How to Travel to Syria as a Tourist
Last Updated on Sep 6, 2024
Can you visit Syria as a tourist? Yes, you can! Many people get surprised when they realize that Syria used to be one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East before the war. Tourists were flocking to the country – not surprisingly, as its home to many historic treasures and incredible people.
Syria re-opened for tourists once again a few years ago. The process to get a tourist visa to Syria is similar to what it used to be before and you are still required to have a local guide. However, there are more ways to visit now, as the airport reopened.
Why Visit Syria?
When it comes to traveling to certain places like Yemen or Syria many people ask questions about the ethical aspects of traveling to Syria. These places, not so long ago were war zones and many people have been forced to escape in order to save their lives.
Some people call it “dark tourism” and instantly shame those who travel there. I think that people are so focused on places like Chernobyl, Syria, or Yemen as they happened recently, they quickly forget that technically speaking visiting the Colosseum in Rome would be a prime example of dark tourism… especially considering the fact that everyone acts like a goof there and takes cutesy photos. Just saying.
Syria is a place full of history. When you travel there respectfully, you can learn a lot about the recent crisis and the history before and after it. You won’t learn that from the news.
Considering the fact that Syria used to be a prime tourist destination, many people were forced out of their jobs because of the lack of tourists. Many Syrians are simply trying to live their lives.
My own guide was a multi-lingual educated man with years of experience in tourism. Nowadays, being a guide is a side job, because there are not many visitors so he drives a school bus. Syrians are very happy to see that tourists are coming back.
Is Syria safe now?
The capital city, Damascus is very safe as any other city in the Middle East. Damascus is a very vibrant city that didn’t get affected by the war like Aleppo or Homs. But the economy isn’t obviously good, so frequent power cuts are a problem in the winter.
I drove around the country and felt like Tartus was a quiet beach town. Aleppo was safe but you had to take precautions just in case. I haven’t spent the night in Homs, just visited during the day so I cannot speak for that. I stayed in Hama and it was completely safe. I was told, “there was no fighting there, so not an issue”.
For safety in Palmyra read the section “Visiting Palmyra”.
The fighting is practically done and people want to live their lives. You’ll see children playing football, people selling souvenirs and returning to markets while rebuilding everything, and adults enjoying themselves at cafes and restaurants… just like anywhere else in the world.
How to Get a Visa to Syria
In order to visit Syria, you will need to obtain a visa. As you cannot travel completely independently (like you can in Iran) you will currently need a special security clearance that needs to be organized through a travel agency in Syria.
Note: You could go to Syria with an invitation letter from a local who’s not an official guide but that only applies to Damascus. Traveling anywhere else around the country is basically impossible due to the huge amounts of checkpoints, where you need to show your Ministry of Tourism documentation.
Obtaining a security clearance through your operator takes about 2 weeks, so you must plan in advance. It’s included in your tour cost. With that, you can, or should I say your guide, will obtain a visa for you at the border.
However, now (2024) you can also just get your visa at Syrian embassies and consulates. It takes about 4-6 weeks. It is only a sticker and your guide with a security clearance will welcome you at the border and then you get an actual stamp – it costs 100 EUR for Europeans now.
You cannot just show up without clearance and hope for the best. Even if you somehow got the visa at the border (but you cannot), you wouldn’t be able to drive anywhere without security clearance – you get stopped multiple times every day and your guide needs to show your paperwork.
IMPORTANT (recent changes in 2024): If you have a stamp from Sharm El Sheikh in Egipt you will not enter Syria. Syrian border officials assume you may have entered Israel by being there. Change your passport before you go. Same goes for Aqaba in Jordan naturally.
Money in Syria
When you get your visa at the border ask to exchange money immediately as it’s the easiest place to do so. In Syria, they use the Syrian Pound (SYP). Bring € or USD because you obviously cannot pay for anything with a card or withdraw more while in Syria.
How to Get to Syria
Your agency will inform you about possible options to get to Syria, potential border closures, and possible flights. When I was going the only reliable option was driving from Beirut.
