Syria map & highlights
Flat and massive, a land of fertile plains and dry desert, Syria has few natural defences, explaining the waves of invasion that have crossed it over the centuries. The country has a 177km strip of Mediterranean coast, is separated from Lebanon by mountains, and from Turkey by the world’s third longest wall. Many of Syria’s main cities are in the west of the country, reached by road. Tours tend to start in Damascus and then head inland to visit Palmyra, north to follow the Euphrates River to Aleppo, and then on to the Valley of the Christians, with its monasteries and crusader castles.
Aleppo
1. Aleppo
It’s impossible to visit Aleppo without hearing about the war, the city’s long besiegement, and the destruction of homes, businesses, the Great Mosque of Aleppo, and the central souk. But this is just one event in the ancient city’s astoundingly long history. Wander through 14th-century neighbourhoods, and discover traditional craftmanship – coppersmiths, silversmiths, calligraphers, dyers, and threaders. Beauty and industry, enduring despite adversity.
Damascus
2. Damascus
The narrow streets of the oldest city in the world lead through markets and shops, past hammams and madrasas, the old Christian and Jewish quarters and to the massive, eye-catching Umayyad mosque and Al-Hamidiyah souq. Not all sights are as conspicuous: traditional Damascene houses look unassuming from the outside, but behind their impressive doors are palatial homes arranged around serene courtyards, where plashing marble fountains drown out any city noise.
Hama
3. Hama
Hama is famous for the huge Orontes River waterwheels – called norias – which irrigate the area’s surrounding farmland. Water scarcity is a huge and growing issue in Syria, which is experiencing increasing instances of drought due to climate change. Yet all is peaceful walking along the city’s riverside, past weirs and wheels and silvery reeds. An hour’s drive through the valley gets you to Apamea, once a Roman city, famous for its huge colonnades.
Krak de Chevaliers
4. Krak de Chevaliers
With mangonels and tunnels, the Mamluks laid siege to the Knights Hospitallers’ castle for a brutal, long month in 1271, before forging an order to surrender that got the castle to wave the white flag. The defeat of the Christian forces marked a significant turning point in medieval history. The crusades waned, and Muslim influence began its rise. Nearly 800 years later and the enormous castle still stands as impressive as ever.
Palmyra
5. Palmyra
Damaged, but not destroyed, Palmyra is a huge, magnificent ancient city which, under powerful 3rd Century queen Zenobie, became one of the wealthiest in the world. It stands in ruins on its oasis, the Silk Road that enriched it long faded. The site’s grand red chains of still-standing columns and its sweeping amphitheatre are stunning in scale. Palmyra was famously occupied and partially blown up by ISIS. You can visit their underground tunnels and imagine a grim subterranean existence under the beautiful ruins.
Saladin Castle
6. Saladin Castle
Syria’s northwest is full of Phoenician and later crusader history – and most memorably, enormous crusader castles. The fantastically well-preserved Qal'at Salah El-Din, named after the conquering sultan, Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, known in the west as ‘Saladin’, dominates the landscape. When you approach, you can almost feel the thundering of hooves.
Understanding Syria’s geography
Syria’s diversity of sites is no accident. Rami Nawaya from our specialist local partner, Syrian Guides, explains, “Syria is such a strategic place – it’s between three main continents and located on the Mediterranean Sea – you could even think of Syria as China’s harbour on the Mediterranean… but Syria is an open field – it’s not protected naturally from north, east, south, west, it’s open and that’s why it’s very challenging to control.”Because of this, the country has been occupied by many of the big-name empires in world history: the Greek, Roman and Byzantine empires were followed by Arabic rule in the Middle Ages – though sections of the country were held by European crusaders until Mamluk role. The Ottomans invaded in the 16th century and their presence was felt until World War I.
“Various ethnic and religious groups took shelter in Syria over its history, enriching the country. It’s why we have a very colourful society,” says Rami.
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Syria travel times
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Syria.
Beirut – Damascus (including border crossing): 3-4 hours by car
Damascus – Palmyra: 3 hours by car
Damascus – Hama: 3 hours by car
Hama – Aleppo: 2 hours by car
Hama – Krak de Chevaliers: 1.5 hours by car
More Syria articles
Our Syria travel guide is with you all the way through the country’s mezze of delights. We have all the information about what to do during your visit, plus advice from our expert partners.
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