Aleppo walking route: Umayyad Mosque and old town
Explore post-conflict Aleppo, Syria through a 46-minute route visiting key landmarks including the Umayyad Mosque, Gate of Antioch, Saqatiyah Souk, Laurus Hotel, and Cordoba Restaurant. This itinerary traces the city's historic old town and modern districts, showcasing restoration efforts and local life in Syria's former industrial capital.
- Distance
- 2.1 km
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Arrival in Aleppo
- End
- Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Aleppo)
- Stops
- 2
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Arrival in Aleppo — First arrival in Aleppo, three weeks after the fall of Assad
- Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Aleppo) — World heritage site; first tourist in 14 years to visit after closure
Useful for your trip
- Where to stay
- Laurus Hotel is a modern, well-equipped option in Aleppo with gym facilities, smart rooms, and good bathrooms
- Food
- Cordoba restaurant serves both Syrian and Armenian cuisine; try Syrian fries with lemon and garlic sauce, lamb with pomegranate molasses, and cheese rolls
- Tip
- Aleppo's old city has nine gates; Bab Antakya (Gate of Antioch) is one entry point to explore the souks and historic sites
- Tip
- Saqatiyah souk was the first market restored after the war; it features nuts, spices, herbs, soaps, and has beautiful wooden shutters and glass-fronted shops
- Tip
- The old city has approximately 10 kilometres of combined markets with specialized areas for spices, perfumes, and textiles
- Food
- Try traditional Syrian herbs and spices sold in the souks, including thyme, sesame, sumac, and rose petals; thyme is eaten by dipping bread in olive oil then the herb mix
- Tip
- Traditional 900-year-old hammam (spa) operates with separate times for men and women; features hot rooms, shisha, and chai service
- Tip
- One of Aleppo's oldest mosques dates to around 640 AD and is located in the old city near Bab Antakya gate
- Tip
- Saint Simeon Stylites, a 900-year-old world heritage site north of Aleppo, was previously under rebel control and inaccessible for 14 years; safety status was uncertain
- Tip
- Visit on Friday to see the old city's atmosphere; some shops will be closed but many remain open and the streets are lively
- Save money
- Local herb and spice vendors in souks may offer gifts; accepting gifts is culturally important and expected
- Tip
- Much of the old city and souks show significant war damage; extensive reconstruction is ongoing with locals doing most restoration work
Video on this route
I Couldn't BELIEVE This Was Syria! Going to Aleppo SHOCKED me! 🇸🇾