GUIDED TOURS TO SYRIA – Syrian Arab Republic

Young Pioneer Tours are now offering fully guided Syria tours for 2023 and 2024.

YPT were pretty much the first international travel company to begin guided tours to Syria when it reopened after the bloody Civil War in 2017. We are happy to announce they have now returned after Covid-19. Whether you are looking for a group tour to Syria, or an independent tour to Syria then YPT are your experts in the field!

Syria Tours – Group tours to Syria

We run a number of group tours to Syria throughout the year, as well as bespoke Syria tours that can be arranged according to your schedule and availability. Most of our group tours begin and finish in Lebanon’s vibrant capital city of Beirut.

All of our group tours to Syria are accompanied by an expert YPT guide, with us also using the best guides in the country. You will notice our tours are extremely unique with our itineraries differing greatly from other companies, this is because no one knows Syrian tourism like us.

Every facet of the Syria visa process is taken care of by YPT – no need to send your passport away anywhere. You can read more about it here.

2023 – 2024 Group Tours to Syria

Christmas in Syria Tour – December 23rd – December 26th 2023- $895

Spend a Christmas like no other on our Christmas in Syria Tour. We’ll explore Damascus, Aleppo, and the Christian town of Maaloula, where we’ll meet and celebrate Christmas with Syria’s minority Christian population.

Syria Spring Tour – February 22nd – February 29th 2024 – $1595

Our first Syria tour of 2024 and one of the best times to travel to Syria. This tour involves our most popular itinerary, whilst you can enjoy the best weather of the year in the country. This tour can be combined with our Lebanon Spring Tour which directly precedes it. Make the most of your Middle East experience and continue your adventure on our Iran Revolutionary tour.

Syria Revolutionary Tour – May 2nd – May 9th 2024 – $1595

Syria truly is a land of wonders and we are pleased to share our Syria summer with you. May is a great month to be in Syria, it’ll be warm, but just before it gets too hot. This tour can also be combined with our Lebanon Revolutionary Tour which directly precedes it.

Syria Autumn Tour – September 1st – September 8th 2024- $1595

Our first tour after the summer. This trip has us going to all the main site including Aleppo, as well as Busra. This tour can also be combined with our Ultimate Lebanon Tour. This Syrian tour will be capped at 16 people.

Syria September Tour – September 13th – September 20th 2024- $1595

The second of our back-to-back Syrian tours in September, with this one also linking up with Lebanon. Another one where we take in all the major sites during our 8 day Syrian adventure. This tour to Syria will be capped at 16 people.

Independent tours to Syria

In case our group tour dates do not fit your schedule, you would like to travel alone, or you would like a bespoke Syria itinerary then Young Pioneer Tours can help arrange the perfect Syria tour. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you require, but YPT can arrange everything you require for an independent tour to Syria.

Independent Syria tours can start in either, Beirut – Lebanon, or Amman – Jordan, with it also being possible to fly into both Damascus or Aleppo for those who wish to experience Syrian airlines, or simply avoid the roads.

Independent Syria Tour examples

We do not list all of our bespoke Syria itineraries, but can offer some examples, such as the following;

• Explore Syria Independent Tour – Our standard independent tour to Syria that takes you to all of the main sites of Syria. This tour can be extended or shortened in accordance to your needs.
• Cultural Syria Tours – While all of our tours to Syria have a cultural element we can also plan things around certain elements of particular interest, be it religion, or anthropology for example.
• Family tours to Syria – – Syria is extremely family friendly and we have arranged tours for families with children of all ages.
• School Trips to Syria – Being a bastion of civilisation, as well as holding religious significance for a number of faiths it is possible for us to arrange school trips to Syria, educational exchanges, as well as sports trips for schools and clubs.
• Aviation tours to Syria – With Syrian Air and Cham Wings Air both being airlines active in Syria we can arrange your aviation tour. For more information on our Syrian Aviation tour please get in touch.
• Beach tours to Syria – Syria is no Ibiza, but it is secular and has beaches. It is possible to have an all out beach tour in Syria particularly in the summer months when people are partying, or it can merely be added as an extra day for independent tours to Syria.
• Syria Tours for journalists – Much like other countries in the region journalists wishing to do a story about Syria, or the region need a special visa. YPT can arrange Syria tours for journalists, please get in touch to discuss requirements.
• Tours to Rojava – Tours to Rojava and special travel to Rojava and other areas of Syria are run separately from our group packages to the Syrian Arab Republic. For more questions please get in touch.

Syria and Lebanon

Since most of our Syrian group tours begin and finish in Beirut, this gives you the best opportunity to combine with our Lebanon tours. Our Lebanon tours can be done as part of a Syria tour, as part of a group tour, individually, or as a standalone tour independent of our group tours to Syria.

Syria Tours FAQ

Below are what we are frequently asked about Syria for those interested in traveling to the country. We feel that we answered pretty much everything you might need to know before you go to Syria, but please feel free to get in touch about your Syria tour, or to ask any additional questions.

