What to do in Syria - Syria Travel Guide for backpackers and independent travellers

Syria

Find out what to see and do when travelling or backpacking around Syria.

Syria highlights

	Destination	Make a reservation
	Damascus The city of Damascus has been in existence since around 10000BC and visitors certainly get a feel for long and varied history. Wander around the maze of small streets in the old city and see the many souks and mosques with their ornate minarets.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Aleppo This Red Sea resort is the perfect place to unwind with some snorkelling or scuba diving amongst the coral reefs. The backdrop of the desert and mountains is dramatic and also offers some decent hiking opportunities.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Bosra This archaeological site boasts a mix of Roman and Arabic buildings. Famed for its distinctive black basalt stone, you can visit the Roman theatre and also see the imposing Arab citadel.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Krak des Chevaliers Meaning 'Castle of the Knights' this is perhaps the best known of all the Crusader Castles. Spend a day here and marvel at the well preserved castle complete with both the inner and outer walls and a keep. Due to its position at around 750m above sea level it is possible to catch an amazing sunrise or sunset if you are lucky.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	The Dead Cities Situated in the north-west of the country, these abandoned Byzantine towns such as Al Bara and Serjilla boast an impressive amount of well-preserved basilicas, monasteries, villa and baths. There are supposedly over 700 such towns and villages in this desolate area.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours

The main international airport in Syria is the Damascus International Airport which receives flights from other Middle-Eastern states and Europe. There are also airports in Aleppo and Latakia but these don't have the same range of connections as Damascus.
Syria borders Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. It is not currently possible to enter the country through Israel and Iraq but it is possible to easily enter by bus or car via Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
Once in the country, many people travel by coach but the schedules are not always regular or reliable. There is a strong microbus network that is useful for shorter journeys.
Syria also has a fairly modern rail network covering the Mediterranean coast and main cities.
A popular route is to travel from Istanbul in Turkey to Damascus and then onwards to Jordan.

Responsible Travel in Syria - Trips and accommodation from the main tourist routes to off-the-beaten track places.