Do Not Travel
“Do not travelto Syria for any reason due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, crime, and armed conflict. Do not travel to Syria for any reason.”
Updated Thu, 11 Dec 2025
Full advisory →Is Damascus safe? 🇸🇾
Syria · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Damascus scores 18/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Damascus is not safe for travelers; the official Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory and high-risk composites reflect ongoing terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict that make any visit extremely hazardous. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Damascus 🇸🇾
Syria · Assessed 29 July 2026
18
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~6% of countries
Score capped at 18 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime53/100CautionCrime index 68.7 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment35/100ElevatedExtremely negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability27Elevated
Health63Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all travel to Syria FCDO advises against all travel to Syria due to unpredictable security conditions and the threat of terrorist attacks.”
Updated 2026-07-22T12:44:11Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Syria: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-23T10:52:20.2525485-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Homicide rate
2.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
86
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery and carjacking are reported near checkpoints and in peripheral districts; visitors should avoid isolated streets after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs in crowded markets and transport hubs, particularly around Bab Sharqi and the Old City
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Elevated
Traveller sentiment score
Extremely negative
35/100
Reported feel12Extremely negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers who have entered Damascus in 2026 describe pervasive anxiety, frequent security checkpoints, and a general feeling of unease, with most reporting they felt unsafe despite occasional hospitality from locals
No — Damascus is not safe for travelers; the official Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory and high-risk composites reflect ongoing terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict that make any visit extremely hazardous.
The multi-source safety profile rates Damascus at 17/100 (HIGH RISK) and caps the score at 18 due to a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. While homicide rates appear low, terrorism deaths and the presence of active bombings in the capital demonstrate a severe security threat that outweighs any apparent stability.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Bomb attack during French President Macron’s visit killed one and injured 31; multiple explosions reported across Damascus— Reuters
- Jul 2026Twin bombings near the Ministry of Tourism, killing one and injuring 31; Syrian authorities arrested a cell linked to the attacks— UAE State News (via Anadolu Ajansı)
- Jun 2026Pro‑government and opposition clashes in Damascus heightened tension and prompted additional security measures— The Arab Weekly
- Mar 2026Syrian authorities imposed new limits on alcohol sales in Damascus, sparking public protests and unrest— AP News
Common scams
- Fake UNHCR cash‑assistance scams targeting returnees
- Overcharging by unofficial money‑exchange bureaus
- Taxi drivers offering unsolicited accommodation or medical referrals
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Damascus is currently rated HIGH RISK (composite index 17/100) and is under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The safety profile caps the score at 18 because of the advisory, and recent news confirms that the capital has experienced multiple bombings in July 2026, including an attack during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit that killed one person and injured 31. Additional explosions near the Ministry of Tourism and clashes in surrounding districts underscore that armed conflict and terrorism remain active threats. While homicide rates appear low, the terrorism death rate of 9.7 per million and frequent checkpoints create an environment where kidnapping, armed robbery, and random violence can occur without warning.
Visitor sentiment, drawn from recent travel blogs and on‑ground accounts, is extremely negative (score 12), with most travelers describing constant anxiety, lengthy security screenings, and a pervasive sense of unease even when staying in relatively secure central neighborhoods. Pickpocketing is moderate, especially in crowded markets such as Bab Sharqi and the Old City, while robbery risk is high near checkpoints and in peripheral districts after dark. Scams targeting tourists include fraudulent UNHCR cash‑assistance schemes, overcharging by unofficial money‑exchange bureaus, and taxi drivers who solicit unauthorized accommodation or medical referrals.
Practical safety advice: Do not travel to Damascus under any circumstances. If you are already in the country, remain inside your hotel, avoid all public gatherings, and keep your passport and cash secured. Use only officially licensed guides and transport, carry minimal cash, and exchange money only at vetted bureaus. Register with your embassy, stay informed of the latest alerts, and be vigilant for suspicious approaches—especially any offering “free” services that require personal data. The combination of active bombings, kidnapping threats, and pervasive scams makes Damascus unsafe for any traveler.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Damascus districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Damascus safety map.
Tafasavoidavoid — known hotspot for recent bombings and armed clashes; high risk of stray shells
Harastaavoidavoid — frequent clashes and reported terrorist activity; not recommended for visitors
Old Citycautioncaution — active checkpoints and frequent security sweeps; avoid nighttime and stay with a guide
Barzehcautioncaution — residential area with occasional shelling and checkpoint delays; keep to main streets
Saqbacautioncaution — mixed security; some areas safe during daylight but avoid after dark
Jaramanasafersafe — predominantly residential with stable security and limited incidents
Kafr Sousasafersafe — quiet suburb, low recent activity, but verify local checkpoints before travel
Mijdalsafersafe — industrial zone with minimal reported incidents and stable checkpoint presence
07 · After Dark
Is Damascus safe at night?
Armed robbery and carjacking are reported near checkpoints and in peripheral districts; visitors should avoid isolated streets after dark
After dark, be most careful around Tafas, Harasta, Old City, Barzeh. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Damascus's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight18
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight18
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight18
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight18
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight18
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight18
09 · Questions
Damascus safety FAQ
Is Damascus safe for tourists right now?
No — Damascus is not safe for travelers; the official Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory and high-risk composites reflect ongoing terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict that make any visit extremely hazardous. The multi-source safety profile rates Damascus at 17/100 (HIGH RISK) and caps the score at 18 due to a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. While homicide rates appear low, terrorism deaths and the presence of active bombings in the capital demonstrate a severe security threat that outweighs any apparent stability. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Damascus should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Tafas, Harasta as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Damascus?
- Fake UNHCR cash‑assistance scams targeting returnees
- Overcharging by unofficial money‑exchange bureaus
- Taxi drivers offering unsolicited accommodation or medical referrals
How does Damascus compare with other places in Syria?
Damascus scores 18/100 — see the Syria safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Damascus safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Syria safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: damascus.json (CC BY 4.0).