Destination: Syria

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION

When to Go

The best time of year to visit Lebanon and Syria is spring (March to May) when the weather is mild and wildflowers are in bloom. During May the weather can be warm enough for swimming and the mountains are carpeted with colour. In Beirut and Damascus, the winter rains would have cleared the haze that obscures the cities for some of the year. The rains would have swollen the rivers, so the wooden norias (waterwheels) in Hama are turning and fresh, clean water flows through Damascus. If your timing is just right, you may be able to live the Lebanese cliché and, at the end of the snow season, ski in the mountains in the morning and swim on the coast in the afternoon. If you can’t make the spring, aim for autumn (September to November), between the intense heat of summer and the cloud of winter.

For sunworshippers, temperatures soar from June to the middle of September, although summers can be uncomfortably hot. Coastal areas, such as Tripoli and Lattakia, can get extremely humid, while the interiors will be very hot and dry. This may be fine if you want to lie on a Mediterranean beach but is not ideal for exploring the large exposed ruins at Palmyra, Apamea, Bosra or Baalbek. Travel in the northeast of the region and through the desert can become real endurance tests. Heading out early and returning to the hotel for an afternoon siesta is necessary to avoid heat stroke and exhaustion. The winter rains can make sightseeing difficult, but if you’re lucky enough a blanket of snow may cover Damascus and the high altitudes of both countries. Bear in mind that the cheaper hotels may not have heating. Lebanon, on the other hand, is becoming increasingly popular as a winter sports destination. There are many ski resorts in the Mt Lebanon range and the season extends from early December to early April.

Like anywhere, if you are heading to Lebanon or Syria during school holidays, you should book accommodation well in advance. Religious and state holidays should not seriously disrupt any travel plans – some services may be cut back, but transport, hotels, restaurants and many businesses function as normal. The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan may require a bit more planning: make sure you eat breakfast at your hotel as some cafés and restaurants close during the day, and some offices operate reduced and erratic hours. Ramadan nights, particularly during the final three days of the Eid al-Fitr can be particularly lively. You may wish to schedule your trip around annual festivals, such as those at Baalbek, Byblos, Palmyra and Bosra.

Travelling to Syria?
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