City Information

There are a number of different visas available for individuals wishing to travel to Syria. Those wishing to enter Damascus must have a valid passport (valid for the next 6 months at least), must submit two application forms, two passport sized photographs and the application fee. Visa application can be made at a Syrian embassy/ diplomatic mission from within the travelers’ country of residence. Syrian authorities do not admit travelers who have visited Israel prior to visiting Damascus (indicated by an entry stamp into Israel). Those wishing to stay in Damascus for more than 15 days have to register themselves with Syrian immigration authorities. There is a departure tax for all those visiting Syria amounting to 1500 Syrian Pounds.

The best time to visit Damascus is from March to May when the weather is cool and breezy, and during October and November. The summer months can get hot and dry and traveling to Damascus during such weather is not recommended.

Location: Damascus is located 80 km from the Mediterranean Sea on a plateau 2200 feet above sea level. It is bordered by the Anti- Lebanon Mountains, with the Barada river flowing nearby Dialing code +963; Emergency numbers: Police – 112; Fire- 113: Ambulance- 110

The currency used in the Syrian Arab Republic is the Syrian Pound (SYP).

1st January- New Year’s Day

January; High: 11 °C; Low: 0 °C February

Damascus has a population of 1.5 million people. The majority of the population are Muslims (predominantly Sunni, though Shiites also reside there). 15% are Christians, with a few Jews also claiming residency. Known as Damascenes, the residents of Damascus are friendly, hard-working and vivacious. There is definitely a culture of tolerance in this part of Syria.

Damascus is the capital of Syria. Apart from being the political center of the country, it is also the cultural heart of the country. Damascus’s authorities have done a very good job in preserving the many historical and cultural attractions. Various architectural styles are visible throughout the city, dating back to different periods of its history- Roman, Islamic and French rule. An important sector of Damascus’s economy is the tourist industry. Other prominent sectors are the textiles, food processing and chemical industries. The military and secret service quarters are also located here. Politics undeniably is an important aspect of the city.

Inhabited since 10,000 B.C., Damascus is one of the world's most ancient cities, boasting a very colorful history. The city was conquered by Alexander the Great, and after his death it was annexed by the Roman general, Pompey. The Romans built a great deal of the infrastructure of the city. St. Paul and St. Thomas both lived in the quarters developed by the Romans in Damascus. Damascus was first conquered by the Muslims in 634 by the Rashidun Caliph. It soon became the capital of the Omayyad Empire and later was ruled from Baghdad during the Abbassid caliphate. It was also ruled by the Fatimid caliph. The Muslims left an indelible mark on the architecture of Damascus, which is clearly seen today. Damascus was also ruled by the Seljuks and then by the Turks. Ultimately it was inherited by Saladin of Egypt, famed for rebuilding the citadel and his role in leading the Muslims during the Crusades. Damascus then came under the Ayyubid and Mamluk rule. During the latter period, the plague claimed the lives of half of the city’s population. Damascus was also an important province of the Ottomon Empire for 400 years at least. In 1920 the French were given a mandate over Damascus and in 1925 they were able to suppress the Druze revolt, bombing and shelling the city during the process. In 1945 the French once again bombed Damascus which the Allies had wrested from them, but this time the British forces intervened and Syria gained independence in 1946.