Aleppo
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The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Syria. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Syria
- Region
- Aleppo Governorate
- Population
- 2 million
- Best time to go
- April to May, September to October
- Main airport
- Aleppo International (ALP)
- Coordinates
- 36.20°N, 37.13°E
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Overview
Aleppo has a claim to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, a crossroads of the Silk Road where merchants from Venice, Persia and India once traded under the same vaulted roofs. Its old city, crowned by a great citadel, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The war left deep scars, and much of the old city was badly damaged. This guide is written for a time when visiting is safe again, and for anyone who wants to understand what makes Aleppo matter.
Things to see
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Photo: Memorino, CC BY-SA 3.0 Citadel of Aleppo
A colossal medieval fortress on a mound above the old city, entered across a bridge through a towering gatehouse.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: مجد محبّك, CC BY-SA 3.0 Great Mosque of Aleppo
The city's principal mosque, founded under the Umayyads, with a vast courtyard of patterned black and white stone.
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Photo: Preacher lad, CC BY-SA 3.0 Al-Madina Souq
Kilometres of covered market lanes once given over to soap, spices, textiles and gold.
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Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0 Khan al-Wazir
One of the grandest of the old city's caravanserais, where travelling merchants stabled animals below and slept above.
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Photo: Preacher lad, CC BY-SA 3.0 Baron Hotel
A faded hotel from 1911 whose guests included Agatha Christie and T. E. Lawrence.
Things to do
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Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0 Eat Aleppine food
Aleppo is famed across the Arab world for its kitchen, from kebab with sour cherries to muhammara and Aleppo pepper.
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Photo: Arion54, CC BY-SA 3.0 Buy Aleppo soap
Olive and laurel oil soap has been made here for centuries, cut into blocks and left to age for months.
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Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 Day trip to the Church of Saint Simeon Stylites
Ruins of a vast Byzantine church built around the pillar where a fifth-century ascetic lived for decades.
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Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 Explore the Dead Cities
Hundreds of abandoned late Roman and Byzantine villages scattered across the limestone hills west of the city.
Where to stay
Old City
For atmosphere, in restored courtyard houses close to the citadel and souqs.
Hotels in Old CityAl-Jdayde
The historic Christian quarter, with grand old mansions and narrow lanes near the old city.
Hotels in Al-JdaydeAziziyeh
A newer district with cafés and restaurants, suited to those who want modern comforts.
Hotels in Aziziyeh
Getting around
The old city is best explored on foot, while taxis are the practical way to cover longer distances. A local driver is the easiest way to reach the Dead Cities and Saint Simeon.
Aleppo International Airport lies east of the city, around 20 minutes by taxi to the centre.
When to go
Spring and autumn bring warm days and cool evenings. Summers are very hot and dry, while winters are cold and can be wet, with occasional snow.
Plan your trip to Aleppo
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.