9-Day Syria Trip » Damascus to Latakia: Aleppo, Castles & Palmyra

Pick-up is arranged in Beirut at 7:00 AM, followed by a drive to the Masnaa border for Syrian immigration procedures. Arrival in Damascus is around 11:00 AM, with hotel check-in before starting afternoon visits.

Begin with the National Museum of Damascus, housing prehistoric tools and statues from Mari, Ugarit, and Palmyra. Then explore the Takiyya Suleimaniah Souq, built in 1554 under Ottoman rule, followed by a visit to the Damascus Citadel, a fortified complex expanded under Saladin. End the day at the Mount Qasioun Viewpoint, offering a panoramic view of the city.

This day offers a first glimpse into Syria’s long continuity of civilizations, from antiquity to the Ottoman period.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 120 km – 3 hours (including border procedures)

Historical Context:

• The Damascus Citadel was expanded during the Ayyubid period around 1174 CE.
• The National Museum preserves artifacts from 4,000+ years of Syrian history.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Takiyya Suleimaniah functioned as a religious lodge and artisan hub.
• Mount Qasioun is associated with multiple biblical and Islamic traditions.

5 Key Highlights:

• Cross into Syria overland via Masnaa border.
• Explore Syria’s main archaeological museum.
• Visit Ottoman religious-commercial architecture.
• Walk the walls of the Damascus Citadel.
• Enjoy a citywide viewpoint from Mount Qasioun.

Important for You:
Damascus Citadel, National Museum, Mount Qasioun

Start the day with a walk through the Christian Quarter, visiting the Chapel of Saint Ananias, believed to be the site of Paul’s baptism, and the Church of Saint Paul, built near the gate of his escape. Continue to the Zaitoun Church, then explore the restored Maktab Anbar, an Ottoman merchant mansion turned cultural center.

Enter the Old City to see Khan As’ad Basha, the most architecturally elaborate caravanserai in the Levant, followed by the 18th-century Al-Azem Palace. Highlights include the Umayyad Mosque, one of the world’s oldest Islamic sites, with the tomb of John the Baptist, and the adjacent Saladin Mausoleum. The day ends with a visit to the Sayyidah Ruqayya Shrine and a walk through the bustling Al-Hamidiyeh Souq.

This visit helps you see how history, religion, and daily life connect in Syria’s capital.

Travel Distance & Time: Local – minimal driving

Historical Context:

• The Umayyad Mosque was completed in 715 CE by Caliph Al-Walid I.
• Khan As’ad Basha reflects 18th-century Ottoman trade architecture.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Al-Azem Palace includes examples of Damascene stone inlay techniques.
• Sayyidah Ruqayya is a key pilgrimage destination for Shia visitors.

5 Key Highlights:

• Visit early Christian landmarks within Damascus.
• Discover Ottoman life through restored residences.
• Tour one of Islam’s most historic mosques.
• See Saladin’s final resting place.
• Experience Old Damascus’ main souq.

Important for You:
Umayyad Mosque, Khan As’ad Basha, Sayyidah Ruqayya Shrine

Depart Damascus toward the Monastery of Saidnaya, founded in the 6th century and home to an icon of the Virgin Mary revered for its miraculous reputation. Continue to Maaloula, where Aramaic is still spoken and churches like Saints Sergios and Bacchos and the Convent of Saint Thecla preserve early Christian worship. A short hike through the Eastern Gorge traces Saint Thecla’s legendary escape route.

Later, visit the Monastery of Mar Musa, an isolated desert monastic site founded in the 6th century and revived as a center for interfaith dialogue. Continue to Homs for overnight.

This day shows how Syria’s Christian traditions have endured from Byzantine times to the present.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 270 km – 5 hours drive

Historical Context:

• Saidnaya and Maaloula were part of the Christian pilgrimage route during the Byzantine Empire.
• Mar Musa was restored in the 1980s by Jesuit priest Paolo Dall’Oglio.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Maaloula residents still use Aramaic during prayer.
• Mar Musa’s frescoes combine Christian imagery with Arabic inscriptions.

5 Key Highlights:

• Visit sacred Christian monasteries and convents.
• Hear the ancient Aramaic language in daily use.
• Short hike through a biblical landscape.
• Explore a remote desert monastic retreat.
• Overnight in Homs city.

Important for You:
Maaloula village, Mar Musa Monastery, Saidnaya Monastery

Start with a visit to Um Al-Zennar Church in Homs, built over a 1st-century Christian site and still active today. Continue to Hama, home to the famous Norias, ancient wooden water wheels powered by the Orontes River. Visit the Al Jamea Al Kabir Mosque and the nearby Saint George Cathedral.

In the afternoon, make a short stop in Idlib for a brief coffee break and walk through the city center. Arrive in Aleppo by evening.

This route highlights early Christian history, Islamic architecture, and enduring water engineering in central Syria.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 220 km – 4 hours drive

Historical Context:

• Hama’s norias date back to at least the 12th century.
• Um Al-Zennar preserves elements from early Syriac Christian worship.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Hama’s Saint George Cathedral serves the Melkite Greek Catholic community.
• Idlib was historically a Silk Road trading town.

5 Key Highlights:

• Visit one of Syria’s oldest Christian churches.
• See medieval hydraulic technology in Hama.
• Discover religious diversity in a compact city.
• Enjoy a relaxed stop in Idlib en route.
• Overnight in historic Aleppo.

