Two-day Trip to Damascus from Beirut: Uncover Syria’s Historic and Religious Capital.
Highlights
- • Explore the ancient city of Damascus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can discover vibrant landmarks such as the bustling Souq al-Hamidiyeh, the breathtaking Azem Palace, and Khan Assad Pasha.
- • Experience the rich tapestry of Syria's religious heritage by visiting the Chapel of St. Ananias, the magnificent Umayyad Mosque, the Al-Seida Raqiyeh Shrine, and the Sayyidah Zaynab Shrine.
- • Treat yourself to a variety of delicious Syrian dishes, allowing you to fully appreciate the country’s rich culinary traditions.
- • Relax in one of Damascus's traditional public bathhouses, where you can enjoy cherished relaxation rituals that have been passed down through generations.
- • Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture and experience the genuine warmth and hospitality of the people you meet throughout your journey.
Overview
Embark on a short yet enriching journey from Beirut to discover the essence of Damascus. Savor the authentic flavors of the city and its surroundings, immerse yourself in its vibrant culture and rich historical and religious heritage, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Syrian people. This memorable experience will leave you yearning to explore more of Syria’s incredible treasures.
- Day 1 - Beirut – Damascus City Tour
• Begin your journey from Beirut, Lebanon, with a convenient pick-up from your city center accommodation.
• Take a break at a street café for refreshments before reaching the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing.
• After completing the necessary entry visa formalities, continue your journey to the captivating capital city of Damascus, Syria. Known for its rich tapestry of religious, ethnic, and cultural heritage, Damascus offers a captivating experience for travelers.
• Your drop-off point will be Bab Touma, the north-eastern gate associated with the old city’s Christian neighbourhood.
• Stroll along the ancient roadway to a boutique hotel located in the heart of old Damascus to have a short break and meet your guide to start your city tour of Damascus.
• Experience the spiritual significance of the Chapel of St. Ananias, an ancient church that embodies the essence of early Christianity.
• Take a stroll along the historic Straight Street, a captivating thoroughfare adorned with shops, cafes, and bustling markets.
• Be awe-inspired by the splendor of Azem Palace, an architectural gem that showcases the exquisite beauty of Damascene craftsmanship, currently houses the Museum of Popular Traditions.
• Embark on an exploration of Khan Assad Pasha, an impressive caravanserai that stands as a testament to the region’s rich trading heritage.
• Enjoy a stroll through the narrow alleys, leading you to the Umayyad Mosque. This iconic landmark is a significant cultural and spiritual center, housing the Shrine of John the Baptist.
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Souq al-Hamidiyeh, an ancient covered bazaar and bustling marketplace where the local culture thrives.
• Take a well-deserved rest at the historic Al Noufarah coffeehouse, where you can savor the flavors of coffee and tea while observing the vibrant Damascene life unfolding around you.
• Witness the religious diversity of Syria by visiting the Al-Seida Raqiyeh Mosque an important Shia pilgrimage site.
• Enjoy a stroll along the ancient roadway to your accommodation for overnight stay. - Day 2 - Damascus – Sayyidah Zaynab – Bab al-Saghir – Beirut
• Embark on a captivating journey to visit to Sayyidah Zaynab, a significant pilgrimage site located in the southern outskirts of Damascus. This revered shrine is dedicated to Sayyidah Zaynab, the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance as you explore the intricate architecture and soak in the serene atmosphere of this sacred place. Witness the devotion of pilgrims who flock here to pay their respects and seek blessings.
• Continuing your journey, you’ll make your way to Bab al-Saghir, an ancient cemetery located within the walls of Old Damascus. This historic burial ground holds great significance as the resting place of numerous revered figures from Islamic history. Stroll through the hallowed grounds adorned with beautifully crafted tombstones and mausoleums. Discover the final resting places of prominent scholars and members of the Prophet Muhammad’s family, including some of the Prophet’s companions. Experience a profound sense of reverence as you reflect on the legacies left behind by these esteemed individuals.
• Having immersed yourself in the spiritual and historical richness of Sayyidah Zaynab and Bab al-Saghir, you’ll return to Damascus. As you journey back, take with you the memories of the sacred spaces you explored and the profound spiritual connections you forged. Reflect on the significance of these sites and the cultural heritage they represent, adding depth to your understanding of Syria’s diverse history and religious traditions.
• In the afternoon, travel back to your accommodation in Beirut.
- • Private round-trip transfer.
- • Syrian Land border security clearance.
- • Syrian tourist visa reference code (Entry visa approval).
- • Overnight at an old town 5* boutique hotel, including breakfast.
- • Professional licensed guide during the city tour as per your preference (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian).
- • Entrance fees.
- • Portage at the hotel.
- • Syrian land border exit tax to Lebanon.
- • Entry visa fees to Syria.
