| Syria ((ar)سوريا) | |
 | |
| Flag | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Capital city | Damascus |
|---|---|
| Area | 185 180 km² |
| Population | 18 499 181 hab. () |
| Density | 99,9 inhab./km² |
| Form of State | semi-presidential regime |
| Cash | Syrian pound (SYP) |
| Electricity | 220 V/50 Hz, European plug |
| Telephone prefix | 963 |
| Internet suffix | .sy |
| Flow direction | Right-hand drive |
| Spindle | UTC 2 |
| Location | |
 35 ° 13 ′ 0 ″ N 38 ° 35 ′ 0 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
 | WARNING : Due to the civil war, any travel to Syria is totally discouraged. Foreign nationals are strongly recommended to leave the country immediately. [1] |
The Syria is a country of Middle East border of the Turkey north of Lebanon to the west, ofIsrael in the southwest, of the Jordan to the south andIraq to the East. The country also has a Mediterranean coastline to the west.
Understand
Geography
Before 1918, Syria extended fromAntioch To Suez... This is called "Greater Syria", or Bilad ach-Cham. The post-war borders, artificial and sloppy, brought it back to 185 000 km2. Syria is above all continental. A caravan state? The borders cut the desert too brutally. In addition, the country lacks a center of gravity: Damascus and Aleppo, the first two cities, are both off-center and border. However, the advantages are there: the absence of high peaks and the desert roads facilitate transit. The Fertile Crescent, around the Euphrates valley, whose irrigation potential has increased tenfold. Finally, some notable oil and phosphate deposits. His handicap has not changed: it is water. Syria belongs to the great arid diagonal which runs from Mauritania to the Gobi desert. Syria is first of all mountains standing on the sea, then a limestone shield that slides gently towards Mesopotamia.
Three large zones follow one another. The coast, very Mediterranean with its vineyards and olive trees. Past the coast, quite wild, and the thin coastal plain, market garden and fruit, very densely populated, here is the Alaouite djebel, abrupt and calcined. It tumbles sharply into the Ghab depression, where the Orontes waters one of the richest agricultural areas in the country. Even further east, we reach the strip of arable steppes: the main cities of the country and all its agricultural power. To the south, the volcanic massif of Jebel El-Arab (ex-Jebel Druze) far dominates the wheat lands of Hauran and Golan. Past the oasis of Damascus, cleverly irrigated, the northern road threads its way against the Anti-Lebanon to reach, from Homs, the granary of the country, bathed by the Orontes. Further north, between the Tigris and the Euphrates, begins another land of plenty: the Jézireh ("island" in Arabic). Recently, the rivers fertilize with an ocean of cereals its fertile red lands. There remains the South-East region, beyond Jebel Bishri. The desert and its antechamber. With very mediocre oases (Palmyra, Sukhnah), this pebble plain represents 58% of the national territory.
Weather
The Mediterranean climate (hot and dry in summer, mild and somewhat rainy in winter) of the coast contrasts with the harsh climate of the mountains, which are covered with snow in winter. the periods from April-May and from mid-September to the end of October are the most pleasant. The days are sunny, it rarely rains and the heat remains very bearable. In Aleppo and Damascus, in April-May, the maximum daytime temperature fluctuates between 25 and 29 ° C. These seasons are also the most expensive and the busiest.
Summer
If you can't stand the heat, avoid the interior of Syria between June and August (around 40 ° C). The average maximum temperature in Aleppo and Damascus in August is 37 ° C. In Palmyra, sometimes more than 50 ° C ! On the coast, the average temperature is more bearable: 30 ° C in Latakia in August. The coast is under the influence of the humid winds which blow from the sea. Provide long, light, loose clothing; ladies, avoid the miniskirt. If you are going to the Euphrates Valley in the middle of summer, consider bringing mosquito repellent.
Winters
Dry and mild in Damascus but quite rainy on the coast. In January, it is in Latakia that it rains the most. But in Damascus and Aleppo, in December-January, the night temperature can drop below 0 ° C. The further you go towards the desert (to the east), the more the night temperature drops. February is the coolest month. The mountain villages of Jebel El-Arab (ex-Jebel Druze) are often covered with snow. Bring a good sweater, jacket and rain gear.
Story
The history of Syria is marked by its exceptional situation. It is a transitional territory at the crossroads of several worlds: the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, Persia, India, Asia Minor, the lands of the Caucasus, and Egypt. Syria was crossed by the most important trade routes, between Europe, China (Silk Road) and India. The man of the Syrian land perhaps discovered, for the first time in history of humanity, to Abu Huraira, the art of cultivating, of associating water and the grain of wheat, to multiply the ears. Thanks to this first discovery, man began to settle down, to come out of caves, to build houses, to become aware of his being, to invoke the sky with the first mythological and religious incantations, to try his hand at drawing, at sculpture and decoration. It is also in Syria, that man discovered how to use copper, how to shape it and make an alloy of it: bronze. From the third millennium BC. The Syrians built palaces, created frescoes, and experienced a remarkable cultural and commercial boom. Syria has had an important part in the history of Christianity and in its debates. Through its roads have passed the pilgrims to the great religious centers, the crusaders and the caravans of silk and spices.The inhabitants of the many small kingdoms that developed in Syria, descended from Semitic peoples who came from the earliest times, from the southern Arabian Peninsula, and who are known as Amorites, Canaanites, Phoenicians (coastal area), Arameans (highlands), Ghassanids, and Nabataeans (south).
Population
Holidays and public holidays
| Dated | French name | Local name | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1st | New Year's Day | عيد راس السنة الميلادية Īd Ra’s as-Sanät al-Mīlādīyä | |
| 8 March | March 8 Revolution | ثورة الثامن من اذار Ṯaurät aṯ-Ṯāmin mināḏḏār | |
| March 21st | Mothers' Day | عيد الأم ‘Īd al-’ Umm | |
| April 17 | Independence Day | عيد الجلاء ‘Īd al-Ğalā’ | Celebration of Syria's independence from the France |
| variable | [Gregorian Easter | عيد الفصح الغريغوري ‘Īd al-Fiṣḥ Ġrīġūrī | According to the Gregorian calendar |
| variable | Julian Easter | عيد الفصح اليوليوسي ‘Īd al-Fiṣḥ al-Yūliyūsī | According to the Julian calendar |
| May 1 | Labor Day | عيد العمال ‘Īd al-‘Ummāl | |
| May 6 | Martyrs Day | عيد الشهداء ‘Īd aš-Šuhadā’ | |
| December 25th | Christmas | عيد الميلاد المجيد ‘Īd al-Mīlād al-Mağīd | |
| Dates according to the Muslim calendar | |||
| Dhou al Hijja 10 | Eid el-Kebir | عيد الأضحى ‘Īd al-’Aḍḥà | |
| Chawwal 1 | Eid al-Fitr | عيد الفطر ‘Īd al-Fiṭr | |
| Rabia al Awal 12 | Mawlid | المولد النبوي al-Maulid an-Nabawī | Muhammad's birthday |
Regions
.png/350px-Map_of_Syria_(fr).png) Map of syria |
|
Occupied territory
|
Cities
Arabic names are in parentheses.
- 1 Damascus (Dimashq, often called Sham) – The city! A concentrate of culture, history, architecture, atmosphere, a dense and efficient public transport network. Not to miss! Good base for visiting southern Syria (Bosra, As Suweida and its surroundings, Der'a, ...) and sites in the Qalamoun mountains, to the north (Saydnaiya, Ma'aloula, ...), even from Ba'albek in Lebanon
- 2 Aleppo (Ḥalab) – The Other City! Equally exciting. A masterpiece of a citadel and endless souqs. A very good base for the dead cities of the north and the west, even to push to Lake Assad or Raqqah and Rassafah
- Hamā (Ḥamā (ah)) - A pleasant town along the Orontes, with its famous norias, and a good base for visits to Apamea, Misyaf, the dead towns between Hama and Idlib, the Krak des Chevaliers, .. .
- Homs (Ḥom (e) s) - Important road hub to the north, south, the Coast, Lebanon, Palmyra, ... but also the remains of the citadel and the old town, to find during evening walks
- Raqqah - New town, on a very old site, along the Euphrates, regional capital of the Bedouin, potential base for visits to Rassafah, Qala'at Ja'abar, Lake Assad, ...
- Lātakiah (Lādhaqiah) - A pleasant seaside town (but you'll have to look for the few beaches further north) and an active port. Good starting point for the coast (Ougarit, Baniyas, Jeblah, Qala'at Marqab, Kassab ...) or the mountain (Château de Saône, Slenfeh, ...)
- Tartoūs (Ṭarṭoūs) - With the major works on the seafront (corniche) and its calm atmosphere, a relaxing city and an excellent base for visiting the coast to Lādhaqiah or the north of Lebanon but also for the Mountain (Safîta, Krak des Knights, Qadmous, Misiyâf, ...)
- Idlib
- As Suweīda (As Suweīda ') - The Druze Capital, easily accessible by bus from Damascus, with the possibility of visiting many Byzantine and Roman sites around (Shahba, Qanawât, even Bosra ...)
- Deir az Zor (Deir az Zawr) - Planted on the Euphrates, crossed by the Pont des Français, a large Bedouin town, with more pedestrians and bicycles than cars, planted between steppe and Jezirah, and a good base for visiting the sites along the river, from Raqqa to Mari, passing through Halabiyah, Mayadîn, Qala'at Rahba, Doura Europos, even Hassakah and Qamishly in the Jezirah - The paradise of snacks on the go
- Al Hassakah (We also hear Hassakeh or Hassatché)
- Al Qāmishli (Qāmishlé)
- Quneītrah - The martyr city of the Golan, preserved as it is, a symbol for the Syrian people
Other destinations
Arabic names are in parentheses.
- Palmyra (Tadmor)
- Qasr al Hayr ash Sharqî
- Doura Europos
- Husband
- Halabiyah (and Zalabiyah)
- Rassafah
- Qalaεat Jaεabar
- Qalaεat Samaεan (Saint Simeon)
- The dead cities near'Aleppo
- The dead cities in the north of Hama
- Maεarat an Nuεman
- Afamia (Apamea)and Qalaεat al Mudiq
- Qalaεat Sheizar
- Qalaεat Misiyâf
- Krak des Chevaliers (Qalaεat al Hosn)
- Hosn Suleyman
- Safita
- εAmrit
- The island ofArwad
- Baniyas
- Qalaεat Marqab
- Ugarit
- Kassab
- Maεaloula
- Saydnaia
- Bloudan and Zabadani
- Bosra
- Shahba
- Qanawat
Itineraries
Sites easily accessible by public transport.