The journey from Beirut to Damascus takes about 3-4 hours, depending on the traffic.
Nowadays you can also opt for flying directly to Damascus from Erbil, Moscow, Tehran or Cairo (with Syrian Arab Airlines). As Iraq now issues visas on arrival it’s super easy to do it from there, but most tour operators prefer to bring your from Lebanon either way.
Can You Visit Syria Independently?
Not anymore. Technically you could in the past and I know people who did that by jumping through some hoops. It’s also costly because the security clearance alone was $500+ per person.
You still need a driver to get around and that counts as a tour.
I’ll be real, just because the rules say you need a guide, it doesn’t need to be a loud tour of foreigners if you’re not into it, as it can be isolating from the actual local experience. I get it.
How to Find a Guide or Tour
I traveled to Syria solo. It was just me and my guide/driver and sometimes a few other locals (eg. in Palmyra I had to be escorted by a few soldiers).
It was as authentic as it could have been and I could still wander around Damascus on my own. That way I was able to see parts of Syria that are not possible for independent travelers, like Palmyra.
I highly recommend Golden Target Tours. The contact is Khaldoun +963 944 372700 (WhatsApp) or email address is [email protected] . Everyone I met at the company is professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. My guide was Bilal is you would like to book the same one, but I’m sure any guide from the company will be great.
You pay for your tour in USD cash upon arrival in Damascus, as there are obviously no ATMs or card readers. You must bring extra USD to exchange at the border for your own expenses such as food, drinks, souvenirs and extras.
Internet in Syria
I was surprised that I was able to connect to wifi pretty much at every hotel I stayed. You could also buy a SIM card, but I felt like I had no need for that.
Food in Syria
Syrian food is absolutely delicious. Similar to Lebanese with local twists. Hummus, kibbeh, kabobs, salads, fresh bread – everything was very tasty.
I also got to try Syrian kanafeh when in Hama and lots of svehha in Damascus. The latter is sort of like a Syrian pizza.
Visiting Palmyra
Palmyra, a UNESCO heritage site pictured here used to be one of the most important attractions. Built in 3rd BC, it was incredibly preserved.
Many visitors skip Palmyra as it requires extra driving time, extra permit and naturally cost. Others say “Palmyra has been destroyed”. As you may have heard, sadly, Isis destroyed Palmyra but it doesn’t mean that it’s completely wiped out.
Personally, I still found it incredible so I can only imagine how impressive it was before the destruction.
Is Palmyra safe to visit?
Hotels and restaurants nearby don’t really exist anymore so the closest place to stay is Homs, and you now need to visit it with the military – until they clean up the grounds completely, so it’s not 100% safe but it’s relatively safe.
Are All Cities Destroyed?
Damascus – The city center has been intact, but a small area outside of Damascus is still off-limits.
Aleppo – Lots of people wonder about Aleppo as it was always on the news. Part of the Old Souk is completely destroyed but people are actively rebuilding it. Parts of the old town are gone, but many places are intact.
Homs – The most destroyed city in Syria out of all. Over half of it is completely gone.
Hama – Entirely intact.
Palmyra – Most things are at least damaged and functional buildings are gone, but it’s still impressive to see.
Krak de Chevaliers – Partially damaged, but as the castle is from the XIIth century it’s not fully preserved.
Tartus – Most places are intact, just a small part of town has some damage.
Useful Tips for Visting Syria
1 – My most useful tip is to try going in the summer months.
I visited in March and I surely underestimated how freezing it was. I didn’t think how cold could it be as I’ve been to neighboring Lebanon before. I was freezing the whole trip despite two sweaters and a coat.
I also had to cut my visit to Krak de Chevaliers short, because it was so windy and cold that I could barely hear my guide. The night in Damascus when the electricity and heating went out I was a frozen ice cube, so come prepared.
2 – I suggest you fly to Damascus (Cham Wings Airlines and Syrian Air) or cross the border between Beirut and Damascus.
