Things to Do in Damascus: Old City, Souqs and Day Trips

What is there to do in Damascus? Start in the Old City. Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and almost everything visitors come for sits inside its old walls: the Umayyad Mosque, the covered souqs, the Citadel, Straight Street and the courtyard houses of the Christian quarter. Since Syria reopened to visitors in 2025, the Old City has filled up again with local families and foreign travelers, and the Citadel reopened in 2026 after being closed for the whole war. This guide covers the sights worth your time, the neighborhoods to walk, what to eat, easy day trips and the practical details that are different in Syria today.

Before you go, read our honest answer to is Syria safe to visit?, our Syria visa guide and the complete Syria travel guide.

Damascus at a glance

The Umayyad Mosque

The Umayyad Mosque is the heart of Damascus and the first place to visit. Completed in 715 under the Umayyad caliph al-Walid I, it is one of the oldest and grandest mosques in the world, built on a site that was first a temple, then a Roman temple of Jupiter and then a Byzantine church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.

Walk into the vast marble courtyard and you will see families sitting in the shade, children running and visitors looking up at the gold mosaics on the walls. Inside the prayer hall is a shrine that, according to tradition, holds the head of John the Baptist, a place visited by Muslims and Christians alike.

• Dress code: men and women use separate entrances. Women cover their hair, arms and legs; cloaks are available at the women’s entrance.
• Prayer times: visitors are welcome outside prayer times. Friday midday prayers are the busiest time to avoid.
• Next door: the small garden on the north side holds the tomb of Saladin, the 12th-century sultan.

Souq al-Hamidiyya and the old markets

Souq al-Hamidiyya is the main covered market of Old Damascus and the classic way to arrive at the Umayyad Mosque. It runs from beside the Citadel to the columns of the Roman Temple of Jupiter, right in front of the mosque, under a high arched iron roof.

Stalls sell textiles, carpets, sweets, spices, perfume and souvenirs, alongside modern clothing shops. Side lanes lead to smaller specialist souqs and old caravanserais. Go in the late afternoon, when the lanes are busiest and the light falls through the holes in the roof.

The Citadel and Saladin

The Citadel of Damascus reopened to visitors in 2026 after staying closed for the whole of the war. The medieval fortress stands at the northwest corner of the Old City, next to the entrance of Souq al-Hamidiyya.

In front of it is the large bronze equestrian statue of Saladin, who fought the Crusaders and is buried beside the Umayyad Mosque. The square around the statue is a natural meeting point and a good place to start a walk through the Old City.

Straight Street and the Christian quarter

Straight Street is the Roman main street of Damascus and still crosses the Old City from west to east. It is the “street called Straight” in the Bible, where the Apostle Paul stayed after his conversion and regained his sight with the help of Ananias.

The eastern end leads into the Christian quarter around Bab Touma and Bab Sharqi, a district of churches, narrow lanes, small cafés and restored courtyard houses. Look for the Chapel of Ananias, an underground chapel traditionally held to be the house of Ananias. This is the most relaxed part of the Old City for an evening walk and a coffee.

Museums and palaces

Two museums tell Syria’s story better than anything else in the city.

• The National Museum of Damascus reopened after restoration and was receiving visitors again in 2026. Its collection spans thousands of years of Syrian history and includes the Lion of al-Lat, the great stone lion from Palmyra, which was damaged in 2015, restored and moved to Damascus.
• Azem Palace is the 18th-century residence of the Ottoman governors of Damascus, with painted ceilings, fountains and shaded courtyards. It houses a museum of Damascene arts and traditions. Check whether it is open on the day you plan to visit.

Mount Qasioun

Mount Qasioun is the mountain that rises over the northwest of Damascus, and the viewpoints on its slopes give the best panorama of the city. Go at sunset, when the lights come on across the valley. Ask your guide or driver which roads and viewpoints are open, because access has changed over the years.

What to eat in Damascus

Damascus is one of the great food cities of the Middle East, and eating well is one of the easiest pleasures of a visit.

• Shawarma and falafel from street stands across the Old City.
• Mezze: hummus, muhammara, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh and fresh bread to share.
• Kibbeh, the fried or baked parcels of bulgur and spiced meat.
• Booza, the stretchy Damascene ice cream pounded with mastic and topped with pistachios, a classic stop in Souq al-Hamidiyya.
• Sweets such as baklava and knafeh, and strong coffee with cardamom.

Day trips from Damascus

Several of Syria’s most interesting places are within a few hours of the capital.

• Maaloula: a village built into the cliffs north of Damascus, one of the last places where Western Aramaic is still spoken.
• Mar Musa: the monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian, high on a cliff in the desert mountains north of Damascus, where Simsem hosts offer an overnight stay.
• Krak des Chevaliers: the great Crusader castle west of Homs, usually combined with the coast.

Destinations to the south and east, including the desert and parts of the south, are more affected by current security concerns. Plan any trip beyond Damascus with a local guide who follows the situation day to day.

Practical tips for Damascus

• Cash: international Visa and Mastercard cards mostly do not work. Bring US dollars or euros and change them into Syrian pounds locally.
• Booking: hotel booking sites and ride-hailing apps such as Uber are of little use. Book rooms directly by phone or through your guide.
• Getting around: the Old City is best on foot. For longer distances, use taxis arranged by your hotel or guide.
• Stay on the road: in former front-line districts on the edge of the city, such as Jobar, unexploded ordnance remains a danger. Stay on paved roads.
• Tourism police: a visible tourism police presence patrols the Old City.
• Respect: dress modestly, ask before photographing people and never photograph checkpoints or security forces.

Explore Damascus with a local guide

Old Damascus is a maze, and a local guide turns it into a story. Simsem’s hosts in Damascus offer:

See every host and tour on our local guides in Syria page.

FAQ