Syria, home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, offers extraordinary historical treasures from ancient Damascus and Aleppo to the spectacular Roman ruins of Palmyra. Despite recent challenges, the country's rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality, and diverse landscapes continue to captivate adventurous travelers.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Friday is the holy day in Syria - most businesses close Friday morning; the work week runs Saturday through Thursday
Syrians are extraordinarily hospitable and may invite you for tea or meals - accepting is courteous and will lead to genuine connections
Arabic is the official language; some educated Syrians speak French or English, especially in Damascus
The concept of 'wasta' (connections/influence) is important in Syrian society - having a local contact or guide opens many doors
Time runs more flexibly in Syria - 'one hour' may mean two; build flexibility into your plans and embrace a slower pace
Syrian culture places high value on family, community, and face-saving; avoid confrontation or publicly criticizing people
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet people warmly with 'Marhaba' (hello) or 'As-salamu alaykum' (peace be upon you) - even brief greetings are important
- Remove shoes before entering homes and many religious sites - follow the lead of your host
- Dress modestly in public - women should cover hair, arms, and legs; men should avoid shorts except at beach resorts
- Accept tea and coffee when offered by vendors or hosts - refusing repeatedly can be taken as an insult
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women - a smile and gesture toward your camera usually communicates your intention
- Stand when elders enter a room - respecting age is deeply important in Syrian culture
- Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving items - the left hand is considered unclean
Don't
- Don't photograph military installations, checkpoints, soldiers, or government buildings - this is illegal and can lead to detention
- Don't raise your voice or show anger in public - remaining calm is essential for face-saving culture
- Don't point the sole of your foot toward people when sitting - this is considered offensive
- Don't discuss politics or the Syrian conflict with strangers - topics are sensitive and people may be informants or simply uncomfortable
- Don't bring items with Israeli branding, Hebrew text, or Star of David - entry may be refused
- Don't enter mosques during prayer times unless invited
- Don't eat, drink, or smoke in public during Ramadan daylight hours out of respect for fasting Muslims
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Arabic Coffee Hospitality (Diwaniyah)
Offering Arabic coffee (qahwa) flavored with cardamom and sometimes rosewater is a fundamental Syrian hospitality ritual. Refusing a second cup is done by gently shaking the small cup; accepting means you would like more.
Mezze Culture
Syrian meals begin with an elaborate spread of small dishes (mezze) including hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, kibbeh, and dozens of other preparations. This communal sharing of food reflects Syrian values of generosity and togetherness.
Ramadan Observance
During Ramadan, fasting Muslims refrain from food, drink, and smoking from sunrise to sunset. Non-Muslims should eat and drink discreetly in public during daylight hours. Evenings during Ramadan become festive with special foods, markets, and gatherings.
Hammam (Bathhouse) Tradition
The public hammam has been central to Syrian social life for over 1,000 years. Men and women attend separately, and the ritual of steam bathing, scrubbing, and massage is a social bonding experience as much as a cleansing one.
The Storyteller (Hakawati)
Al-Nawfara Cafe in Damascus is one of the last places where a hakawati (traditional storyteller) still performs, reciting epic tales from Arabic literature and folk stories in a tradition dating back centuries.
Tribal and Family Loyalty
Extended family (aila) and tribal ties remain deeply important in Syrian society. Family honor is a collective responsibility, and major decisions about marriage, business, and residence often involve family elders and consultation.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Men greet men with a handshake; close friends and relatives may cheek-kiss. Women greet women similarly. Men typically wait for a woman to extend her hand first before offering a handshake. 'As-salamu alaykum' is universally appropriate.
- Dining
- Wait for the host to begin eating before starting; accept second helpings graciously; compliment the food (tayib - delicious); leave a little food on your plate to show you have had enough
- Dress
- Modest clothing is essential - women should cover arms, legs, and hair in public and at all religious sites; men should avoid shorts in mosques and traditional areas
- Gifts
- When visiting a Syrian home, bring pastries, chocolate, or flowers; avoid alcohol unless you know the hosts drink. Gifts are often set aside to open later rather than opened immediately in front of the giver
- Business
- Relationships precede business in Syria; expect meetings to begin with extended social conversation. Business cards are exchanged with respect; present and receive with both hands or right hand only
- Tipping
- 10-15% at restaurants if service not included; 5,000-10,000 SYP for guides per half day; round up taxi fares
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Marhaba
Hello
MAR-ha-ba
As-salamu alaykum
Peace be upon you (formal greeting)
as-SAL-ah-mu ah-LAY-kum
Wa alaykum as-salam
Response to peace greeting
wa ah-LAY-kum as-SAL-am
Shukran
Thank you
SHUK-ran
Afwan
You're welcome
AF-wan
Min fadlak (to man) / Min fadlik (to woman)
Please
min FAD-lak / min FAD-lik
Na'am / Aywa
Yes
na-AM / AY-wah
La
No
LAH
Addaish hada?
How much does this cost?
AH-daysh HA-da
Ghali kteer
Too expensive
GHA-lee KTEER
Tayib / Ladheedh
Delicious
TAY-yib / la-DHEETH
Sahtein
Bon appetit / Enjoy your meal
SAH-tayn
May min fadlak
Water please
MY min FAD-lak
Al-hisab min fadlak
The bill please
al-hi-SAB min FAD-lak
Wen...?
Where is...?
WEN
Ma bafham
I don't understand
ma ba-FHAM
Btihki inglizi?
Do you speak English?
b-TIH-ki ING-li-zee
Inshallah
God willing (I'll try my best)
IN-sha-AH-la
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Syria.
Main: Islam (approximately 87% of population, predominantly Sunni with significant Shia and Alawi minorities)
Sites: Umayyad Mosque Damascus (one of Islam's holiest), Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque, Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque (Shia pilgrimage site), over 200 historic mosques in Damascus alone. Christian sites: Maaloula monasteries, Straight Street (St. Paul's escape route), many ancient churches in Bab Touma
Holy Days: Friday (Jumu'ah) is the Islamic holy day and weekly day off; Ramadan (month of fasting) - dates shift annually; Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are major national holidays. Christmas celebrated by Christian minority particularly in Damascus's Christian Quarter
Conversations: Avoid discussing the Syrian civil war and its political dimensions, criticism of any religious group, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and comparison of religions. Expressing curiosity about Islamic practices with genuine respect is welcome