I crossed the border above Tripoli on my way to Tartus and it was a bit of a hiccup. The guide had my security clearance, but the staff had no idea how to issue my visa, how much do I pay and I spent a long time walking from one booth to another building to figure it out.
It was extremely windy and cold, so this wasn’t the best experience.
3 – I recommend bringing a friend with you.
I don’t mind traveling entirely solo, but in places like Syria or South Sudan where you spend long hours in the car, it’s nice to have a friend to keep you company. Otherwise, it does feel a bit lonely.
4 – Don’t be disrespectful.
I cannot underline this enough, as I actually saw a blogger going to Syria and acting like he was visiting Disneyland. Don’t be that person who poses in front of the ruins.
5 – Photos are allowed everywhere minus checkpoints.
There are no restrictions on taking photos in Syria. As long as it’s not a checkpoint you can take selfies everywhere (apart from the point. 4, obviously). Locals do that too, especially at the umbrella street in Damascus or at the tomb of Zaynab – the daughter of Fatima, at Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque.
I have never suppose that current time it is possible traveling to Syria. That is really interesting article.
@Bartosz Siemiątkowski,
Hello
I’m Dana a syrian tour operator since 15 years
actually in Syria there is thousands of tourists and when you want to visit Im ready for any help
Thanks
Dana
@Dana,
Hello Dana, I’m a foreigner currently living in Syria but I’m interested to discover your services as i have many friends and family members interested to visit Syria.
Dana, can you please contact me?
@Dana, hello Dana …I am from Sydney australia …and would love to visit …when is the best time to travel to Damascus?
@Jacqueline edwards,
Hello Mrs. Jacqueline
you are welcome
you can visit Damascus all the time but if you want to visit Palmyra-Aleppo-Krak des chevaliers I prefer the spring time
For any further information please feel free to contact me on 00963988265319
Regards
@Jacqueline edwards,
Hello Mrs. Jacqueline
you are welcome
you can visit Damascus all the time but if you want to visit Palmyra-Aleppo-Krak des chevaliers I prefer the spring time
Regards
@Dana,
Send me some info
Me and my son want to visit palmyra.
@Dana,
Hello Ms.Dana ,
Could you kindly help me to visit Syria? and it’s possible to contact you in the number above or may i email you ?
Thank you,
Maria
@Dana,
Hello,
I’m visiting damascus in August.
I need a tour
@Dana,
Hello Dana, I want to go to Latakia. I’ve been trying to find a way to go, so this blog is super useful. Now, I’m from Guatemala, and I’d be going from Turkey. What is the best way to go and find out about the visa? Do I need a guide or can just someone send me an invitation letter? Thank you in advance.
Hi
This is Samer, Syrian tourist guide Since 1998, ability to drive beside guiding no more than two travellers.
Glade to help , Please don’t be hesitate to contact me for any question on any steps.
Now the American nationality is able to visit Syria
Welcome in Syria
@Dana,
Dear
wondeinrg if is November good time to visit Syria? do you have any tour?
@Samer, what is your contact number and email?
@Mari Chris, when would you like to travel and what’s your nationality
@Dana, Hi Dana. Can a Singaporean visit Syria and what ate the border crossing requirements?
@Dana,
Hello,
I’m a dual citizen of Iran and USA. and live in USA. I would like to visit Damascus.
Which country’s passport is best to apply for visa with? And what’s the cost and document requirement?
Thanks,
Alex
@Dana,
My What’s App number: +1 205 492 4182
Alex Mims
@Samer,
Hi,
I’m Thata, and I wanted to inquire about the possibility of visiting Syria. My daughter and I, both Filipino nationals, are planning to travel to Syria with my Syrian husband. We have our marriage contract stamped by the Syrian embassy, and the same goes for our daughter. Are there any additional requirements or steps we need to take for our travel?
I’m intending to travel to Syria via Lebanon at the end of next month. My concern is that I’m taking my 3.5 years old daughter along (plus my husband). Does this sound like a doable and safe experience?
