Why visit
Damascus is the capital of Syria. A practical starting point for museums, food, and onward routes into the country.
Syria at a glance
Country center
35.0°, 38.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
185,180 km²
71,498 mi²
Country population
23.2 million
125/km²
Subregion
Western Asia
Currency
Syrian pound (£)
SYP
Dial
+963
Language
Arabic
Demonym
Syrian
Internet
.sy
UN
Member state
ISO code
SY / SYR
Where in the world
35.0° · 38.0°
Syria
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Did you know
- Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world: settled for ~11,000 years.
- Syria's ancient city of Palmyra was a key trading hub on the Silk Road.
- The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is one of the oldest and holiest mosques in Islam.
Bordering Syria
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Damascus
What currency is used in Damascus?
Damascus uses the Syrian pound (£), ISO code SYP.
What languages are spoken in Syria?
The primary language is Arabic.
What is the international calling code for Syria?
The calling code is +963.
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