Combine Syria’s capital with a full-day excursion to the ancient ruins of Palmyra, one of the Roman world’s most important frontier cities.
This 3-day tour offers a fast-paced introduction to Syria’s historical core, combining the ancient capital Damascus with a full-day visit to the Roman-era city of Palmyra. The route is designed for travelers entering and exiting via Beirut.
⭐ Top 5 Highlights of the Tour:
- Walk through the colonnaded streets of Palmyra, the “Bride of the Desert.”
- Explore the Roman Theater, Temple of Bel, and Valley of the Tombs.
- See Damascus’s architectural contrast—from Ottoman palaces to Islamic shrines.
- Cross international borders overland with direct ground travel between Beirut and Syria.
- Learn how Palmyra fits into broader Silk Road and Roman Empire narratives.
Itinerary:
- Day 1 » 7am Beirut Morning pick-up » 9am Syrian Border » 11am Hotel check-in » 12pm Damascus (National Museum, Takiyya Suleimaniah, Khan Assad Basha Caravanserai, Al Azem Palace, Umayyad Mosque, Al-Hamidiyeh Souq)
- Day 2 » Damascus » Palmyra Ancient City » Damascus
- Day 3 » 8am Damascus departure » 9am Syrian Border » 12pm Beirut Drop-off
3-day Syria tour with Palmyra Maaloula Damascus
3-day Syria tour from Beirut Lebanon + English speaking guide + Airport Transfers + Tourist VISA number + Easy border crossing. Visit Palmyra Maaloula Damascus.
Product SKU: SYR3-2/BEY/BEY
Product Brand: RJ Travel - Tour Operator
Product Price: 546
Product In-Stock: InStock
5
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Beirut
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Beirut
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3-star hotels
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SUV or Car
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Included
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Damascus, Palmyra, Maaloula
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Included
3-day Syria itinerary
Start with a 7:00 am pick-up from Beirut and travel to the Syrian border, arriving around 9:00 am. After completing entry formalities, continue toward Damascus and check in at your hotel by 11:00 am. Begin visits at noon with a curated overview of the city’s core historical monuments.
Your first stop is the National Museum of Damascus, home to artifacts from Palmyra, Ugarit, and Mari. Then walk to Takiyya Suleimaniah, a 16th-century Ottoman complex once used by Sufi dervishes. Continue into the Old City to visit Khan Assad Basha, a caravanserai from 1751. The next site is Al Azem Palace, a former Ottoman governor’s residence. Conclude the day at the Umayyad Mosque—built in 715 CE on a Roman-Byzantine foundation—and Al-Hamidiyeh Souq just outside its western gate.
This first day presents Damascus as a living capital built across empires and faiths.
Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 120 km – 3 hours (including border procedures)
Historical Context:
- Umayyad Mosque: Built by Caliph Al-Walid I in 715 CE, incorporating Roman and Christian elements.
- Khan Assad Basha: Designed for long-haul merchants along the Silk Road network.
Curiosities & Local Facts:
- The museum houses a reconstructed 2nd-century palace gate from Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi.
- Al Azem Palace follows traditional Damascene architecture, with its split-level courtyard and fountain.
5 Key Highlights:
- Entry into Syria and hotel check-in
- Overview of Syrian antiquities at National Museum
- Ottoman architecture in Takiyya and Khan Assad Basha
- Visit to Al Azem Palace and Umayyad Mosque
- Market walk through Al-Hamidiyeh Souq
Important for you:
Islamic and Ottoman urban design, Roman-Christian foundations, Damascus as a continuous capital
Depart early from Damascus for the long drive east across the Syrian steppe. Arrive at Palmyra by late morning and begin a detailed walking tour of the ancient city, once a thriving Roman caravan center and cultural hub. Start with the grand colonnaded avenue and Roman theater before continuing to the agora, Tetrapylon, Temple of Bel remains, and the Valley of the Tombs.
Despite recent destruction, many structural outlines remain visible and offer a clear impression of the city’s former grandeur. After exploring the site, begin the return journey west, arriving in Damascus by early evening.
This day offers direct insight into how desert geography, Roman planning, and eastern trade routes intersected in Palmyra.
Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 440 km – 7.5 hours drive (round trip)
Historical Context:
- Palmyra: Flourished between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE under Roman rule; led a rebellion against Rome in 270 CE under Queen Zenobia.
- Temple of Bel: Once one of the largest temples in the Middle East, inaugurated in 32 CE.
Curiosities & Local Facts:
- Palmyra’s funerary towers served as multi-level tombs for elite families.
- Inscriptions from the city are written in both Greek and Palmyrene (a dialect of Aramaic).
5 Key Highlights:
- Walk along the Roman colonnaded street
- Temple of Bel remains and altar complex
- Visit to Palmyra’s theater and agora
- Explore tower tombs and desert landscape
- Return to Damascus by sunset
Important for you:
Desert archaeology, Roman trade infrastructure, Queen Zenobia’s historical role
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and depart Damascus at 8:00 am. Drive to the Syrian–Lebanese border, arriving around 9:00 am for exit formalities. Continue on to Beirut, where you are expected to arrive around noon.
This final stage completes your brief but comprehensive visit to Syria’s major historic sites.
Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 120 km – 3 hours (including border procedures)
5 Key Highlights:
- Morning departure from Damascus
- Border crossing into Lebanon
- Scenic road through Anti-Lebanon range
- Return to Beirut
- End of itinerary services
Important for you:
Cross-border logistics, short-form itinerary completion, Beirut return connection
