Is Syria Safe For Travel in 2025? Discover Top Attractions & Safety Tips

With the collapse of the dictatorial regime and the easing of the civil war, Syria has finally reopened its country to tourists who want to visit. Before the conflict erupted in 2011, Syria was a country that was always crowded with tourists every year. Some of them have an excessive interest in history.

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Of course, this interest is not without reason. Syria is a country where one of the oldest civilisations in the world is located, so ancient sites such as the Umayyad Mosque, the ruins of Palmyra, and Bosra are favourite tourist destinations. However, the question must have arisen in your mind; is Syria really safe for tourists to visit?

Is it safe?

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News of Syria reopening its country to tourists broke shortly after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. In 2010 alone, before the war, Syria was visited by at least 10 million tourists. It is no wonder why the sector contributed a significant amount to the national income. Now, with the conflict easing, tourism activists in Syria are hoping that the sector will recover quickly to help improve the country's economy.

Several travel agents have also opened tour packages to Syria, inviting tourists to once again visit the country's historical sites. This is accompanied by hotels and restaurants that are again accepting customers. Not only that, several airlines, such as Royal Jordanian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways are seen operating again at Damascus International Airport.

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Some countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom are still warning their citizens not to travel to Syria for security reasons. Some areas are still experiencing conflict. However, usually, these areas will not be included in tour packages and will not be accessible to tourists. Meanwhile, major cities such as Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Latakia, and Tartus are safe to visit according to several travel agents.

Tips to keep your trip safe

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• Use a trusted travel agent. Travel agents who open trips to Syria know better which areas are safe and will always inform you of what you can and cannot do while travelling to Syria.

• Take advantage of travel insurance. You should do some research on which insurances cover Syria.

• Your goal is to explore the sights, so political conversations are best left out. Instead, you can delve into Syria's rich history.

• Stay within your group and do not venture into restricted areas.

• There are no ATM machines in Syria, so it's best to bring cash.

The trend of travelling to war-torn areas

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Actually, the trend of travelling to war-torn areas is not something new. They usually want to see the conditions of the area and learn the history there. So are those who want to visit Syria after the war.

Some travel agencies say that there will be a new trend in Syrian tourism where tourists will visit historical sites from the former regime such as Saydnaya Prison. The hope is that bringing tourists to these places will have a positive impact in recognising and remembering the crimes of the regime and helping the world better understand the crisis that Syria is experiencing, just as its citizens are experiencing it.

In Syria itself, you can visit various iconic tours that are not only interesting but also have a long history. Some of them are:

1. Umayyad Mosque

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This mosque is also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus and is known as one of the oldest mosques in the world, just like Damascus which is one of the oldest capitals. In this Syrian capital, you can not only enjoy the beauty of architecture built in the 7th century but also explore the bustling Al-Hamidiyah market and taste local food at restaurants.

2. The Knights' Claw

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Standing on a high hill, Krak des Chevaliers is a historical landmark dating back to the 11th century. Once a fortress for the Crusaders, it is now visited by many tourists who want to peek inside and learn about the past of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. Palmyra

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Palmyra has unfortunately been badly damaged by the Syrian war, but that has not deterred tourists from visiting the archaeological site built in 200 AD by the Romans. The iconic ruins have not only attracted foreign tourists, but Syrians have also returned to Palmyra to picnic and admire its tall pillars and reminisce about the history that once took place there.

4. Bosra

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The ruins of old cities in Syria always have their own charm. One of the must-visit is the Bosra amphitheatre located in the south of Syria, approximately 1.5 hours drive from the country's capital. The Bosra amphitheatre is indeed magnificent and might remind you of the Colosseum in Rome. Don't just stop at the amphitheatre, but take a short walk to the ruins of the old city that was once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia.

5. Aleppo

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If you want to witness a war-torn area, then Aleppo is your destination. Syria's second-largest city is almost completely destroyed and the sight of collapsed buildings and debris on the streets is what you will encounter, giving you a very emotional experience. While in Aleppo, don't forget to visit the Aleppo Citadel where you can see the city from above.

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Syrian tourism is starting to revive as its citizens start to do their normal activities. Markets are starting to come alive, as are restaurants and accommodations in the country. To make your trip safer and more enjoyable, don't forget to keep up with the news in Syria and continue to use a trusted travel agent, considering that there is still conflict in some areas.