Women-Friendly Travel in Damascus
The Damascus women-friendly travel guide places explicit women-friendly and family confidence signals first, while keeping uncertain details visible for review.
Damascus
Al Mamlouka
Originally a house, this beautiful boutique hotel dates back to the 17th century. Guests will be treated to excellent service and simultaneously absorb the rich history of the vibrant Old City of Damascus. This hotel is located inside the Christian quarter. The décor is beautiful and elegant, mirroring the rich traditional Syrian style of low rise beds, carved wooden cabinets and glass lamps. Rooms are decorated differently, reflecting a specific period of Syrian history. There is a courtyard too, which creates a grand ambiance. In room facilities include satellite TV and a mini bar. Hotel facilities include a gallery, a restaurant and a bar. This hotel is in an excellent location; most of the attractions are located close by.
Damascus
Damascus Cham Palace
This is arguably one of the city’s most lavish hotels, located in downtown Damascus. Rooms are large and well decorated. In room facilities include satellite TV and a mini bar. Hotel facilities are plentiful and include a beauty salon, pool, gym, sauna, restaurant, bar, room service and internet access.
Damascus
Four Seasons Hotel
This hotel is located in an ideal part of the city. The national museum and other attractions are not far off. Rooms and bathrooms are spacious and the ambiance of this hotel is best described as chic. In room facilities include satellite TV, mini bar, a safe and internet access. Hotel facilities are abundant and include a café, restaurants, bars, dining room, gym, pool, sauna, massage service, laundry service, room service, medical service and money exchange facilities.
Damascus
Blue Tower
This hotel is in a prime location. It is a popular choice amongst tourists who vie for one of the 60 rooms available. Rooms and bathrooms are large and elegantly decorated. In room facilities include satellite TV and a safe. Hotel facilities are abundant and include a café, dining room, laundry service, room service, medical service, a hair dresser and money exchange facilities.
Damascus
Sheraton Hotel
Located in an ideal spot in the centre of the city, the Sheraton faces the Quassioun Mountain and is 10 minutes away from the Old City. Arguably the most luxurious in Damascus, this hotel comprises of more than 270 rooms. In room facilities include satellite TV, internet access, maid service, cribs, hairdryers, irons, a coffee maker, a mini bar and a safe. Hotel Facilities include a hair dresser, laundry service, room service, medical service, money exchanger, a children’s pool, a gym, an outdoor pool, restaurants, bars and a disco.
Damascus
Orient Palace Hotel
This hotel dates back to the 1920s and faces the old Hejaz Train Station. It has been a guesthouse to many famous personalities. The décor is antiquated and the rooms are spacious and clean. The Orient Palace used to be one of the most lavish hotels, before competition arrived.
Damascus
Dar-al-Yasmin
This hotel is in a wonderful location in the Old City, with the main historical attractions located nearby. Within a restored Damascene Palace, the rooms in this hotel are a wonderful culmination of old meets new. Traditional Syrian décor is integrated into an overall minimalist style. In room facilities include satellite TV, internet access and a mini bar. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, a pool and a Turkish Hammam/ sauna.
Damascus
Al Medina City Hotel
This hotel is located close to the National Museum and other sites. The décor is simple and elegant and the rooms are comfortable and clean. In room facilities include satellite TV, a fridge and a hairdryer. The hotel staffs are friendly and well versed in English.
Damascus
Afamia Hotel
This hotel is located close to the National Museum and other sites. The décor is simple and elegant and the rooms are comfortable and clean. There is a choice between classic and executive rooms. In room facilities include satellite TV, fridge, hairdryer and internet access. Hotel facilities include a bar.
Damascus
Al Faradis Hotel
This hotel is quite popular with Iranian pilgrims who come to visit the holy shrines in Damascus. Its affordability is the reason it's quite popular with tourists as well. Rooms are comfortable and clean and in room facilities include satellite TV, a fridge and a hairdryer.
