How many days do you need in Syria? A week is enough for Damascus, Maaloula, Krak des Chevaliers and the Mediterranean coast. With 10 to 12 days you can add Hama, Apamea, Aleppo and Palmyra. Most trips start in Damascus, by air or overland from Beirut or Amman, and travel by car with a driver or a local host, because distances are manageable but checkpoints slow the roads. This guide gives day-by-day itineraries for 3, 7 and 10 to 12 days, driving times between the main places and planning tips. Read the safety section first: Western governments still advise against all travel to Syria.
Before you go, read our honest answer to is Syria safe to visit?, our Syria visa guide and the complete Syria travel guide.
The short answer
- 3 days: Damascus, plus a day trip to Maaloula and Saidnaya.
- 7 days: Damascus, Maaloula, Krak des Chevaliers, Tartus, Arwad and Latakia.
- 10–12 days: add Hama and Apamea, two days in Aleppo and an overnight in Palmyra.
- Getting around: car with a driver or a local host.
- Best seasons: spring and autumn. See the best time to visit Syria.
Syria in 3 days: Damascus and Maaloula
Three days is enough to get a real feel for Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | The Old City: Souq al-Hamidiyya, the Umayyad Mosque, Saladin’s tomb and the Azem Palace |
| Day 2 | Straight Street and the Christian quarter, the Citadel, the National Museum, sunset from Mount Qasioun |
| Day 3 | Day trip to Maaloula and Saidnaya, or a night at the desert monastery of Mar Musa |
Read more: things to do in Damascus and our Maaloula guide.
Syria in 7 days: Damascus, Krak and the coast
A week lets you add Syria’s most famous castle and its green Mediterranean coast.
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Damascus | The Old City, the Umayyad Mosque, the National Museum |
| 3 | Maaloula and Saidnaya | Aramaic village, convents and monasteries |
| 4 | Damascus to Tartus via Krak des Chevaliers | The great Crusader castle above the Homs Gap |
| 5 | Tartus and Arwad | The boat to Syria’s only inhabited island, seafood by the harbor |
| 6 | Latakia and the mountains | Beaches, mountain villages around Slunfeh and Kessab |
| 7 | Back to Damascus | Last evening in the Old City |
Read more in our Syrian coast guide.
Syria in 10–12 days: add Hama, Aleppo and Palmyra
With 10 to 12 days, you can follow the 7-day route and then head north and east.
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6 | As above | Damascus, Maaloula, Krak des Chevaliers and the coast |
| 7 | Latakia to Hama | The giant wooden norias on the Orontes |
| 8 | Apamea, back to Hama | One of the longest colonnaded streets of the Roman world |
| 9–10 | Aleppo | The Citadel, the Great Mosque (reopened in 2026), the souqs and Aleppo’s food |
| 11 | Aleppo or Hama to Palmyra, with a guide | The Great Colonnade and Roman theater; overnight |
| 12 | Palmyra to Damascus via Homs | Sunrise over the ruins, then the long drive back |
Read our guides to Hama and Apamea, Aleppo and Palmyra. With an extra day, add a trip south from Damascus to the Roman theater of Bosra.
Driving times in Syria
Driving times in Syria are manageable, but allow extra time for checkpoints and city traffic.
| Route | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Damascus to Maaloula | About 1 hour |
| Damascus to Bosra | About 2 hours |
| Damascus to Homs | About 2 hours |
| Damascus to Hama | About 2.5–3 hours |
| Damascus to Tartus | About 3–4 hours |
| Damascus to Palmyra | About 3.5–4 hours |
| Damascus to Aleppo | About 5 hours |
Getting in and out
You can get into Syria by air through Damascus or overland from Lebanon and Jordan.
- By air: Damascus International Airport has flights from the Gulf, Turkey and Jordan. Aleppo also has some international flights.
- From Lebanon: overland from Beirut via the Masnaa crossing.
- From Jordan: overland from Amman via the Nassib–Jaber crossing.
- Visa: most nationalities get a visa on arrival, but many need entry approval first. See our Syria visa guide.
Planning tips
- Read the official advice. The US, UK, Canada and Australia advise against all travel to Syria. Read our Syria safety guide and get specialist insurance.
- Travel with a local host or driver. They follow which roads are open each week.
- Bring US dollars in cash for the whole trip; foreign cards are unreliable.
- Book by phone or through your host. Online booking sites are of little use in Syria.
- Avoid driving at night on long routes, especially across the desert to Palmyra.
- Leave a buffer day in case of delays at borders or checkpoints.
Travel with a local guide
Simsem’s hosts in Syria run multi-day journeys that follow these routes:
Syria Heritage & Mountains Tour: Damascus, Maaloula & Krak des Chevaliers (3 Days)
Three days with a local guide from Damascus and Maaloula to Krak des Chevaliers and the mountains.
Syria Heritage Journey: Castles, Coast & Ancient Cities
Six days with a local guide: Damascus, Crusader castles, the Mediterranean coast and Syria’s ancient cities.
East & North of Syria
Six days through Syria’s north and east with a local guide.
Syria Historical & Cultural Tour: Palmyra, Aleppo, Maaloula
Five days with Ahmad Khaled through Palmyra, Homs, Hama, Apamea, Aleppo and Maaloula.
See every host and tour on our local guides in Syria page.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Syria?
Seven days covers Damascus, Maaloula, Krak des Chevaliers and the coast. Ten to twelve days lets you add Hama, Aleppo and Palmyra.
What is the best Syria itinerary for one week?
Two days in Damascus, a day in Maaloula, then Krak des Chevaliers, Tartus and Arwad, and Latakia before returning to Damascus.
Can you travel around Syria independently?
It is possible, but most visitors travel with a local host or driver, who knows which roads are open and handles checkpoints and bookings.
How long is the drive from Damascus to Aleppo?
About five hours by road.
Can you combine Syria with Lebanon or Jordan?
Yes. Many travelers enter overland from Beirut or Amman. Check visa and border requirements before you go.
Is it safe to travel to Syria in 2027?
Western governments advise against all travel to Syria. Visitors are returning, but risks remain. Read our safety guide, travel with a local host and get specialist insurance.
