A single-day overland visit from Beirut to explore Syria’s capital, with key stops in the Old City’s historical and religious landmarks.
This single-day overland tour from Beirut to Damascus is designed for travelers with limited time who seek a direct introduction to Syria’s capital. It covers the essential historic and architectural landmarks of the Old City before returning to Lebanon the same evening.
⭐ Top 5 Highlights of the Tour:
- Visit the Umayyad Mosque, one of the oldest and most revered mosques in the Islamic world.
- Explore Khan Assad Basha Caravanserai, a prime example of 18th-century Ottoman urban design.
- Walk through Al-Hamidiyeh Souq, the heart of Damascus commerce for centuries.
- Cross the Lebanon–Syria border overland in a same-day return format.
- Gain firsthand impressions of modern Damascus, blending daily life with visible layers of history.
Itinerary:
- Day 1 » 7am Beirut Morning pick-up » 9am Syrian Border » 11am Damascus (National Museum, Khan Assad Basha Caravanserai, Al Azem Palace, Umayyad Mosque, Al-Hamidiyeh Souq) » 4pm Damascus departure » 5pm Syrian Border » 8pm Beirut Drop-off
Damascus day trip with Lunch from Beirut
1-Day Syria Tour from Beirut Lebanon + English speaking guide + Airport-hotel pick up drop off + Tourist VISA reference number + Easy border crossing.
Product SKU: SYR1/BEY/BEY
Product Brand: RJ Travel - Tour Operator
Product Price: 252
Product In-Stock: InStock
5
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SUV or car
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Included
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Damascus
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Included
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Lunch
Depart from Beirut at 7:00 am and head east toward the Syrian border, arriving around 9:00 am for immigration procedures. After crossing, continue directly to Damascus and begin visits by approximately 11:00 am.
Start with the National Museum of Damascus, home to collections from ancient sites such as Palmyra, Ugarit, and Mari. Then proceed to the Khan Assad Basha Caravanserai, a restored 18th-century Ottoman trade complex. Continue to Al Azem Palace, once the residence of the Ottoman governor and a model of traditional Syrian domestic architecture. Visit the Umayyad Mosque, completed in 715 CE on the foundations of a Roman temple and Byzantine church, and finish with a walk through the Al-Hamidiyeh Souq, the city’s main covered market.
At 4:00 pm, depart Damascus and head toward the Syrian border, reaching it by 5:00 pm for exit formalities. Arrive back in Beirut around 8:00 pm.
This day allows you to experience Syria’s capital through its core monuments, from Roman to Ottoman periods.
Travel Distance & Time:
- Beirut to Damascus round-trip: Approx. 240 km – 6 hours total
- Border formalities: Approx. 2 hours (combined entry and exit)
- Time on-site in Damascus: Approx. 5 hours
Historical Context:
- Umayyad Mosque: Built under Caliph Al-Walid I; considered one of the earliest and most important mosques in the Islamic world.
- Khan Assad Basha: Built in 1751 by Ottoman governor As’ad Pasha al-Azem to accommodate merchants and travelers.
Curiosities & Local Facts:
- The National Museum contains one of the oldest alphabet tablets discovered, from Ugarit (circa 1400 BCE).
- The Al Azem Palace is a rare preserved example of a private Ottoman residence that includes a full women’s quarters (haramlek).
5 Key Highlights:
- Cross-border day trip to Syria
- Entry to Damascus National Museum
- Caravanserai and palace in the Old City
- Umayyad Mosque interior and courtyard
- Covered walk through Al-Hamidiyeh Souq
Important for you:
Efficient round-trip into Syria, access to Damascus’s most iconic sites, cultural immersion in a single day
