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Syria Damascus travel guide
29 things to do in Damascus. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Damascus
- Umayyad Mosque — mosque in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sulaymaniyya Takiyya — takiyya in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- National Museum in Damascus — museum in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Al-Azm Palace — palace in Damascus, Syria, built in 1749 (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Mausoleum of Saladin — resting place and grave of the medieval Muslim Ayyubid Sultan Saladin (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus — patriarchal cathedral in Damascus (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Citadel of Damascus — castle in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Bab Sharqi — ancient city gate of Damascus (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque — Mosque in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- People's Palace, Damascus — Official residence of the president of Syria (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Bab Tuma — ancient city gate of Damascus (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral — Melkite Greek Catholic cathedral in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Temple of Jupiter, Damascus — Roman temple of Damascus (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Sinan Pasha Mosque — mosque in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint Anania's House — church in Ancient City, Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bab al-Faradis — ancient city gate of Damascus (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Bab al-Saghir — one of Damascus' old city gates with cemeteries on the left and right side of the street (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Marjeh Square — square in central Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Darwish Pasha Mosque — mosque in Aleppo, Syria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Chapel of Saint Paul — chapel in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Nur al-Din Madrasa — madrasa school in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Al-Adiliyah Madrasa — madrassah school in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Damascus Opera House — national opera house of Syria (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Murad Pasha Mosque — mosque in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Nur al-Din Bimaristan — ancient hospital(museum currently) in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Saint George Cathedral in Damascus — Cathedral of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Syriac Catholic cathedral — church in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Aqsab Mosque — Mosque in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Umayyad Square — Location in Damascus, Syria (visit ≈ 15 min)
2-day Damascus walking itinerary
Starting point: City centre. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 6.8 km · 9,200 steps · 1 h 29 min on the way): National Museum in Damascus → Sulaymaniyya Takiyya → Al-Azm Palace → Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus → Bab Sharqi → Umayyad Mosque → Mausoleum of Saladin
- Day 2 (≈ 2.4 km · 3,280 steps · 32 min on the way): Citadel of Damascus
Day trips
- Maaloula — 44 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Damascus
- Fine: Photographing military sites and checkpoints is prohibited.
- Fine: Drug offences carry very severe penalties.
- Warning: Many governments advise against travel here; check current official advice.
- Warning: Unexploded ordnance and landmines remain; stay on known routes.
- Warning: It's a cash economy; foreign cards generally don't work.
- In mosques cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair.
- Emergency: police 112, ambulance 110, fire 113
- Plugs: C/E/L, 220V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Syria, Wikivoyage — Syria, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Damascus travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Damascus?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Maaloula).
- What are the top things to do in Damascus?
- Highlights: Umayyad Mosque, Sulaymaniyya Takiyya, National Museum in Damascus, Al-Azm Palace and Mausoleum of Saladin. The map has 29 things to do in total.
- What is the emergency number in Damascus?
- Emergency: police 112, ambulance 110, fire 113.
- Do you tip in Damascus?
- About 10% is customary.
Nearby cities
Beirut · Amman · Ramallah · East Jerusalem · Nicosia · Gaziantep · Şanlıurfa · Mardin
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