Syria Forgotten Cities: 8 Days Damascus, Homs & Crusader Castles

Tour Overview

Discover the ancient wonders of Syria on this 8-day journey through forgotten cities and Crusader castles, from the ancient capital of Damascus (one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world) to the stunning Crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers, the ancient Roman city of Bosra, the spectacular desert ruins of Palmyra, the beautiful Christian village of Maaloula, and the fascinating Forgotten Cities (Dead Cities) of northern Syria. Syria, a country in the Middle East, is home to some of the most important ancient sites in the world, with its rich history spanning thousands of years.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Damascus & Old City

Arrive at Damascus International Airport (Damascus, Syria). Transfer to your hotel. Explore Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (over 5,000 years of history), a beautiful ancient city with its stunning Umayyad Mosque, its bustling souks, its historic churches, its beautiful old houses, and its rich history. Visit the Umayyad Mosque (one of the oldest and most beautiful mosques in the world, built in the 8th century, with its stunning courtyard, its beautiful minarets, and the shrine of John the Baptist inside). Visit the Damascus Citadel (a historic fortress in the center of the city). Visit the Al-Hamidiyah Souk (one of the largest and most beautiful covered souks in the Middle East, with its bustling atmosphere, its shops selling spices, textiles, crafts, jewelry, and food, and its beautiful architecture). Visit the various historic churches in Damascus, including the Chapel of Saint Paul (where Saint Paul was lowered from the city walls in a basket), the House of Saint Ananias, and the various other Christian sites. Visit the old city of Damascus with its narrow alleys, its beautiful old houses (with their stunning courtyards and traditional architecture), and its historic sites. Visit the National Museum of Damascus (with its excellent collection of artifacts from the ancient civilizations of Syria, including the famous statue of the goddess Ishtar, the ancient Ebla tablets, and the various other artifacts). Evening welcome dinner with Syrian cuisine including meze (a variety of small dishes including hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, kibbeh, and various other dishes), grilled meats, fresh bread, and the famous Syrian sweets. Overnight in Damascus.

Day 2: Damascus to Maaloula & Krak des Chevaliers

Morning drive from Damascus to Maaloula (approximately 1.5 hours), a beautiful Christian village in the mountains, famous as one of the few places in the world where Aramaic (the language of Jesus) is still spoken. Visit the beautiful village of Maaloula, with its stunning setting in the mountains, its historic churches, and its unique culture. Visit the Convent of Saint Thecla (a beautiful convent built into the mountainside, with its stunning church, its beautiful views, and the shrine of Saint Thecla). Visit the Monastery of Saint Sergius (a beautiful monastery with its historic church and its stunning views). Visit the village and meet the local people, listening to the Aramaic language and learning about their unique culture and traditions. After lunch, drive to Krak des Chevaliers (approximately 1.5-2 hours), one of the most beautiful and best-preserved Crusader castles in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 12th and 13th centuries, with its massive walls, its towers, its chapel, its halls, and its stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Explore the castle: walk along the massive walls, visit the towers, the chapel, the great hall, the various rooms, and enjoy the stunning views from the castle. Visit the nearby village of al-Husn and the surrounding area. Evening stay near Krak des Chevaliers or in Homs. Dinner with Syrian cuisine. Overnight near Krak des Chevaliers or Homs.

Day 3: Homs & Forgotten Cities (Dead Cities)

Morning explore Homs (the third-largest city in Syria, a historic city with its beautiful old city, its historic mosques, and its rich history). Visit the old city of Homs, the Al-Nouri Mosque, the various historic sites, and the bustling markets. After lunch, visit the Forgotten Cities (also known as the Dead Cities, a group of over 700 abandoned ancient villages in northern Syria, dating from the 1st to 7th centuries AD, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with their stunning ruins of ancient churches, monasteries, houses, and villages, beautifully preserved in the limestone hills). Visit some of the most famous Dead Cities: visit the Church of Saint Simeon Stylites (Qal’at Sem’an, one of the most famous and beautiful ancient churches in Syria, built in the 5th century around the pillar of Saint Simeon Stylites, who lived on top of a pillar for 37 years, with its stunning octagonal design and its beautiful architecture). Visit the ancient village of Serjilla (one of the best-preserved Dead Cities, with its stunning ruins of ancient houses, a church, a bathhouse, and a public building, beautifully preserved). Visit the ancient village of al-Bara (another well-preserved Dead City, with its stunning ruins of ancient churches, houses, and the famous pyramid tombs). Visit the various other Dead Cities in the area, enjoying the stunning ancient ruins and the beautiful limestone countryside. Evening stay in the area or return to Homs. Dinner with Syrian cuisine. Overnight in the area or Homs.

