and the Mediterranean coast at Latakia.
Damascus
Damascus
One of the oldest cities on earth, with a walled old town of souks, mosques, churches and courtyard houses.
Read the guidePhoto: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Aleppo
Aleppo
Syria's great northern city, with a mighty citadel, souks being rebuilt and some of the best food in the region.
Read the guidePhoto: User Aotearoa on pl.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hama
Hama
A calm river city famous for giant wooden waterwheels and a good stop between Damascus and Aleppo.
Read the guidePhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Homs
Krak des Chevaliers
The world's best preserved crusader castle, above a green valley of villages, churches and orchards.
Read the guidePhoto: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Latakia
Latakia
Syria's Mediterranean port, with beaches, seafood and day trips to Ugarit, Saladin Castle and Tartus.
Read the guidePhoto: Kevorkmail, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is it safe to travel to Syria now?
Syria has changed a great deal since December 2024, and visitors are returning to Damascus, Aleppo and the coast, but most Western governments still advise against all travel. Security incidents, unexploded ordnance and sudden local violence remain real risks, and consular help is very limited. Read your own government's current advice and check your insurance before you book.
Do I need a visa for Syria?
Almost certainly, and the rules have changed several times since 2025 and vary by passport. Many travellers have been issued visas on arrival at Damascus airport and land borders, while others need approval in advance. Check with the nearest Syrian embassy and your government's advice page before you book.
Can I use bank cards in Syria?
Only rarely. Although sanctions have eased, international card payments and ATMs are still unreliable. Bring enough clean, recent US dollar notes for your whole trip and change some into Syrian pounds at licensed exchange offices.
How do I get to Syria?
Damascus International Airport has regular flights from the Gulf, Turkey and Jordan, and Aleppo has some international routes. Many travellers also cross overland from Beirut or Amman.
How many days do I need in Syria?
Five days covers Damascus and a trip to Krak des Chevaliers. Ten days lets you add Hama, Aleppo and the coast without rushing.
Is Syria a good choice for a first trip abroad?
Usually not. Syria rewards experienced travellers, diaspora visitors with family support and those travelling with a reputable licensed tour operator. If it is your first trip overseas, Jordan or Lebanon may be easier places to start.
Thinking about Syria?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days carefully, or send us a question through the contact page.