Currency

Communications

The Syrian Pound (lira).

The bank notes are 5- 10 -25 - 50 - 100 -

200 - 500 - 1000 liras.
The coins are 1 - 2 - 5 - 10 - 25 liras.
Approx. exchange rate: 1$ = 50sp
1€ = 65sp

Telephone, fax, mobile (GSM), Internet systems are available.

  Weight & measures

Electricity

Kilograms and metric system.

220 Volts AC, 50 Cycles, using rounded two-prong plugs.

  Accommodation

Time Zone

There are international (5-star) hotels in Syria:

Sheraton, Meridien, Cham chain. Numerous

first and second class hotels are found

throughout the country.

Chalets and camps are also available along

the coastline during summer.

November thru April: GMT +2Hours.
May thru October: GMT +3Hours.

  Climate

Business Hours

Continental in most of the country with four

distinct seasons. Average temperature 37c. in

summer, 10c. in winter and 22c. in spring and
autumn.

Government: 8.00 to 14.00
Stores: 9.00 to 13.30 and 17.00 to 20.00 (winter)
22.00 (summer).

  Weekend

Languages

Friday & Saturday are the official holidays.
Tuesday is museums and castles closing day.

The official language is Arabic. Many Syrians also speak a second language, French and/or English.

  How To Get There

Media

Damascus, the main gateway to Syria, is
connected with Europe & Asia by many
international airlines. Aleppo enjoys
connections to the Gulf and Europe, mainly with
the national airline Syrian Air. By land,
highways connect Syria with Lebanon, Jordan,
Iraq and Turkey. There are seaport facilities at
Lattakia and Tartous, and a new and modern
marina in Lattakia.

Local and Arab newspapers and magazines are sold at
many newsstands. Foreign media is found at the
international hotels. Local television (2 channels + 1
satellite), broadcast some programs in French and
English.

  Shopping

Visa

Syrian handicrafts represent a tradition of
skilled workmanship and folk art that dates
back many thousands of years. The most
common Syrian craft items which are found in
the souks (Damascus and Aleppo) and
specialized shops all over Syria, include hand-
woven silk brocades, embroidered table cloths,
carpets, brass and copper, leather, gold and
silver jewelry, inlaid furniture with mother of
pearls.

All visitors to Syria require a valid passport and an entry visa, which should be obtained prior to departure from Syrian Consulates and Embassies.

Important Notice Syria will not grant visa nor entry permit to anyone who has a passport which shows evidence of a visit to Israeli occupied territory.