Damascus 🇸🇾 | Old Town Citywalk – 4-5 Days Aren’t Enough

Damascus is a great place for a long-term stay. The ancient city’s architecture blends Ottoman and Roman styles, and every day of wandering reveals new beauty. Here’s a citywalk route for Damascus—a perfect destination to explore slowly over 3-5 days. 📍 National Museum of Damascus You can visit the museum while getting a local SIM card. 🎫 Ticket: 25,000 SYP (¥12.5). The indoor exhibits take about an hour to explore, with clear layouts, English descriptions, and guided routes. Photography isn’t allowed inside, but the outdoor garden is filled with sculptures open for free viewing. 📍 Damascus Citadel Technically closed to the public, but the guard let us in for a discounted 🎫 15,000 SYP (¥7.5) per person. The citadel is quite large, with architecture resembling Hatra. Some angles are stunning, and exploring it feels like an adventure. Worth a visit if you can get in. 📍 Al-Hamidiyah Souq An old market near the citadel, home to the century-old ice cream shop Bakdash—a must-try while you’re there. 📍 Umayyad Mosque 🎫 5,000 SYP (¥2.5). Women must wear a provided robe (included with the ticket). The mosque has a unique European-influenced design, and the sunset and night views are breathtaking—worth every penny. 📍 Azm Palace 🎫 25,000 SYP (¥12.5). Once the residence of an Ottoman governor, each room has a themed decoration, somewhat reminiscent of Uzbek styles. A good stop if you have extra time. 📍 Midhat Pasha Souq Larger than Al-Hamidiyah, this market sells spices, sweets, tea, and coffee—great for capturing local life. 📍 Century-Old Bathhouse Some baths have gender restrictions or limited hours for women. Hammam Al Malik Al Zahir is men-only, while locals recommend Ammuna Bathfor women (ring the bell to enter). The full package (bath, scrub, massage, oil, mud bath, face/feet exfoliation, hair wash, and coffee) costs 🎫 125,000 SYP + 20,000 for a scrub towel + 10,000 for olive soap & mesh + 10,000 tip (~¥80 total). Takes 1-2 hours; the massage is lackluster, but the bath and scrub are worth it. 📍 Mustafa Ali Gallery Free entry, open daily. Features works by Syrian artist Mustafa Ali, who designed the iconic "Sword of Damascus" monument. A must-visit for bronze sculpture lovers. 📍 Hanania Church This area is the Christian quarter, with bar streets, coffee shops, antique stores, and jewelry shops—perfect for a leisurely stroll. 📍 Mount Qasioun Take a taxi to Taqwa Mosque (40,000 SYP/¥20 from the old town), then walk 30 minutes to Maqam Arbain for a panoramic view. For sunset, leave at least 1.5 hours early—expect uphill climbs and residential paths. Local kids will greet you warmly along the way! #Damascus