Damascus
Sultan Hotel
This hotel is extremely popular amongst tourists because of its excellent location and more than affordable prices. The Old City and the rich historical attractions it contains are located close by. Rooms are comfortable and clean though in room facilities are scarce. The hotel is small, intimate and styled in traditional Syrian décor.
Damascus
Ghazal Hotel
'Homely' best describes the ambiance of this hotel. Rooms are clean and comfortable and guests have a choice between double rooms, family rooms and three beds in a room. Hotel facilities include laundry service, ironing, room service, medical service and car rental facilities.
Damascus
Balkiss Hotel
This hotel is in a fantastic location, close to the Old City and the major historical districts of Damascus. The hotel itself is small; intimate can best describe the atmosphere here. Rooms are comfortable and clean. In room facilities include a refrigerator and satellite TV.
Damascus
Al-Rais Hotel
Located near the shopping district, this hotel is in an ideal location in the Al Shahouda area of Damascus. The hotel staffs are friendly and helpful. The rooms are clean but in room facilities are minimal- a TV and a fan. This is a good option for those on a budget and for those who won't find themselves lazying around the hotel all day.
Damascus
Oriental Arts Center
The Oriental Arts Center sells beautiful pieces of furniture, mirrors, decorative items and other arts and crafts. The items can be ordered a few days earlier. The materials used in making these products include gypsum, plaster, oil paints and gold leaf. The artist behind these interesting pieces is the famed Saeed Zozoul.
Damascus
The Damascus Souq
This is a vast souq housing many mini bazaars. Visitors will be transported back in time and exposed to an authentic Arab market place. Souq al Hamidiyya consists of a number of stalls selling clothing, costume jewelry, souvenirs, religious icons, beads and texts, toys, stationery and decorative pieces. Souq Khayyatin is home to seasoned traders displaying beautiful stitched and unstitched garments of excellent quality. Seed Bazaar sells perfumes, spices, glazed fruit, nuts, traditional sweets and jewelry. Souq al Attarine sells aromatic coffees and spices.
Damascus
George Dabdoub
Located next to the Azem Palace in the Old City, George Dabdoub sells a number of traditional Damascene items including carpets, icons and jewelry. The goods sold are of excellent quality and the prices are moderate.
Damascus
Khalil Haddad
This shop sells some very fascinating and interesting handicrafts. Customers will fall in love with many of the pieces available here including backgammon sets and other board games as well as carved wooden boxes, chests and furniture.
Damascus
Anat
Anat is a wonderful place to shop for Damascene souvenirs. It sells a number of traditional items including textiles, jewelry, cushion covers, shoes and bags. These are handmade by Palestinian refugees and Syrian women hailing from rural areas around the country.
Damascus
Librairie Avicenne
This shop is a must stop for any tourist visiting Damascus. Named after the famous philosopher Ibn Sina (known as Avicenne in the West), this cozy bookstore caters to a number of avid Damascene readers and foreign tourists. A wide selection of English books and other foreign language literature are sold here. Some wonderful guide books are also available.
Damascus
Nabeel Fouad Salka
This is a wonderful store that sells some of the most beautiful and intricately carved flutes, drums and other musical instruments. Some of the instruments also contain mother-of-pearl designs.
Damascus
Abdel Razek Mousali
This music store stocks a brilliant collection of music from all genres (classical, contemporary, jazz and pop) by Arab artists in the region. It is a must stop for tourists.
Damascus
Tishreen Sports Complex
Tourists can take their children to swim in the Olympic Pool at this sports complex.
Damascus
The Citadel
This historic site has witnessed much of the life of Damascus. Located in the Old City, it was built by the Selujiks at the end of the 11th and during the beginning of the 12th centuries. Subsequent invaders and rulers all made modifications leaving their mark on the Citadel. One of them, Saladin, who was the famous Ayubbid sultan, further strengthened the Citadel to resist attacks during the Crusades. The Mamluks, the Ottomans and the French all adapted it; the last turned it into a prison which it remained till the middle of the 1980s. This magnificent stone structure is integral to the city of Damascus; do not miss it as it also serves as a venue to various festivals, concerts and functions. The Citadel has certainly undergone a change in function from its past to its present.