How to get a Syrian Visa

Every facet of your Syrian visa is taken care of by us. How quickly your Syrian visa will be processed and completed depends on your nationality. As most of our tours cross via Lebanon we arrange for most nationalities a visa-on-arrival.

Click here to read our extensive guide on how to obtain your visa to visit Syria.

Syrian COVID-19 Restrictions

Syria is completely open to all international tourism with proof of vaccination technically required to enter, although this is now rarely enforced. It should be remembered that President Assad did not believe in Covid-19!

Is it safe to travel to Syria?

Since the Civil War has ended, Syria has become safe again for travellers. Every location we visit on our tour itineraries are safe and we stay well clear of any spots that have any potential risk for our our guests.

The situation though is an ever-fluid one and as such we will change and alter the itinerary if we feel there is any risk involved to travel to certain areas.

Is it ethical to travel to Syria?

In our minds yes, it is. As a heavily sanctioned country the money generated by tourism benefits real local Syrians in real time. Unlike North Korea for example most people work in the private sector, so are certainly not “propping up the regime”.

You can read more if it is ethical to visit Syria in our dedicated article to the matter here.

When is the best time to visit Syria?

Syria has a Mediterranean / Middle-Eastern climate, so we recommend either spring or autumn. Winters are a cool and majestic time to visit Syria. Summer days hit the high 30s Celsius so not as hot as some may expect it to be.

We run tours throughout the year, with more constantly being added, so you visit Syria with Young Pioneer Tours throughout all seasons.

How do you travel to Syria?

The best way to travel to Syria is via Beirut in Lebanon because of the short driving distance. You may also travel from Amman in Jordan, or fly into both Damascus or Aleppo, although both of these methods involve a different way of arranging your visa.

Driving into Syria from Lebanon merely means we collect your visa on arrival. For those wishing to fly into the country, this can be arranged for independent tours, with us also being able to arrange your visa beforehand.

What currency should I bring to Syria?

USD is the main currency for exchange into the Syrian pound. Make sure to bring cash as ATM’s are unreliable.

Generally speaking, USD cash is the main currency for spending, receiving change and exchanging into the Syrian pound. Euro is also taken and extremely easy to exchange, but unlike other Arab countries it is far less accepted, or important than the United States Dollar.

Other currencies can also be exchanged, particularly those from other Arab states. Changing Syrian money back to Lebanese, or dollars can be done in Syria, or when we return to Lebanon. Due to the situation in Lebanon money changers are literally everywhere.

Are there ATMs in Syria?

Due to sanctions, you cannot use ATMs or use credit cards in Syria. Also keep in mind that due to hyperinflation you cannot use ATMs in Lebanon either. Cash is king in both Syria and Lebanon!

As for much to bring to Syria? Meals and drinks are quite cheap, so you can get away with just a few hundred dollars, but as with anything spending related only you truly know how much money you need when visiting Syria.

How big are your tour group sizes in Syria?

We personally cap all of our groups at 16 people, but usually we have around 8 – 12 people. Although there is some flexibility. On particularly busy tours we will break the groups into two, so as to match sure you have the best Syrian tour possible.

What is the food like in Syria? What if I’m Vegetarian or Vegan?

Food and drinks in Syria are incredible. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, or have any other dietary requirements we can cater for all your needs.

What should I wear in Syria?

Syria is a very secular country, so generally speaking it does not have the same prohibitions as other countries within the region. That being said you will be visiting mosques and churches, so do dress relatively conservatively and women must have a headscarf at the ready.

Also keep in mind that despite being in the Middle-East Syria has huge swings in its weather. Syria can have heavy snowfall in the winter, whilst being blissfully hot in summer. This will affact what you wear in Syria.

Is there alcohol in Syria?

Yes, there is and you may drink during your visit to Syria. Damascus for example has a fabulous bar scene, with pop-up bars and even drink kiosks. Aleppo on the other hand is much more conversation and has one bar and one liquor store.

And then there are Christian areas where they not only make their own booze, but really enjoy a drink. With regards to this your YPT Guide will advise you on the cultural norms for when you visit different parts of Syria.

Should you tip in Syria?

Due to sanctions the Syrian people have really suffered and this means buying basic daily essentials such as medicine is difficult. With this in mind and much like North Korea your tips not only go a long way, but directly help people rather than going to the government.

Therefore, we suggest tipping your guides. We usually suggest about $10 per guide, or driver per person, but as a gratuity it is completely up to you. 

Can you talk about politics in Syria?

Often portrayed as one-party state technically at least it does have a multi-party system. With that being said it is hard not to notice the cult of personality around Assad and you should respect this when visiting the country.

Syria though is not North Korea and not only can you ask your guides, or people about politics, but you can also expect very candid answers, and not necessarily what you might expect them to say. Remember this is your chance to hear the other side of the argument.

You can read about the Syrian government here.

Are there age caps on your tours of Syria?

For a tour of Syria, we do not have any age caps at all and despite young being in our name we welcome a very broad church of people. Our tours generally have people of all ages, so don’t expect Club 18-30, nor Saga Tours! This we feel is what makes both tours of Syria and the wider world so special.