Day 4: Homs to Palmyra (Desert Ruins)

Morning drive from Homs to Palmyra (approximately 3-4 hours), the ancient desert city of Palmyra (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most important and beautiful ancient cities in the world, an important trading city on the ancient Silk Road, famous for its stunning ruins, its beautiful colonnaded street, its temples, its theater, and its desert setting). Palmyra was a wealthy and powerful city in the 1st to 3rd centuries AD, ruled by the famous Queen Zenobia, and it was an important center of trade between the Roman Empire and the East. Visit the ancient ruins of Palmyra: walk along the famous Great Colonnade (a stunning colonnaded street over 1 kilometer long, lined with beautiful Corinthian columns, with its stunning architecture and its beautiful setting in the desert). Visit the Temple of Bel (one of the most important and beautiful temples in the ancient world, dedicated to the god Bel, with its massive columns and its stunning architecture). Visit the Roman Theater (a beautiful Roman theater with its stunning architecture and its beautiful setting). Visit the Temple of Baalshamin (another beautiful ancient temple), the Agora (the ancient marketplace), the Senate House, the various baths, the Diocletian Camp, the Valley of the Tombs (with its stunning tower tombs and underground tombs), and the various other ancient sites. Visit the Palmyra Museum (with its collection of artifacts from the ancient city). Visit the nearby Palmyrene Castle (Qal’at Ibn Maan, a beautiful castle on a hill overlooking the ancient city, with stunning panoramic views of Palmyra and the surrounding desert). Evening stay in Palmyra. Dinner with Syrian cuisine and Bedouin-style food. Overnight in Palmyra.

Day 5: Palmyra to Bosra (Ancient Roman City)

Morning continue exploring Palmyra, visiting any sites you may have missed. Enjoy the beautiful desert sunrise over the ancient ruins. After breakfast, drive from Palmyra to Bosra (approximately 3-4 hours), the ancient Roman city of Bosra (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an important ancient city in southern Syria, famous for its stunning Roman theater (one of the largest and best-preserved Roman theaters in the world, carved into the ground and later converted into a fortress), its ancient ruins, its beautiful mosques, and its rich history). Bosra was the capital of the Roman province of Arabia Petraea, and it was an important trading city on the ancient incense route. Visit the ancient ruins of Bosra: visit the Roman Theater (a stunning 2nd-century Roman theater, one of the largest in the world, with a capacity of over 15,000 spectators, beautifully preserved and later converted into a fortress by the Ayyubids, with its stunning architecture and its beautiful setting). Visit the ancient city ruins, including the Cathedral of Bosra (one of the oldest cathedrals in the world, built in the 4th century), the various ancient churches, the ancient streets, the baths, the temples, and the various other ancient sites. Visit the Al-Omari Mosque (one of the oldest mosques in Syria, built in the 7th century). Visit the Bosra Museum (with its collection of artifacts from the ancient city). Visit the old city of Bosra with its narrow alleys and its beautiful traditional houses. Evening stay in Bosra or return to Damascus. Dinner with Syrian cuisine. Overnight in Bosra or Damascus.

Day 6: Bosra to Damascus & City Tour

Morning drive from Bosra back to Damascus (approximately 2 hours). Upon arrival, continue exploring Damascus: visit the various historic sites you may have missed, including the Azem Palace (a beautiful 18th-century Ottoman palace, now a museum, with its stunning courtyards, its beautiful architecture, and its exhibits on the traditional Damascene way of life). Visit the various old houses (bayts) of Damascus, with their stunning courtyards, their beautiful fountains, and their traditional architecture. Visit the bustling souks and the various craft shops, watching the traditional artisans at work (including the famous Damascene sword makers, the woodworkers, the copper workers, and the various other traditional crafts). Visit the Street Called Straight (Via Recta, the famous Roman street in Damascus, mentioned in the Bible, with its beautiful architecture and its historic significance). Visit the various historic mosques, churches, and other sites. After lunch, visit the nearby mountain village of Bloudan (if time permits, a beautiful mountain village near Damascus, with its stunning views, its cool climate, and its beautiful scenery). Evening farewell dinner with Syrian cuisine, reflecting on the incredible ancient journey through Syria. Overnight in Damascus.

Day 7: Damascus – Free Day & Shopping

Free day in Damascus for additional exploration, shopping, or relaxation. Visit the various historic sites you may have missed. Do some shopping for Syrian products including traditional crafts, textiles, jewelry, sweets, spices, olive oil, and local products. Visit the Al-Hamidiyah Souk and the various other markets for souvenirs. Visit the traditional craft workshops and watch the artisans at work. Relax at a traditional café (ahwa) and enjoy the famous Syrian coffee and the traditional atmosphere. Visit the nearby parks and gardens. Optional: visit the nearby town of Sayyidah Zaynab (a important Shia pilgrimage site, with its beautiful mosque and shrine). Evening dinner with Syrian cuisine. Overnight in Damascus.

Day 8: Damascus & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Damascus or shopping. Visit the souks for final souvenirs. After breakfast, transfer to Damascus International Airport for your departure flight. Concluding your 8-day Syria journey through forgotten cities, Crusader castles, and ancient ruins.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses