Qalaat Jaabar (قلعة جعبر) is an Ayyubid-era castle located on what was formally a hilltop position overlooking the Euphrates. Now, due to the dam built just downstream, the castle is on a small island on the northeast bank of Lake Assad, connected to the land by an artificial causeway. One of the most impressive castles in the east of Syria, it is well worth a …
Kassab (كسب) is one of the most attractive mountain resort towns in the whole of Syria. The town is predominantly Christian, mostly Armenian, and many from Lattakia (اللاذقية) and Aleppo (حلب) maintain vacation homes here. During the summer, demographics can change considerably as Syrians from around the country come here for vacation. Kassab (كسب) has numerous hotels, though those on a budget would be better …
The most impressive historic monument in the region of Lattakia (اللاذقية) is the magnificent Crusader castle of Qalaat Salah al-Din (قلعة صلاح الدين). Known as Saône to the Crusaders, this site should be considered a must-see if visiting the coastal region. Not only is the castle itself spectacular, but the surrounding countryside provides some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Syria. Getting There: Getting to Qalaat …
With the most beautiful stretch of beach in Syria, there should be no doubt why many of those who know about al-Samra (السمرا) want to keep it a secret. Due to it’s difficulty to reach, proximity to the Turkish border, and small size (too small for any significant development), it will hopefully remain largely unknown. Getting to al-Samra (السمرا) is a challenge, but if you …
Qalaat al-Maniqeh (قلعة المنيقة) is a seldom-visited castle in the mountains southeast of Jableh (جبلة), overlooking the village of Wadi al-Qalaa (وادي القلع). While the exterior walls of the castle are fairly well-preserved and still an impressive sight from afar, the interior is mostly destroyed and/or buried (much of the interior has been used, until recently, for agriculture by local villagers). Restoration and excavation work is currently …
One of the most attractive stretches of Mediterranean coastline in Syria, Burj Islam (برج اسلام) is only a short trip north of Lattakia (اللاذقية). White stone beaches between rocky white cliffs and the turquoise blue sea make Burj Islam (برج اسلام) an extremely picturesque spot. While the sand beaches at Ras al-Basit (رآس البسيط), Wadi Qandil (وادي القنديل), and al-Samra (السمرا) may be better suited for swimming …
Of the more developed beach resorts in Syria, the two small neighboring towns of Ras al-Basit & al-Badrusiyeh (رآس البسيط و البدروسية) are perhaps the nicest. Turquoise blue waters and mostly black sand beaches border the northern side of this peninsula, backed by lush vegetation. Bungalows for rent, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops line the main streets through these towns, which are practically empty and shut …
Ras Ibn Hani (رآس ابن هاني) is a peninsula north of Lattakia (اللاذقية) most well-known for its luxury hotels and beach homes. While the nicer beaches on the peninsula are owned by two hotels, there are a few other beaches pleasant enough to take a swim. The peninsula also has numerous restaurants. Ras Ibn Hani (رآس ابن هاني) is a busy vacation spot in the summer, but fairly quiet the …
Perhaps Syria’s most popular mountain resort, Slenfeh (صلنفة) is full of beautiful modern homes and the climate is refreshingly cool in the summer. While mostly deserted in the off-season, the town comes to life in the summer when it is often full of Syrians and Gulf Arabs who own summer homes here. There are no specific sites in or around Slenfeh (صلنفة), but it is …
The attractive black sand beach of Wadi Qandil (وادي القنديل) is perhaps the best place to swim if you don’t have the time to travel to al-Samra (السمرا). While it is somewhat popular with locals, it is still a much more comfortable place to swim than the generally conservative Ras al-Basit (رآس البسيط) or the crowded beaches of Ras Ibn Hani (رآس ابن هاني). It is also a large enough beach that you shouldn’t have …
