Visit Syria Guide : Planning a trip to Syria requires more than scattered tips or outdated travel advice. This guide is designed as a structured reference for travelers and researchers who want a clear, reliable overview of what Syria truly offers.
More than 120 archaeological and historic sites have been carefully researched, categorized, and prioritized. Each location is assessed by historical era, geographic setting, estimated visit time, and overall significance. The goal is simple: help you plan efficiently, allocate time realistically, and focus your attention on sites that genuinely matter.
This Visit Syria Guide serves as a central starting point—providing clarity before travel, not promotion or trends.
How This Guide Is Structured
This guide follows a practical hierarchy rather than a promotional one. Sites are listed and ranked to reflect historical importance, accessibility, and the time required to visit them properly. The structure allows you to:
- Compare sites across different regions and eras
- Build a realistic itinerary based on time constraints
- Understand which locations justify long travel or extended stays
The sections that follow expand from what to visit, to how to plan, and finally to how to finalize your journey.
Archaeological and Historic Sites in Syria
Below is a consolidated overview of Syria’s most important archaeological and historic sites. The table prioritizes clarity and usability, helping you evaluate destinations at a glance.
Included criteria:
- Site name
- Location / region
- Historical era
- Estimated visit time
- Overall significance rating
This section functions as the core index of the guide and can be used independently for itinerary planning or academic reference.
| No. | Site Name | Location / City | Foundation / Primary Era | Visit Duration | Rating |
| 1 | Palmyra (Tadmor) | Homs Desert | 20th C. BCE (Mari Tablets) | 4 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 2 | Umayyad Mosque | Damascus | 8th C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 3 | Ancient City of Damascus | Damascus | 30th C. BCE | 6 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 4 | Krak des Chevaliers | Homs (Talkalakh) | 12th C. CE | 3 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 5 | Aleppo Citadel | Aleppo | 3rd C. BCE (Fortification) | 3 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 6 | Bosra (Roman Theater) | Daraa | 1st C. BCE | 3 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 7 | Al-Madina Souq | Aleppo | 13th C. CE | 3 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 8 | Souq Al-Hamidiyeh | Damascus | 18th C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 9 | Qalaat Samaan (St. Simeon) | Aleppo (North) | 5th C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 10 | Al-Tekiyeh al-Suleimaniyeh | Damascus | 16th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 11 | Qasr al-Azm | Damascus | 18th C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 12 | Khan Asad Pasha | Damascus | 18th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 13 | Aleppo Old City | Aleppo | 60th C. BCE | 4 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 14 | Maaloula | Rif Dimashq | 1st C. CE | 3 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 15 | Ugarit (Ras Shamra) | Latakia | 15th C. BCE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 16 | Apamea | Hama Countryside | 3rd C. BCE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 17 | Dura Europos | Deir ez-Zor | 3rd C. BCE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 18 | Hama Old City (Norias) | Hama | 30th C. BCE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 19 | Qalb Lozeh | Idlib (North) | 5th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 20 | Serjilla | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 21 | Al-Bimaristan al-Arghuni | Aleppo | 14th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 22 | Beehive Houses | Aleppo Rural | Traditional | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 23 | Qalaat Najm | Manbij | 13th C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 24 | Maarat al-Naaman Museum | Idlib | 16th C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 25 | Al-Mushabak Basilica | Aleppo (North) | 5th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 26 | Shaizar Castle | Hama | 12th C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 27 | Al-Bimaristan al-Nuri | Damascus | 12th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 28 | Deir Mar Jerjes | Wadi al-Nasara | 6th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟🌟 |
