July 2025 Quick Syria Travel Guide

My trip to Syria was one of the most profound travel experiences I’ve had in a very long time. It was heart-wrenching in some ways, eye-opening in others, but across the board, it blew my expectations out of the water. I felt challenged, welcomed, humbled, and inspired—sometimes all in the same day. Given that US sanctions were just recently removed after many years, there is a lot to overcome logistically when traveling to Syria. I’m here to help with that.

If you want to see the dozens of stories, tips, and tricks I posted about Syria, check out my videos on my Instagram here @NickMaddockGlobal.

Near Latakia, Syria

1. ✈️ Visa and Entry Requirements

As of July 6, 2025, Syria is now requiring visa payment at all borders, including the land ones with Lebanon and Jordan. This is a change from the months prior, when travelers could enter for free through the land borders.

Americans can obtain a visa on arrival at any border for a cost of $150. To see a full list of cost by country, visit here.

2. 🛑 Safety & Security

Let’s talk honestly.

Syria is safe in some regions, questionable in others, and best avoided entirely in a few. It’s extremely regional.

✅ Safest Areas:

• Damascus & Aleppo: These cities are bustling, full of life, and heavily secured. I saw police on every corner. For risk-averse travelers, stick to these two and you’ll be fine.

• Homs & Hama: I visited both. While they have a different feel—quieter, more sobering—they were still safe in my experience. Just stay aware and respectful.

⚠️ Use Caution:

• The Coast (Latakia, Tartus): Beautiful, but recently unstable due to infighting between groups. I personally had a great time there, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re comfortable with the risks.

🚫 Avoid:

• Eastern Syria: Areas east of Homs and Palmyra, especially those near Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, are still volatile. Don’t go.

3. 🛡️ Getting to Syria

Since the new Visa fees are in place at land borders, my best recommendation for visiting Syria is to fly into Damascus airport, and to do so using POINTS AND MILES if you have them. For example, a flight from Europe to Damascus will cost about $400-600 one way. However, if you know how to leverage points and miles, you can book the same flight on Turkish Airlines from most places in Europe for only 12,500 points, the equivalent of only $125. To search for flights using points and miles, I’d recommend the platform PointsYeah.com

You can also choose to fly into Beirut, Lebanon or Amman, Jordan and take buses or taxi's across. Each will cost you about $100-150 depending on your negotiation skills.

4. 🗓️ Best Time to Visit

Syria follows the Northern Hemisphere seasons, so it aligns pretty closely with U.S. weather:

• Summer (June–August): Hot, especially inland. I’d personally avoid July and August.

• Winter (Dec–Feb): Cooler but still manageable. Can be rainy.

• Spring & Fall: Best time to visit. March–May and September–November bring mild weather and great light for photos.

5. 🚕 Getting Around

📱 Ride-Sharing:

Download Yalla Go, Syria’s version of Uber. It works in most major cities (especially Damascus and Aleppo) and makes getting around a breeze. Set it up before you arrive.

🚌 Intercity Buses:

Long-distance buses are the main way to get between cities. Think Greyhound-style—but honestly, some were nicer than the ones we have in the U.S. Seats were comfy, AC worked, and the experience felt safe and efficient. Stations can be a bit chaotic, but once you’re on the bus, you’re golden. Just ask your hotel reception for the intercity bus station location wherever you are, and grab a taxi there. Most buses between all the main cities go out every 30 minutes or hour.

🚖 Taxis:

Taxis are everywhere, but negotiate up front.

• Use Yalla Go to check what a fair price would be.

• I usually paid 20–30% above what the app showed. That kept things fair without getting scammed.

6. 🏨 Where to Stay

This one’s tricky. Due to sanctions, most international booking platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb don’t work in Syria because of the sanctions.

🛎️ Booking Tips:

• There’s a local hotel app called Rahal, but it's a little pricey.

• Most listings are expensive and lacking in budget options.

• My best tip? Use Google Maps to find hotels, then WhatsApp the numbers directly. That’s how I found some amazing places.

Recommended Places in Damascus:

• Super Duper Budget Option: Gool Gamal Hotel $10-$20 a night (No WhatsApp, just have to show up_

• If folks can find some trusted hotels between $20-$55 with a responsive WhatsApp, I'd be happy to add them to the list here.

• Budget Option: Al Majed Hotel $55-$85 a night (WhatsApp: +963 933 313 939)

• Mid-Range/Fancy Option: Dar Al Mamlouka $90-$150 a night

• Most Luxurious Option: Beit Al Wali: $175-$250 a night

Recommended Places in Aleppo:

• Budget Option: Qasr Al-Andalus $15-$35 a night (WhatsApp: +963 968 002 206)

7. 📶 Data, SIMs & Connectivity

You can obtain SIM cards at most border crossings and the airport.

As of May 2025, Syria now offers eSIMs, but you can’t get them online before you arrive. You’ll need to visit a local telecom shop in person. Because I had the American iPhone 15, I don’t have a SIM card slot and had to immediately go to Syriatel, where they hooked me up with an eSIM and 20GB data package for about $10.

I spoke with PangiaPass, a global eSIM provider, and they’re the first company I’ve heard of actively working to add Syria to their eSIM network since the sanctions dropped. If you’re reading this in the future, check if it’s now available. They offer a $27/month unlimited high-speed data global pass in 105 countries.

