Latakia and the Syrian coast

Why go

After the old stone cities of the interior, the coast feels like a different country: green, humid, open to the sea and more relaxed in dress and mood. Syrians come here for summer holidays, and you will see families on the corniche at sunset and young people in cafés late into the night. The hills behind are covered in pine and oak, with villages and small resorts. Note that the coast saw serious violence in March 2025, so check current advice carefully before planning a visit.

Top things to do

Walk the **corniche** and the seafront at sunset, then explore the downtown streets around **Al Shaikh Daher Square** and the Roman tetrapylon, a four sided arch left from the ancient city of Laodicea. North of the centre, the coast road leads to beaches and hotels at **Shatee al Azraq** (the Blue Beach).

About twenty minutes north, **Ugarit** (Ras Shamra) is the ruin of a Bronze Age port city where archaeologists found clay tablets bearing one of the world's earliest alphabets. The site is low and best visited with a guide who can bring the royal palace, temples and houses to life.

Inland, **Saladin Castle** (Qalaat Salah al Din) stands on a forested ridge between two ravines, with a famous needle of rock left standing where crusaders cut a channel through the mountain. It is a UNESCO site together with Krak des Chevaliers and one of the most dramatically placed castles in the region.

In the far north, the Armenian village of **Kassab** near the Turkish border was a favourite summer retreat, though it was damaged in the war. Check advice before going near the border.

Tartus and Arwad

About ninety minutes south, **Tartus** has a seafront promenade and a small old town built inside the walls of a crusader fortress, with the **Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa**, one of the best preserved crusader churches, now a museum. From the harbour, small boats cross to **Arwad**, Syria's only inhabited island, a crowded, lively place of boat builders, fish restaurants and an old fort.

Food

The coast is the place for fish: grilled sea bream, fried small fish, **sayadieh** (spiced fish with rice) and calamari, with mezze and lemony salads. Inland villages make cheese, olive oil and honey. Alcohol is more widely served here than in central Syria.

Where to stay

Latakia has city hotels and beach resorts to the north, some dating from before the war and still in variable condition. Tartus has a few seafront hotels. Book ahead for July and August, when Syrian holidaymakers fill the coast.

Getting there

Latakia is about four hours from Damascus by road, via Homs and Tartus, or about three hours from Aleppo. Buses connect the coast with all major cities. Latakia's airport has seen few civilian flights, so most visitors arrive by road.

Safety

The coastal region saw deadly violence in early 2025 and tensions remain. Most governments advise against all travel to Syria. Avoid demonstrations, stay informed through local contacts and keep your plans flexible. Swim only at busy beaches, as currents can be strong. Use the free trip planner to link the coast with Krak des Chevaliers.