Was there earlier this year and loved it. In Damascus, visit the Umayyad Mosque, the souq, and the Iranian Shiite Mosque of Roqiasch. Also see Palmyra and Crac des Chevaliers (stay at Beybars Hotel, Al-Hosn for a million dollar view) and in Aleppo, visit the souq and the Citadel. Syrians are the friendliest people.

We really enjoyed Damascus actually, wished we had spent more time there...The dead cities were pretty cool..there is one with pyramid tombs that we thought were very cool. If you go to Palmyra, make sure you go to the museum there, it really brings the ruins to life. Krak des chev is great, but make sure you get a guide that can speak good english if you do get a guide.

1. Damascus: Old Town (Omayyad Mosque, Azem Palace, Khan Pasha, Suq Hamidie, Straight Street, ...). National Museum. Salihie. 2. Aleppo: Citadel, Suq, Khan el Wasir, Jdeide 3. Palmyra 4. Hauran: Bosra, Philippopolis 5. Krak de Chevaliers 6. Qalat Saaman (Church of Simeon), Forgotten Cities (north) 7. Apamea 8. Ugarit 9. Ebla 10. Lattaquie, Tartus

aleppo (souq, citadel..), damascus (omayyad mosque, old town/bab tuma.. .souq too!), palmyra!! if you're into ruins also visit simeon's monastery, aphameia street, krak des chevaliers, bosra, ugharit.. enjoy :)

Aleppo: the citadel, the souq, Christian quarter. Damascus: Bab Tuma (in the evening), umayyad mosque, eat ice cream in souq al-hamidiyeh (go for the shop that's really really busy) Palmyra: sun set at the castle; go see the ruins at sun rise. 1 night is enough..maximum 2. Monastery of deir mar musa: very nice monastery 1 hour from Damascus. You can spend a few night for free (including all the food). In return you have to help a little bit with cleaning, preparing the food, etc. Services and meditation every morning and evening. You should stay minimum 2 nights to experience the community life. Highly recommended! Hama is pretty oke. Don't expect to much, but it's a laid back city.

i was there in april. I am recommending you to go Palymra, Crac Des Chavelier, Alleppo and old Damascus

We stayed for 4 nights in Syria. Hotel in Damascus but did 2 day trips to Palmyra and to Kra'ak des Chevaliers. Had a driver through our hotel. Comfortable car, good driver and had a great time visiting. Damascus needs 2 to 3 days definitely. Great city! Our hotel was "City Hotel", about 50 USD/night. Friendly!

All the views already given and places mentioned are 100 % ...the people are extremely helpful, friendly, hospitable and cutreous. Its very safe to walk around late night on your own. The foreign fast-food chains are not available but if you like mediterranean food its great, cheap and healthy. For people with a sweet tooth there are baklava shops everywhere. Better stay in a hotel in the Old City area of Damascus and so all places of interest will be walking distance. Historically & culturally rich. All in all its a great place to visit. Definately MUST SEE.....

LOVE IT! The walls have ears! They love saying that. I preferred Aleppo to Damascus. Much more real life. The Citadel is amazing! Make sure to take a trip to all the dead cities! Great!

Syria was the best country ive ever visited. i just loved it. there is no turists at all, its cheap and the beauty.. :) good luck. everybody should go there some time. and cuisine! delicious

Try Resafa instead of Palmyra for ancient ruins and Qala'at Saladin in stead of Qala'at al-Hosn for crsader castles.

Bosra, if you're into Roman ruins

On your way from Damascus to Aleppo (or to Krak des Chevaliers), you should take a short stop in Hama to see the ancient water wheels on the river Orontes (20 meters diameter). In the summer kids climb the wheels and dive from them, good fun watching! And, of course, you have to go to Palmyra, the citadel and souq in Aleppo, Krak des Chevaliers (amazing!), and the Umayyad mosque in Damascus. And talk to the locals wherever you are, they're really friendly.

Syria is great, but another world really..