About Damascus

Damascus budget travel offers a chance to explore the ancient capital of Syria, with plenty of things to see and do and a sense of history and culture in one of the most tourist-friendly destinations in the Middle East.

Damascus Budget Travel

Damascus budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Damascus to help you plan your budget holiday in Damascus. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Damascus.

Airports

Damascus airports include:
• Damascus International Airport

Conservation

Damascus conservation is essential to protect the precious environments remaining. With population expansion and an ongoing influx of people from rural areas and neighbouring countries, a shortage of water has become an increasing issue. Urbanisation and the growing demand for fresh produce and grazing land have had an impact on natural ecosystems.

Culture

Damascus culture includes the following aspects:
• Islamic Culture prevalent and influential on most aspects of daily life
• Family bonds and values are strong
• Food, drink plays a key role with café culture seen in many parts of the city
• Local women often not open to ‘chance social meeting’, ‘ small talk ‘ or ‘ striking up a conversation.’

Health

Damascus health info for travellers includes the following:
• The most common health risk is travellers tummy from rich foods or tap water
• Health facilities are advanced in the major cities in Syria, but not in rural areas
• Pack a basic first aid kit with medication for upset stomachs, nausea and other minor ailments
• Check with your doctor about any health risks or disease outbreaks that may have occurred recently before leaving for your trip

Languages

Damascus languages include the following:
• Arabic
• French
• English
• Kurdish

Malaria

While malaria in Damascus is not a risk, there may be a malaria risk within Asia in general. Travellers who are visiting malaria-risk countries before or after travelling to Malaria should consider malaria medication.

Money

Damascus money and banking info is as follows:
• There are fairly decent banking facilities in the city
• Credit cards are usually accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops
• Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted and may not be exchanged even in banks

People

Damascus people include the following groups:
• Syrians
• Kurds
• Armenians
• Turks
• Circassians
• Assyrians

Phrase

Damascus local phrases include the following:
• Hello: Marhaba
• Good morning: S-bahh Al-khair
• Good evening: Masa Al-khair
• Please: Men-fadllaak (m)
• Please: Men-fadllake (f)
• How much: Gha-daish?

Plants

Since Syria is a semi-desert area spared some greenery only by the grace of oases, Damascus plants are fairly limited. Yew, Lime, and Fir, trees grow in the mountains. In the Euphrates Valley and the Oasis of Palmyra, Date palms grow.

Religion

Damascus religion includes the following:
• Sunni Muslim 80%
• Christian (Orthodox and Catholic)
• Jewish

Safety Tips

Damascus safety tips include the following:
• Secure your passport at your place of accommodation
• Carry passport and visa copies with you at all times
• Be aware of possible pick-pocketing downtown
• Go out in groups , or pairs, particularly if you’re female
• Refrain from participating in conversation of a political or religious nature
• Take plenty of pictures but be mindful of photographing state buildings and military units, as in most foreign countries

Transport

Damascus local transport includes:
• Car
• Bus
• Taxi
• Mini bus taxi
• Train

Travel Books

Damascus recommended travel books include the following:
• Lonely Planet Syria by Andrew Humphreys and Damien Simonis
• Syria: A Historical And Architectural Guide by Warwick Ball
• Syria: Bradt Travel Guide by Diana Darke
• The Road from Damascus: A Journey Through Syria by Scott C. Davis
• Culture Shock! Syria: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette by Coleman South

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Syria

What To Buy

What to buy for Damascus:
• Spare batteries for torches and camera
• Guide books and Arabic phrase books
• Thick socks for hiking boots
• First aid kit for travel purposes
• Large refillable water bottle, or plenty of bottled water

What To Pack

What to pack for Damascus: Su
• Sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
• Bathing suit and towels
• Headscarves for women, plus long skirts and t-shirts that cover shoulders
• Comfortable walking shoes plus sandals
• Casual and smarter clothes for various activities
• Camera with spare batteries and memory card/film
• Binoculars for bird spotting
• Guide book and phrase book
• Basic first aid kit

When To Go

When to go to Damascus
• Summers are oppressively hot
• Spring and Autumn offer milder temperatures
• The best time is between April and June and September to November

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