Damascus Old Town: 3 Places to See - Tuma Gate & Street Food
Explore Damascus, Syria's capital city, one of the world's cheapest destinations. This route showcases the Old Town's historic sites including traditional breakfast spots, the Tuma Gate, and local artisan workshops where craftspeople have practiced their trades for generations.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Breakfast In Damascus;
- End
- Damascus Street Food;
- Stops
- 3
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Breakfast In Damascus;
- Tuma Gate — One of seven ancient gates that formerly surrounded the walled Old Town of Damascus, part of the medieval fortification system.
- Damascus Street Food;
Useful for your trip
- Avoid
- Syria requires solo travelers to have a government-assigned guide for security reasons. Trip details are reported to the government by travel agencies at the end of your visit.
- Food
- Breakfast in Damascus costs less than $1 per person. A traditional breakfast with hummus, tahina, fried bread, chickpeas, and vegetables costs around 5,000-6,000 Syrian pounds (~$2).
- Food
- Try Ma'amoul (small cheese pastries) near Tuma Gate for about 600 Syrian pounds (~20 cents) per piece.
- Save money
- Damascus was selected as one of the cheapest capital cities in the world as of 2021. Budget-friendly meals and souvenirs available throughout the city.
- Food
- Small handmade mother-of-pearl inlaid boxes designed locally cost 5,000-20,000 Syrian pounds (~$1.50-$6). These make affordable souvenirs.
- Tip
- Visit mosaic and mother-of-pearl workshops in Old Town Damascus. Many family-run businesses have operated for 20-150 years and offer handcrafted pieces.
- Food
- Christian communities in Damascus have established areas with Christmas trees and traditional meals. Greek Orthodox and Armenian populations present.
- Tip
- Over half a million people died in Syria's civil war (started 12 years ago). 15.3 million Syrians required humanitarian assistance as of early 2023. Rebel and Kurdish forces still hold large parts of the country.
Video on this route
The World’s Cheapest Capital City - Inside Damascus With A Local Girl, Syria 🇸🇾