Damascus guide: places worth visiting in the oldest inhabited capital
Damascus is not a city you see once. Between the lanes of the Old City, its courtyard houses with fountains and the khans that hosted merchant caravans for centuries, there are experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
At Syria Finds we visit every place in Damascus ourselves and film it, so you can choose where to eat, where to have your coffee and how to spend your day — whether it’s your first visit or you grew up here.
What is Damascus known for?
Old Damascus
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Umayyad Mosque
The heart of the Old City and one of the best-known landmarks of the Islamic world, surrounded by souks and old cafés.
Souq al-Hamidiyah
A long covered market leading to the Umayyad Mosque — the classic stop for shopping and Damascene ice cream.
Azm Palace
An 18th-century Damascene palace with a wide courtyard and fountain; one of the finest examples of the Damascene house.
Khan As’ad Pasha & Khan Suleyman Pasha
Ottoman caravanserais with stone domes, once stops for trade caravans and now open to visitors again.
Mount Qasioun
The best-known view over Damascus, especially at sunset as the city lights up.
What to eat in Damascus
Damascene food is a world of its own: breakfasts of foul, msabbaha and fatteh, stretchy Arabic ice cream with mastic and pistachio, and sweets like barazek and ghraybeh. In the old cafés near the Umayyad Mosque, the storyteller (hakawati) tradition and strong tea are still part of the evening.
What we’re documenting in Damascus
- Restaurants & street food
- Heritage cafés
- Khans & landmarks
- Guesthouses
FAQ
When does the Syria Finds guide to Damascus launch?
We launch the platform in January 2027. Leave your email or WhatsApp number on this page to get your launch invite.
How do you choose places in Damascus?
Our team visits every place in person and films it before publishing. Nothing goes into the guide without a visit.
I know a great place in Damascus. How do I suggest it?
Tap “Suggest it to our editors” on this page and tell us the place name and why it’s worth a visit. Our editors review every suggestion.