All of the following sites are very easy to reach by public transport (from 0.5 to 3 € round trip). These are excursions of a good half-day, trips included (the duration of the trips is given from the departure karâj; count 10 to 20 min to reach it by taxi or on foot, depending on the city).
- From Damascus: Mausoleum of Saïda Zeynab (20 min), Ma'aloula (45 min), Saydnaia (30 min), Bloudan and Zablatani (45 min).
- From Aleppo: Saint Siméon (Qala'at Sama'an, 1 h - 2 h).
- From Hama: Krak des Chevaliers (Qala'at al Hosn, 1 h 30), Misiyâf (45 min), Apamée (Afamiâ, 45 min), Qala'at Chaizar (30 min), As Salamiyah and Qala'at Chamamis (45 min).
- From Homs: Krak des Chevaliers (Qala'at al Hosn, 45 min), Misiyâf (30 min), Hama (30 min), As Salamiyah (45 min).
- From Tartous: Qala'at Marqab (1 h), 'Amrit (30 min), Safita (30 min), Hosn Suleymân (1 h 15), Qadmous (45 min), Misiyâf (1 h).
- From Lattakiah: Ugarit (30 min), Qala'at Salah ad Dîn (Castle of Saladin, 1 h 15), Slenfeh (45 min), Qala'at Marqab (1 h 30).
- From Raqqa: Ar Rassafah (1 h), Qala'at Ja'abar (1 h 15).
- From Deir az Zor: Qala'at Rahba, Doura Europos (leave early, long half day).
All the following sites are very easy to reach by public transport (from 2 to 5 € round trip, 7 to 10 € approximately for taxi-serviced journeys to Lebanon; have provided for a multiple entry Syrian visa; do not forget 500 LS of exit tax from the territory) .They can be visited, at ease, in one day (departure between 7 h and 9 h and back to between 16 h and 20 h).
- From Damascus: Bosra (1 h 30), As Suweida (1 h 30), Shahba (1 h 30), Al Quneitra (special permit required to be taken the day before, 1 h 30).
- From Aleppo: Raqqa (1 h 45), Hama (1 h 45), Homs (2 h 15).
- From Hama: Tartous, Homs (30 min), Aleppo (1 h 45).
- From Homs: Tartous (1 h), Hama (30 min), Aleppo (2 h 15), Palmyra (1 h 30, leave early).
- From Tartous: Lattakiah (1 h), Homs (1 h), Tripoli (by taxi-servis).
- From Lattakiah: Tartous (1 h, with Arwad and 'Amrit from Tartous).
- From Raqqa: Aleppo (2 h, for a quick discovery), Deir az Zor (1 h 45), Al Hassakah,
- From Deir az Zor: Mari, Mari Doura Europos circuit, Doura Europos circuit Qala'at Rahbah, Halabiyah, Raqqa, Al Hassakah (2 h).
Same, but counting a long day (departure towards 6 h 30 - 7 h and back between 20 h and 23 h).
- From Damascus: Palmyra (3 h), Shahba Suweida Qanawat circuit (Damascus / Shahba / Suweida / Qanawat / Suweida / Damas loop), Bosra Suweida circuit (Damascus / Bosra loop / taxi because no bus / Suweida / Damascus, frequent pullman), Ba'albek (by taxi -servis), Beirut (by taxi-servis).
- From Aleppo: Lattakiah (3 h), Raqqa Ar Rassafah and Qala'at Ja'abar
- From Hama: Palmyre (direct bus or change in Homs)
- From Tartous: Lattakiah, Homs, Beirut (by taxi-servis).
- From Lattakiah: Aleppo, Qala'at Marqab (morning) Tartous (Arwad and 'Amrit; frequent buses from Tartous).
- From Raqqa: Aleppo (most spots)
- From Deir az Zor: Raqqa Ar Rassafah Qala'at Ja'abar, Al Qamishly circuit.
- If you do not have much time, focus on the "base camp" in a pleasant city well supplied with accommodation and transport facilities (Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Deir az Zor, and, to a lesser extent Tartous, Homs or Lattakiah). Radiate from there.
- Take advantage of the mornings for microbus excursions (microbuses less frequent in the afternoon and sometimes almost absent or absent afterwards 16 h towards the villages). Always reach the most distant points in the morning and get closer to your "base camp" in the afternoon. Always start the day with the microbus tours and return, for 16 h - 17 h approximately, to larger towns served by Pullman buses (which run late). The pullman, bus and microbus on the Damascus - Homs - Hama - Aleppo axis are very numerous: there are 24 h/24 h, even if they are less numerous at night.
- Be careful on Friday: during the weekend, everyone is moving, especially around big cities and towards the sea or the mountains. Result: outside of a karâj, it can be very difficult to find a microbus or a bus with a free place to return to the hotel ... Always reach a bus station before it is too late.
- Once you arrive there, before leaving the bus or the microphone, always inquire about the schedule of the last return bus or microbus ("Ayy sa'at al bas al akhîr élâ X? = At what time is the last bus for X?). You can have your hotel write a card to this effect and present it to the driver, along with another card showing a clock face (with western and eastern numerals), so that he can clock in the hour.
- When it comes to stopping a bus or microbus by the side of the road, far from it all, it can be difficult to find more than one or two free seats. Think about it when traveling with others: the easiest way is then to disperse in successive microphones and to meet at an arrival point.
- Arrange not to include a visit to a paid site on Tuesday (the day when museums and sites managed by the Ministry of Culture are closed). Ditto for visits to souqs, closed and deserts on Friday and the three days following the end of Ramadan.
- Those who envisage a complete tour of the country, will try to follow a logic in loop (Damascus, Palmyra, Deir az Zor, Alep, (Lattakiah, Tartous), Hama, Homs, (Tartous), Damascus) or in "eight" (Damascus) , Homs, Tartous, Palmyre, Deir az Zor, Raqqah, Alep, Hama, Damascus).
- Those who make a faster visit, zapping the east of the country, will try to follow a logic along the Damascus-Aleppo axis (the best served), with accommodation in Damascus, Hama and Aleppo.
- Palmyra can be slipped into a route Aleppo - Hama - (Homs, if there is a change of bus) - Palmyra - Damascus.
- Tartous is easy to slip into a route Aleppo - Hama - (Homs, if there is a change of bus) - Tartous - Damascus.
- If you want to follow the coast, you can consider Aleppo - Lattakiah - Tartous - (Homs) - Palmyra - Damascus (Hama can be visited during the day from Aleppo or Tartous).
- For some tours, it is sometimes more interesting to join a tour organized by a hotel rather than struggling on public transport. This is particularly the case for the dead cities north of Hama, for those north or west of Aleppo (except Qala'at Sama'an, quite easy) or for remote sites like Qasr Ibn Wardan, Srouj, Isriya, Qasr al Hayr ash Sharqî, Qala'at Najm. These tours generally group together several sites and facilitate access to some of them such as Halabiyah, Qala'at Ja'abar, Rassafah and sometimes offer a little extra (stop at Bedouins). The price is often low (400 to 600 LS / person as soon as there are 4 or 5).
To go
Entry into Syria requires a passport valid for six months after the visa expiration date, as well as a visa.
A multiple entry visa is required if one wishes to cross into a neighboring country and return to Syria. Indeed, obtaining a visa at the border post upon return is in principle impossible for nationals of countries where there is a representation of the Syrian Arab Republic (see below). And in any case, a multiple entry visa is cheaper than several single entry visas ... In practice, a visa can however be obtained quite easily, at the border post, on the way back from Lebanon to Syria.
It is impossible to cross from Syria to Israel and the Occupied Territories (and vice versa), the border being closed. It is the same between Lebanon and Israel.
Visa
 | Visa restrictions: The visa to enter Syria will be systematically refused to any citizen ofIsrael and to any traveler presenting proof of passage through Israel. These include not only entry stamps into Israel but also exit stamps from Egypt and Jordan at the land borders with Israel, airline tickets, Hebrew-denominated invoices, etc. |
General principle - The fundamental rule is that the resident of a country where there is a representation of the Syrian Arab Republic is required to apply for his visa there before his departure; this cannot be issued to him either at the border or at a representation located in another country.
The exceptions exist but remain rare. It is common for travelers to have been refused a visa at the border or at the Syrian consulates of neighboring countries (Turkey, Jordan, Egypt). In 2009 and 2010, it was frequently reported by travelers that they were able to obtain the visa at land border posts, in particular from Turkey or Lebanon: it is however a single entry visa! As a reminder: this is the current situation and a return to strict rules is always possible; the ideal is therefore to apply for a visa before departure.
Applying for a visa in Belgium - In Brussels, the visa can be requested and obtained from the consular section of the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic (Avenue F. Roosevelt, 3, 1000 Brussels). The price of a single entry visa (valid for 3 months) is 29 € and that of a multiple entry visa (valid for six months) is 38 € (September 2011). September 2011: the application form must be completed in two copies (available on the website of the embassy), each accompanied by an identity photo, a photocopy of the passport and a certificate from the employer specifying the profession of the applicant. Proof of hotel reservation is no longer required (Syrian Embassy in Brussels). The passport can be collected, in general, within eight days.
For those planning to visit Jordan, the Jordanian Embassy is a ten-minute walk away, further down Roosevelt Avenue. The visa can however be obtained at the Jordanian border post.
For those who intend to cross into Lebanon, it is normally possible to obtain a Lebanese visa for free at land border posts. 48 h and sometimes even a month (as in 2008, otherwise the latter costs 17 US $ for 1 month).
Visa application in France -
Visa application in Luxembourg -
Applying for a visa in Canada -
Obtaining the visa at the border or at the airport - As already explained above, nationals of countries where there is a Syrian embassy or consulate cannot obtain a visa at the border. Occasionally, however, the visa may be granted, more or less easily and quickly, at Jordanian, Lebanese or Turkish border posts. However, you should not rely on this possibility, unless you like games of chance. Waiting times can be very long (up to more than 10 h ) because the request is being processed in Damascus. It seems that the border posts with Lebanon are the most accommodating at this level, in particular, if you enter through Beirut airport.
