Practical information

Syria uses European-style sockets. Most sockets take Type C (two round pins) and Type E/F plugs; some Type L sockets also exist. Mains power is 220–230 V at 50 Hz, so most European devices work without a converter. Travellers from the UK, North America or Australia need a plug adapter, and North American travellers should check that chargers accept 220–240 V.

Grid power is still unreliable, although it improved in 2025 and 2026. In August 2025 the Energy Ministry moved most provinces to a schedule of two hours on and four hours off (Enab Baladi, 18 August 2025). In April 2026 the Energy Minister said some areas had 24 hours of supply for the first time in years. In July 2026 Damascus residents told Al Jazeera they had five or six hours of power in a row before a cut. Cuts remain common and differ by city and district.

Supply can drop again at short notice. SANA reported 22 attacks on oil and gas lines in 2026 (figure given by the Energy Minister on 20 September 2026). A gas-line explosion on 30 September 2026 briefly took three power plants offline, and rationing increased in Daraa. Fuel shortages are the main bottleneck, according to an analyst quoted by Al Jazeera.

Official advice describes power, internet and mobile services as intermittent (UK FCDO, Italy's Viaggiare Sicuri). Canada's advice (updated 23 July 2026) still says some areas get only about 2–3 hours of electricity a day and that people who can afford it use fuel generators. This is lower than the 2025–2026 press reports above, so check locally.

Businesses in Damascus use diesel generators, batteries and, more and more, rooftop solar panels to cover cuts (Al Jazeera, July 2026; Asharq Al-Awsat, February 2024). We found no source that describes how hotels in general cope. Ask your hotel before booking whether it has a generator or solar backup, and whether it covers air-conditioning, lifts and hot water. Carry a power bank and a small torch, and charge devices whenever power is on.

Voltage / frequency

220–230 V, 50 Hz (sources differ: 230 V in WorldStandards, 220 V in Wikivoyage) as of July 2025

Plug types

Type C and E/F; some Type L as of July 2025

Rationing schedule (most provinces)

2 hours on / 4 hours off as of August 18, 2025

Damascus supply reported by residents

about 5–6 consecutive hours before a cut as of July 13, 2026

Ministry claim

24 hours of supply in some (unnamed) areas as of April 22, 2026

Attacks on oil/gas lines in 2026

22 (to 20 September 2026) as of September 20, 2026

Photos: Etienne Rastoul (PD) · Retired electrician (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons user (CC0)

Sources:

• GOV.UK (FCDO) – Syria: Safety and security October 27, 2026
• Government of Canada – Travel advice and advisories: Syria July 23, 2026
• Viaggiare Sicuri (Farnesina/ACI) – Scheda paese Siria (PDF) August 11, 2026
• Al Jazeera – 'It's expensive': Syria's electricity has improved, but challenges remain July 13, 2026
• Syria Today (sp-today.com) – Syria Energy Minister says power hits 24 hours a day in some areas April 22, 2026
• Enab Baladi (English) – Starting today, Syria increases electricity supply hours August 18, 2025
• SANA – 22 اعتداءً على الطاقة في سوريا 2026.. كيف أثرت على الكهرباء وفاتورة الاستيراد؟ (report, October 2026)
• WorldStandards – Syria: plugs, sockets, voltage and frequency July 12, 2025
• Wikivoyage – Syria
• Asharq Al-Awsat (English) – Power cuts in Syrian capital drive workers, students to cafes February 13, 2024

Syria has a Mediterranean coast, mountain ranges and a large dry interior. The coast around Latakia and Tartus has mild, wet winters and warm, humid summers; most rain falls from November to May and frost is unknown there. Damascus lies in the rain shadow of the Anti-Lebanon mountains and is arid: hot and dry in summer, cold in winter, with occasional snow or sleet (US State Department).