- • Any meals and drinks.
- • Any tipping.
- • Insurance of any kind.
Important Information
Visa Guide to Syria 2024:
Planning a trip to Syria? The most important question on your mind might be: Do I need a visa? The answer is yes, but the process is relatively straightforward when you choose Nawafir Tours as your local travel agency. The following visa guide provides comprehensive answers to all of your inquiries:
Visa Guide to Syria – Travel with Nawafir Tours
• Nawafir Tours is a trusted local travel agency that offers comprehensive meet and assist services, as well as transportation services, at your preferred port of entry in Syria. Whether you arrive at Beirut Int’l Airport, Amman Int’l Airport, or Damascus Int’l Airport, Nawafir Tours is dedicated to providing a seamless and hassle-free travel experience.
• Upon your arrival, you can expect a warm welcome from Nawafir Tours team. They will be readily available to assist you with the necessary procedures and ensure a smooth transition through immigration and customs. Their expert knowledge and experience in handling these processes will help streamline your entry into the country.
Visa Guide to Syria – Safety and Security
• Safety and well-being of our guests are our top priorities. We are fully committed to delivering a travel experience that is not only enjoyable but also secure. Our team takes great care in planning sightseeing tours and excursions, ensuring that we include only safe and secure cities and sites.
• To guarantee the safety of our guests, we maintain regular communication with local authorities and have a strong network of contacts. This allows us to stay informed about the current situation on the ground. If we receive any indication that a particular location or site may pose a risk, we take immediate action to adjust our itinerary and make alternative arrangements.
• You can have peace of mind knowing that at Nawafir Tours, we are unwavering in our dedication to providing a travel experience that is both secure and enjoyable. Your safety and well-being are at the forefront of everything we do.
Visa Guide to Syria – Arrival to Syria
• Generally, most guests arrive at Beirut Int’l Airport and then travel overland to Syria. Beirut Int’l Airport serves as the easiest and most popular entry point, cost-wise and logistics-wise. The duration of the journey from Beirut Int’l Airport to Damascus usually takes around three to four hours, depending on the traffic and visa procedures at the border crossing.
• Another option is to travel through Amman Int’l Airport, Jordan to reach Syria. The duration of the journey from Amman Int’l Airport to Damascus usually takes around four to five hours, depending on the traffic and visa procedures at the border crossing.
• You can also arrive to Damascus through Damascus Int’l Airport, where both Syrian Airlines and Cham Wings Airlines currently operate flights to Damascus from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Moscow, Cairo, Kuwait, Baghdad, Erbil and Beirut.
Visa Guide to Syria – E-Visa Platform
• Obtaining a tourist visa for Syria is an important step to consider when planning to travel there.
• Obtaining a visa for Syria is a straightforward process based on nationality, especially since the introduction of the E-Visa platform on 1 May 2024.
• As your host/sponsor, Nawafir Tours will handle the application for your security clearance and entry visa approval.
• Therefore, you will need to provide the following documents
1. Scanned copy of passport’s information pages in JPG format, with a minimum validity of six months.
2. Recent passport-sized personal photo with white background.
3. Information list.
• Upon arrival at the designated border crossing, you will receive a 15-day visa stamp in your passport instead of a sticker.
• Visa fees vary according to each nationality.
• Visa fees and guidelines are subject to change without any prior notice.
Visa Guide to Syria – Travel Advice
• It is crucial to emphasize that the Syrian authorities have strict regulations regarding previous travel to Israel and self-ruled territories. If, while obtaining your Syria visa on arrival, border officials discover any indications in your passport that raise suspicions of prior visits to Israel, your entry into Syria will be unequivocally refused.
• These restrictions apply not only to passports containing visas or entry/exit stamps to Israel and self-ruled territories, but also to entry stamps from specific border crossings with Israel from neighbouring countries such as Jordan or Egypt that you may have recently travelled through. As a result, if such stamps are present, Syrian immigration officials will deny entry immediately.
• The Syrian government strictly enforces these restrictions, and in order to ensure a smooth entry into Syria, travelers must be mindful of their travel history. This entails understanding the significance of their passport stamps and planning their itineraries in the region accordingly. The objective is to avoid any complications that may arise from any perceived association with Israel during your entry process.
Visa Guide to Syria – Land Border Crossings
Entry/exit stamps from the below land border crossings should be avoided to avoid being refused entry to Syria.
Jordan Border Crossings:
• Wadi Araba Crossing/South Border
• Allenby/King Hussein Bridge
• Sheikh Hussein Crossing/Northern Border
Egypt Border Crossings:
• Taba
• Nitzana
• Sharm el Sheikh, Mars al-Alam and Hurghada
It is important to note that having an entry stamp from Sharm el Sheikh Airport has resulted in cases where individuals were denied entry to Syria.