Damascus: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Damascus is the capital of Syria and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, a metro area of several million people. The Old City with the Umayyad Mosque, covered markets and Christian quarters is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In December 2024 the Assad regime fell, and the country is run by transitional authorities. In 2025 the US and the European Union lifted most economic sanctions, refugees began returning, and international organisations and investors expecting reconstruction arrived in the city. But the situation remains unstable: in 2025 there were outbreaks of violence across the country, and a church bombing in Damascus. Power supply is intermittent, the banking system is weak, and housing in good districts has become more expensive.

It suits people with Syrian roots and family in the country, staff of international and humanitarian organisations, and entrepreneurs working on reconstruction with a security system. It does not suit tourists without local support, families with children or those seeking a stable life.

Neighbourhoods: where foreigners live

Cost of living

Payments are mostly in cash dollars and Syrian pounds, and the pound's rate fluctuates. International transfers are gradually recovering, but bank cards can hardly be used.

Practicalities: climate, connectivity, security

• Climate. Dry: hot summers around +35, cool winters with occasional snow; spring and autumn are best.
• Electricity. Supply is improving but outages remain, so homes and offices keep generators and solar panels.
• Connectivity. Mobile internet works, at modest speeds.
• Security. Conditions vary by district and change quickly; foreigners keep in touch with their embassy, local contacts and their organisation's security service.
• Insurance. Ordinary travel insurance usually does not apply; special cover with evacuation is needed.

Family: schools and healthcare

International schools in Damascus are few, and most foreign staff come without children. Hospitals suffered during the war years and medicines are scarce; private clinics in the centre handle simple cases. For serious treatment people go to Beirut or Amman, so insurance must cover evacuation.

Return and property rights

For people with Syrian roots the key issue is documents. Syrian citizenship passes through the father, and restoring passports and civil register records is the first step. Property rights are often tangled: documents are lost, homes occupied or destroyed, and some wartime transactions are disputed. Before buying or reclaiming property, a registry check and legal support are needed. Ask an expert how to handle the deal in your case.

What to see if you are already in the city

The Umayyad Mosque, the Al-Hamidiyah market, the Azem Palace and Straight Street are the highlights of the Old City. Mount Qasioun offers a view over all of Damascus, and an hour away lies Maaloula, where Aramaic is still spoken. Trips out of the city should be agreed with local contacts, as road conditions change.

Who comes to work

After most sanctions were lifted, UN agencies and humanitarian organisations returned to Damascus, and companies from the Gulf and Turkey opened offices, counting on the reconstruction of energy, construction and telecoms. Foreigners are hired mainly for projects with clear funding and a security system. Work requires Arabic or a strong local team: documents, negotiations and approvals are in Arabic.

Moving and legal status

Syria has no programmes for investors, remote workers or retirees. Foreigners come at the invitation of an employer or organisation, which arranges the visa and stay permit. Entry rules have changed several times since the change of power. Ask an expert which terms apply on your travel dates. Those wanting to live in the region under clear rules are usually better served by the UAE or Turkey.

Is the city worth considering for living

For returning to family, working with an international organisation or doing reconstruction business, possibly, with local support and a security system. For tourism, moving with children or a calm life, not yet: the situation is unstable, and healthcare and power are weak. We help choose a country to live in near Syria and sort out documents; we fix our fee after a free consultation.