Aleppo Things to Do Tips by call_me_rhia

the citadel is Aleppo's frist and best sight... a wonderful walled fortified castle (little town?) on a mound in the heart of the old town... The best thing to enjoy it is by walking around it - and beware it takes a while - from the outside: you can discover wonderful details: bastions, barbicans... and especially its most scenic part: the stepped bridge with its three gates! The citadel is really a great example of Islamic military art... It's one sight you won't easily forget. However, inside it's more or less like an empty shell - and not quite worth the visit. One tip: go there at night too and see it lit: it's quite impressive!

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Phone: 362 40 10
Address: the citadel
Directions: in the old town - by the souq. the entrance is on the south side

When in the souk of Aleppo visit a khan, they are very interesting: a khan in the past used to be a merchant's inn - now they are either part of the souq or else lie beside it in desperate shape (meaning: they are crumbling down). One worth visiting, despite the tacky modern entrance, is the one inside the al-qatarji trade. if you happen to pass by you will notice it: a front entrance in the same style as the old Aleppine wooden houses, only this is brand new and fake. Inside, however, the khan is like it used to be during ottoman times - the building is stunning, and the shops (particularly carpet and fabrics) are very nice. Other khans recommended are the kahn al-jumruk and khan an nahaseen.

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Directions: in the old town, hidden away in the souq

Visiting the hammam el Nahasin requires a bit of luck, if you are a woman. I just happened to pass by, looked inside from the door, saw a nice (modern) pine-wood interior with with red caprtes and cushions... and wondered if I could go inside. Luck was on my side: it's a men-only hammam but, as no one was using it at the moment - the man at the entrance let me wander around and take a few pics. I could only see the rest area (cold room?) but I really found it fascinating. The official sign outside claims that the original hammam was built in the 13th century!

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Address: kham an-nahaseen
Directions: in the souq, in the part where they sell shoes, wool and cotton

A madrassa i liked for its simple architecture, and for the delicate ornaments of the main door. As far as I know it's not possible to visit inside, which I regretted a bit, since part of it it's built over the ruins of a 6th century christian cathedral dedicated to Saint Helen. i reallywished I could have seen how they had combined the structure of the two buildings into one, but alas! no luck! Next time maybe...

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Address: souq ibn al-khashab
Directions: in the old town,m opposite the western entrance of the big mosque

The national museum of Aleppo is a must see for archaeologiy enthousiast, and especially those who are planning to cover the northern areas of Syria. There are extensive exhibits dedicated to the sites of Tell Brak, Tell Halaf, Tell Arslan tash and Tell Ahmar, as well as Mari and Hama. I guess it's more interesting to visit after having seen those sights. if you0re not a museum buff, however, I suggest to skip it and save your museum time for the one in Damascus

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Phone: 221 24 00
Address: sharia al-maari
Directions: in the new town, next to the public park

This is another hammam... one of the most famous ones in Syria - and surely the most famous one in Aleppo. The good news is that it has different opening times for women and for men, so everyone can just drop by and visit it. Inside it's truly lavish and "historical", as it dates back to the 15th century. From then until now it has changed and been repaired/rebuilt several times - but the old charm is still there. Some practical info:
Ladies: Saturday, Monday, Thursday, Wednesday (winter only). 9 am - 5 pm
Men: Sunday, Tuesday, Friday, Wednesday (summer only) 10 am - 1.30 am
Entrance is 200 SP, massage 100, rubbing 50, soap 25, loof 15 and drinks 25 (basically 415 SP in total)

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Phone: 3623154
Address: sharia al-qala'a
Directions: neat the citadel main entrance gate and government palace
Other Contact: chamyalb@net.sy (email)

well, if there's one persistent memory about Aleppo - for sure it's the one of me trying to visit a nice mosque - and fininding it under construction. This one was under construction too, but somehow I managed to find someone who had the keys who could show me inside - in spite of the restoration. He also let me climb up to the base of the minaret (great views on the citadel) and tried to explain me a few things.... 1 word of english, 10 of arabic! Not much insight was gained, except that attached to this mosque there's a large coranic school (madrassa). Still, it was very much worth a visit.

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Address: 76 as-kosrofiyyeh square
Directions: just around the corner from the main entrance to the citadel

And this is... ahem... a former hospital, that in the old days also served as a general hospital. it was built in 1354 and had three wards, one of them reserved only for women. What I liked about it is the counrtyard at the entrance: there was a special place (a sort of a stage) where music and shows would be performed, to lift the "sick" people's spirits. As for the wards themselves, they are rows of shocking claustrophobic cubicles - which make you really appreciate the idea of a place aimed at cheering you up. A stunning building to visit... plus you may find out about some performances held there occasionally at night. In my case it was the whirling dervishes... inspiring!

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Directions: south from khan an-nahaseen. half way between there and bab al-qinnesreen. in the old town

A truly nice souk... possibly the nicest of all when it comes down to architecture... all covered, spacious, quiet... and with very little on sale. Mind you, it's not even very touristic. if it weren't for the two shops specializing in Aabic calligraphy (closed, when I went there), and for the name, one would never know. Anyway you should visit it for the interesting decorations on the ceiling, and for the large "jars" on display there.

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Address: as-kosrofiyyeh square
Directions: in the old town. next to the as-kosrofiyyeh mosque, around the corner from the citadel's main entrance

the souq.. the wonderful charming souq! Not a very touristic one... actually very little touristic generally speaking, and a great place to wander around for hours and hours. The Aleppo souq is huge, and i don't know how many kilometres, but many anyway... most of it is covered too, and like any other souq is divinded into "areas" selling different things: shoes, fabrics, wool, nuts, spices, veggies, carpets, jewellery... anything you may want or need. It's a delight to the eyes, and to the smell: so many new smells, so many forgotten smells, so many familiar smells... and so many cute donkeys!

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Directions: in the old town. don't worry, most of it is "the souq"