Aleppo, Syria: 4 places to see - Old City and Melbourne
Explore post-conflict Aleppo, Syria through a tourist's perspective. This route covers the modern Melbourne district and the historic Old City, showcasing both reconstruction efforts and the extent of wartime devastation in one of the Middle East's most historically significant cities.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Newer Parts of Town
- End
- Old City Destruction
- Stops
- 4
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Newer Parts of Town — Modern residential and commercial districts showcasing Aleppo's 20th-century urban development and contemporary Syrian architecture beyond the historic center.
- Aleppo — Ancient Middle Eastern city with one of the longest histories of human inhabitation, devastated by Syrian conflict but now reopening to tourists and rebuilding.
- Baron Hotel — Five-star historic luxury hotel hosting celebrities and dignitaries including King Faisal of Iraq, David Rockefeller, and Agatha Christie for nearly a century.
- Old City Destruction — Devastated sections of Aleppo's UNESCO-listed medieval medina, bearing witness to years of conflict and offering sobering insight into the city's recent history.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Aleppo with a guide. As of June 2019, the city had only recently opened to visitors and tourist infrastructure was mostly closed.
- Where to stay
- Note that most hotels are closed or non-functional. The Baron Hotel, a historic 5-star establishment, no longer operates as it once did due to conflict damage.
- Transport
- The airport does not yet function. Plan alternative transportation methods to reach the city.
- Food
- Try traditional ice cream at older shops in the newer parts of town. One signature dish is Fourat Talli, made with ice cream, milk, and pistachio.
- Food
- Sample Melbourne, a traditional Aleppo sweet made with walnuts and grape juice jelly.
- Tip
- Buy genuine Aleppo soap made from olive oil following centuries-old traditional recipes. Look for the seven-star symbol indicating authenticity.
- Tip
- Visit the Old City and historic souks to see ongoing reconstruction efforts, though expect extensive destruction and limited original structures remaining.
- Tip
- Explore artisan copper shops in the old city where craftspeople continue creating handmade souvenirs despite the devastation.
- Avoid
- Do not expect normal tourist infrastructure. Airplane ticket offices and most hotels are closed as tourism infrastructure has not yet reopened.
Video on this route
ALEPPO, SYRIA | What's It Like to Be a Tourist in ALEPPO?