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Voykit pocket guide · Syria
Bosra
بصرى
Bosra is a half-day stop for the Roman theatre and Ayyubid citadel, not a base. Visit as a day trip from Damascus or As-Suwayda; one night only if you have your own transport.
Bosra (Busra al-Sham) is a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Syria, best known for its 2nd-century Roman theatre, one of the best-preserved in the world, enclosed by an Ayyubid fortress. The town also holds early mosques, Roman bridges and a ruined city grid. The civil war damaged parts of the site, and it remains on UNESCO's Danger List. Most travellers visit for a few hours on the way between Damascus and the Hauran region.
- Country
- Syria
- Local name
- بصرى
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold, possible rain)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- SYP
- Money
- Foreign cards and ATMs generally do not work in Syria: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget SYP 30,000–60,000 excl. bed · Mid SYP 60,000–120,000 excl. bed · High SYP 120,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 113
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Shared taxi Damascus–Bosra, one way | SYP 15,000–25,000 |
| Private car Damascus–Bosra, one way | SYP 60,000–100,000 |
| Entry fee to Roman Theatre | SYP 5,000–10,000 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | SYP 10,000–20,000 |
| Bottle of water | SYP 500–1,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DAM · Damascus International Airport
- About 120 km (75 mi) north; shared taxi or private car, 1.5–2 hAbout 75 mi (120 km) north; shared taxi or private car, 1.5–2 h
Typical fares
- Damascus → Bosra, shared taxi
- about SYP 15,000–25,000, 1.5–2 h (check)
- Bosra → As-Suwayda, shared taxi
- about SYP 5,000–10,000, 30–40 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Bosra is walkable: the theatre, citadel and old town are within a 15-minute walk. A private car or taxi is needed for the bridges and outlying ruins.
See and do
Known for
- Roman Theatre at Bosra (2nd century)
- Ayyubid citadel surrounding the theatre
- Al-Omari Mosque (one of the oldest surviving mosques)
- Bab al-Hawa (western gate, 2nd century AD)
- Kharaba and Gemarrin Roman bridges
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Damascus | Shared taxi or private car, about 1.5–2 h | About 2 h |
| As-Suwayda | Shared taxi, about 30–40 min | About 45 min |
| Deraa | Shared taxi, about 30 min | About 45 min |
Sleep
- Bosra town centre
- Limited guesthouses; most visitors sleep in Damascus or As-Suwayda and day-trip.
- As-Suwayda
- About 30 km (19 mi) north-east; more accommodation options and Druze hospitality.About 19 mi (30 km) north-east; more accommodation options and Druze hospitality.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | مرحباmarhaba |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much? | بكم؟bikam? |
| I don't understand | ما فهمتma fhimt |
| Where is the theatre? | أين المسرح؟ayn al-masrah? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- The site is on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger; parts were damaged in 2015. Check current access before travelling.
- No official opening hours or ticket prices are published; expect to negotiate entry with a caretaker.
- Syria's security situation changes rapidly. Read your government's travel advice before planning any trip.
- Cash only (Syrian pounds or US dollars); no ATMs or card payment in Bosra.
Bosra is in a region that saw heavy fighting during the civil war. The site itself is reportedly accessible, but landmines, unexploded ordnance and sudden changes in front lines are real risks. Always check your government's travel advisory before planning a visit.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bosra yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Roman Theatre at Bosra (2nd century)
- Ayyubid citadel surrounding the theatre
- Al-Omari Mosque (one of the oldest surviving mosques)
- Bab al-Hawa (western gate, 2nd century AD)
- Kharaba and Gemarrin Roman bridges
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Bosra, revision 5239003 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5239003
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/bosra). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.