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Syria Christmas Group Tour
  • Price
    1400.00
  • Duration
    9 Days / 8 Nights
  • Group Size
    10 People
  • Tour Type
    group

Tour Overview

Our Syria Christmas Group Tour is a special seasonal itinerary designed to immerse you in the country’s Christian heritage, timeless history, and vibrant winter spirit. Begin with the twinkling lights and sacred energy of Damascus on Christmas Eve, then continue through biblical villages, historic churches, and Crusader castles. Celebrate with local families, hear prayers in Aramaic, visit ancient monasteries like Mar Musa, and explore cities like Aleppo, Tartous, and Lattakia dressed in their winter charm. This guided tour includes full cultural immersion, festive Syrian cuisine, and an expert local guide every step of the way. Ideal for solo travelers, couples, and friends seeking meaningful travel during the holidays — with safe, smooth transfers from Beirut or Damascus Airport and a warm welcome guaranteed.

Tour Highlights

  • • Celebrate Christmas Eve in Damascus with festive vibes, old town magic, and a special dinner in the best restaurant in the city
  • • Explore early Christian sites like Maaloula and Mar Musa where Aramaic is still spoken
  • • Experience Christmas and New Year’s in Syria — from mountaintop views to seaside towns
  • • Visit active monasteries and ancient churches, including the home of Saint Ananias and Straight Street
  • • See Aleppo’s rebirth — with its rebuilt souks, medieval citadel, and singing cafés
  • • Step inside Krak des Chevaliers & Marqab Castle, two of the region’s greatest Crusader fortresses
  • • Discover the Phoenician island of Arwad, the ancient alphabet of Ugarit, and the lost city of Amrit
  • • Taste traditional holiday dishes in family-run restaurants across Syria
  • • Feel the festive spirit in Marmarita, a Christian village known for its joyful Christmas displays
  • • Relax by the sea in Lattakia and Tartous — where Syria’s Mediterranean charm shines in winter

Tour Itineraries

• Pickup at Beirut Airport or Damascus Airport with full transfer and border assistance (Beirut–Damascus drive: approx. 3–4 hours)
• Check into a traditional boutique hotel in the heart of Old Damascus
• Begin your evening at the Umayyad Mosque, an architectural jewel and sacred Islamic site
• Stroll through Al-Hamidiyah Souq, filled with Christmas lights, music, and the scent of spices
• Taste Syria’s most famous dessert at Bakdash, serving 130-year-old handmade ice cream
• Enjoy a festive Christmas Eve dinner at Naranj, the most celebrated restaurant in Old Damascus
• Sip tea or try shisha at Qishleh Café, where locals gather for winter evenings and live music
• Optional: Visit a historic hammam for a traditional Syrian bath and evening unwind
• Overnight in Damascus
• Start your Christmas morning with breakfast in a traditional Damascene courtyard
• Visit the Church of Saint Ananias, Syria’s oldest underground church and the home of the man who baptized Saint Paul
• Walk along Straight Street (Via Recta) — a Roman-era road mentioned in the Bible, layered with Christian and Islamic heritage
• Explore the National Museum of Damascus, home to thousands of artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia, Ugarit, and Roman Syria
• Wander through Souk Al-Bzouriye, a fragrant market filled with spices, sweets, and local delicacies
• Visit Al-Azem Palace, a stunning example of Ottoman architecture and life in old Damascus
• Stop by the Midhat Basha Caravanserai, once a hub for global traders along the Silk Road
• Visit the Panorama Museum, originally a Baathist monument, now a curious look into modern Syrian history and war symbolism
• End the day with a special Christmas dinner overlooking Damascus from Nasmet Jabal, a mountaintop restaurant with panoramic city views
• Overnight in Damascus
• Depart Damascus and drive north toward Maaloula, a Christian village where Aramaic, the language of Christ, is still spoken
• Visit Saint Sergius and Bacchus Monastery, nestled in Maaloula’s dramatic cliffs and echoing with ancient liturgy
• Explore Mar Musa Monastery, a stunning 6th-century complex rebuilt by Father Paolo — a beacon of peace and interfaith dialogue
• Stop in Hama to view its iconic Norias (ancient wooden waterwheels) along the Orontes River
• Enjoy a scenic lunch at a riverside restaurant in Hama, with views of the Norias and local life
• Arrive in Aleppo, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities
• Dinner at Qurtuba, a renowned Syrian-Armenian restaurant known for its rich flavors and historic ambiance
• Overnight in Aleppo
• Begin the day at the Aleppo Citadel, a UNESCO-listed medieval fortress that survived both war and the 2023 earthquake
• Walk through Aleppo’s Old Souk, witnessing areas restored after years of conflict and still alive with traditional commerce
• Visit the Umayyad Mosque of Aleppo, a sacred space rebuilt with care after major wartime damage
• Explore the Al-Jubaili Soap Factory, where Aleppo’s famed laurel soap is made by hand
• See the world’s largest soap bar at a local exhibition hall — a symbol of Aleppo’s artisanal heritage
• Enjoy an authentic homemade Aleppine lunch, featuring the city’s renowned spiced dishes and sweets
• Spend the evening at a traditional singing café, where local musicians perform nostalgic Syrian ballads
• Overnight in Aleppo
• Depart Aleppo and drive west to Idlib, a region once devastated by war, now showing signs of resilience and recovery
• Visit refugee camps in the countryside to gain insight into the human cost of conflict and the strength of those rebuilding
• Continue to the Citadel of Salah ad-Din, a breathtaking Crusader-era fortress set high in the Syrian coastal mountains
• Cross the impressive manually carved moat, one of the strongest defensive features of the medieval world
• Arrive in Lattakia, Syria’s breezy port city on the Mediterranean — known for its relaxed seaside vibe and mountain backdrop
• Enjoy dinner and sea air at your 5-star coastal resort, with views of the shoreline and pine-covered hills
• Overnight in Lattakia
• Begin the morning with a visit to Burj Islam’s “Hidden Beach”, once exclusive to the Assad regime — now open and peaceful, with rocky caves and crystal waters
• Explore the ancient ruins of Ugarit, where the world’s first consonantal alphabet was discovered
• Drive along the scenic Mediterranean coast to reach Marqab Castle, a mighty Crusader fortress with sweeping views over the sea
• Arrive in Tartous, a vibrant port city with Phoenician roots and a laid-back seaside atmosphere
• Walk the corniche or enjoy fresh seafood by the harbor
• Overnight in Tartous
• Take a short boat ride to Arwad Island, Syria’s only inhabited island — home to skilled boatbuilders, rich Phoenician history, and warm island hospitality
• Visit the ancient Phoenician temple ruins of Amrit, a mysterious and little-visited coastal archaeological site
• Travel inland to the mighty Krak des Chevaliers, the best-preserved Crusader castle in the world and a true medieval marvel
• Continue to Marmarita, a Christian village in the Valley of the Christians, famous for its glowing holiday lights and joyful Christmas atmosphere
• Enjoy a sunset dinner at an open-air restaurant, surrounded by mountains and winter festivity
• Overnight in Homs
• Begin the morning in Homs, then travel south to Damascus, arriving by the afternoon
• Depending on your departure time, enjoy free time for last-minute shopping or café visits in the old city
• Transfer to Beirut Airport or Damascus Airport with full support and coordination
• Depart Syria with unforgettable memories, heartfelt encounters, and a deeper understanding of this ancient, resilient land
• End of Tour