Syria Travel Guide: Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra and FCDO Travel Advice

A By Anna · Updated 21 October 2026 · 3 min read

Airports

Damascus International (DAM); Aleppo International (ALP)

Flight time

no direct flights; usually 7-10h from London with one stop

Best time to go

April-May and September-October

Currency

Syrian pound (SYP)

Syria has some of the oldest cities on Earth. Damascus and Aleppo both claim to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, and the country is layered with Roman, Byzantine, Crusader and Islamic heritage. Before the civil war that began in 2011, travellers came for the souqs, the Umayyad Mosque, the desert city of Palmyra and the hospitality of ordinary Syrians. Much of that heritage was damaged in the war, and many sites are only beginning to be assessed and restored.

The FCDO advises against all travel to Syria because of unpredictable security conditions and the threat of terrorist attacks. Although the Assad government fell in December 2024 and a transitional government has taken over, the situation remains volatile. There is no UK consular support from within Syria, and travelling against FCDO advice is likely to invalidate your insurance. Check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Syria for the latest position. For the wider region, see our Middle East guide, Jordan and Turkey.

Why go (when it is safe)

• Damascus: the Umayyad Mosque, one of the oldest and grandest mosques in the world, the Souq al-Hamidiyah, Straight Street and the courtyard houses of the Old City.
• Aleppo: the vast medieval Citadel and once-legendary covered souqs, heavily damaged and now being slowly repaired.
• Palmyra: the Roman-era desert city of colonnaded streets, partly destroyed by Islamic State in 2015.
• Krak des Chevaliers: one of the best-preserved Crusader castles in the world, above the Homs Gap.
• Bosra: a Roman theatre built of black basalt and remarkably intact.
• Hama: giant wooden waterwheels (norias) creaking on the Orontes river.
• Maaloula: a mountain village where Western Aramaic, close to the language of Jesus, is still spoken.

Where to stay

• Damascus Old City: boutique hotels in restored courtyard houses, historically the most atmospheric option.
• Aleppo: historic hotels near the Citadel, many still damaged or closed.
• Hama and Homs: bases for Krak des Chevaliers and the waterwheels.

Getting there

There are no direct flights from the UK. Some airlines have resumed flights to Damascus from regional hubs, and land routes exist from Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, but none of this changes the FCDO advice against all travel. If you are a British national in Syria and need help, call the FCDO in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

Good to know

• Food: Syrian cuisine is celebrated across the Middle East, from kibbeh and fattoush to muhammara and Aleppo's cherry kebab.
• Crafts: Damascus brocade, mosaic woodwork and Aleppo laurel soap have been made for centuries.
• Heritage damage: six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Syria have been on the List of World Heritage in Danger; recovery will take many years.
• Humanitarian context: millions of Syrians remain displaced inside and outside the country.
• If you are in Syria: there is no British Embassy in operation, so the FCDO can only help remotely.

Best time to visit

When travel is possible, spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are the most comfortable seasons. Summers are very hot inland, especially in the desert around Palmyra, and winters are cold and wet, with snow in the mountains.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.