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Syria

6

Reasons To
Visit Syria

  • Ancient Cities

    Damascus claims to be the longest continually inhabited place on earth, and this sense of history pervades the city. Aleppo is almost as ancient, dominated by her brooding Mamluke citadel, whilst further down the Euphrates Valley, Mari is one of only a handful of extant Mesopotamian cities.

    Ancient Cities

  • Ancient Ruins

    At times, it seems impossible to walk 500 yards in Syria without tripping over the remnants of one of the many ancient civilisations to have held sway in Syria. The country probably has one of the highest concentrations of historic monuments in the world and this is one of the major draws for most people.

    Ancient Ruins

  • Castles

    As you'd expect of a country on so many major trade and pilgrimage routes, the years of conquest and counter-conquest have left a rich tapestry of fortifications across the country. Crusader architecture in particular reached its zenith here and there are some superb examples to explore.

    Castles

  • Medinas

    The walled heart of all major towns and cities, the medina normally houses a number of attractions, from museums, mosques and monuments, to the souqs and traditional townhouses converted to boutique hotels and restaurants.

    Medinas

  • Museums

    The National Museums in Aleppo and Damascus should definitely feature in your plans. Not only are they home to many fantastic artefacts from across the country, but they also help put the whole of your visit to Syria into its historical context.

    Museums

  • Souqs & Shopping

    Syria's souqs are probably the most rewarding in the region, selling goods almost exclusively for the locals, manufactured in Syria, rather than cheap foreign imports. The atmosphere is always exotic and unthreatening, making shopping a real pleasure.

    Souqs & Shopping

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Visit Palmyra, Syria

Palmyra is a desert oasis north-east of Damascus which prospered thanks to trade links between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates Valley. What is left today is so extensive and wonderfully well preserved that it gives a remarkable idea of what Palmyra was like in its heyday.

Temple of Bel, Palmyra
Palmyra and Qala'at Ibn MaanPalmyra with the Arab Citadel in the backgroundPalmyra and Qala'at Ibn MaanTemple of Bel, Palmyra

Palmyra

Syria

Palmyra is a desert oasis north-east of Damascus that prospered thanks to trade links between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates Valley.

Gradually Romanised over the course of the first and second centuries AD, the city reasserted its independence in the late third century under the legendary Queen Zenobia who entertained the idea of splitting the world with the Roman Emperor Aurelian.

Thus provoked, Rome attacked and captured Palmyra from Zenobia, from which point the city’s fortunes declined.

Exploring Palmyra

What is left today is so extensive and wonderfully well preserved that it gives a remarkable idea of what Palmyra was like in its heyday: Long, colonnaded streets, vast temples girded by expertly worked columns and unusual tower tombs.

Highlights of time spent here include the Temple of Bel, the wonderful views over the city from the Arab Castle, and the unusual funerary monuments of the Valley of Tombs.

Palmyra is one of the largest, most complete archaeological sites in the Middle East, with a unique blend of Classical and regional influences that makes it a premier attraction.

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