While I’m a firm believer in taking my kids everywhere I would NOT take my 3-year-old to Syria. Not because it’s unsafe (obviously, there are risks but it’s fine at the moment), but because unless you’re just planning on going only to Damascus he wouldn’t enjoy it at all. I don’t know what itinerary you set with your travel agent, but distances between cities are long, wait times at the border can vary and he’d be super bored in the car for so long for multiple days, and let’s be real: it’s not a very exciting trip for a toddler. It’s also February… it was so cold when I went in February that I had to cut some experiences short with three sweaters underneath my coat and in Damascus, there was no heating or electricity at night for multiple hours because it’s the standard… I was so frozen I couldn’t sleep (my friend went a year later in March and said the same thing) and I cannot imagine my toddler lasting through it – it would be literally a nightmare of a trip for all of us.
@Anna Karsten, Thank you for the prompt reply. Indeed, the power supply shortage sounds like a real issue during the cold months. We decided to postpone this ”experience”. Hopefully the actual world political situation wouldn’t impact significantly the safety in this part of the Middle East.
I definitely hope so too!
Hello Philippines are allowed now to visit
@Lora, hello, did you get a chance to visit Syria. How was your experience. I am just thinking to travel to Syria and doing research at the moment. 🙂
@Ann, The Philippines citizen need a special approvals take about 3 weeks ,I guarantee you, you will get approved
Is it safe to go to cities in the northwest such as Al-Hasakah, Qamishli, Deir ez-Zur, or Raqqa?
@William Jones, Al Hasakah is in the north east of Syria and even the part of the Syrian regime is not always safe due to daesh (ISIS). Raqqa is under the Kurds and there are still some bombings so now and then. I don’t know if you have been to Syria yet, I’m only seeing this now and aI m passing on what I’ve been told by family of my friends who are living in Raqqa and one used to live in Al Hasakah.
What should women wear in Syria, please. Must we cover hair, shoulders, etc? Thanx.
No need to cover hair, but I’d wear something casual.
Hi! My husband is Syrian now living in the U.K. and we are planning to go to Syria in august to see his family. Him, myself and our daughter who is 18 this year. We are planning to stay in Damascus. How safe would this be for us do you think? We want to fly to Lebanon first then drive on to Syria from there. Would we need a guide as we are a family and planning to stay with family. Thanks!
I’m not sure if there are any special visas for members of the Syrian citizens so you would need to check on that but if it’s a tourist visa you need then you’d need a guide officially. It’s safe to visit, don’t worry about that.
Hey Anna, thank you for the report I’m considering going solo as well what I’m curious about is the price of the guide and maybe of the whole week in there?
Thanks!
Pricing keeps changing every year and it depends on whether you want to include Palmyra. The best is to message them for current prices, because with the inflation prices of everything naturally increase.
Hello,
We are Damascus Gate Tourism Group, we provide packages for Tourism in Syria.
The Package includes 7 days and 8 nights all around the Syrian Cities. Kindly note below program:
Day 1: Arrival at Beirut International Airport (Rafik Hariri Airport)
From Beirut airport to Damascus by land, arriving at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing. Old Damascus tour, overnight in Damascus
The second day: Maaloula, Saydnaya, Al-Hosn Castle, Al-Mashtabah. Overnight in the winter.
Third day: Palmyra tour, Homs tour, continue to Hama, overnight in Hama
Fourth day: visit Aleppo Citadel, Aleppo tour, overnight in Aleppo.
Fifth day: Apamea tour and return to Damascus, Damascus tour completed, Damascus overnight.
Sixth day: Bosra tour and back to Damascus, overnight in Damascus
Seventh day: Departure via Jdeidet Yabous border post, and arrive at Beirut Airport for the return.
Please let us know if you’re interested in our program, our service is always the best because we strive to create optimized experience for tourists worldwide. for further information please contact us through WhatsApp on +963 932 215 298 or by email on [email protected].
Sincerely yours,
I lived and worked in Damascus for 4 years. Know it like my home town..even married a Syrian girl. That was
1996-2000. I used to fly back and forth 4 times a year Up to the Arab spring..
