You are here: Home > Travel Information > Destination Guides Text size A A A See what people from around the world are saying about cities we fly to and from HamaEcho: His brothers were also arrested on the same day in Aqraba, #Damascus suburbs. More than 500 children in jail. #Syria http://t.co/VK28kSxJ a minute ago mestokalo: [Graphic] 17 years old boy shot dead by ASSad thugs in Damascus #Syria http://t.co/8SKZN3zc #UN #USA #UNICEF #ICC #HRW #Amnesty #Avaaz couple of minutes ago nishneb: RT @HamaEcho: The youngest prisoner in Syria. Adam Ali Hamada, two years old. Arrested in #Damascus suburbs 12/5/2012 #Syria http://t.co/x59jg5SP couple of minutes ago World / Asia / Syria / Damascus | 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 GMT+2 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: 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 Print City guides Damascus Lowest fares Departure airport -please select- Aberdeen (Dyce) Belfast City Dublin East Midlands Edinburgh Glasgow Leeds Bradford London Heathrow Manchester Norwich