10% off link to PangiaPass

8. 💸 Money & Currency

This is important: Syria is a cash economy.

Due to international sanctions, you will find functioning ATMs, international banks, and credit card machines almost nowhere in the country.

Here’s what you need to know:

• 💵 Bring all the cash you’ll need for your entire trip—including accommodations, transport, food, and excursions.

• 🧾 Visa Fees: Depending on how you enter, you might need to pay a visa fee up to $300 USD (especially if entering by air). Budget for that in cash, just in case.

• 💳 Cards don’t work: Visa, Mastercard, Amex? Forget it. Syria doesn’t currently process international card transactions.

• 🏦 ATMs are unreliable: Some exist, but many won’t work with foreign cards. Even local ones can be inconsistent.

• 🔐 Pro tip: Spread your cash across bags and secure locations. Keep small bills on hand for taxis and snacks, and larger ones for hotels and intercity travel.

This might change in the coming months, as some international financial tools return—but for now, assume Syria is 100% cash-based.

9. 🗺️ Where to Go in Syria (And What Each Place Offers)

If you’re going to Syria, I can’t emphasize this enough:

Visit both Damascus and Aleppo. They are radically different cities, each telling a distinct story of Syria’s past, present, and future.

🏛️ Damascus – Culture, Architecture, and Ancient Streets

Damascus feels like a living museum. You’ll find:

• Ancient souks that wind like mazes through the Old City

• Umayyad Mosque, one of the oldest and most beautiful in the Islamic world

• Traditional Syrian architecture, stunning stone homes and courtyards

• A vibe that’s more refined, historic, and culturally rich

It’s bustling but very welcoming—easily one of my favorite cities in the Middle East.

🏰 Aleppo – Art, Resilience, and a Rising Creative Scene

Aleppo was heavily affected by the war, but there’s a new energy rising from its scars.

• The Aleppo Citadel towers over the city—massive, impressive, and deeply historic

• The Jdeideh Quarter is being restored and has an artsy, bohemian feel

• Locals are incredibly warm and proud to see visitors returning

• There’s a growing art and music scene tucked into the city’s quiet corners

It’s gritty, inspiring, and radically different from Damascus. The two cities complement each other beautifully.

🕌 Homs & Hama – Quiet, Off-the-Beaten Path

These cities are in between Damascus and Aleppo and offer a much more low-key vibe.

• Homs has seen conflict, but feels calm and grounded now

• Hama is famous for its ancient norias (water wheels) and riverfront views

Both felt safe during my visit, and are great for travelers wanting a quieter pace and a deeper look into everyday Syrian life.

🌊 The Coast (Latakia & Tartus) – Beautiful, But Currently Not Recommended

There’s no denying Syria’s coast is stunning. The Mediterranean breeze, the Alawite culture, and the lesser-seen side of Syria make it fascinating.

But here’s the reality:

There have been recent tensions and infighting among local groups in coastal regions. So unless you’re:

• An experienced traveler, and

• Fully aware of the risks and complexities in the region,

…I’d recommend skipping it for now. That said, I went—and personally had a great time. But proceed cautiously.

🗓️ Suggested Itinerary: 1 Week in Syria

If you’re short on time or just want to hit the best highlights:

7-Day Syria Plan:

• Days 1–3: Damascus + day trips to Maaloula or Saydnaya

• Day 4: Travel to Homs/Hama (optional stopover)

• Days 5–7: Aleppo and surroundings

This route gives you culture, history, architecture, and local connection—all without stretching your comfort zone too far.

10. 🚫 Avoiding Scams in Syria

Syria is not a place where you’ll feel physically unsafe or aggressively hassled by vendors. In fact, most people are incredibly kind, curious, and welcoming. That said, some locals will definitely try to take advantage of foreigners financially—especially now that more travelers are slowly returning.

You need to stay sharp and be assertive in the following situations:

🚖 Taxis

This is the #1 place scams happen.

• Always negotiate the price beforehand. Make it extremely clear—repeat the number back, and clarify the currency (see below).

• Don’t let them tack on surprise tolls, fees, or per-person charges.

• If the driver changes the agreed price at the end of the ride, stay firm and pay the agreed amount only.

💡 Pro tip: Use the Yalla Go app first to see the fair price, then negotiate in cash using that as your baseline.

💵 Currency Confusion (USD vs Syrian Pound)

One of the most common scams I experienced was the deliberate ambiguity between Syrian Pounds (SYP) and U.S. Dollars (USD).

Here’s how it goes:

You ask the price of something, and they say “ten.” You assume they mean 10,000 Syrian Pounds (about $1.10).

At the end, they tell you it was $10 USD

It happened to me at a barbershop, where the actual cost should’ve been around $2, and he tried to charge me $10.

It happened again in a taxi, where the driver quoted me “two-fifty”—then tried to take $250 USD, not the 250,000 Syrian Pounds we had agreed to (roughly $27).

So:

• Always clarify the currency: Say “U.S. dollars or Syrian pounds?”

• If you’re quoting in pounds, say the full amount clearly (e.g., “25,000 Syrian pounds” instead of just “25”).

• When in doubt, pull out your phone calculator and type it out.
  

🧠 Final Tip:

The vast majority of Syrians are honest and kind, and some will even refuse tips or go out of their way to help you. But as always, a few opportunists can skew the experience if you’re not alert.

Stay smart, stay kind, and don’t be afraid to push back when something feels off.