Must See

Aleppo

Aleppo, situated in northern Syria, is the second largest city in the country (after Damascus), and one of the oldest inhabited cities in history. It is thought to have been settled since at least 5000 BC, where its location at the crossroads of two trade routes meant that it served Damascus in the South as well as routes from India, the Tigris and Euphrates regions.

The city is home to a massive Citadel that stands on the site of a Hittite acropolis, which is considered to be one of the oldest and largest castles in the world. Its amphitheatre was completely renovated in the 1980s and is often used for musical concerts and cultural events.

Bosra

Founded in at least the 2nd century BC, the city of Bosra grew under the Romans and is most famous for its amphitheatre, which was later converted into a fortress. Inside the citadel, the original amphitheatre still remains, with much of it being restored. It seats 15,000 people and is designed so that the audience can hear all the actors' voices without special equipment.

Bosra was the the first city in the Syrian Arab Republic to become Muslim, and became a stopover point on the pilgrimage route to Mecca until the 17th century. The Mosque of Omar (called Jami-al Arouss, 'the bridal mosque', by the Bosriots) was converted from a pagan temple and now stands as the only mosque surviving from the early Islamic period that has preserved its original facades.

Visitors may also see the Roman baths and the Cathedral of Bosra - all built on the original Roman grid pattern.

Damascus

Damascus is one of the world's oldest inhabited cities, and is known in Arabic as Dimashq ash-Sham. The city lies about 80 km inland from the Mediterranean Sea, stretching majestically into the Jibal Lubnan Ash Sharqiyeh Mountains and is full of history, fables and culture.

The Old City is surrounded by a city wall cordoning off the rest of the city and is home to a number of impressive buildings steeped in history, such as the House of Hanania, where St Paul hid, using the underground chapel for worship. The church in the Damascus Wall from where he escaped in a basket is also still preserved.

The National Museum, which houses Chinese silks dating back to 1BC and some beautifully illuminated copies of the Koran, is situated in the 18th-century Al Azem Palace. Another key landmark is the Ummayyad Mosque, built on the site of a temple to the ancient Aramean god, Haddad. The mosque, which may be entered by passing through the Al-Hamidiyah Bazaar, also holds the Tomb of St John the Baptist. The Tomb of Saladin is situated at the back of the mosque. The Tikiyeh Mosque, built in the mid 16th century, boats a great dome and two elegant minarets.

There are some beautiful fruit orchards in Ghota, surrounding Damascus, which are best seen during early spring, when the apricot, plums, cherries and other trees are in bloom.

Deir ez Zor

During Roman times, Deir ez Zor was an important trading post between the Roman Empire and India. Located on the right bank of the Euphrates River, it is now home to traditional riverbank restaurants and 5-star hotels set amongst the city's beautiful gardens and orchards.

Hama

Hama (meaning fortress) is a city on the banks of the Orontes river in central Syria, renowned for its 16 norias (gigantic wooden waterwheels), which, it is claimed, date back to 1100 BC. In the early 16th century, the city came under the control of the Ottoman Empire, during which the beautiful Al-Azem Palace (now used as a museum), was built. The city's orchards and the Great Mosque are also of interest.

Krac des Chevaliers

This famous crusader castle, located 65 km west of the city of Homs, close to the border of Lebanon, is one of the most important preserved medieval military architectures in the world. A stronghold of the Hospitallers during the days of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem (1100-1290), it maintained a garrison of several thousand soldiers in peacetime. The castle, rising from an altitude of 670 m (2,200 ft), was protected by 100-foot thick outer walls and seven guard towers 30 feet in diameter. It was supplied with food from the surrounding fertile countryside. The design was used by King Edward I for his own castles in England and Wales after he saw the fortress while on the Ninth Crusade in 1272.

Latakia

Syria's principal port city, Latakia, is built in a harbour, surrounded by gently-sloping hills covered in forests and vineyards. This major holiday resort has some popular beaches, which offer canoeing, scuba-diving and other watersports. The city is also home to a number of antiquities, including the ruined Temple of Bacchus and a triumphal arch. Located on the coastal mountain range 37 km from Latakia is Saladin's Castle, which is often considered one of the most prestigious castles of the medieval period, and possibly the most romantic.

Mari

Mari was an ancient city in Syria, situated on the western bank of Euphrates River 11 km northwest of the modern locality of Abu Kamal. Although it flourished from 2900 BC until 1759 BC, when it was sacked by Hammurabi, the city is thought to have been inhabited since the 5th millennium BC. It was rediscovered by accident in the 1930s, and by 2005, less than half of the city's 1000 by 600 metre area had been uncovered. Visitors may stroll around the excavated Royal Palace, which boasts 300 rooms and halls and is now protected by a modern roof.

Palmyra

Described as 'the bride of the desert', Palmyra is located in the heart of the Syrian Desert, near the Afqa hot-water spring. It is the site where the legendary Queen Zenobia ruled and stood against the two great empires of the Persians and the Romans. There are some excellent ruins found over a wide area of the city, such as the Temple of Baal (or Bel), the Hypogeum of the Three Brothers and the Monumental Arch, which is located at the end of the main street, next to the Temple of Baal. Across the main street are a number of thermal baths, the most important of which was named after Queen Zenobia. There also the Valley of Tombs, the elaborate burial chambers where the Palmyrans laid their embalmed dead to rest.

Silk Road Festival

This annual festival celebrates Syria's myriad nationalities and communities by commemorating the time when the country was the meeting place for the Silk Road caravans from around the world. Held in September, cities across Syria become awash with artistic and cultural activities.

Souks

An excellent way to immerse yourself into city life is to visit of the Syrian Arab Republic's many souks (markets). Soak up the atmosphere and buy some local handicrafts, such as olive wood carvings, leather goods, weaving, embroidery, gold and silver jewellery. Damascus' Long Souk is excellent, as is the one at Aleppo, made up of 16 km (10 miles) of meandering low corridors lined with shops and bustling with activity.