City: Damascus
Top Things to do in Damascus
Top 10 Things to do in Damascus, Syria
Having survived thousands of years of successive civilizations from the Egyptians, Greco-Romans, Muslims, Crusaders, Mongols, Ottomans and French to the modern Arab era, Damascus is one of the most resilient and historic cities on Earth. Its ruins lay up to 8 feet deep under its surface and the Old City is home to Roman era ramparts, gates, the Umayyad Mosque and legendary churches including the Chapel of St. Paul. Bab Sharqi and the Souk Medhat Pasha lay on a street dating to biblical times.
Restaurants in Damascus
1. Umayyad Mosque
Overall Ratings
5 based on 183 reviews
2. Souq al-Hamidiyyeh
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By Mazen k
Souq Al Hamidiyyeh reflects the old Syrian lifestyle. The shops there had been inherited from generation to another. I like the great relationship and combination among the owners of the shops there. They will invite your to share them Breakfast when you pass by their shops, even they do not know you... Great people
3. Old City
Overall Ratings
5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By ZKZ15 - Beirut, Lebanon
Damascus the old one. The one with old houses, narrow alleyways. With gates still standing and mosques still calling for prayer and churches ringing their bells every Sunday. Damascus with the simple and calm life. With social proximity. The door next to the other. The old walled city with a mosque that once upon a time was a church. With the different souqs everyone selling their specialties and names of alleyways once where the names of great families used to live here. What to do. Walk it. Have an open eyes. Questions. Have a chat with the locals. Try their food. Buy their goods. Enter the mosques sit a bit observe. Go to the church for contemplation. Get lost in alleyways that even some locals never passed. Read the signs of the alleyways to understand more the brief explanation of the history of the district
Recommendations:
Visit the gates that are still standing
Walk near the walls to have a feeling how old cities were built
Visit the different Churches & Mosques (Ummayyad Mosque & Maryamiyeh Church)
Visit the different souqs (the Famous Hamidiye Souk and others every one with its specialty – spices, wooden sandals…. )
Go to Al Miskee public space in front of Umayyad Mosque and feed the pigeons and observe them
Walk in the Abandoned Jewish District and the Synagogue (At the time of writing this review there were plans to turn it into a hotel)
Try to sneak peek through the open doors of Damascus old houses and maybe people will invite you for a tea). Another safer way to do it is to visit the numerous old houses that were converted into restaurants or hotels (Some Restaurants have evening events such as live tarab music or a "Hakawati" (storyteller) so I would recommend you to go when such events are happening.
Visit what was once important landmarks in the city: such the Khans, Maddrassas, Hamams, Palaces (Azm Palace)
Night Life:
Bab AL Sharq offers you a wide variety of different pubs with different atmospheres (Arabic, English, chill, Karoake…) PS: visit the oldest and smallest pub ( abou george) in Bab Sharq.
Have a mid day break the historical Nawfara Cafe (every monday wendensday and satruday they have Hakawati (storyteller))
Food:
Try the cheap & Delicious croissant from a cute shop in Kaymariye
Try Saj Sandwich ans street food in Kaymariye
Try the cheap cup of ice with lemon after a long walk in Kaymariyre
Have not a traditional order of tea /kahwa but try something new and delicious (at least for me) which is a hot drink made of cummin and lemon at the famous Nawfara cafe next to Ummayad Mosque (they
Buy souvenirs from Kaymariye
Try the Famous Bakkdachi ice-cream with nuts in Hamadiye Mosque (without anyone telling you about it you will notice a lot of people walking with icecream cups or cones in their hands and you will wonder where is the source until you will be surprised by a huge crowd infront of a shop this is Bekkdachi!!!)
Visit the old bakeries in old Damascus which are still operating and using the same method they used to use for years and definitely buy some bread that has a stamp with Ugarit Letters
Try the famous fate (for breakfast) at Abou Farouk
Accommodation:
I would recommend to stay at Mustafa Ali. A tradition Damascus House and have a feeling of how they used to live plus you will benefit from the events that might be happening around this cultural center
Near Old Damascus there is a nice neighborhood called Kasaa. I would recommend to walk in the streets of Kasha and go back also in time but not that faraway (the 20th & 19th century Damascus) through its old shops and old buildings. (a feeling of nostalgia will surround you)
Good area for shopping
Good area for street food (would recommend to try the Juice of Abu Hassan and the meat sandwiches at the Armenian shop Noubar)
Good area for nightlife and cafes.
