Damascus walking route: Umayyad Mosque to Azem Palace
Explore Damascus, Syria's historic capital, featuring iconic landmarks including the Umayyad Mosque from the 8th century, the Azm Palace, and the bustling main souk. This route showcases the city's architectural heritage and traditional markets that have survived recent decades.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Old Town Damascus
- End
- Lebanese Border
- Stops
- 7
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Old Town Damascus
- Azam Palace — Historic palace in Damascus city center, now a museum showcasing Syrian heritage and architecture from different periods.
- Old Town Mosaic Shop — Traditional artisan workshop specializing in handcrafted mosaics and decorative tilework, showcasing centuries-old Syrian craftsmanship techniques.
- Bakdash Ice Cream Shop — Renowned traditional ice cream shop over 120 years old, famous for hand-crafted ice cream made fresh daily in front of customers.
- Umayyad Mosque
- Johnny's Mosaic Shop — Family-owned artisan shop in old Damascus producing handcrafted traditional mosaics with inlaid mother-of-pearl for over 140 years.
- Lebanese Border — International border crossing between Lebanon and Syria where the traveler entered the country to begin the Damascus journey.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Syria recently relaxed its visa regime and is letting in tourists again after almost a decade. Check current visa requirements before planning your trip.
- Transport
- You can enter Syria from Lebanon. Border crossings exist between the two countries.
- Tip
- Visa duration: You can obtain a 15-day visa for Syria.
- Food
- Visit Bakdash Ice Cream Shop in the old city - over 120 years old, ice cream is made by hand in front of customers, still running uninterrupted.
- Tip
- See the storyteller tradition: Evening storytellers perform in selected cafes in the old city heart, telling tales to audiences in smoke-filled rooms with shisha.
- Tip
- Visit the Umayyad Mosque - one of the most iconic mosques in the world, dates back to early 8th century, capacity for about 20,000 people.
- Tip
- Explore Damascus Souk - one of the most diverse bazaars, offers souvenirs, traditional instruments, metalware, copper, silver, and cardamom coffee.
- Tip
- Visit artisan mosaic shops in the old town - traditional handcrafted Syrian mosaics made by hand taking days per piece, some inlaid with mother-of-pearl and rosewood.
- Avoid
- Syria is still in the midst of an ongoing crisis. Travel there requires careful consideration of safety and current security conditions.
- Tip
- Visit Azam Palace - a historic attraction in Damascus with ticket office staff known for their generosity to visitors.
Video on this route
SYRIA | What's It Like to be a Tourist in Damascus?