A single person can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport, provided that they first contact a local travel agency to take the necessary steps. The visa is then free (but not the service of the travel agency ...).
Following an agreement concluded in October 2009 between Syria and Turkey, Turkish nationals no longer need a visa to enter Syria (and vice versa).
Immigration record - Upon arrival in Syria, by any means whatsoever, do not forget to fill out the immigration form to be stamped with your passport (available in self-service at the airport, just before the passports; available in Arabic, French and English).
Visa renewal - The issue of visa renewal after a 15-day stay is one that is regularly raised. For some, it is mandatory before the fifteenth day following entry into Syrian territory, for others, it is before the thirtieth day. And according to other people, these delays would vary depending on whether you entered by the airport or by land. Some, finally, say that this rule is no longer in force ... What to get lost!
In any case, in 2006 (Tartous), 2007, 2008 and September 2009 (Deir az Zor), the offices of the Department of Passports and Immigration confirmed this obligation (repeated on the visa stamp or on the entry): request an extension before the expiry of the 15 calendar days!
According to the Syrian Consulate in Brussels (October 2011), a stay of less than a month does not require you to extend your visa before the fifteenth day: you can therefore stay in Syria for less than 30 days with your initial visa. On the other hand, for any stay of more than one month, it is compulsory to obtain this authorization before the fifteenth day.
The renewal of the visa is to be carried out at the Department of Passports and Immigration. There is one in each governorate capital (Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Idlib, Tartous, Ar Raqqah, Deir az Zor, Al Hassakah, Al Quneitra). Visas are often directly extended from two weeks to three months (for multiple entry visas). The process costs almost nothing: 100 to 150 pounds, for the stamp and photocopies of the passport and visa, and sometimes a hundred pounds to complete the form in Arabic (and again, they are available in French), all of this. to do in a nearby shop. It is necessary to provide some passport photos (there is always a photographer in the immediate vicinity). The procedure can take more or less time depending on the offices, the crowds and the chance to meet a nice official who will guide you between the form request, the office of purchase of the stamps, the three or four stamps and the final signature. . It takes between half an hour and three hours (in the offices of Damascus or Aleppo, where the crowd is much more important, it can take much longer). The extension is written on a complementary stamp and a loose sheet stapled to the passport.
For those who have a multiple entry visa, it is also possible to organize their itinerary to leave the country before the end of 30 days and return there later (circuit in Jordan or excursion in Lebanon). The entry stamp is worth renewal of the visa.
Limits of the tourist visa - As a reminder, the tourist visa does not allow you to work or even to carry out an internship (even academic). Specific visas must then be requested, including for enrollment in courses in a Syrian school or university. Information can be obtained from the Syrian Consulates.
Taxes
Exit tax -Since August 1, 2008, the rate of the exit tax has been changed: it is now 1500 LS at the airport (instead of 200 LS) and 550 LS (500 LS 50 LS stamp; 2009 information) at land border posts (instead of 0 LS). Do not forget to keep the corresponding amount, in Syrian pounds, before leaving the country (this is a tax, that is to say a non-negotiable amount!). At Damascus airport, the stamp was bought at the counter in the check-in room, after passing through control.
PLEASE NOTE: currently most airlines include the airport exit tax in the price of the ticket. This is the case of Syrian Air in Brussels (confirmed by their offices in Ḥamā and Aleppo; September 2009), as well as of Turkish Airlines and Air Arabia. All you have to do is go directly from registration to the exit counters, to register your exit and have your passport stamped.
Following a memorandum of understanding between Syria and Jordan in October 2009, the Syrian and Jordanian exit taxes were abolished for Syrian and Jordanian citizens when crossing the border posts between the two countries. This measure extends only to nationals of these two countries.
Entrance tax for vehicle -A $ 50 head tax is due to enter Syria with a car. This tax is paid at the border entry post.
Diesel tax -A tax of 140 USD per week (2008 amount) is due for foreign diesel cars driving in Syria. Any week started is due. This tax is paid at the border entry post. It should be noted that private diesel cars are not allowed to enter Lebanon.
By plane
Syria is served by three international airports, located in Damascus, Aleppo and Lādhakiah. The first two are served by many scheduled airlines from Europe, Asia or North Africa. Lādhakiah is only connected with Cairo.
Damascus International Airport -The airport is located approximately 35 kilometers southeast of the city.
You can wait for your return flight or the first bus in the morning in the arrivals / departures hall, which is quite comfortable (do not sleep there anywhere other than on the seats: the bivouac in the hall is not recommended; the renovation of the airport in 2008/09, the number of seats was reduced). An idea of the prices at the counter in July 2007: 75 LS for a bottle of water or a can of soft drink (25 LS in town)! But, at neighboring can distributors, they cost only 25 LS.
- From Damascus airport to the city center -It is possible to travel between the airport and the city center either by bus or by taxi.
- Bus -Since October 2009, there are white and blue buses of the Bahrî company which provide the shuttle between the old bus station of Baramkeh ("Karâj Baramkeh"), in the city center, and the airport. The trip lasts half an hour to three quarters of an hour (depending on traffic density). These buses run every half hour (xh00 and xh00) then every hour (information 2009), in both directions. The fare is 45 LS per person, plus 25 pounds per checked baggage (October 2009). At the airport, the bus stop and the small counter are outside, a few dozen meters to the right of the exit of the arrival hall, at the corner of the building. At Karâj Baramkeh, since mid-2009, the office that had remained until then in the enclosure of the station was demolished: now, tickets are taken in a small white booth, opposite the old entrance of the Karnak buses, on Sharî ‛Imân Muslîm (university side), just before the crossroads with Shâri‛ ‛Alî Ibn Abu Tâlib. The bus stops in front of the inn or just across the street, in front of the entrance to the old Karâj Baramkeh (taxis - expensive - wait there). Before resuming a return flight, especially at night, it is better to travel to Baramkeh and check if the stop is still there, as well as the timetables. You can take the opportunity to book your ticket a few hours in advance, as a precaution. To reach the crossroads next to the inn, just take a microphone for "Baramkeh al Jedîd" (10 LS race)
- Note: the state company KARNAK, cited in many guides, no longer exists since 2006!
- Note: at the beginning of July 2007, departures from Karâj Baramkeh were transferred a few kilometers west of Damascus, to the new Karâj As Sumariyah (pronounced "as somriyé"), except from the bus stop to the airport.
- Taxi -The taxi fare between the airport and the city center costs 700 to 800 LS (1,200 LS in night service at the end of 2008). There is a prepaid taxi counter in the lobby, just to the right, before you exit. It is recommended to try to group together with other people to share the taxi costs (the prepaid is not the cheapest)! It seems that it is possible to negotiate more advantageously at the exit of the airport, near the highway, where it is possible to stop a passing or waiting taxi.
- From Damascus airport to the north and center of the country -Si vous souhaitez partir directement de Damas vers le nord (Homs, Alep, Hama), la côte (Tartous, Lādhakiah) ou l'Est (Palmyre, Deir az Zor, Qamishly), un autre bus circule entre l'aéroport et le Karâj Harasta, section des bus et minibus (juillet 2007); des bus réguliers et des microbus joignent le Karâj Harasta au centre ville très régulièrement (8 à 10 LS).
Aéroport International d'Alep -L'aéroport est situé à une vingtaine de kilomètres au nord-est de la ville. Des taxis le joignent au centre-ville.
Aéroport International de Lādhakiah -L'aéroport est situé à une vingtaine de kilomètres au sud-est de la ville. Le trafic international y est plus réduits : on y trouve notamment un vol hebdomadaire pour Le Caire.
Aéroport International de Deir az Zor -L'aéroport est situé à une quinzaine de kilomètres au nord-est de la ville. On y trouve depuis peu un vol pour Koweït.
Vols depuis la Belgique -Au départ de Brussels-National, la compagnie nationale Syrian Arab Airlines Syrian Arab Airlines assure deux vols par semaine (samedi début d'après-midi et mercredi matin lundi fin 2011). Selon les jours et le sens, ces vols font une courte escale à Beyrouth (samedi) ou à Amsterdam et Alep (mercredi). Les vols de retour partent de Damas la nuit de mardi à mercredi et celle de vendredi à samedi. À titre indicatif, le prix du billet aller-retour, en classe économique, était de 385 € en octobre 2011 (billet d'un mois non modifiable; 25 € de plus pour un billet modifiable; 425 € pour un billet de 2 mois modifiable). La taxe de sortie de 1.500 LS est comprise. Le billet peut grimper à plus de 500 € en juillet et août. Attention, pour la fin de l'année scolaire, les avions peuvent être complets plus de deux mois avant!. Les bureaux se trouvent à Bruxelles, Rue Royale 97 (BIAS Aviation).
Vols jusqu'à Antalya et bus -Une solution économique, depuis de nombreuses villes d'Europe, consiste à prendre un des très nombreux charters pour Antalya, en Turquie. De l'aéroport , on peut rejoindre, par la navette, l'otogar d'Antalya, y prendre un autocar confortable pour Antakya ("Hatay" en turc, "Antioche" en français; 12 à 13 h de route et 20-25 €). À Antakya, on trouve des bus ou des taxis-services (taxis collectifs) vers Alep, Damas ou Lādhakiah (les taxis-services sont nombreux en face de la gare routière du centre d'Antakya; le prix est de l'ordre de 7 € pour Alep, en 2008). Selon les horaires des bus, le voyageur pourra être amené à passer la nuit à Antakya (hôtels bon marchés au centre; à cinq minutes du vieil otogar du centre-ville). D'Antakya, il est aussi possible de prendre un dolmus (microbus) vers le poste frontière sur la route de Lādhakiah (près de Kassab), où il faut passer à pied vers la Syrie et y arrêter un micro vers Lādhakiah ou vers Kassab (2 km, et de là vers Lādhakiah).
Il est également possible d'arriver en Turquie par Istambul et de rejoindre les aéroports de Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Adana ou Antakya par un vol intérieur, puis de rejoindre la Syrie par bus, taxi ou taxi-servis.
