Capital city in Damascus Governorate, Syria
Damascus for solo travelers
Is Damascus good for solo travel?
One of the world's oldest cities: the Umayyad Mosque, covered souks and Old City courtyards, reopening to a few visitors after Assad. High risk: bombings, kidnapping, cash only and little infrastructure.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 1/5 · Hard solo |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 1/5 · Avoid travel |
| Solo women | Conservative; cover hair in mosques and dress modestly. Solo foreign women are rare and draw attention; travel with a vetted local guide. |
How to meet people in Damascus
Not a solo destination now. Visitors travel with vetted guides or small group operators and meet people through guesthouses and old-city café owners.
Good things to do alone
- Visit the Umayyad Mosque with a guide
- Walk Straight Street and Bab Touma at dawn
- Drink coffee in an Old City courtyard café
- Browse Souq al-Hamidiyya and Souq Midhat Pasha
- See the Azem Palace and National Museum
Where to stay in Damascus
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old City (Bab Touma, Bab Sharqi) | Boutique guesthouses in courtyard houses; walkable at day |
| Qaimariyya and Souq Midhat Pasha | Atmospheric old alleys close to the Umayyad Mosque |
| Abu Rummaneh and Malki | Newer central districts with hotels and restaurants |
Quick answers
Is Damascus good for solo travelers?
Hard solo (1/5). One of the world's oldest cities: the Umayyad Mosque, covered souks and Old City courtyards, reopening to a few visitors after Assad.
How do you meet people in Damascus?
Not a solo destination now. Visitors travel with vetted guides or small group operators and meet people through guesthouses and old-city café owners. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Damascus?
Limited.
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.
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
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.