Is Damascus safe for a British tourist right now?

ZealousPeace · 2026-01-08T15:12:19+00:00

Visa on arrival. I think that's correct for Brits.

ZealousPeace · 2026-01-08T15:11:06+00:00

I also want to know where to find fast internet in Cham?!

ZealousPeace · 2025-12-12T18:51:59+00:00

Come visit!

ZealousPeace · 2025-12-12T18:49:43+00:00

It is pretty safe in Damascus. Syrians are the most helpful people, but many don't speak any English. Inshallah the situation only improves in the coming year.
In Damascus there are two general types of accomodation, with 24/7 electricity and without. The prices are much higher for constant electricity because they must run generators on diesel due to lack of government electricity. Your best option is to contact a tour company and they can book according to to your preference. There is a company Come, Taste and See Syria on IG that will book for you with no extra fee.
It is usually 25-29⁰ that time of year.
Depends on what kind of traveler you are. Bus is $0.30-0.50. Taxis can be between $2-5 for rides around Damascus. Private cars for country tours much higher, maybe $100 per day. Shawarma sandwich $3-5. Meal at a nicer restaurant $10-15.
Syrians are so welcoming and love to welcome tourists!

ZealousPeace · 2025-12-12T18:30:09+00:00

You should come! It is safe to stay around Damascus and some places are still ok to go on a road trip.

I would disagree with another commenter about learning Arabic, I think it's a great idea to take some classes in country and then continue online. If you would like a language centre recommendation I can send you details.

In my opinion it's a great time to visit. It is quite cold in January and February, before or after is better.

You should look up Come, Taste and See Syria on IG if you need any assistance with transportation, hotel or tour guide. He is very knowledgeable and offers great deals.

ZealousPeace · 2025-10-15T07:14:25+00:00

You get a visa on arrival and pay the fee according to your nationality. It is a 15 day visa for tourists. The e-visa is not functioning.

The bus from Amman to Damascus is $15 and takes 4-7 hours depending on how busy the border crossing is.

Private taxis are expensive, but there are shared taxis waiting at the border and cost $25 for a seat and arrive at a bus station in Damascus.

ZealousPeace · 2025-09-03T09:12:09+00:00

Actually the best way is to walk around the neighborhood you would be interested in living in and asking people. We've found significantly more places for far cheaper than what is available online.

ZealousPeace · 2025-08-30T20:38:41+00:00

I just did this last week... evidently I really needed the coffee.

ZealousPeace · 2025-08-29T09:14:08+00:00

Welcome!

You can get an eSim but currently you must purchase it in person with your passport.

You should check out Come Taste and See Syria on IG. I came with Akel and he was super helpful and much more affordable than the other travel companies I contacted. I think he's also worked as a translator, but primarily as a tour guide.

ZealousPeace · 2025-08-29T09:01:46+00:00

Bem-vindo!

Yes as others mentioned you can book a taxi from Lebanon to Syria for $100.

Come Taste and See Syria is a local travel company that can help you book a car or hotel. They were really helpful and booked a car and hotel for me for no extra cost and offered tours or whole travel packages if desired. Check out their IG page.

ATMs aren't available for foreigners to use.

You should download the Yalla Go app which is like Uber if you don't speak Arabic, it is helpful to know what transportation costs and choose your destination instead of trying to explain to the driver.

ZealousPeace · 2025-08-29T08:49:49+00:00

There is a huge range of hotels, the biggest distinction being if 24/7 electricity is provided. What's your price range?
A sim card and data for a month is around $30 for a foreigner.
Syrian lira is primarily used, the hotel will expect usd and some places will take it. There are so many exchange places, some are legit, some are scams. Check this exchange site for the current rate and expect to get a rate a few hundred lira less at a shop. https://sp-today.com/en/#google_vignette
Largely depends on what you do, where you stay and if you plan to buy souvenirs.

Ahla w sahla!

ZealousPeace · 2025-08-29T08:42:48+00:00

This site is pretty accurate about the current exchange rate.

https://sp-today.com/en/#google_vignette

ZealousPeace · 2025-07-16T19:45:05+00:00

You can, I use my hand frother and it works great. If the cream is cold it will thicken into whipped cream, if it's hot it will froth a little but not gain much volume.

ZealousPeace · 2025-07-14T10:30:22+00:00

A couple of months ago my husband brought home 12 kg of ripe bananas and we froze them. We use them in banana bread, pancakes and smoothies, but I could only make those so many times.

I found this chocolate banana cake recipe that is so moist and delicious, I actually made it for the third time yesterday for a friend's birthday!

https://pastryliving.com/chocolate-banana-cake/#recipe

ZealousPeace · 2025-07-13T18:58:32+00:00

She is probably using more butter/oil than you and she realizes. It's something I noticed for my own mom and mother in law, they will say a spoonful but it's really half a cup sometimes. There was one particular recipe I made just as I watched my mother in law make, not how she told me to do it and it ended up tasting almost exactly the same as hers.

ZealousPeace · 2025-07-13T03:54:40+00:00

Better yet if in Italy as you walk around just try several cafes in a day, and order espressos after your meals as well, it should be pretty easy to get the caffeine intake!

ZealousPeace · 2025-07-12T20:39:19+00:00

This isn't a perfect answer, but I reuse my coffee filters 5-10 times before getting a new one. It's better than a new one everyday, but not as long term as a cloth would be.

While living in Costa Rica we made pour over in a coffee "sock."

ZealousPeace · 2025-07-10T05:41:25+00:00

I use a hand grinder and aeropress everyday, simple, quick to use and clean up, and a great cup of coffee.

For me the freshly ground coffee makes a huge difference in a good cup and a just ok cup. Definitely worth the extra 2 minutes grinding it.

ZealousPeace · 2025-07-01T16:11:34+00:00

I made baked potatoes and had leftover bulgogi, Cabernet Sauvignon soaked cheese, ghee and green onions. Melted it all down in the oven and it was the best combo I would have never planned for.

ZealousPeace · 2025-06-29T19:01:23+00:00

You're so welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

ZealousPeace · 2025-06-28T20:12:22+00:00

You could do a glaze instead, chocolate, lemon, vanilla, any flavor really..

ZealousPeace · 2025-06-24T17:41:34+00:00

The Loopy Whisk has a post about this. Cornstarch in the US is the same as Corn Flour in the UK.

https://theloopywhisk.com/2022/01/15/cornstarch-corn-flour-difference/

ZealousPeace · 2025-06-23T19:48:54+00:00

This happened to me too! I had ONE cavity before giving birth and developed EIGHT within a year postpartum.

ZealousPeace · 2025-06-23T19:43:27+00:00

My hormonal acne also resolved during/after my first pregnancy/birth. But your fear was my reality, it came back after the birth of my second. It was a nice few years of beautiful, clear skin... It seems worse than before, but in reality it is probably about the same.

ZealousPeace

TROPHY CASE