On a boat
Une liaison par ferry existerait, depuis début 2006, entre Mersin, en Turquie, et Lādhakiah (se renseigner avant).
Une autre liaison, occasionnelle (4 trajets en 2008 !), existe entre Lādhakiah et Limassol (Chypre).
By train
Seules trois lignes de chemins de fer internationales fonctionnent actuellement :
- Istanbul - Alep -Il est possible de se rendre à Damas depuis Istanbul Haydarpacha, sans aucun changement. The trip lasts 36 h jusqu'à Damas. Il y a un train par semaine pour l'aller (départ le dimanche matin), comme pour le retour.
- Damas - Alep - Tatvan - Van - Tabriz - Teheran -Le trajet jusqu'à Teheran prend environ 60 h . Le trajet entre Tatvan et Van se fait en ferry (traversée du Lac de Van).
- Damas - 'Amman -Depuis la gare de Khaddam, dans la banlieue sud de Damas. The train takes about 6 h (contre 3 h en taxi-service...). Cette ligne est toujours suspendue début 2009 du fait des travaux de la nouvelle gare du Hijjaz.
À consulter, la page "trains pour le Moyen-Orient" de Turkish State Railways, pour les lignes, horaires et prix : Horaires des trains Turkish State Railways pour le Moyen-Orient.
By bus
De nombreuses liaisons internationales par autocar joignent Damas et Alep (mais aussi Hama, Homs, Lādhakiah ou Ar Raqqah) aux grandes villes du Moyen-Orient et même d'Europe. On trouve ainsi des bus pour Antakya (Hatay, Antioche), Istanbul, Teheran, 'Amman, Beyrouth, Tripoli, Le Caire, Dubaï, Riyad, Sofia (Bulgarie). La plupart des départs sont quotidiens.
Note : karâj (pluriel : karâjât) = gare routière.
Depuis Alep. -Les bus internationaux partent d'une petite place devant l'Office du Tourisme, non loin de l'Hôtel Baron, sur Chariε Al Maεrri. Départs pour :
- Beyrouth -250 LS à 350 LS et 6 h path.
- Tripoli (Trablous) -200 à 300 LS et 4 h .
- 'Amman -470 LS en septembre 2005 et 9 h de trajet; il s'agissait d'un bus de nuit Karnak, probablement remplacé.
- Antakya (Hatay) -250 LS et 2 à 4 h de trajet, selon les files. Departure to 6 h in the morning. [Attention, il semblerait que cette ligne ait été supprimée début mai 2008, seuls les taxis collectifs allant désormais à Antakya. Compter 750LS pour 2 h path. À confirmer.]
- Antalya -Environ 1.200 LS et 13 h de route, à partir d'Antakya, où il faut changer de bus.
- Istanbul -1.200 LS en septembre 2004 et 24 h de route; plusieurs bus par jour; changement de bus à Antakya.
- Ankara -A compléter.
- Adana - A compléter.
Depuis Damas.
- Depuis le nouveau Karâj As Sumariyah, on trouve des bus pour :
- Beyrouth -175 LS et 3 h de trajet; passage à Chtaura à mi-chemin.
- 'Amman -300 à 400 LS et 3 h path. À 'Amman, les bus s'arrêtent à Abdali Station (2 bus par jour : un tôt le matin, un dans l'après-midi) en mai 2008. , sinon taxis collectifs pour 700 LS). Attention, certains touristes se sont fait vendre des places à 2.500 LS !.
- Le Caire -Ces bus passent par Aqaba, en Jordanie, sans passer par Israël; le passage vers le Sinaï se fait par le ferry Aqaba - Nuweiba. À compléter
- Les pays du Golfe -A compléter
- Since Karâj Harasta, on trouve des bus pour :
- Istanbul -A compléter
- Antakya -A compléter
- Ankara -A compléter
- Teheran -A compléter
Depuis Homs. Les bus partent du Karâj ash Shamaly, au nord de la ville (à 4,5 km du centre-ville, sur la route de Hama). Départs pour :
- Beyrouth (250 LS et 4 h road)
- Tripoli (150 LS et 2 h road)
Depuis Ḥamā Les bus partent du Karâj Boulman. Départs pour :
- Beyrouth
- Tripoli
- Istanbul
- Antakya
- εAmman
- Sofia
- Cairo
- Les Émirats arabes unis
Depuis Raqqah Les bus partent du Karâj Boulman à l'entrée sud de la ville (en venant du pont sur l'Euphrate). Départs pour :
- Beyrouth (1.000 LS en juin 2008)
- Tripoli
Depuis Lādhakiah Les bus partent du Karâj Boulman, à la lisière est de la ville. Départs pour :
- Beyrouth
- Tripoli
À part entre Antakya (Hatay)et Alep/Damas, il n'existe pas d'autres liaisons directes par bus avec la Turquie. Aux autres postes frontières, il faut traverser à pied et reprendre un bus ou un microbus de l'autre côté ou, pour certaines liaisons, prendre un taxi-service.
En taxi collectif (taxi-service)
De nombreuses liaisons entre les grandes villes syriennes et certaines villes des pays voisins (Turquie, Liban, Jordanie) peuvent être effectuées par taxi collectifs ("taxis-services"). Il s'agit sans doute du moyen le plus rapide, pour un coût à peine supérieur à celui du bus. L'avantage se mesure surtout au moment du passage des postes frontières, beaucoup plus rapide qu'en bus, le nombre de passagers étant nettement plus réduit (5 à 8) et le chauffeur, toujours pressé, ayant ses habitudes pour passer au plus vite à travers toutes les démarches administratives (au besoin, il peut vous aider).
Ces taxis-services sont de vieilles voitures américaines des années 1970-80, des voitures plus récentes, toujours d'assez grand gabarit ou des vans (microbus). Les voitures ont souvent un logo d'une société de transport sur la portière. Les voitures américaines ont l'avantage de coffres conséquents. Ils ne partent que lorsqu'ils sont pleins et suivent des routes fixes. Hors des lignes très fréquentées (Damas - Beyrouth ou Damas - εAmman), les départs sont plus fréquents très tôt le matin que l'après-midi ou en soirée : il ne faut donc pas hésiter à se lever tôt. Il arrive que si un véhicule spacieux ne se remplit pas assez vite, le chauffeur cède ses passagers à un taxi de plus petite capacité, qui pourra alors partir rapidement.
Si on est pressé, on peut payer la place des passagers manquants pour partir plus vite. En voyageant en petit groupe, cela peut s'avérer intéressant.
On trouve des liaisons par taxis-services sur les lignes suivantes :
- Damas - εAmman (au départ du Karâj As Sumariyah)
- Damas - Chtaura ((au départ du Karâj As Sumariyah), avec correspondance à Chtaura vers la vallée de la Beqaεa et Baεalbek)
- Damas - Beyrouth (au départ du Karâj As Sumariyah)
- Damas - Antakya
- Dera'a - Ar Ramtha (Jordanie)
- Tartous - Tripoli (Trablous)
- Tartous - Beyrouth
- Lādhakiah - Beyrouth
- Lādhakiah - Antakya (vu en juin 2008)
- Alep - Antakya
- Ar Raqqah - Sanliurfa (vu en juin 2008 : des fourgonnettes Kangoo faisant Urfa - Ar Raqqah - Alep - Damas)
By car
Formalités administratives (à contrôler selon l'actualité). L'entrée de véhicules à essence en Syrie ne nécessite pas de démarches particulières, si ce n'est de contracter une assurance à la frontière et, semble-t-il, de payer une taxe d'entrée de 50 USD. Le carnet de passage en douane ne serait pas nécessaire. Par contre, l'entrée de voitures particulières diesel est soumise, en outre, au paiement d'une taxe de 140 USD par semaine (2008), le diesel étant réservé aux transports publics et de marchandises. Les voitures diesel sont interdites d'entrée au Liban.
Points de passage
- Depuis la Turquie et l'Europe, on peut entrer en Syrie par un des postes frontières suivants :
- Bâb al Hawâ, sur la route d'Antakya à Alep; il s'agit du principal point d'entrée en Syrie, réputé pour ses files d'attente.
- 'Ain ad Dalbeh, près de Kassab, sur la route qui longe la côte, d'Antakya à Lādhakiah.
- Killis, sur la route de Gaziantep à Alep, par Aεazaz; il est possible de traverser ce poste frontière en taxi (le trajet Gaziantep - Alep coûte environ 60 USD).
- Tell al Abiyad (Akçakale côté turc), sur la route de Sanliurfa à Ar Raqqah; le passage est ouvert de 10 h - 15 h (se renseigner); les transports publics ne franchissent pas ce poste frontière : il faut traverser à pied et en reprendre de l'autre côté;Tell al Abiyad et Akçakale sont proches : côté turc, on peut demander au dolmus d'être déposé en face du poste frontière et du côté syrien, le centre du village est à 600 meters.
- Al Qamishly (Nusaybin côté turc), au nord-est de la Syrie, sur la route venant de Mardin; le passage est ouvert de 10 h - 15 h (se renseigner); les transports publics ne franchissent pas ce poste frontière : il faut traverser à pied et en reprendre un de l'autre côté; Al Qamishly et Nusaybin sont très proches; le trajet à pied est de l'ordre d'un kilomètre.
- Certaines cartes indiquent trois autres postes frontières avec la Turquie, notamment à εAin al εArab. Il n'existe pas d'informations disponibles quant à leur ouverture (ils se situent sur des routes peu fréquentées).
- Depuis le Liban, on peut entrer en Syrie par les postes frontières de :
- Al Karabeh, sur la route côtière, de Tartous vers Trablous (Tripoli).
- Dabbusiyeh (Msheiraεah), sur la route de Homs à Trablous.
- Al Qaεa, sur la route de Homs à Baεalbek, par la vallée de la Bekaεa.
- Masnaεa, sur la route de Damas à Beyrouth.
- Depuis la Jordanie, on peut entrer en Syrie par les postes frontières de :
- Derεa (Ramtha côté jordanien), sur la route de Derεa à Irbid, par Ar Ramtha; des taxis-services assurent la liaison entre Derεa et Ar Ramtha. Ce point de passage est réservé aux transports locaux et au train.
