Damascus Things to Do Tips by RblWthACoz

The Omayyad Mosque is exactly that and it's a must see while in Damascus. For Muslims it is a pilgrimage sight (also the 4th holiest place in Islam) and you will usually find the mosque abuzz with activity as a lot of people are around to visit and spend time here. Tourists are required to enter through one specific gate after paying an entry fee. The gate is on the side where the Shrine of Saladin is located. Women are expected to wear a cloak if not already appropriately dressed and all visitors are required to remove their shoes and carry them around.

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Directions: in the old City

The souqs in Damascus have a much higher portion of shops geared towards tourists. The "local's" shops are not as prevalent. If you are planning on doing shopping, I'd wait until you get to Aleppo to do anything serious.

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Ananias playedan important role in the conversion of Paul to Christianity. According to the Bible, God spoke to him to go and meet Saul at the house of Judas. Ananias did and prayed over Saul who was in turn healed of the blindness he had been struck with for three days.

The small church lays underground and is accesible by a set of stairs straight in front of the entrance. Tickets cost 25 Syrian Pounds.

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Phone: 5444697
Address: Bab Touma
Directions: close to the end of Straight Street at the end of the Christian Quarter in the Old City
take a left turn on the last street before you exit the city walls

As far as collections are concerned, this one is extensive. So much so that the whole area outside the museum building is stuffed with pieces. The variety is quite extensive - though the only problem is the labeling. All is in Arabic, much is in French, and some is in English. There are more than one notable displays, so be sure to explore the museum in it's entirety.

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Address: Sharia Shoukri al-Quwalti
Directions: Central Damascus

Built in the 18th century and considered one of the finest examples of a Damascene home, the Azem Palace now stands as a museum that shows many Damascene traditions.

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Directions: south of the Omayyad mosque near Suq al-Buzuriyya

The citadel of Damascus lies at the entrance to the Old City and at the end of Souq al-Hamidiyya.

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Directions: Old City

To me this was kind of a different and unusual museum. There were a wide variety of different displays and it was a little bit interesting...though not enough to keep me there more than 20 minutes in the whole place. Originally the building was constructed in 1154 and stood as the most advanced medical facility of it's time. Named Maristan Nureddin, it stood to the 19th century and today it is the museum.

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Directions: Old city