Important for You:
Hama Norias, Um Al-Zennar Church, Idlib stop

Begin the day with a visit to the Church of Qalb Lozeh, a well-preserved 5th-century basilica in the Dead Cities region, reflecting early Christian architecture. Return to Aleppo for a full city tour.

Walk through the Old City and its famous Silk Khan and Soap Khan, then visit the Aleppo Citadel, an immense fortress with Ayyubid and Mamluk additions. Explore the Armenian Forty Martyrs Cathedral and tour a traditional soap factory that still produces olive oil–based soaps by hand.

You’ll walk through places that still carry the marks of past empires and traditions that survive conflict.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 90 km – 2 hours drive

Historical Context:

• Qalb Lozeh’s basilica is considered a model for Romanesque churches in Europe.
• Aleppo Citadel’s origins stretch back to at least the Hellenistic period.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Aleppo’s handmade laurel soaps are exported worldwide.
• The Armenian cathedral has served the local community since the 15th century.

5 Key Highlights:

• See a landmark of Byzantine church design.
• Tour the vast Aleppo Citadel and city walls.
• Visit restored caravanserais and artisan shops.
• Learn about traditional soap-making.
• Discover Aleppo’s Armenian Christian heritage.

Important for You:
Aleppo Citadel, Qalb Lozeh Church, Old Aleppo Souqs

Drive south to visit the Roman ruins of Apamea, featuring a monumental 2 km colonnaded street, theater, and Roman baths. Continue to the forested coastal mountains to explore Salah Ed-Din Castle, a Crusader fortress captured by Saladin in 1188, famous for its massive rock-cut moat.

Arrive in Latakia by evening and check in at your hotel.

This day bridges Roman urban power with Crusader-era military strategy in western Syria.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 280 km – 5 hours drive

Historical Context:

• Apamea flourished under the Seleucids and Romans.
• Salah Ed-Din Castle was formerly known as “Saône” by the Crusaders.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Apamea’s columns were once topped with decorative animal carvings.
• The castle’s moat is 20 meters deep, carved from a single rock ridge.

5 Key Highlights:

• Walk along a grand Roman avenue at Apamea.
• Tour one of Syria’s most scenic medieval castles.
• Contrast city ruins with forested highland fortresses.
• Scenic drive through the coastal mountains.
• Stay in the Mediterranean city of Latakia.

Important for You:
Apamea ruins, Salah Ed-Din Castle, Roman Syria

Head south to visit Markab Castle, a Crusader and Mamluk fortress overlooking the sea. Continue to Safita to see Chastel Blanc, a Templar tower still used as a church, then drive inland to explore the legendary Krak des Chevaliers, considered the most complete Crusader castle in the Middle East.

End the day in the Christian village of Al-Mishtaya for overnight.

This stop gives context to how medieval warfare and religion shaped Syria’s western landscape.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 190 km – 4 hours drive

Historical Context:

• Krak was a Hospitaller fortress from 1142 until its fall in 1271 to Mamluk Sultan Baibars.
• Chastel Blanc served as a watchtower for Crusader defenses inland from Tartous.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Krak’s great hall and chapel are still structurally intact.
• The Chastel Blanc’s bell tower is active during mass.

5 Key Highlights:

• Visit coastal and inland Crusader fortresses in one day.
• Explore iconic medieval halls and towers.
• Walk through active Christian villages in western Syria.
• Climb a Templar tower still in use today.
• Overnight near Krak des Chevaliers.

Important for You:
Krak des Chevaliers, Chastel Blanc, Markab Castle

Travel east to visit Palmyra, the former desert trading capital of the Roman East. Visit the Temple of Bel, Great Colonnade, Funerary Towers, Tetrapylon, and Roman Theater. Despite damage during recent conflict, Palmyra still reflects the city’s monumental layout and importance.

Continue to Damascus by evening for overnight.

This day highlights the scale and influence of ancient trade networks across the Syrian desert.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 330 km – 5.5 hours drive

Historical Context:

• Palmyra peaked under Queen Zenobia in the 3rd century CE before being reconquered by Rome.
• The city was part of the Silk Road and a cultural crossroads between empires.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Many tombs have trilingual inscriptions: Greek, Aramaic, and Latin.
• The Temple of Bel was once converted into a church during the Byzantine era.

5 Key Highlights:

• Visit Syria’s most famous archaeological site.
• Stand in the heart of Palmyra’s Roman ruins.
• View the layout of a desert trade capital.
• Learn about Queen Zenobia’s rebellion against Rome.
• Return to Damascus.

Important for You:
Palmyra ruins, Temple of Bel, Queen Zenobia

After breakfast, depart Damascus at 8:00 AM and drive to the Syrian–Lebanese border. After completing exit formalities, continue west to arrive in Beirut by 12:00 PM for airport or hotel drop-off.

This final segment completes your journey across Syria’s past and present.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 120 km – 3.5 hours (including border)

Historical Context:

• The road follows ancient Roman trade routes from inland Syria to the coast.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Beirut and Damascus were linked by rail until the mid-20th century.

5 Key Highlights:

• Smooth return transfer to Lebanon.
• Exit via Masnaa border crossing.
• Cross the Anti-Lebanon mountains.
• Optional airport or hotel drop-off in Beirut.
• End of tour services.

Important for You:
Border transfer, Damascus departure, Beirut arrival