- Nasib (Jabir côté Jordanien), sur l'autoroute de Damas à εAmman. Il s'agit du point de passage pour les transports internationaux (belles files de camions).
- Depuis l'Iraq, les postes frontières (en principe fermés : à vérifier selon l'actualité, et certainement pas conseillés !) sont les suivants :
- At Tanf, sur la route de Homs et Damas vers Baghdad, au milieu du désert.
- Al Bukamal, sur la route Alep – Deir az Zor – Baghdad, au bord de l'Euphrate.
- Al Yaroubiyeh, sur la route de Al Qamishly à Mossoul. C'est également le point de passage de la ligne de chemin de fer Istanbul-Alep-Al Qamishly-Baghdâd (trafic toujours suspendu).
Circulate
By plane
La compagnie Syrian Arab Airlines assure toute une série de vols intérieurs quotidiens depuis Damas et Alep, vers chacune des deux villes et vers les aéroports nationaux de Lattakia, Al Qamishly, et Deir az Zor. Le prix des billets est très démocratique (environ 20 € pour Damas - Alep en 2007).
À part entre les points extrêmes du pays, l'avion n'est pas forcément intéressant : en effet, il faut se plier à l'horaire quotidien et, entre les formalités d'achat ou de réservation du billet, le transport à l'aéroport, le délai avant d'embarquer, la durée du vol, les formalités au débarquement et le transport vers sa destination finale, il y a de fortes chances que le bus soit une solution nettement moins chère, beaucoup plus souple (très nombreux départs, jour et nuit, sur les grandes lignes et pas besoin de réserver) et presque tout aussi rapide. Alep - Damas en bus pullman prend environ 6 h de centre-ville à centre-ville, pour environ 600 livres tout compris (environ 9 €).
By train
Les Chemins de Fer Syriens desservent les lignes suivantes :
- Alep – Ar Raqqah – Deir az Zor – Al Hassakah – Al Qamishly;
- Alep – Hama – Homs – Damas;
- Alep – Lattakia (traversée spectaculaire des montagnes et de la plaine du Ghâb).
- Damas – Homs – Tartous - Lattakia
La ligne Damas – Tadmor est une ligne industrielle (exploitations de phosphates et de sel).
La ligne touristique du vendredi Damas - Zabadânî (dans l'Anti-Liban) est fermée depuis 2005 environ à cause des travaux pour la construction de la nouvelle gare du Hijjaz.
Les gares sont souvent excentrées :
- celle de Damas (gare Khaddam) se situe à 4 km du centre, en banlieue sud;
- celle d'Alep au nord du parc, celle d'Ar Raqqah à 2 km au nord de la ville;
- celle de Deir az Zor à 20 min de bus à l'est de l'Euphrate (navette gratuite depuis les bureaux au centre-ville);
- celle d'Al Qamishly à 10 min en taxi à l'extérieur.
By bus
Le pays est très bien desservi par des transports en commun efficaces et bon marché, depuis les grands axes jusqu'aux villages assez reculés. On pourrait presque dire qu'il est possible de se rendre partout en Syrie grâce à eux.
Il faut considérer les catégories de bus suivantes :
Bus pullman, en arabe, boulman. Il s'agit d'autocars assez récents, voire très récents, confortables et en général climatisés. Ces bus pullman assurent des liaisons nombreuses et régulières entre toutes les grandes villes du pays, au départ des grandes gares routières (en arabe : "karaj boulman") ou de gares plus modestes, voire de simples arrêts dans les villes de moyenne importance ou pour certaines petites compagnies. Les tickets s'achètent à la gare routière (au bureau de la compagnie), à l'arrêt ou au bureau de la compagnie en ville. Les places sont numérotées et les bagages, identifiés, sont placés en soute. Les départs ont lieu à heure fixes (on trouve les horaires affichés devant les bureaux). On vous y sert de l'eau, et ils sont souvent équipés de la télévision (films égyptiens ou de kung-fu). Ces transports sont rapides (vitesse moyenne de 80 à 100 km / h); ils ne s'arrêtent pas en chemin.
Attention en préparant ses trajets : depuis l'entrée en vigueur d'un code de la route strict entre 2007 et 2008, les bus et microbus ne dépassent plus les 90 km / h autorisés (ils sont même équipés d'avertisseurs sonores qui rappellent le chauffeur au calme ! "Bouliss ! Bouliss !"). Les temps de trajet s'en trouvent nettement rallongés (5 h 30 pour Damas-Alep au lieu de 4 h 30).
Choisissez les compagnies les plus connues (donc les plus chères, mais aussi les plus confortables) telles que "Al Qadmous", "Al Ahliah", ... car elles offrent une qualité de service équivalente aux compagnies européennes : la différence entre les compagnies réputées et les autres est négligeable pour un budget touristique (150 LS pour un trajet aller Damas-Alep sur "Al Qadmous" au lieu de 100 LS).
Dans les grandes gares routières, les compagnies sont nombreuses et il ne faut pas attendre longtemps pour trouver un départ vers une des grandes villes du pays.
Parmi les grandes compagnies, on peut citer Al Qadmous, Al Ahliah, Etihad, ...
From grandes lignes desservies, on trouve (en tout ou en partie du trajet) :
- Damas – Homs – Hama – Alep
- Damas – Tadmor (Palmyre) – Deir az Zor – Al Hassakah – Al Qamishly
- Damas - Homs - Hama - Alep - Al Hassakah - Al Qamishly (un des trajets les plus longs : 11 h !)
- Damas – Bosra; Damas - Derεa; Damas - As Suwaida (pas de liaisons entre Bosra ou Derεa et As Suwaida)
- Damas - Tartous
- Damas - Misiyâf (constaté en juillet 2007)
- Alep – Ar Raqqah – Deir az Zor
- Alep – AlHassakah - Al Qamishly, par la route du nord (par εAin εIssa)
- Alep – Lattakia – Tartous – Tripoli (Liban) – Beyrouth (Liban)
- Hama - Ar Raqqah - Ras al εAïn
- Hama - Al Qamishly - Al Malkiyah
- Tartous – Homs – Tadmor (Palmyre) – Deir az Zor – Al Hassakah – Al Qamishly (arrêt à As Sukhnah possible)
- Tartous – Homs – Tadmor (Palmyre) – Deir az Zor – Al Mayadin - Al Bukamal (arrêt à As Sukhnah possible)
- Tartous – Homs – Hama – Alep – Al Hassakah - Al Qamishly
- Lattakia - Tartous – Homs – As Salamiyah – Ar Raqqah (par Al Mansourah)
- Deir az Zor – Homs – Hama
Exemples (à titre indicatif, en décembre 2006) de tarifs et du temps de trajet :
Damas-Alep (150 LS; 4 h); Damas–Homs (75 LS; 2 h); Damas-Bosra (50 LS; 1 h 30); Homs–Hama (25 LS; 30 min); Alep-Hama (65 LS; 1 h 45); Alep–Ar Raqqah (60 à 90 LS; 2 h 20); Alep-Al Qamishly (175 LS – 7 h - 8 h); Alep–Lattakia (100 LS; 3 h 30); Lattakia-Tartous (40 LS; 45 min); Deir az Zor–Al Qamishly (160 LS; 3 h 15); Deir az Zor-Alep (140 LS – 4 h); Tartous-Tadmor (105 LS; 3 h); Hama-Ras al εAïn (225 LS); Hama-Al Qamishly (260 LS).
ATTENTION : AUGMENTATION DES TARIFS - Depuis le printemps 2008, suite à la crise mondiale, les tarifs de tous les transports par bus ont augmenté d'environ 50 %. Les prix ci-dessus sont donc à corriger en conséquence !
Bus ordinaires. Il s'agit de bus classiques, plus ou moins anciens et plus ou moins confortables. Ils desservent les grandes villes entre elles, comme les bus pullman, et sont un peu moins chers. Vu la faible différence de prix pour le voyageur, les bus pullman restent préférables. Ils s'arrêtent à la demande. Ils effectuent également des trajets fixes en ville.
À Damas, il existe un bus qui rejoint la gare routière d'Harasta (qui dessert le nord et l'est de la Syrie; ce bus se prend dans le karâj situé le long de la grand route, devant le karâj pullman) à Baramkeh (au centre-ville), pour 5 LS (décembre 2006).
Il n'existe pas le liaison entre As Suwaida et les villes voisines (Bosra, Derεa), mais seulement vers Damas.
Comme pour les minibus, il existe des liaisons très nombreuses, y compris sur des lignes assez inattendues (plusieurs liaisons par jour Palmyre-As Sukhnah, d'où on peut trouver, à bien meilleur compte qu'à Palmyre, une voiture avec chauffeur pour visiter Qasr al Hayr Ash Sharqi, à 20 km de là). Certaines lignes sont peu fréquentées (As Sukhnah-Ar Raqqah, par la steppe, Ar Rassafah et Al Mansurah, avec un bus partant de As Sukhnah le soir pour rentrer de Raqqah le lendemain matin).
Minibus (hop-hop). Il s'agit de bus classiques, de plus petite capacité, souvent assez vieux. Ils sont joliment bariolés et décorés (genre bus pakistanais). On s'y serre comme on peut. Ils desservent des trajets plus limités, en s'arrêtant un peu partout, à la demande. Le confort y est souvent spartiate.
Il n'existe pas le liaison entre As Suwaida et les villes voisines (Bosra, Derεa).
Microbus (hop-hop, micro Where service). Ce sont des vans de 9 à 14 places, souvent récents et en bon état. Ils démarrent des les gares routières (souvent proches des gares pullman) et en rejoignent une autre au terminus. Entre les deux, ils s'arrêtent partout à la demande.
Dans les villages ou dans certains quartiers des villes, la gare routière des micros ("Karâj micro") n'est souvent qu'un coin de rue ou une place, sans aménagements particuliers, où ils attendent. Toutefois, dans certains gros bourgs, on trouve une petite gare routière qui dessert toute la région (par exemple, à Safita, Misiyâf, As Suqelbiyeh, εAfrîn,...) : on peut ainsi se déplacer un peu partout sans la moindre difficulté (villages dans la steppe autour de Palmyre, même si les micros ne sont pas fréquents; les "villes mortes" depuis Maεarrat an Nûεman ou depuis Ariha) ou par des chemins non classiques (par exemple : Hama-Misiyâf-Tartous; Hama-Misiyâf-Slenfeh-Lattakia, en longeant le pied des montagnes dans la dépression du Ghâb,...).