Drink Tea & Travel
4. Omayad Mosque
Overall Ratings
5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Intlxpatr - Pensacola, Florida
What most Americans don't know about Islam would fill a book ;-)
Did you know the Umayyad Mosque has a shrine to John the Baptist (they call him YahYah) where thousands of Moslems visit and pray every year? Did you know that Islamic legend says that one of the spires of the Umayyad Mosque is where Jesus will return for the last days? A visit to the Umayyad Mosque is a step into timelessness - yesterday, today and tomorrow, God willing. The surrounding old city is infinitely walkable. A trip of a lifetime and a trip to remember.
Women will need to wear an abaya and scarf (provided) and everyone leaves their shoes in the entry.
5. Al Azem Palace (Palace of As'ad, Pasha al-'Azm)
Overall Ratings
5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By AndrewA64 - Winchester, United Kingdom
If visiting the Old City of Damascus, this is a 'must' to see. A beautiful traditional palace with courtyards and Fountains and historic chambers in magnifiicent traditional design and settings. Well laid out. Informative and very attractive.
6. Mount Qassioun (Jebal Kasioun)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By M Rabie A - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Driving up the Mount Qassioun for the city view, day or night, is a must. It gets really crowded and noisy at night and on weekends. The place is very basic with little (if none) services. People go there for the view and to simply hang out. Afternoons and nights are more likely to be active with more cars passing by playing loud music. You will find mobile canteens selling snacks and hot/cold drinks...
It is also the best place to experience new years eve (was there in December 31, 2010) where you could get a top view of fireworks all over the city...
After spending a day at Damascus, you could buy your lunch or dinner and head to Mount Qassioun and do what the locals do... eat, walk, talk and enjoy the view..
I would certainly go back to this place, again and again..
7. Saladin (Selahedin) Mausoleum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Khanalam - Islamabad, Pakistan
The mausoleum itself is not extravagant or mind blowing, however, if you know the history of Salah Al-din as a fighter and leader, standing next to the grave is quite an experience. Next to mausoleum are graves of first muslim turk pilots who died in separate crashes. Totally worth a visit while in Damascus. The ticket for entrance is less than 1 cent of $.
8. The National Museum of Damascus
Overall Ratings
4 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Martin Z - Switzerland
Although only the garden exhibition is accessible and also this part, besides the museum and its annexes, would urgently be in need of maintenance, I give here an 'Excellent' overall rating for this amazing Syrian historical heritage site, which is located about a kilometer north-east of Omayyad Square adjacent to Barada river. The reception at the gate was very courteous and friendly, and given that only the garden area is currently accessible, they have waived the entrance fee. It's a beautiful very old garden with numerous ancient shady trees and bushes and a pond with a goose family, which seemingly enjoys the peaceful environment. Near the entrance there is a coffee shop were people meet for a chat and have a rest. The garden with its vast exhibition and its countless very old and different precious pieces from various eras is a real treasure for history interested visitors but also for persons who just like a peaceful, green environment in the center of a busy and at times noisy city. Its a place to relax, seat on one of the many available benches, or walk around also when it is sunny and hot [...] the park is spending shade and moiste and time flies by. However, Syria with its great capital Damascus has certainly seen and experienced a whole lot in the past centuries, and after more than six years of difficult times, all its inhabitants really deserve now that the time changes and gets better, and may peace finally prevail for this country to get back on its feet in one piece in order to approach once again a bright, prosperous and 'golden' future.
9. Damascus Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By PMM58 - Surrey
Damascus has a fantastic old city and some very pleasant modern parts. The old city is great for wandering through and the Great Mosque (open to visitors, photography) is so impressive. Don't miss the Ottoman Governor's palace, too, a lovely oasis of calm amongst the bustle.
But the best thing was the people. Forget international politics - these people were inquistive and friendly, extremely helpful and keen to act as ambassadors for their city and country. I only had to look lost for a minute and someone would stop, help and almost always go way out of their way to guide me to where I wanted.
It always felt safe and their was no tourist hassle or hard sell approaches. None!
Go there!
10. Takiyya Suleimaniah Souq
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By DurbanGal - Solihull, United Kingdom
This is a great place where you can see some of the locals making items such as glass and paintings and embroidery. More relaxed than the main Souk. Dont forget to bargain hard.
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