At a glance
- Best for
- History, food and seeing a city's recovery
- Airport
- Aleppo International Airport (ALP), with limited international flights
- Time needed
- Two to three days
- Best season
- March to May and October to November
- Getting around
- Walking in the old city, taxis between districts
- Good base for
- Saint Simeon's church and the Dead Cities, where advice allows
Why go
Aleppo is a city of extraordinary history and resilience. Its people are proud of their food, their music and their trading tradition, and many will want to tell you their story. Parts of the old city are still in ruins, while others have been beautifully rebuilt with help from local families and international partners. Go with patience and respect, and you will be welcomed warmly.
Top things to do
The **Citadel of Aleppo** is one of the oldest and largest castles in the world, a huge fortified mound with a monumental gateway, a bridge over the moat and views across the whole city. Inside are mosques, a throne hall and the remains of palaces. It reopened to visitors after restoration work, but check opening hours locally.
Below it, the **old souks**, once the longest covered market in the world, are being restored section by section. Walk through **Souq al Saqatiyah** and the restored stretches near **Khan al Shouneh**, where you can buy the famous **Aleppo laurel soap**, spices and textiles. Every year more shops reopen.
The **Great Mosque of Aleppo** (Umayyad Mosque) lost its eleventh century minaret in 2013, and its careful reconstruction is one of the most symbolic restoration projects in the country. Ask locally whether the courtyard is open. Nearby, the **Khan al Wazir** and **Madrasa al Halawiyah** show the old city's fine stonework.
In the **Jdeideh** quarter, north west of the citadel, Christian and Armenian heritage mixes with Ottoman mansions, some damaged and some restored as hotels and restaurants. **Bab al Faraj** clock tower and the modern **Aziziyeh** district are lively in the evening.
Food
Aleppans will tell you their cuisine is the best in Syria, and they may be right. Try **kebab karaz**, lamb kebab cooked with sour cherries, **muhammara**, a red pepper and walnut dip, many kinds of **kibbeh**, and **Aleppo pepper** in almost everything. For sweets, look for pistachio **maamoul** and **halawet el jibn**. The Armenian restaurants of Aziziyeh are good for an evening meal.
Where to stay
Hotel choice is smaller than in Damascus. There are a few large hotels in the modern centre and a growing number of restored boutique houses in Jdeideh. Confirm power supply, heating in winter and that the hotel registers foreign guests.
Getting there
Aleppo is about four to five hours by road from Damascus on the M5 highway, passing Homs and Hama. Buses run from Damascus, and Aleppo airport has had limited flights. Most visitors travel by road with a licensed driver or tour operator, and the drive is best done in daylight.
Safety
The city has been calmer since late 2024, but most governments still advise against all travel to Syria and Aleppo's surroundings have seen fighting in the recent past. Unexploded ordnance remains in damaged areas: never enter ruined buildings or walk on open ground off paths. Avoid crowds and demonstrations, and follow local advice about which districts to visit.
Beyond the city
About an hour north west, the **Church of Saint Simeon Stylites** and the **Dead Cities**, abandoned Byzantine villages in the limestone hills, are among the finest early Christian sites in the world. They are close to former front lines, so check current advice and go only with a trusted local guide. Use the free trip planner to see how Aleppo fits with Hama and Damascus.
Questions about Aleppo
Is the Citadel of Aleppo open?
It has reopened to visitors after restoration, but hours change. Ask your hotel or a local guide before you go.
How do I get from Damascus to Aleppo?
Most people go by road on the M5 highway, which takes about four to five hours. Buses run between the two cities, and there have been some flights.
Is it respectful to photograph damaged buildings?
Generally yes, but be sensitive. Never photograph people without asking, and do not photograph security forces or checkpoints.
What should I buy in Aleppo?
Laurel oil soap is the classic gift, along with spices, Aleppo pepper and pistachio sweets.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