Dans les petits patelins où les clients manquent, les micros font souvent plusieurs tours des rues en klaxonnant de manière appuyée et régulière ("c'est l'bus qui passe !!!") : c'est le moment de le héler et de monter, plutôt que de continuer à pieds jusqu'à l'arrêt officiel.
Leur vitesse moyenne n'est limitée que par le Code de la route (théoriquement...) et par le nombre d'arrêts. Il y a presque toujours des dessertes, au moins une fois le soir et le matin, vers la plupart des villages situés sur des voies carrossables. Sur les petites routes et les destinations les moins fréquentées, ils ne circulent plus après la tombée de la nuit et parfois, dès le milieu de l'après-midi : il est donc prudent de demander au chauffeur la fréquence des bus de retour et l'heure du dernier (au besoin, demander à un hôtelier de vous rédiger un petit carton en arabe avec ces questions) . À de rares exceptions près, ils ne s'éloignent pas à plus de 80 à 100 km du point de départ. Certains n'effectuent que des trajets en ville (entre gares routières ou à partir d'un arrêt collectif le long d'une route).
Leur coût est minime (après augmentation en 2008 : 8 à 10 LS pour un trajet en ville; environ 0,75 LS par kilomètre à l'extérieur). Il est d'usage de payer la course en se passant l'argent de main en main, jusqu'au chauffeur, la monnaie en retour suivant le même chemin. Les micros portent un panneaux lumineux sur le toit, indiquant leur destination finale (en arabe...). Les micros ont très rarement une galerie de toit et il s'y trouve peu de place pour les bagages (déjà qu'il se trouvera sûrement bien un passager avec quelques sacs à entasser derrière le chauffeur...).
ATTENTION : si vous êtes pressés ou si vous ne supportez pas la compagnie, vous pouvez demander au chauffeur de partir tout de suite en payant la totalité des places vides (micro "khâss" : "spécial"). Du coup, il arrive (mais c'est rare) que des chauffeurs proposent cette option aux touristes. Si vous ne parlez pas l'arabe et que vous n'avez pas compris, vous verrez le micro partir directement avec vous seuls et vous réclamer le coût du bus complet. Dans le doute, attendez nonchalamment à l'extérieur que quelques personnes montent avant vous pour les rejoindre. Cela peut éviter un malentendu.
Il n'existe pas le liaison entre As Suwaida et les villes voisines (Bosra, Derεa).
Voyager en micro reste une merveilleuse occasion de rencontrer les Syriens.
By car
Des taxis à "l'américaine" (présents dans les gares routières) relient les grandes villes et capitales arabes.
Speed limits:
- Route et autoroute : 110 km / h
- City : 50 km / h
Car rental
Si vous décidez d’opter pour la location de voitures, il faut savoir qu’il existe un grand nombre de prestataires en Syrie. Avant de choisir une des sociétés, il est conseillé de comparer les services et prix proposés. [2]
On a boat
La seule liaison interne par bateau est celle effectuée par de petits bateaux-services, entre le petit port de pêche de Tartous et l'Ile d'Arward. Le trajet dure une vingtaine de minutes. On paie les deux trajets au retour, au petit guichet à l'entrée de la jetée (30 LS l'aller-retour en juin 2008). Il arrive qu'on contrôle les passeports à l'embarquement, côté continent.
Sans parler de "liaison", il faut signaler les minis-croisières d'un quart d'heure/vingt minutes sur l'Euphrate, à Deir az Zor, sur de petits bateaux-mouches avec des lampions ! Tout cela pour une vingtaine de livres, avec un merveilleux coucher de soleil sur ce fleuve mythique.
Il doit y avoir de semblables excursions sur le Lac al Assad, des petits bateaux étant amarrés près du site de Qala'at Ja'abar.
To speak
The official language isArab. Les dialectes locaux restent assez proches de l'arabe véhiculaire (" fus'ha "), ce qui permet à ceux qui le maîtrisent ou se débrouillent de ne pas rencontrer de difficultés particulières.
À côté de l'arabe, on parle kurde dans le nord, près d'Alep, et dans le nord-est. Accessoirement, on parle arménien chez les Arméniens et araméen, comme Jésus, autour de Maεaloula et de Saidnaya et dans certains villages près de Homs. Il existe quelques poches où on parle turkmène. Le circassien (langue du Caucase) reste encore parlé parmi l'importante communauté tcherkesse (circassienne).
En ville, beaucoup de personnes, surtout les jeunes, se débrouillent bien en English comme dans tous les coins du monde mais aussi French, en particulier à Alep, où vous trouverez des Syriens qui, sans être jamais sortis du pays, parlent un français impeccable. On entend également souvent parler Russian à Alep, du fait des nombreux commerçants venus de Russie ou d'Asie centrale.
Quelques mots-repères à connaître pour s'orienter:
- ila, éla : vers
- min : de, depuis
- weïn ? : où ?
- Dimachq ou Cham : Damas
- Halab : Alep
- qalaεat : citadelle
- foundouq : hotel
- madinah : ville
- karajat : gare routière
- souq : marché
- jiss(é)r : pont
- hadiqah ou jinéné : parc, jardin
- massjéd : mosquée
- kanissah : église
- tariq : route, chemin
- shareε : rue
- khirbet, athâr : ruines
- sahet : place, square
- marqaz al madinah : centre-ville
To buy
Currency
La devise locale est la livre syrienne ("lîra",S£,SYP), divisées en 100 piastres. On trouve des billets de 1000, 500, 200, 100 et 50 LS et des pièces de 25, 10, 5, 2, 1 et 0,50 LS (en pratique, on ne trouve que rarement les 1 et jamais les 0,50 LS). De nouvelles pièces ont été introduites depuis 2004.
De nouveaux billets de 50, 100 et 200 livres ont été introduits mi-2010. Les billets précédents continuent néanmoins à circuler. En septembre 2010, les anciens billets (années 1980) étaient toujours acceptés et distribués en banque (notamment ceux de 500 LS); il vaut toutefois mieux s'assurer de leur validité auparavant.
Il vaut mieux éviter les billets de 500 et 1000 LS chez les petits commerçants et garder assez de petite monnaie pour les transports en commun (il s'agit pratiquement du seul débouché pour les pièces de 1 et 2 LS).
Fin octobre 2011, le cours de la livre syrienne se situait autour de 67-68 LS pour 1 € (soit 1 LS = 1,48 eurocent environ). Depuis 2003, il a varié entre 59 LS et 71 LS pour 1 €.
Exchange
On trouve des bureaux de change à l'aéroport de Damas. Celui situé juste avant le contrôle des passeports est destiné au paiement des visas; l'autre se situe dans le grand hall d'accueil, près de la sortie. Inutile de s'encombrer de dollars US, les euros sont les bienvenus.
On trouve, dans toute ville un peu importante, des agences de la Commercial Bank of Syria, où il est possible de changer des devises étrangères contre des livres syriennes. Les antennes sont nombreuses à Damas et à Alep.
Il est impossible de changer des livres syriennes contre des devises étrangères (y compris de pays limitrophes), sauf dans les bureaux de change des postes frontières ou de l'aéroport. À l'aéroport de Damas, le bureau du grand hall n'est pas habilité à effectuer ce type d'opération et il faut s'adresser au bureau situé dans la salle d'enregistrement, après le contrôle des bagages (attention : il arrive qu'ils n'y disposent que de dollars US et non d'euros et que la valeur de l'euro tombe à un dollar. L'idéal est donc d'éviter de conserver trop de livres syriennes en fin de séjour).
Distributeurs de billets
La plupart des distributeurs de billets (ATMs) qu'on peut trouver en Syrie n'acceptent que les cartes bancaires locales.
Toutefois, en juillet 2007, on trouvait des distributeurs acceptant les cartes Visa ou Maestro à Damas (deux près du Cham Palace, un près de l'Office du Tourisme (Al Sahaw Mahafutha) et un à la banque devant la Gare du Hejjaz) ainsi qu'à Alep, à Lattakiah, à Homs, à Hama, Deir az Zor et à Tartous. Certaines banques syriennes, dont la Commercial Bank of Syria, émettent maintenant des cartes Visa.
Cartes de crédit
Les cartes de crédits ne sont en général acceptées que dans les hôtels des catégories supérieures et dans certains restaurants et boutiques de luxe.
Suite aux sanctions économiques récemment prises contre la Syrie, le groupe américain Visa a dû bloquer l'utilisation de ses cartes de crédits en Syrie. Ce blocage concerne tant le retrait aux distributeurs de billets que les paiements par carte sur place ou en ligne. La firme Mastercard a dû suivre. Les distributeurs de billets les plus proches se trouvent au Liban, en Jordanie ou en Turquie.
Ordre de grandeur des prix
Prix de septembre 2010.
