By Iyad, Syria Travel Specialist at Syria Link · Published Updated
Overview
After more than a decade-long war, many people still worry about whether they will be able to travel to Syria today. Syria reopened to tourists at the beginning of October 2021 after being closed for 18 months due to COVID. Some regions of the country are becoming significantly more stable and, as a result, safer for travelers.
Fewer people are aware that, prior to 2011, Syria was one of the Middle East's most popular tourist destinations, welcoming more than 8 million visitors a year on average.
Why Visit Syria?
Syria is a nation with a rich history and cultural legacy — one that is just as worthy of your travel budget as France or Italy. Tourism to Syria benefits the people and economy at a critical moment, perhaps even more so. The complete war zone that mainstream media outlets portray the entire country as being in is simply inaccurate, as the fighting is now almost over in many areas of Syria.
Is It Safe to Visit Damascus?
Today, Syrian cities are just as safe as big European cities, and the majority of Syria, including the capital Damascus, is perfectly safe to visit. Most Syrians, and particularly Damascenes, are genuinely nice and gentle people. The western region of Syria, including Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Krak des Chevaliers, the Mediterranean coast, and Palmyra, is currently fairly safe and accessible to all tourists with a proper visa.
Is It Safe to Visit Aleppo?
One of the oldest cities in the world, Aleppo's Old City suffered damage during the conflict. The Great Mosque was totally destroyed, but Syria is showing great indications of rebuilding. Most of the city's historic sites are now regarded as being safe for visitors.
Current Security State
Going through checkpoints in previous years was much more time consuming than they are now. Road checkpoints in Damascus used to take forever; today you manage to get through all checkpoints rather swiftly. The conflict is now mostly limited to the northern Aleppo and Idlib province in the northwest. Life in Western Syria has gradually returned to normal, reconstruction efforts are well under way, businesses are reopening, and Syrians are returning to their original homes.
Traveling as a Female Tourist
"In all honesty, I felt really safe traveling to Syria as a female foreigner with a local guide. I personally had zero scary situations, from the innumerable friendly contacts at the military checkpoints to the conversations with boys, guys, and other women on the streets." — Feedback from Elyna, a French tourist.
Syria is a multiethnic, multireligious, and multicultural country. We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothes covering your shoulders and knees.
Safety Tips
- Use Syria-inclusive travel insurance
- Avoid discussing politics
- Avoid going into conflicted areas
- Only exchange money from reliable sources
- All areas other than checkpoints allow photography