I’m desperate to get back as I loved the place and the people. I have many friends there and family.. I am an Englishman. I’m trying to plan a visit. It doesn’t look easy.
Would I need a guide as I have many friends and family members there?
I am Awal Talukder living in Sweden.I would like visit with my friends Damuscu,Homs,Palmyra and Bosrah.Wishing visit Islamic places in Damascu,Homs,Bosrah,and Palmyra etc for 10 days.Pls me me your best suggetion as guide.Ex hos much pay for everything.
Best regards
Awal
Everything is mentioned in the post 🙂
Hi Anna,
First of all that you for your article, it is really helpful !
I would have a question. I’ve read on internet that if you travel to syria it would then be impossible to get a visa to enter the USA, as a tourist at least. Do you know anything about it ? Do you know if having a syrian stamp on your passport could lead to any travel restrictions ? I’ve done some researches but i cannot find clear information anywhere.
Thanks. 😉
Not quite. If you visit Syria, Yemen, Iran and a few other places (forgot which ones), then you’re not eligible for ESTA but all you need to do is to get a visa to the US through US embassy. They’ll just do an interview and you get a multiple entry visa valid for 10 years 🙂
I am syrian and hugely touched by this blog. thank you
I am American who has a close friend from Damascus. I would love to go with him when he visits home. He would be my guide. Will I be fairly safe?
Yes, don’t worry 🙂
Do you Anna, or does anyone have ANY clue when Syria will allow US citizens to travel there again? I really want to visit Damascus…Thank you!
Sadly no. So far nothing has changed 🙁
Hi Anna,
I’m from Bangladesh. Recently visited your page. It’s amazing, with lots of usefull info! and inspired me a lot! I dreamt of traveling the world like you but can’t start yet. However, will follow your page regularly.
Moojahid
Hi Anna
Is it possible to drive through from Turkey to Syria and Jordan, onwards to Saudi on my own given the current situation?
Thanks
Hannan
@HM Ali, the Turkish border between Turkey and Syria is closed unfortunately. I was looking to travel from Turkey myself but may go to Iraq or Lebanon first. Good luck with planning your trip.
Hi Anna, seeing your surname I wonder if you’re from the Netherlands. I’m Dutch although I live in Northern Ireland for over 15 years now. Would it be possible to just stay a week in Aleppo and have a Syrian friend join me and the tour guide? He’s living there.
I’m Polish, but I actually used to live in the Netherlands for a few years 🙂
Aleppo no I’m afraid. If your local friend isn’t a guide then you could only use the invitation to go to Damascus and Damascus only.
hola quisiera visitar siria vivo en USA pero voy en un vuelo a turquia pienso pasar un tiempo alla y luego ir en vehiculo a siria por la frontera. sabes si necesito algun permiso para el vehiculo que es placa europea.
No creo que puedes entrar a Siria en tu vehiculo de renta y mas importante sin guia local
Hi,
I’m traveling to damascus next month trough beirut, I think I get visa at the border, security clearance is not necessary.
Syria need tourists, they give visa at the border
Hi, I will be travelling to Syria soon, and because of my nationality i do not need a visa and i am allowed to travel independently, but do you have any tips on how to find good cheap hotels or hostels around syria ? Since it is difficult to find anything online.
There are no hostels in Syria I’m afraid. You can try couchsurfing.
Thank you for your informative contribution, currently the circumstances are improved, hopefully will be even better during the coming months. I will be glad to accompany tourists around Syria and ensure they have great arrangements for the best experience possible. You can WhatsApp me on 00963932280797 Tarif. Best of luck
Thanks for this article! I am an American spending time in Lebanon and looking to visit Syria with my partner while we are here. I have some family in Syria but the language barrier makes it hard to communicate.
Does anyone know if it is possible to start a tour in Beirut to Damascus/Syria, and then onward to Jordan (Ammann and Petra)? Then we would fly back to Beirut from Jordan.
Thanks!
It’s possible, just contact the guide 🙂