- Une bouteille d'eau de 1,5 litres : 20 à 25 LS
- Une bouteille de soda étranger (1 litre) : 25 à 30 LS
- Un thé : 10 à 25 LS
- Une course en taxi en ville : 25 à 100 LS
- Un trajet en microbus ou en bus en ville : 8 à 10 LS
- Un trajet en microbus ou en bus à l'extérieur des villes : environ 0,75 LS/km
- A mattress on the terrace in a low-budget hotel: 200 to 250 LS
- A bed in a dormitory in a low-budget hotel: 200 to 500 LS
- A single room in a low budget hotel: 250 to 700 LS
- A double room in a low budget hotel: 500 to 1,000 LS
- Entrance to sites and museums: 75 or 150 LS (10 or 15 LS with an international student card)
- A complete narguileh (column ashtray, vase, pipe, firebox joints clamp): between 500 LS (ordinary) and 2500 LS, and more
- A 50 gr packet of molasse (narguileh tobacco): 40 to 70 LS
- A koffieh (or a shmâgh): 150 to 350 LS (except the whites, in fine cotton ("mandil"): 200 to 300 LS)
- A scarf: 200 to 250 LS
- A gallabiyah (ordinary) for men: 200 to 300 LS
- A winter abbayah (Bedouin coat): 1000 to 1500 LS
- A pair of men's sandals: 200 to 400 LS
- A pair of men's shoes: 500 to 700 LS
- A pair of women's shoes: 500 to 1200 LS
- A pair of socks in the street: 25 LS
- A rakhweh (Bedouin brass coffee maker): 400 to 800 LS depending on the size (excluding tourist sites)
- Sexy fantasy lingerie for "madam": 200 to 500 LS
- One kilo of Aleppo soap: 80 to 300 LS (depending on the quality)
- A packet of mate (250 gr): 30 to 50 LS (10 to 70 LS for the "metal straw", depending on the size and the model, and 30 to 50 for the calabash)
- A rababah (Bedouin one-string violin): 250 to 700 LS
- An entry-level violin at an instrument dealer: 3500 to 4000 LS
- An entry-level buzuk (sort of 4 or 6 string Arabic guitar, with tension mechanics): 2500 to 4000 LS
- An entry-level saz (kind of 6-string Turkish guitar, with wooden tension keys): 3500 LS
- Entry-level oud (Arabic lute): 4000 LS
Eat
Have a drink / Go out
Damascus is a very lively city which will satisfy young and old alike: indeed, Syria is the land of paradoxes !! You will find good nightclubs, such as excellent cafes where it is good to hang out in the evening! if you can, climb mount Qassioun !!
Order of magnitude of prices (December 2006, July 2007, June 2008).
- 1.5 liter water bottle: 25 LS
- A can of soda: 15 to 25 LS
- A 1 liter bottle of an American (new 2007!) Or local soft drink: 25 LS
- A tea: 5 to 25 LS (up to 35 in old Damascus and even 50 LS in the cafeteria of the citadel of Aleppo)
- A coffee: 20 to 25 LS (up to 35 in old Damascus)
- A glass (0.5 l) of fresh fruit juice: 25 to 60 LS
- Bread (khobz 'arabi: the pancake): 5 LS and even less; 40 LS the big package in June 2008 (it would have increased since)
- A small bread filled with date paste: 5 LS
- A fetâ'ir or a ghotbâr (small "εarabî pizza, with cheese, spices, spicy tomatoes or meat): 5 to 15 LS
- One kilo of dates (depending on the quality): 40 to 100 LS
- A kilo of cherries (in July 2007): 40 to 70 LS
- One kilo of banana: 40 to 50 LS
- A falafel sandwich: 10 to 25 LS
- A shawarma: 30 to 60 LS (depending on whether it is a small or a large one)
- A hamburger: 30 to 50 LS
- A solid meal on a low budget, with a drink: 125 to 250 LS (more expensive in town, up to 350 LS at sea; meat is more expensive than chicken, except in Deir az Zor)
- A narguileh to smoke in the cafe or restaurant: 50 to 60 LS (up to 100 LS in old Damascus)
- A snack, a chocolate, a small packet of biscuits: 5 to 10 LS
- Ice cream in the fridge: 5 to 10 LS; Arabian ice cream: 25 to 50 LS
To learn
If you want to work and settle in Syria, first contact your country's embassy in Syria to find out about Syrian legislation.
Communicate
Tourist information
Official website of the Ministry of Tourism -The Syrian Ministry of Tourism has a complete trilingual website (Arabic, French, English) Website of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism.
In particular, you will find, for download, the city maps available on the back of the maps from the Tourist Office. City maps to download from the website of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism.
Tourist Office - There are offices of the Tourist Office at:
- Damascus -The main office, luxurious, well stocked and multilingual and helpful staff (we speak French) is on the corner of Shariε 29 Ayyar and the first street on the left, at 100 m north of Saahet Yousef al 'Azmeh (the large roundabout with the Central Bank). There is a second office near the National Museum and the Takkiyah as Sulaymaniyah.
- Aleppo -The office is located at the corner of the park, opposite the National Museum, a stone's throw from the Hôtel Baron;
- Hama -The office is located in a small building at the end of the park which runs alongside the Orontes and the norias of the city center;
- Homs -There are two offices, one to the south of the park which is in front of the Khalid Ibn al Walid Mosque (about a hundred meters to the right, near the avenue, when you look at the mosque from it) and the other in the park bordering the avenue Shouqry al Quwatly (at 100 m before the clock tower, coming from the center);
- Tartous -The office is very out of the way, along the avenue which passes in front of the station, quite far to the south of it;
- Latakia -The office is quite out of the way, in a large light stone building, at the eastern end of Saahet 6 Tishrîn, just before the long park;
- As Suweida -The office is located a short distance north of the Karâj of the pullman buses;
- Derεa -The office is located a little south of the station, going towards the post office;
- Palmyra -The office is located in the square, in front of the archaeological museum;
- Deir az Zor -The office is located upstairs, in the premises of the Directorate of the Ministry of Tourism, in a street on the right just after passing the Hotel Jamiεah al εArabiyah, on Shariε Khalid Ibn al Walid (with your back to the square ); the welcome is very friendly;
- Al Hassakah -The office is at the main entrance to the city (to the south), facing the great mosque, 200 m from the bridge over the Khabour;
- Al Qamishly -The office is located near the city center, on the main road going south; little frequented, we will take the time to discuss with you;
- Ar Raqqah -The office is completely out of the way, along the main road from the Euphrates Bridge to the city center, more than a kilometer from Place de l'Horloge.
There are quality tourist maps (almost road, with tourist information and city maps on the back), brochures on local sites as well as a small complete book on tourist Syria. All these documents are free and exist in Arabic, French, English and German. The following cards are available:
- general map at 1: 1,250,000 of Syria, with plans of Damascus and Aleppo;
- 1: 500,000 map of the countryside around Damascus (Rîf Dimashq), with a large map of Damascus on the back;
- 1: 500,000 map of the Golan and Hauran, with plans of Derεa, As Suweida and Al Quneitra;
- 1: 500,000 map of the mouhafazât of Homs and Hama (from the coast to Palmyra) with plans of Homs and Hama;
- 1: 250,000 map of the coast and the mountains, with plans of Tartous and Lattakia;
- 1: 500,000 map of the mouhafazât of Aleppo and Idlib (including the Antakya region), with maps of Aleppo and Idlib;
- 1: 750,000 map of the mouhafazât of the east (east of the Palmyra meridian), with plans of Deir az Zor, Al Hassakah and Ar Raqqah.
Not all maps are available in all offices: it may be useful to obtain those available directly from the main Damascus office, which is the best supplied.
We can still find a "Tourist Atlas of Syria", published in the 1990s, which includes all of these maps, cut out differently, in the form of a bound booklet.
For those who travel alone, an Arabic copy of the general map allows, by comparing with a "European" version, to point the finger at the Arabic name of its destination.
You can also find in bookstores or in the street, for 100 to 200 LS, more detailed maps of local mouhafazât and maps of Syria (of the type displayed in schools and administrations).
Security
Contrary to the general idea that it could have been done through the media, the traveler will discover a calm and safe country. Despite an organized and present police, he will not have the impression of being watched on every street corner or living in a barracks! Street checks are rare, except in the East, the proximity of the Iraqi border requires. The police do their job with courtesy and will not hesitate to drive you on a motorbike to the bus station or to ask a motorist to take you there, to be forgiven for taking your time!
Passports are checked every time you check in at a hotel and to get a Pullman bus or train ticket. In Deir az Zor or Raqqah in the east, you will be asked to register at the police station at the bus station when entering and leaving town. You will also be registered for the Deir az Zor microbuses Karaj if you are traveling on the Al Bukamal road (at the Iraqi border), for example towards Al Mayadin, Qala'at Rahbah, Doura Europos or Mari.
As everywhere, the traveler will avoid hanging out near sensitive sites and photographing them, even inadvertently (real-life experience, ... but, once again, the intervention remained very courteous). Near sensitive borders, it is best to check with the police station at the bus station to see if it is possible to get to a specific location without any problem.
Generally speaking, Syria is a very safe country. Syrians are very welcoming and good-natured people. Foreign travelers are particularly well received. Likewise, you'll never be left alone in the embarrassment of the road or finding the right public transport or connection. The streets in the city, even late at night, are generally very safe (apart from certain districts, in particular in Aleppo: inquire) and lively: you will always be surrounded by valiant defenders.
The most dangerous thing in town is to cross the main arteries! Caution is in order. In Damascus, footbridges span the expressways.
On the other hand, driving a motorbike, bicycle or car remains quite dangerous if you are not used to oriental driving, whether in town, in the countryside or on the highways. Syrian roads, in fairly good condition, allow for fairly fast driving. The city is not just for cyclists. For some time now, the Government has placed emphasis on road safety, which has nevertheless improved things, according to the Syrians themselves. Parking meters are also more and more frequent in Damascus since 2008!
In the countryside, it is particularly advisable to be wary of guard or stray dogs and, according to the inhabitants, jackals and even hyenas, which would approach the villages in winter. It is not advisable to sleep under the stars in isolated places: it is better, then, to ask to settle near a house. The country is in a state of civil war.
Government travel advice
.svg/20px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png)
Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) 
Canada (Government of Canada) 
France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)
.svg/20px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small}
Health
No more vaccines than those compulsory in France. Syria has the highest rate of doctors per capita in the Middle East: health is fairly well monitored. The average life expectancy there is close to that of industrialized countries. Pharmacies are very numerous in town, with sometimes 12 pharmacies on 500 meters in the East !
Respect
Ramadan date
Majority of Muslims insist on local sighting of the crescent moon to mark the start of Ramadan, but others insist on calculating the new moon or declaring it saudi to determine the start of the month. Since the first crescent after the new moon is not visible everywhere at the same time, the start and end dates of the month depend on what is visible in each location. Therefore, the dates vary from country to country, but usually only one day. |
Syria is a predominantly Muslim country but also quite traditionalist. The rules of decorum and behavior are quite different from those known in Western Europe. The west of the country is more westernized - or rather more Mediterranean - than the center or the east, where the traditional way of life is still alive.
The traveler is the guest of a country and its citizens, this is even more true in Syria: he must therefore make a point of honor to respect his hosts, their habits and their customs.
