Why visit
Syria's Damascus and Aleppo are among the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, with Palmyra and Krak des Chevaliers in their orbit. War has devastated and isolated them; conventional tourism is currently very limited.
Country - Asia
Syria
culturefoodhistory
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Syria works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Damascus as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Syria.
At a glance
Location
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
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
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
Traveler notes
- The Umayyad Mosque anchors Damascus' old city
- Krak des Chevaliers is the archetypal Crusader castle
- Most governments advise against travel; check conditions
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Damascus, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Syria
What is the capital of Syria?
Damascus is the capital of Syria.
What currency does Syria use?
Syria uses the Syrian pound (£), ISO code SYP.
What languages are spoken in Syria?
The primary language is Arabic.
Is Syria landlocked?
No, Syria has a coastline.
What countries border Syria?
Syria borders Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye.
What is the international calling code for Syria?
The calling code is +963.
Other Asia destinations
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan runs from Baku's Flame Towers and UNESCO-listed walled old city to mud volcanoes, the burning hillside of Yanar Dag, and mountain villages like Khinalig sitting above 2,000 m in the Caucasus.
Bahrain
Bahrain is an island state where 4,000-year-old Dilmun burial mounds meet Formula 1 weekends. The Bahrain Fort, the Tree of Life alone in the desert, and a long pearling history recognized by UNESCO.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is the delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra: the Sundarbans mangroves with their swimming tigers, Cox's Bazar's 120 km beach, river life everywhere, and almost no foreign tourists.
Bhutan
Bhutan measures Gross National Happiness, caps tourism with a daily levy, and rewards those who come with Tiger's Nest monastery, dzong fortresses, and Himalayan trails without crowds.
Brunei
Brunei is a small, quiet sultanate on Borneo: the water village of Kampong Ayer, the gold-domed Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, and primary rainforest in Ulu Temburong reachable by longboat.
Cambodia
Cambodia is Angkor: the largest religious monument on earth and a temple field that absorbs days. Beyond it, Phnom Penh's heavy history, Kampot's pepper farms, and southern islands with bungalow beaches.