Aleppo has a steppe climate with hot summers and cool, sometimes frosty winters. The interior plateau and desert, including Palmyra, are very hot and dry from May to October; summer highs in parts of the stony desert often exceed 45 °C. Sand and dust storms occur, especially in summer and in spring. The mountain peaks (Jabal an-Nusayriyah near the coast, Mount Hermon/Jabal al-Sheikh at 2,814 m) are much cooler and can have snow in winter.

From the temperature tables below, spring (about March to May) and autumn (about late September to November) give the most comfortable sightseeing temperatures inland. July and August are very hot in Damascus, Aleppo and Palmyra (average highs 37–39 °C). The coast is milder in summer. Winter is fine for the coast but cold at night inland. This is our reading of climate data, not official advice.

Ramadan in 2027 is expected to run from about 8 February to 8 March 2027, with Eid al-Fitr on about 9 March 2027 (Umm al-Qura estimates; the actual dates depend on moon sighting and can shift by a day). Canada's travel advice says Ramadan is expected to begin around 7 February 2027. Expect shorter opening hours and closed restaurants by day (see Ramadan etiquette).

Damascus avg high / low, Jan

13.1 °C / 0.8 °C as of 1991-2020 normals (table labelled; source note cites 1961–1990 NOAA data)

Damascus avg high / low, Apr

25.3 °C / 8.0 °C as of normals

Damascus avg high / low, Jul

37.8 °C / 18.6 °C as of normals

Damascus avg high / low, Oct

29.0 °C / 11.0 °C as of normals

Damascus annual rain

about 125 mm as of normals

Aleppo avg high / low, Jan

10.7 °C / 2.4 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Aleppo avg high / low, Apr

23.1 °C / 10.0 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Aleppo avg high / low, Jul

36.8 °C / 22.8 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Aleppo avg high / low, Oct

27.6 °C / 14.2 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Aleppo annual rain

about 314–329 mm (two figures on the same page) as of normals

Latakia avg high / low, Jan

16.1 °C / 8.4 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Latakia avg high / low, Apr

22.0 °C / 14.2 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Latakia avg high / low, Aug

30.6 °C / 25.2 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Latakia avg high / low, Oct

27.5 °C / 18.8 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Latakia annual rain

about 700–760 mm (two figures on the same page) as of normals

Palmyra avg high / low, Jan

12.4 °C / 2.7 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Palmyra avg high / low, Apr

25.8 °C / 12.2 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Palmyra avg high / low, Jul

38.8 °C / 22.5 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Palmyra avg high / low, Oct

28.5 °C / 15.3 °C as of 1991-2020 normals

Hot, dry season (official advice)

May to October; dust/sand storms in summer as of July 23, 2026

Ramadan 2027 (estimate)

about 8 February – 8 March 2027 (Canada: begins around 7 February 2027) as of October 2026

Eid al-Fitr 2027 (estimate)

about 9–11 March 2027 as of October 2026

Sources:

• U.S. Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory and country information August 7, 2026
• Government of Canada – Travel advice and advisories: Syria July 23, 2026
• Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Syria
• Wikipedia – Damascus (climate table, NOAA-based)
• Wikipedia – Aleppo (climate table, 1991–2020 normals)
• Wikipedia – Latakia (climate table, 1991–2020 normals)
• Wikipedia – Tadmur / Palmyra (climate table, 1991–2020 normals)
• Wikipedia – Climate / Geography of Syria (based on CIA World Factbook and Library of Congress Country Study)
• Wikipedia – Ramadan (table of dates, Umm al-Qura estimates)
• Wikipedia – Eid al-Fitr (dates)

The current list of official holidays was set by Presidential Decree No. 188 of 2025, issued by President Ahmad al-Sharaa on 5 October 2025 (SANA; Enab Baladi). It added Syrian Revolution Day (18 March) and Liberation Day (8 December, the fall of the Assad government). It removed the old 8 March 'Revolution' holiday, Teachers' Day (20 March), Martyrs' Day (6 May) and the October War anniversary (6 October).

A further decree of 16 January 2026, on the rights of Syrian Kurds, declared Newroz (the spring new year, 21 March) a paid national holiday (Al Jazeera, 17 January 2026). This means 21 March is both Mother's Day and Newroz.

Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and move about 11 days earlier each year. Dates below are estimates from the Saudi Umm al-Qura calendar; Syria announces the exact days shortly before, based on moon sighting. Christian holidays include Christmas and both Western and Eastern (Orthodox) Easter, one day each.

The official working week is Sunday to Thursday, so Friday and Saturday are the weekend for government offices. Workplaces that must keep running (for example some services) stay open on holidays, under Labour Law No. 50 of 2004 as cited in the decree. Government offices close on official holidays, which are paid holidays for state employees; opening hours of private shops and sites on holidays are not regulated in the sources we found. During Ramadan, offices work shorter hours and many restaurants close by day.

New Year's Day

1 January as of October 5, 2025

Syrian Revolution Day (new)

18 March as of October 5, 2025

Mother's Day

21 March as of October 5, 2025

Newroz (new)

21 March (decree of 16 January 2026) as of January 17, 2026

Independence (Evacuation) Day

17 April as of October 5, 2025

Labour Day

1 May as of October 5, 2025

Liberation Day (new)

8 December as of October 5, 2025

Christmas

25 December as of October 5, 2025

Eid al-Fitr

3 days. 2026: 20–22 March; 2027: about 9–11 March as of October 2026

Eid al-Adha

4 days. 2026: from 27 May (Wikipedia 2026 in Syria lists 26–30 May); 2027: not verified as of October 2026

Islamic New Year

1 day. 2026: about 16 June; 2027: about 6 June as of October 2026

Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid)

1 day. 2026: about 25 August; 2027: not verified as of October 2026

Western Easter

1 day. 2026: 5 April; 2027: 28 March as of October 2026

Eastern (Orthodox) Easter

1 day. 2026: 12 April; 2027: 2 May as of October 2026

Removed in 2025

8 March, Teachers' Day (20 March), Martyrs' Day (6 May), October War Day (6 October) as of October 5, 2025

Working week

Sunday–Thursday (weekend Friday–Saturday) as of October 2026

Sources:

• Wikipedia – Eid al-Fitr (dates)
• Wikipedia – Eid al-Adha (dates)
• Wikipedia – Islamic New Year (dates)
• Wikipedia – Mawlid (dates)
• Wikipedia – List of dates for Easter
• Enab Baladi (English) – Syrian President defines official holidays (Decree No. 188 of 2025) October 5, 2025
• SANA (English) – Presidential decree No. 188 of 2025 on official holidays
• Wikipedia – Public holidays in Syria
• Al Jazeera – Syria decree grants Kurds new rights, formally recognising Kurdish language January 17, 2026
• Wikipedia – Workweek and weekend (country table)
• Wikipedia – 2026 in Syria
• Al Khaleej – الشرع يحدد العطلات الرسمية في سوريا.. إضافة ذكرى الثورة وإلغاء 6 أكتوبر (search result only) October 5, 2025

Syria is a conservative, multi-faith society. Dress modestly, especially in old cities, rural areas and at religious sites (Canada; Australia). At mosques, women should cover arms, legs and hair; Australia's advice says women should wear loose clothing covering arms and legs and a headscarf. Canada asks for extra care at all religious sites, which includes churches. In June 2025 the government required women on public beaches to wear conservative swimwear such as a burkini (reported by ABC Australia, 11 June 2025).

Alcohol is sold in Syria. Canada's advice sets no general ban, but warns against drinking in public during Ramadan daylight hours and has zero tolerance for drink-driving. Australia advises drinking only branded, sealed drinks because of poisoning risk.

During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public between sunrise and sunset (Canada; Germany). Australia notes this may be illegal. Many restaurants close by day; hotels may serve non-fasting guests behind screens (UK FCDO). People may be tired in the late afternoon. Be patient and tolerant.

Same-sex relations are illegal. The US State Department cites penal code article 520 and up to 3 years in prison. Canada says people could face discrimination, detention, a charge of 'promotion of homosexuality' and possibly the death penalty. Germany reports more attacks on LGBTIQ people since 8 December 2024. Canada advises discreet behaviour in public, which applies to displays of affection by any couple.