From a clothing point of view - Men are recommended to wear long pants. Except at the beach or on a sports field, shorts are classified between indecent and ridiculous, it is better to opt for Bermuda shorts ... Short sleeves are not a problem: if young people wear t-shirts, people older people usually wear a shirt or polo shirt. Tank tops or shirtless are to be avoided completely (except swimming between men). Headgear of all types goes well everywhere (essential in summer). Wearing sandals is worry-free. However, avoid clothing or shoes from military surpluses, which are a little too distinctive ... In winter, the sweater or fleece will impose itself ... Bedouins generally wear the galabiyah (long tunic-shirt ) and the shmâgh (white scarf with red or black patterns).
Women should absolutely avoid showing too much of their body, especially a low neckline, including legs and arms, knees and elbows. Depending on places and people, it may be considered indecent and provocative to show bare shoulders, armpits or cleavage. It is preferable to opt for clothes that are a little loose, not molding the forms. It is not necessary to wear a headscarf, except in churches and mosques. In the big cities of the west and especially of the coast, one nevertheless meets many young girls dressed in jeans (low waist!) And tight-fitting t-shirts, hair in the wind or veiled!
Greetings - It could take a long time to list the various greetings in use in the Arab Middle East. The most common are:
- "(a) ssalâm εalêykoum", to which we answer: "wa εalêykoum (a) ssalâm" ("peace upon you" and "and upon you peace"; although a priori with religious connotation, this formula is the more common, even among Christians; frozen, it can only be used in the plural, as if addressing a group of more than two people); sometimes, the formula comes down to a "(a) s salâm!";
- "S (a) baH (a) lkh (a) îr", to which we answer: "S (a) baH (a) nnoûr" ("morning of good" and "morning of light"), to be used before noon (correctly pronounce the strongly aspirated H and the long â and î; the r is rolled);
- "masâ 'alkh (a) îr", to which one responds: "masâ' (a) nnoûr" ("evening of good" and "evening of light"), from the end of the afternoon (correctly pronounce the â and î long, mark a very brief and clear stop between masâ et al;
- "marhabâ", a simple "hello" between friends (correctly pronounce the "h");
- "maεa (a) ssalâmah", "with certainty", a classic goodbye when leaving a group;
- "ilâ (a) lliqâh", "goodbye" quite simply ("to meet").
Some expressions of politeness and good manners -Among the expressions of politeness and good manners, we will remember:
- "shoukrân", "thank you" and "shoukrân jazilân" or "shoukrân k (a) thîr", "thank you very much";
- "min faDlak" or "min faDlik", "please" ("your grace"), when asking something (-ak to a man, -ik to a woman);
- "t (a) faDDal", is actually a boilerplate invitation word to say "come in", "sit down", "take", "pass", "please", ... t (a) faDDalou, plural;
- "εafouan", "sorry" (for jostling you), "excuse me", "please" (when someone calls out), ...;
- "maεalish", "it's nothing", "no problem", for example if you have been stepped on your foot ...
Relations between age groups -In general, younger people owe respect to older people. This is even more marked among the Bedouins. Children, in particular, are held to this respect: calls to order and reprimands on the part of parents and adults are clear and sharp. The adult traveler should remember this.
In a group, we always start by greeting the oldest person, with respect ("sheykh" = "old man", in the noble sense of the term). make room for the elderly, just as it is normal to help them carry a load or cross the street: you will often see young people doing this.
Male - female relations -Outside the family, men and women do not see each other as in Europe. This does not prevent them from mingling as naturally as possible in the city or in public places. Even if it is customary to address the man when dealing with a couple, the visitor does not have to feel uncomfortable asking for information from a single lady or from him. answering, with the politeness and the usual distance.
The vast majority of salespeople, both in stores and in the street, are men, even in lingerie shops! On the other hand, we meet many women in the public service and the services. In the countryside, men and women share the work.
In town, there are many cafes catering to both sexes, where the ladies also smoke narghileh. This is also the case for restaurants. Often, a corner of the room or upstairs is reserved for single women or families: single men stay in their corner. There are many tearooms, with succinct decor and furnishings, frequented exclusively by men, who sip tea or coffee, smoke narghileh or play backgammon or cards. , it is customary not to sit next to a woman, or in front of her, unless it is not possible to do otherwise (sometimes, a man will then suggest that you exchange his place for his and in any case, you will change places as soon as possible). If the driver or a man rearranges the seats on the bus, follow his directions without being offended (there really is nothing).
Behavior in couple - Marks of affection or tenderness between man and woman are never expressed in public (no kiss, kiss, embrace or walk hand in hand). It is common for men to walk hand in hand or arm in arm if they are close friends or relatives.
There is no problem for unmarried foreign couples sharing the same hotel room.
Relations with foreign visitors -The Syrians are, of course, extremely welcoming and have a great concern for the rules of hospitality. When it comes to invitations of all kinds, couples are more in demand than single people.
When you are invited for tea, a picnic, or a visit to someone's house, know that the main topics of interest and discussion are: family (remember to bring a few photos of your own and to find good reasons to be still single or childless at your age ...), your country and the way you live there, your job, Syria and the Syrians and what you think about it ... is polite to take an interest in the family situation of people who invite you or spend some time with you, and in particular to check in with the children (all Syrians are proud of their children!).
The invitations are, in the vast majority of cases, purely free and just for the pleasure of the meeting. They can take the form of an invitation to sit down for a few minutes over a tea or coffee or a proposal for a lift by car or motorbike, or even by bus, while you are walking in the sun. You are likely to be invited to share a meal with family or friends, or even to stay. A refusal is often disappointing, even frowned upon: then thank your host by explaining that you are in a hurry or expected, if this is the case. It is customary, when you are invited to share a tea or a coffee along the way, that you do not go on forever, unless your host insists. It happens that you are invited by modest people who will go out of their way to welcome you, going so far as to send the children to buy drinks or a chicken: do not abuse the situation.
Unless this has been agreed in advance, it is always surprising to be refused to participate in the costs of a detour made for you, or even to discover your benefactor offended by your offer: an invitation to drink a fresh soda or cigarettes. will go better. It is common to be offered the bus by a passenger or by the driver when they were just asked if it was the right bus ... And let's not talk about the traders who make you taste for three times more than you don't buy! In Syria, hospitality is not an empty word. We must therefore appreciate it and be worthy of it.
It is wrong to lie and especially to have been caught lying to a host (for example, pretending to be married, just to avoid questions ...): therefore be frank, even if this sometimes requires more personal investment .
Relations with officials and authorities -As in most countries of Asia, we respect the authorities and the agents of the authority. In all your procedures or during checks, be courteous and patient and you will have a good chance of finding someone who will help you through the formalities or who will take their time to help you.
Relationships during bargaining -When we have to talk about business in the Middle East, we do not throw ourselves into the heart of the matter. On the contrary, the two partners take the time to discuss, to get to know each other, over tea or even a meal, before discussing business. This also applies to bargaining, which goes through these stages of offering a tea and a small or long interview ... If, from the start, you do not intend to buy but just to look at it, let the seller know right away: it is rude to engage in a gamble, so as not to end the sale in the end. If you wanted to buy and the final price is higher than what you expected to put, let it be known and politely decline the last offer. As a reminder, the object of bargaining is not to obtain a good at a discount but to find a price that satisfies both seller and buyer!
Discussion topics to avoid -As everywhere, avoid political discussions or limit them to general subjects (the crisis, the economy, ...). For single men: firmly refuse, and with your most beautiful shocked air, to respond to certain inappropriate (and fortunately rare) requests about your intimate life with your girlfriend or your conquests! Married people are never asked for this.
Access to religious sites -Most of the time, access to mosques and churches is free outside of prayer times. If you find yourself there at the time, no worries, withdraw yourself a little away, in silence and wait. Do not take pictures of people in prayer, it is a very special moment of intimacy for believers of all religions !!! If you have any doubts about the access, just ask at the entrance if you can visit ("moumkin az ziyârah?", "The visit is possible?"). We must take off our shoes as soon as we enter. Women should cover their hair as well as their arms and legs. There is often a corner for shoes at the entrance and capes for the ladies, at least in tourist sites (shoes can be kept in hand or in a bag). Women will always usefully keep a large scarf close at hand.
Mosques are places of prayer and meeting: we see there, at all hours, people sitting chatting or eating, even sleeping; as a foreigner, we will refrain all the same from picnicking or ostensibly sleeping there (at the Ommeyades Mosque, in Damascus, guards will take care of waking you up!). Taking pictures is usually no problem outside of prayer times. You should not wash or cool off at the taps provided for ritual ablutions, in fact, if you splash a devotee, even slightly, he will have to start his ablutions again.
At the Shiite mosque of Sayyeda Zeinab, access to the central mausoleum is prohibited to non-Muslims.
In the churches of the Orthodox rite, it is not allowed to the faithful to pass behind the iconostasis (wall decorated with icons which separates the altar from the nave). Photos with flash are often prohibited (protection of paintings and frescoes).
During the month of Ramadan -During the Muslim month of Ramadan, worshipers are particularly required not to drink, eat or smoke from sunrise to sunset (and when Ramadan falls in summer, it can be very long!). It is also almost impossible to find a restaurant or a tavern open during the day. However, you can buy food and drink in the shops and in the souqs.
To drink, eat or smoke, the traveler will always find a discreet place (isolated place, restaurant in a Christian quarter, his room, ...). To do so in public at this time would be particularly disrespectful and rude.
On the other hand, as soon as the fast is broken, in the evening (traditionally with a few dates taken before a hearty meal with family or friends), everything comes back to life in a few minutes. At this time, don't be surprised to be invited to share a supper, even in front of a mosque. To taste: the great moment of silence in front of the Ommeyades Mosque, in Damascus, before the breaking of the fast, just before everything starts up again ...
Becoming part of the spirit of these four weeks is an interesting experience to live.
Right hand, always right hand -The left hand is not used to greet, even less at the table or to give or take something: indeed, this hand is the one in contact with what is dirty and is used for intimate ablutions (or to blow one's nose, ... ). If you are left-handed, point it out to your interlocutors (and there, do not use the right ...). We wash our hands before and after eating, even in a tavern!
Nature calls you ... -Relieving your bladder in full view of everyone, even discreetly in a corner, is not done! Find a discreet place to do it, away from people. Usually, mosques have public toilets.
