Is Damascus safe?
Avoid. Islamic State bombings hit central Damascus in July 2026, kidnapping is a threat, and armed groups and checkpoints operate across the country. Most governments advise against all travel.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 1/5, avoid travel.
- US travel advisory: Level 4: Do not travel, updated 2025-12-10.
- Homicide rate in Syria: 2.1 per 100,000 people (2010, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Syria: 14.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 113.
Safety in Damascus at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 1/5 · Avoid travel |
| Crime | Bombings and shootings target government, religious and civilian sites. Kidnapping, robbery and extortion at checkpoints are real risks, especially outside the Old City. |
| At night | Streets empty early and power cuts leave the city dark. Stay in your guesthouse after sunset and use vetted drivers. |
| Solo women | Conservative; cover hair in mosques and dress modestly. Solo foreign women are rare and draw attention; travel with a vetted local guide. |
| Other risks | Bombings, gunfire and unexploded munitions; Long daily power cuts; Poor hospitals and unreliable ambulances |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi drivers charging foreigners several times the local fare
- Fixers or 'officials' demanding fees for permits and photos
- Black-market money changers passing old or counterfeit banknotes
Take care
- Cafés, hotels and religious sites: targets in recent bombings
- Outskirts and roads out of town: checkpoints, landmines and kidnapping
- Any travel toward Suwayda or the south
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Unlicensed political activity is banned; avoid rallies.
- Drug possession can bring life imprisonment.
- Carry copies of your passport and visa at checkpoints.
Quick answers
Is Damascus safe for solo female travelers?
Conservative; cover hair in mosques and dress modestly. Solo foreign women are rare and draw attention; travel with a vetted local guide.
Is Damascus safe at night?
Streets empty early and power cuts leave the city dark. Stay in your guesthouse after sunset and use vetted drivers.
What is the crime rate in Damascus?
Bombings and shootings target government, religious and civilian sites. Kidnapping, robbery and extortion at checkpoints are real risks, especially outside the Old City. Nationally, Syria records 2.1 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2010).
What number do I call in an emergency in Damascus?
Police 112 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 113.
More about Damascus
Going to Damascus solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Damascus meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Syria e-visa portal
- UK FCDO travel advice: Syria
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.