Damascus tourist information | Holidays to Damascus

Flight & airport info

| Overview
| Fast Facts
| Arrive
| See
| Eat
| Sleep
| Connect

Damascus, the great capital of Syria, is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Explore the enchanting souks and landmark attractions of the Old City for a magical experience.

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Currency

Syrian Pound (SYP)

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Visa Requirements

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Language

Arabic, with English widely understood

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Timezone

Arabic, with English widely understood

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Weather

Hot, dry summers; and cool, mild winters

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Dialling Code

00 963

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Electricity

220V, with European-style round-pin plugs

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Health and Safety

No immunizations or vaccinations required. Private hospitals are preferable to public ones. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance are strongly advised. Tap water is

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Useful Links

No immunizations or vaccinations required. Private hospitals are preferable to public ones. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance are strongly advised. Tap water is

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Flights to Damascus arrive at Damascus International Airport, situated 32km southeast of the city centre. Taxis (S£600) zip into town in around 30-40 minutes and are available outside the arrivals hall. Although there is a complex network of buses, minibuses and ‘microbuses' (essentially people-carriers), central Damascus – (especially the Old City) is best navigated on foot.

Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:

Umayyad Mosque

Umayyad Mosque (Old City): Built in 705 AD, this historical mosque was converted from a Byzantine cathedral, itself converted from a Roman temple. Follow signs to the tourist entrance (where women must wear a cloak, provided free of charge, and men in shorts or vest-tops should cover up). You emerge into a serene marble courtyard, dotted with golden mosaics and overlooked by three towering minarets. Inside the main prayer hall, a shrine holds the head of John the Baptist, known in Islam as the Prophet Yahya. Linger as long as you like.

Address: Old City
Post Code:
Tel No:

National Museum

National Museum (off Shukri al-Kuwatly Street): This sprawling museum is home to a magnificent, if rather fusty, collection of antiquities from every period of Syrian history, including an Islamic-era desert fortress gateway, a frescoed synagogue dating from the 3rd century AD and some superb Roman mosaics.

Address: Shukri al-Kuwatly Street
Post Code:
Tel No:

Mustafa Ali Gallery

Mustafa Ali's Gallery (Old City): In the old Jewish Quarter, you'll stumble across this quirky little gallery- the workshop and exhibition space of Mustafa Ali, Syria's leading sculptor, set in a splendid courtyard house. Drop in to see (and buy) the artworks, or just relax with a glass of tea.

Address: Old Damascus-Al Amin quarter- Tal Al Hijara St. House 86
Post Code:
Tel No:+963 11 544 0236

Quick Lunch - Aroma

Near the downtown Cham Palace hotel, Aroma, is a great little café, offering pasta and light bites to a busy crowd of fast-moving locals.

Address: Brazil Street
Post Code:
Tel No:00 963 11 333 7356

Top Table - Al-Khawali

In the heart of the Old City, just off Straight Street, Al-Khawali serves exquisite Syrian/Lebanese cuisine in dining rooms set in a palatial medieval residence.

Address: Medhat Basha
Post Code:
Tel No:00 963 11 221 7728

Cheap Eat - Beit Jabri

Another atmospheric courtyard eatery in the Old City is Beit Jabri. Here, the vibe is relaxed with simple, hearty fare served without airs or graces.

Address: Sawwaf Street
Post Code:
Tel No:00 963 11 541 6254

On Business - Cham Palace

Damascus' best located business hotel is the Cham Palace, set amidst the downtown bustle. The interiors are a touch over-the-top - think glitz and chandeliers - but quality remains high.

Book now

Address: Maysaloun Street, P.O. Box 33555,Damascus ,SYRIA
Post Code:
Tel No:

Lap Of Luxury - Talisman Hotel

Hidden in the lanes of the Old City, the Talisman Hotel offers modern luxuries in an exotic, magical setting. Indian crafts, Buddhas and Moroccan-style decor mix with Syrian elegance to produce a hotel to remember.

Book now

Address: Alameen Street
Post Code:1234
Tel No:

Cheap Sleep - Al-Majed

Often rated as Damascus's best budget hotel, Al-Majed is conveniently located off a main square. Rooms are spotless and comfortable, even if the decor is a bit overpowering.

Book now

Address: 29 Aiar Street - behind Sufara Cinema
Post Code:
Tel No:

Coffee And Chat - Haretna

Stop in at Haretna (nr Ousrat Al Ikhaa Al Sourieh, 00 963 11 544 1148), a genial, informal restaurant in the Christian Quarter with a large rooftop terrace.

Address: nr Ousrat Al Ikhaa Al Sourieh
Post Code:
Tel No:00 963 11 544 1148

Formal Presentation - Four Seasons hotel

You'll find the best-equipped meeting rooms in town at the luxury Four Seasons hotel (Shukri Al Quatli St, 00 963 11 339 1000). Choose from more than a dozen options from intimate boardrooms to grandiose conference rooms.

Address: Shukri Al Quatli St
Post Code:
Tel No:00 963 11 339 1000

Evening Drinks - Algora

Amiable service, bottled beers and big-screen football have put the Algora sports bar in the Shaalan district on the tourist map. This popular haunt is open 24 hours a day.

Address: Al Nejma Square
Post Code:
Tel No:+963 11 3316279

City guides

Damascus

Lowest fares

Departure airport

April in Tbilisi

Uploaded by cuttinoalexander on Flickr

World / Asia / Syria / Damascus

Currency

Visa Requirements

Language

Timezone

Weather

Dialling Code

Electricity

Health and Safety

Useful Links

Umayyad Mosque

National Museum

Mustafa Ali Gallery

Quick Lunch - Aroma

Top Table - Al-Khawali

Cheap Eat - Beit Jabri

On Business - Cham Palace

Lap Of Luxury - Talisman Hotel

Cheap Sleep - Al-Majed

Coffee And Chat - Haretna

Formal Presentation - Four Seasons hotel

Evening Drinks - Algora

City guides

Lowest fares