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From Damascus and Aleppo, among the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, to the desert city of Palmyra and the Crusader castle of the Krak des Chevaliers: the culture and history of Syria.
الثقافة
Syria lies at the crossroads of the ancient world, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. Damascus and Aleppo both claim to be among the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, and the old cities of both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites; at the heart of old Damascus stands the Umayyad Mosque.
In the desert, the caravan city of Palmyra, ruled by Queen Zenobia, mixed Greek, Roman and Persian art; the Crusader castle of the Krak des Chevaliers is one of the best preserved in the world; and the Roman theatre of Bosra still stands within its later fortress. Many of these sites were damaged in the years of conflict, and all six of Syria's World Heritage Sites are on UNESCO's list in danger.
This is a page of culture and history. No hotel, restaurant or beach club yet meets our standard. Before planning any visit, check your own government's current travel advice.
| English | Syrian Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا | MAR-ha-ba |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak (to a woman: min FAD-lik) |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHUK-ran |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | ma-SAA el-KHEYR |
| Nice to meet you | تشرفنا | tshar-RAF-na |
Where to go
The great sites of Syria, each a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The great sites
An oasis city in the Syrian desert that grew rich on the caravan trade between Rome, Persia and India, leaving colonnaded streets, temples and tower tombs that blend Greco-Roman and local traditions. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2013; the Temple of Bel was destroyed in 2015.
Held by the Knights Hospitaller from the 12th century, the Krak is the most complete Crusader castle to survive, set on a ridge above the Homs Gap. It is inscribed with Qal'at Salah El-Din as a single UNESCO World Heritage Site (2006).
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, its walled old city holds the Umayyad Mosque, souks, khans and courtyard houses. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
A crossroads of trade routes for millennia, Aleppo is known for its citadel on a mound above the old city and its covered souks. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986; much of the old city was damaged during the war.
Experience
The finest things to do in and around Syria.
Syria's oldest cultural institution, founded in 1919.
More of the Mediterranean
Customs and etiquette
How Syria does things.
Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.
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