Attractions
Tartus and the Drekish Mountains
Tartus offers beautiful beaches and mountains. 10 km inland are the Drekish Mountains with clear springs. Near Lattakia are the resorts of Kassab and Slounfeh.
Aleppo
In Aleppo, which is probably even older than Damascus and whose old town was a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there was a mighty citadel. It was the best Syrian example of Arab military architecture until it was bombed to rubble during the civil war. Large parts of Aleppo were destroyed during the civil war. In 2012, the minaret of the Umayyad Mosque, built in 1095, was bombed. Also of particular interest to tourists was the souk, a market made up of 16 km of narrow, winding streets. The market is also in ruins today. The public hammams (baths) and the ancient khans (rest houses) are worth seeing. The city’s archaeological museum documents the country’s history. Until the civil war, Aleppo was the business and industrial center of Syria.
- Usprivateschoolsfinder: Offers description downloadable image of national flag for the country of Syria. Also includes prehistory and history of this nation.
Hama
Hama: This city on the Orontes is about 45 km from Homs and is said to have been founded in 5000 BC. founded. The norias, gigantic wooden water wheels, still irrigate the city today. Worth seeing are the orchards, the Grand Mosque and the museum in the Al-Azem Palace.
Krak de Chevaliers
Krak de Chevaliers, the most famous Crusader fortress, is about 65 km from Homs. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. She was badly damaged by heavy gunfire and air raids. The crusader castles of Salaheddin near Lattakia and Markab near Banias are also worth visiting.
Khalid Ibn al-Walid
The country’s first oil refinery is located in Syria’s third largest city. The mausoleum of Khalid Ibn al-Walid is worth visiting.
The center of the country
Palmyra is located in a desert oasis. The legendary Queen Zenobia, who fought against both the Roman and Persian empires, once ruled here. Zenobia was taken to Rome as a prisoner when the Roman Emperor Aurelius conquered and destroyed the city in AD 272. Of particular note in this city are the Valley of the Tombs, the Hypogeum of the Three Brothers, the Temple of Bal and the Arch of Triumph. These ruins are considered to be the most important ancient structures in the Middle East. However, the Bal Temple was damaged during the civil war.
Bloudan and Zebadani
Bloudan and Zebadani are near Damascus. A detour to the Tel Shehab Waterfalls in the very south of this region is worthwhile.
Bosra
A music festival is held every two years in the amphitheater of the Roman city. The souk is also worth seeing.
Mari
Mari is on the trade route from Syria to Mesopotamia. Some ruins of the city are 5000 years old. The Royal Palace is extremely interesting. The ruler of the city-state of Mari, Zimrilim, built the 300-room building 2000 years ago.
Damascus
The capital of Syria is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The Ummayyad Mosque can be reached after a stroll through the Al-Hamidiyyeh Bazaar. The history of this mosque goes back to the 9th century BC. Chr., and in many ways reflects the eventful history of the city. A temple dedicated to the Aramaic god Haddad once stood on the site of the mosque. In the 3rd century AD the Romans built a temple for their god Jupiter. The Byzantines destroyed the pagan temple and built a cathedral dedicated to John the Baptist, whose tomb is still in the present-day mosque. When the Muslims took control of Damascus in 636, the eastern part of the church was converted into a mosque, while Christian services continued to be held in the western part. In the year 705 the then Caliph Al-Walid decided to build a huge mosque, the oldest parts of the Ummayyad Mosque date from this period.
theTikiyyeh Mosque was built in the 16th century with two elegant minarets and a huge dome. The Al-Azem Palace (18th century) is now a national museum with numerous editions of the Koran. In the old city of Damascus, a short distance from the famous Via Recta or Bab Sharqi, stands the House of Hanania. The apostle Paul once hid here and used the underground chapel for services. The church on the city wall of Damascus, from which he escaped with the help of a basket, can also be visited. Also worth seeing are the shrine of Saida Zainab (the granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammed), Saladin’s tomb in the courtyard behind the Ummayyad Mosque and the outskirts of Damascus. Ghota, the “orchard” of Damascus, is particularly beautiful during the spring blossom season.
The East
The cities and landmarks in this section are presented in the order in which they lie on the Euphrates River in a southwesterly direction. Ja’bar Fort, west of Raqqah,
is reflected in the blue waters of the Euphrates. The ancient city of Raqqah on the left bank of the river was founded in the 4th century BC. Founded by Alexander the Great . Halabiyyeh and Zalabiyyeh were militarily important cities in the time of Queen Zenobia. The ruins can be visited 40 km from Deir-ez-Zor. Deir-ez-Zor on the right bank of the river is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Euphrates”. The parks and orchards on the river banks harmonize beautifully with the golden desert through which the Euphrates meanders. The citadel of Rahba near Al-Mayadin was built to protect the trade route along the Euphrates against the Tartars and Mongols. The city of Doura Europos (Salhieh) has a long history as a trading and military base among the Greeks, Romans, Persians and Palmyrenes.
Latakia
Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Lattakia is not only a major port city, but also a popular vacation spot. The city lies at the foothills of a forested mountain range. Numerous ancient sites can be visited, including the ruins of the Temple of Bacchus and the Arch of Triumph.
Shopping
Overview
Mother-of-pearl and olive wood objects (e.g. backgammon games), hand-wovens, embroidery, leather goods and gold and silver jewellery. Shop opening hours: Sat-Thurs 09.30-14.00 and 16.30-21.00 (summer); Sat-Thu 09.30-14.00 and 16.00-20.00 (winter).
Culinary
Overview
Local specialties include kubbeh (dumplings made from semolina, meat, onions and nuts), yabrak (grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat), ouzi (pies stuffed with rice and meat) and various vegetables prepared with meat and tomato sauce, served on different plates and served with eaten mixed with rice. Drinks: Bars offer all kinds of spirits. Alcohol is allowed, but not during the month of Ramadan.
Accommodation
Hotels
Accommodation is sometimes difficult to find, so you should insist on a booking confirmation. There are no seasonal price differences. 15% for service will be added to the bill. Categories: Hotels are awarded 1-5 stars. The best hotels are in Damascus. However, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Lattakia and Palmyra also offer luxury hotels. More information is available from the Tourist Office (see addresses).
Camping
There are some designated campsites, e.g. B. in Damascus, Aleppo, Lattakia and Tartus. You can also camp outside of numerous holiday resorts.
Culture
Religion
Predominantly Muslim (90%), Christian and other minorities.
Social Rules of Conduct
Appropriate manners: Hospitality is a deep-rooted and millennia-old Arabic tradition, and every guest is received in a very polite manner. They shake hands to greet and say goodbye. A souvenir from home or the company is gladly accepted. Clothing: Restrained everyday clothing is appropriate. Shorts and bathing suits belong on the beach or pool. Non-smoking zones are signposted. Smoking is prohibited in all public facilities, offices and restaurants with closed roofs. During the month of Ramadan, no smoking or drinking is allowed in public before nightfall. Photographing: Any facility that might even remotely be military may not be photographed. This also applies to the surroundings of military installations and even to radio transmitter antennas. One should examine the background very carefully before taking a photo. Caution when choosing a motif is generally advisable; Before people are photographed, it is important to ask permission. Tipping: Bills usually include 10% for service, with an additional 10% customary. A small tip is expected for all services.
Climate
Best travel time
Dry, hot summers and relatively cold winters. Temperatures drop sharply at night.
Country data
Phone prefix
+963
Area (sq km)
185180
Population
16,906,283 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
92
Population statistics year
2018
Main emergency number
110