Drug penalties are very severe. The UK says possession can bring life imprisonment and trafficking the death penalty; the US cites Article 39 of the Narcotics Act (death penalty for trafficking or cultivation). Do not take part in political activity: the UK warns this can lead to detention. Carry copies of your passport photo page and visa at all times (UK).

Ask before you photograph people (Canada), especially women. Hospitality is central: you may be offered tea or coffee or invited into a home, and hosts expect to look after guests (Wikivoyage). Avoid showing the soles of your feet, do not beckon people with a pointing gesture, and do not spit in public. Avoid criticising the government or discussing Israel in public.

Same-sex relations

Criminalised (penal code art. 520; up to 3 years per US; Canada mentions possible death penalty) as of August 7, 2026

Drugs

Possession: up to life imprisonment; trafficking: death penalty as of October 27, 2026

Ramadan in public

No eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight as of October 30, 2026

Women's beach dress (public beaches)

Conservative swimwear required (decision of 9 June 2025) as of June 11, 2025

Drink-driving

Zero tolerance as of July 23, 2026

ID

Carry copies of passport photo page and visa as of October 27, 2026

Sources:

• GOV.UK (FCDO) – Syria: Safety and security October 27, 2026
• U.S. Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory and country information August 7, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise October 30, 2026
• France Diplomatie – Conseils aux voyageurs: Syrie
• Government of Canada – Travel advice and advisories: Syria July 23, 2026
• Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Syria
• Nederland Wereldwijd (Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken) – Reisadvies Syrië September 24, 2026
• Viaggiare Sicuri (Farnesina/ACI) – Scheda paese Siria (PDF) August 11, 2026
• Wikivoyage – Syria
• Wikipedia – 2025 in Syria (entry of 9 June 2025 on beach dress rules, citing ABC Australia)
• ABC News (Australia) – Syria orders women to wear burkinis at public beaches (could not be opened; cited via source 33) June 11, 2025

Do not photograph military sites, security forces, checkpoints or government buildings. Germany says this is generally forbidden, that 'military' is defined broadly, and that it can be treated as espionage and lead to arrest. The US warns that photographing or loitering near military or security sites can lead to questioning, deleted images or detention. France adds that some civilian and strategic sites are also off-limits, and advises against photographing crowds or gatherings.

At checkpoints, do not use your phone; Canada says this is prohibited and communications are likely monitored. The UK warns security forces may confiscate phones, cameras and other recording equipment.

Drones: the US State Department says the General Authority of Civil Aviation has not issued specific drone regulations, and that you should consult it before flying. Australia advises asking a Syrian embassy before bringing drones, standalone GPS units or handheld radios. In practice, do not bring a drone unless you have written permission.

The US says it is illegal to possess specific-use devices such as standalone GPS units and shortwave or handheld radios, and that satellite phones and satellite internet (including Starlink) are prohibited without prior authorisation. GPS apps on phones can be disrupted by jamming and spoofing.

We found no current official rule on photography inside museums or at archaeological sites, or on permits for professional filming. Ask at the ticket office, and always ask before photographing worshippers in mosques and churches.

Military/security sites

Photography forbidden; risk of arrest as of October 30, 2026

Phones at checkpoints

Use prohibited (Canada) as of July 23, 2026

Drones

No specific regulations issued; consult the General Authority of Civil Aviation first as of August 7, 2026

GPS units, handheld/shortwave radios

Illegal to possess (US) as of August 7, 2026

Satellite phones / Starlink

Prohibited without prior authorisation as of August 7, 2026

Sources:

• GOV.UK (FCDO) – Syria: Safety and security October 27, 2026
• U.S. Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory and country information August 7, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise October 30, 2026
• France Diplomatie – Conseils aux voyageurs: Syrie
• Government of Canada – Travel advice and advisories: Syria July 23, 2026
• Smartraveller (Australian Government) – Syria