Syria is history at every turn – ancient fortresses, Roman ruins, and bazaars that have stood for centuries. Here are 7 things that will show you why this place gets under your skin. One visit here is definitely not enough; we promise you will fall in love with this place.
1. Explore the Old City of Damascus
Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Walking its streets is like walking through 11,000 years of history.
The Umayyad Mosque, built in the 8th century, houses a shrine said to contain John the Baptist’s head, revered by both Muslims and Christians. The courtyard shines with golden Byzantine mosaics.
Traditional Damascene houses hide behind high walls. Inside, courtyards, fountains, and intricate stonework show centuries of perfection. Many are now atmospheric restaurants.
The Street Called Straight runs through the old city. Churches, mosques, and synagogues stand side by side.
2. Get Lost in Historic Bazaars
Al-Hamidiyah Souk in Damascus stretches 600 meters under a roof. Traditional craftsmen still work as their grandfathers did, shaping metal, weaving textiles, and carving wood with centuries-old techniques. Tea stalls invite you to pause, sip, and watch life unfold around you.
Aleppo’s souks once stretched 13 kilometers, making it one of the largest marketplaces in the world. Khan al-Wazir’s 17th-century black-and-white stonework still impresses. The markets are not just for shopping—they are living museums of craftsmanship, culture, and centuries of tradition.
3. Visit Palmyra
Probably the most famous of all tourist attractions in Syria, Palmyra was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. For centuries it thrived as a stop on the Silk Route, funding monumental buildings. In the 3rd century it reached its peak as a Roman city-state.
The Great Colonnade stretches over a kilometer. The Temple of Bel blends Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman styles. The theater still carries sound perfectly. Funeral towers rise with carved faces watching eternity. Walking through the ruins, you feel the power, trade, and ambition that made Palmyra one of the jewels of the ancient world.
4. Discover Syrian Cuisine
Syrian food reflects centuries of refinement from Arab, Turkish, Armenian, and Kurdish traditions. Mezze fills the table with hummus, mutabbal, tabbouleh, and muhammara. Kibbeh comes in many forms. Aleppo’s sour cherry version is famous. Kibbeh nayyeh, raw and bold, is a rite of passage.
Desserts are unforgettable: kunafa melts instantly, damascus baklava is light and nut-packed, syrian coffee, thick and brewed on sand, completes the experience. Sit in a courtyard restaurant, order everything and expect more food than you imagined.
5. Explore Ancient Aleppo
The Citadel dominates Aleppo from a 50-meter hill. Its massive gates, murder holes, and winding corridors explain why it rarely fell.
The Old City is a maze of medieval mosques, wooden balconies, and fountains. The Great Mosque’s 11th-century minaret is a Seljuk masterpiece. Christian, Armenian, and Jewish quarters created a rich cultural mix. Caravanserais now serve as hotels. Aleppo soap, olive oil and laurel, has been made the same way for a thousand years.
6. Step inside Krak des Chevaliers
T. E. Lawrence called it “perhaps the best castle in the world.” Built in the 12th century by the Knights Hospitaller, Krak is a fortress of two massive rings of walls up to 30 meters thick. Inside, stables, cisterns, chapels, and Gothic halls show its power. From the upper bastions, you understand why Crusaders fought for it. Geography made it strategic. Architecture made it unbeatable.
7. Visit the Monastery of Saint Thecla in Maaloula
Maaloula is one of the few places where Aramaic is still spoken. The monastery surrounds a cave where Saint Thecla hid from the Romans. Legend says the rock split to protect her, creating a narrow gorge.
A spring flows from the cave, considered holy for two thousand years. Byzantine icons and frescoes fill the church. Pilgrims still pray at her tomb. Blue and pink houses cling to cliffs. Nearby, the Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus dates to the 4th century.
If you’ve been dreaming of visiting Syria – Join us on one of our group tours!
Contact us and we can organise your own private tour for any dates you wish!