| 29 | National Museum | Damascus | 20th C. CE | 3 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 30 | Damascus Citadel | Damascus | 1st C. BCE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 31 | Salah al-Din Castle | Latakia Mountains | 12th C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 32 | Al-Marqab Castle | Tartus Coast | 12th C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 33 | Masyaf Castle | Hama Mountains | 12th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 34 | Deir Mar Musa | Nebek | 6th C. CE | 3 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 35 | Sednaya | Rif Dimashq | 6th C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 36 | Maktab Anbar | Damascus | 19th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 37 | Damascus Old Bazaars | Damascus | 13th C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 38 | Arados (Arwad Island) | Tartus | 20th C. BCE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 39 | Ebla (Tell Mardikh) | Idlib Countryside | 30th C. BCE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 40 | Amrit | Tartus | 30th C. BCE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 41 | Qatna (Tell Mishrifeh) | Homs Countryside | 18th C. BCE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 42 | Ibn Wardan Palace | Hama Desert | 6th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 43 | Tartus City (Cathedral) | Tartus | 12th C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 44 | Latakia City | Latakia | 2nd C. BCE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 45 | Qalaat al-Mahalbeh | Latakia Mountains | 11th C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 46 | Qalaat Yahmur | Tartus | 12th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 47 | Qalaat al-Khawabi | Tartus Mountains | 12th C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 48 | Al-Zeitoun Church | Damascus | 19th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 49 | Aramo | Latakia Mountains | 10th C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 50 | Suweida Attractions | Suweida | 1st C. CE | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 51 | Al-Madrasa al-Aadiliyeh | Damascus | 12th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 52 | Al-Madrasa al-Zahiriyeh | Damascus | 13th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 53 | Al-Hijaz Train Station | Damascus | 20th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 54 | Deir Mar Yaqoub | Qara | 6th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 55 | Yabrud | Rif Dimashq | Paleolithic / Roman | 2 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 56 | Qalaat al-Shamamis | Salamiyah | 1st C. BCE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 57 | Abu Qubeis Castle | Hama Mountains | 10th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 58 | Al-Dumeir Temple | Rif Dimashq | 3rd C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 59 | Deir al-Shirubeim | Sednaya | 3rd C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 60 | Beit Ajqabash | Aleppo | 18th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 61 | Beit al-Aqad | Damascus | 15th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 62 | Al-Madrasa al-Jaqmaqiyeh | Damascus | 15th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 63 | Homs Attractions | Homs | 1st C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 64 | Qalaat al-Rasafeh | Raqqa Desert | 6th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 65 | Barad | Aleppo (North) | 4th C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 66 | Kharab Shams | Aleppo (North) | 4th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 67 | Deir Turmanin | Idlib (North) | 5th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 68 | Qalaat Kaluta | Aleppo (North) | 2nd C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 69 | Qasr al-Banat | Dana (North) | 5th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 70 | Jeradeh | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 71 | Qatura | Aleppo (North) | 2nd C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 72 | Babisqa | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 73 | Baqirha | Idlib (North) | 2nd C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 74 | Ruweiha | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 75 | Jisr al-Shaghur Bridge | Idlib | 13th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 76 | Al-Madiq Castle | Hama (Apamea) | 3rd C. BCE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟🌟 |
| 77 | Mount Qasioun | Damascus | Prehistoric | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 78 | Ananias Chapel | Damascus | 1st C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 79 | Sergiopolis (Resafa) | Raqqa Desert | 3rd C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟 |
| 80 | Mari Kingdom | Deir ez-Zor | 29th C. BCE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 81 | Zeus Baetocaece | Safita Mountains | 9th C. BCE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 82 | Ain Dara Temple | Afrin (North) | 13th C. BCE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 83 | Canatha (Qanawat) | Sweida | 1st C. CE | 1.5 Hours | 🌟🌟 |
| 84 | Cyrrhus (Nabi Houri) | Aleppo (North) | 3rd C. BCE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 85 | Jaabar Castle | Raqqa | 10th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 86 | Alheer Palace | Palmyra Desert | 8th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 87 | Deir al-Salib | Hama Countryside | 6th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 88 | Al-Andarin | Hama Desert | 6th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 89 | Qalaat al-Kahf | Tartus Mountains | 12th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 90 | Daraa City (Omari Mosque) | Daraa | 7th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 91 | Ithriya | Hama Desert Road | 3rd C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 92 | Qalaat al-Maniqeh | Jableh Countryside | 11th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 93 | Deir Mar Elias | Tartus/Hama | 6th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 94 | Al-Maqataa Church | Hama Countryside | 5th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 95 | Burj Heidar | Aleppo (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 96 | Kafr Nabo | Aleppo (North) | 2nd C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 97 | Sheikh Suleiman | Aleppo (North) | 5th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 98 | Fafertin | Aleppo (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 99 | Deir Seita | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 100 | Shinshirah | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 101 | Banabel | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 102 | Bab al-Hawa Arch | Idlib (Border) | 6th C. CE | 15 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 103 | Basufan | Aleppo (North) | 5th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 104 | Sarmada Columns | Idlib (North) | 2nd C. CE | 15 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 105 | Al-Dana (Tomb) | Idlib (North) | 2nd C. CE | 15 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 106 | Deir Sunbul | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 107 | Al-Bara (Baros) | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 1 Hour | 🌟🌟 |
| 108 | Beit Khalid al-Azem | Damascus | 18th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 109 | Qara (Old Churches) | Qalamoun | 4th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 110 | Haran al-Awamid | Rif Dimashq | 3rd C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 111 | Deir Mar Touma | Sednaya | 6th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟🌟 |
| 112 | Qalaat al-Arimeh | Tartus | 12th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
| 113 | Qalaat al-Ileiqeh | Baniyas | 12th C. CE | 45 Mins | 🌟 |
| 114 | Qalaat Bani Qahtan | Latakia Mountains | 12th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
| 115 | Burj al-Sebi | Tartus Coast | 12th C. CE | 15 Mins | 🌟 |
| 116 | Batuta | Aleppo (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
| 117 | Kimar | Aleppo (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
| 118 | Sinkhar | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
| 119 | Behyo | Idlib (North) | 5th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
| 120 | Beshandlaya | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
| 121 | Meghara | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
| 122 | Meskaneh | Aleppo (East) | 12th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
| 123 | Qarqbizeh | Idlib (North) | 4th C. CE | 30 Mins | 🌟 |
How to Plan Your Trip to Syria
Effective planning starts with understanding scale and distance. Syria’s historical sites are spread across multiple regions, often requiring careful sequencing rather than dense scheduling.
When planning your trip:
- Group sites geographically to minimize transit time
- Balance major landmarks with lesser-known but significant locations
- Avoid overloading single days with long-distance travel
- Prioritize sites that align with your historical or cultural interests
This approach allows for flexibility while maintaining depth, especially for visitors with limited time.
Planning Your Journey
Beyond selecting sites, practical considerations shape the overall experience. Rather than replacing detailed articles, this section summarizes the essentials and directs you to deeper resources where needed.
Transportation
Intercity travel relies mainly on buses and shared taxis, with routes centered around major cities. Travel time should always be estimated conservatively.
Accommodation
Accommodation quality and availability vary by region. Larger cities offer more consistent options, while historic areas may require advance planning.
Travel Costs
Costs remain relatively affordable compared to many destinations, but budgeting should account for transportation frequency and guided visits at certain sites.
Internet and Connectivity
Connectivity exists but is inconsistent. Planning offline access to maps and documents is strongly recommended.
Your Next Steps: Finalizing Your Journey
Before travel, ensure all documentation is prepared and expectations are realistic. Flexibility is essential, as conditions can vary between regions.
Key final steps include:
- Confirming visa requirements and entry routes
- Allowing buffer time between major destinations
- Reviewing regional conditions shortly before travel
- Identifying priority sites in case adjustments are needed
From here, you can explore individual site articles, regional overviews, and focused travel notes across the site.
Further Reading and References
For readers seeking deeper context, this guide is supported by additional academic, historical, and regional references. External sources are selected for reliability and long-term relevance rather than popularity.
See Also: Check visa requirements to Syria
Sources & References:
UNESCO – World Heritage Centre: https://whc.unesco.org
Archnet – Architecture & Heritage Database: https://www.archnet.org
World History Encyclopedia: https://www.worldhistory.org
Syrian Heritage Archive Project: https://syrian-heritage.org
Global Encyclopedia: Wikipedia