Destination:
Syria

Overview

Arabic hospitality can be somewhat overwhelming for first-time visitors, and nowhere else in the Middle East will visitors receive such a genuine demonstration of Arabic hospitality, accompanied by a refreshingly sincere welcome, than in the Arab Republic of Syria. 'Ahlan wa sahlan' is a phrase that will be heard often throughout the country, meaning 'You are welcome', and will more than likely be accompanied by a traditional cup of Arabic coffee or a glass of tea, or an offer to share in the family meal.

Syria once included present day Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine within its borders, but today is enclosed by Turkey to the north, Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Jordan and Israel to the south, and Iraq to the east. Its central position on the caravan and trade route was largely responsible for its intermingling of beliefs and ideas, having survived a myriad invasions and occupations over the ages from the Persians and Greeks to the Romans, Crusaders and Arabs.

The Syria of today offers tourists as much a cultural experience as a sightseeing one, where ancient history provides a fascinating backdrop to everyday life on the streets. Part of the ancient caravan route, the 500-year old souqs(covered markets) are a riot of colour and turmoil, where anything from handmade chunks of soap and carpets to sheep's tongues and underwear are sold from shops crammed into the narrow cobblestone alleyways. On the streets, donkeys, 1960s American car-taxis, bicycles, minibuses and private jeeps vie for priority, while street vendors and shoe-shiners clog the sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to take on the traffic amid a cacophony of hooting and shouting.

One of the most interesting places for travellers is the capital city of Damascus, brimming with history as one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world. Then there is Aleppo in the north with its citadel, elaborately decorated hammans(bath houses), ancient souqand the nearby ruins of St Simeon, considered to be one of the world's oldest remaining churches. In Syria's central region lie the ancient Greek ruins of Palmyra, located in the desert oasis that has long been a crucial stopover for caravans crossing the Syrian desert, while the friendly town of Hama is famous for its ancient wooden water-wheels and is in proximity to the impressive crusader castle of Krak de Chevaliers. Syria also boasts many resorts along the Mediterranean Coast.

Time spent in Syria will be as gratifying as it is interesting, and visitors will return home with a collection of stories to tell, a wealth of fond recollections, and a camera full of photographs.

Basics

Time
Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to October).

Electricity
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin attachment plugs are in use.

Language
Arabic is the official, and most widely spoken, language. English is widely understood by many educated Syrians in the major cities.

Health
Malaria is not a health risk in the urban areas of Syria but travellers to El Hassaka, in northern Syria, are recommended to take chloroquine between May and October. A yellow fever certificate is required by travellers arriving from an infected country in Africa or the Americas. It is recommended that travellers are vaccinated against polio. Although medical treatment is inexpensive, standards are variable. Doctors are generally well qualified and most medical personnel speak English or French. Basic medical care is available in major cities, but medical insurance is strongly advised.

Tipping
Tipping is a common way of showing appreciation, but the amount is left to the discretion of the giver. Ten percent is standard in bigger restaurants.

Safety
Most visits to Syria are trouble-free, and crime levels are low. Terrorism is a risk, and although not usually directed at tourists, there is the risk of becoming an unintentional victim, especially at places like the US Embassy.

Customs
Syria is predominantly a Muslim country and visitors should respect religious sensitivity, particularly in the matter of dress and public conduct. Women, in particular, should wear loose fitting clothes that cover most of the body. Headscarves are unnecessary unless entering mosques. Eating, drinking and smoking in public during the holy month of Ramadan should be avoided, as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Homosexuality is illegal. The death penalty is enforced for drug trafficking.

Business
Dress should be formal, and meetings should be arranged in advance. Business cards are usually exchanged at meetings. English and French are widely spoken in business, but translators can be arranged. Business hours are Saturday to Thursday from about 8.30am to 2.30pm, but Christian businesses open on Fridays and close on Sundays.

Communications
The international dialling code for Syria is +963. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City codes are in use, e.g. (0)11 for Damascus. There is good mobile phone coverage in urban areas, and many networks have international roaming agreements. Internet access is limited, but is available in Damascus.

Duty Free
Travellers are allowed to import 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250g tobacco, 1 pint of spirits, perfume for personal use, and gifts to the value of S¤250 without paying customs duty. Firearms are prohibited. There is no limit on the amount of tobacco or spirits for export.

Currency

The official currency is the Syrian pound (SYP), which is divided into 100 piastres. There are a few ATMs in the bigger towns, but not all cards are accepted. Credit cards are not widely used, but American Express and Diners Club are the most readily accepted. Travellers cheques are not accepted in most banks, and those that do require lengthy and complicated processes.

SYP 1 =

US$ 0.02

£ 0.01

C$ 0.02

A$ 0.02

R 0.14

EUR 0.01

NZ$ 0.02

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Health

Health Overview
Malaria is not a health risk in the urban areas of Syria but travellers to El Hassaka, in northern Syria, are recommended to take chloroquine between May and October. A yellow fever certificate is required by travellers arriving from an infected country in Africa or the Americas. It is recommended that travellers are vaccinated against polio. Although medical treatment is inexpensive, standards are variable. Doctors are generally well qualified and most medical personnel speak English or French. Basic medical care is available in major cities, but medical insurance is strongly advised.

Visa

Americans


UK nationals


Canadians


Australians


South Africans


Irish nationals


New Zealanders

Passport/Visa Note
Visitors should be aware that if their passport (or airline ticket) contains an Israeli stamp, or any evidence of an intended visit to Israel, entry to Syria will be refused even if in possession of a valid visa. Visas can only be issued on arrival to those travelling as part of an organised group or if there is no Syrian representation in their home country. Visas are not required for any traveller whose passport states that he or she was born in: Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates or Yemen. Passports with visas for Israel or airline tickets showing Israel as a destination will be refused entry. All travellers must hold return or onward tickets, all documents required for the next destination and sufficient funds to cover their stay. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Contacts

Syria Tourism
Syria Ministry of Tourism, Damascus: +963 (0)11 221 0122 or www.syriatourism.org

Foreign Embassies in Syria

Syria Embassies

Regions and Cities

Damascus

One of the most interesting places for travellers is the capital city of Damascus, brimming with history as one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, where the enormous Umayyad Mosque, Roman walls and gates, biblical sites and bustling markets hold visitors in a spell of fascination.

The wealth of historical sites date back to the many different periods of the city's history, where mosques, churches, the old city walls and ancient souqstestify to the occupation of Greeks and Romans, Persians, Christians, and the Islamic Umayyad Empire. Biblically speaking, Damascus was once the capital of the Aramean Kingdom in the 11th century BC, and was where many centuries later the apostle Paul was converted to Christianity and started the early church. The city's most glorious days, however, were as the capital of the Umayyad Empire, and many of its monuments are still the pride of Damascus today. The Umayyad Mosque, or Grand Mosque of Damascus, is one of the biggest in the world, its interior covered from wall to wall with beautiful thick carpets and richly decorated with ornate inlays and designs.

The place to get to grips with present-day Damascus is in the souqs(covered markets), the largest and most famous dating back to 1863, where haggling for inlaid mosaic boxes, chessboards, jewellery and hookah(hubble-bubble) pipes is all part of the experience. Cries of 'need a carpet/kilim/scarf?' or 'just one minute to look and looking is free' will assault visitors along with the fragrant scent of spices, and the sight of colourful merchandise spilling out onto the thoroughfares.