Major city · Syria
Dead Cities
Visit the Dead Cities on a day trip from Aleppo or Hama; 1 day, start early, return before microbuses stop at 16:00.Visit the Dead Cities on a day trip from Aleppo or Hama; 1 day, start early, return before microbuses stop at 4:00 PM.
The Dead Cities are a spread‑out group of Roman‑era ruins in north‑western Syria. They are reachable by public microbuses and hitch‑hiking; a single day is enough to see the main sites if you start early and plan your return before the buses cease operation.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SYP
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jun–Aug (heat, limited services)
- Airport
- ALP
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Syria before …
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Syria ↗Check your own government travel advice for Syria before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Syria ↗No independent tourist entry route is documented here.
- Syria ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Syria before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Dead Cities112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dead Cities, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards and ATMs generally do not work in Syria: see Insurance & payments above.Syria-wide
- SafetySyria remains a high‑risk destination; follow government travel advice and stay in well‑populated towns.
- Emergency numbers112 police · 110 ambulance · 113 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckALP Aleppo International Airport (check).
- Getting aroundTake a regular microbus from Aleppo or Hama to Ma'aret an Nu'man, then another to Kafranbel.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local café₤300–500
- Street or quick mealSimple lunch (sandwich or falafel)₤400–800
- Budget bedHostel bed in Aleppo, a night, per personSYP 3,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SYP 2,000 · Mid SYP 3,500 · High SYP 6,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ALP Aleppo International Airport (check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Aug
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jun (9 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dead Cities: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Jul
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Aug
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Take a regular microbus from Aleppo or Hama to Ma'aret an Nu'man, then another to Kafranbel. Walk or hitch‑ride the final stretch to sites like Serjilla. Return the same way; microbuses stop around 16:00.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Serjilla
goDoor to door: ≈3 h round‑trip
Microbus to Ma'aret an Nu'man, then switch to Kafranbel bus; walk/hitch‑ride to village
Early return needed before 16:00.Early return needed before 4:00 PM.
Church of Saint Simeon Stylites
goDoor to door: ≈3 h round‑trip
Microbus from Aleppo to Daret'Azze, then walk or hitch‑ride
Site damaged in 2015; view exterior only.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Aleppo
No hotels in the Dead Cities; stay in Aleppo or Hama and take a day trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₤2,000–3,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₤3,500–6,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₤6,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel bed in Aleppo2 × 3 nights × SYP 5,000 | SYP 30,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × SYP 3,500 | SYP 21,000 |
| Trip total≈ SYP 8,500 per person per day, bed included | SYP 51,000 |
basic dormitory
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a local café | ₤300–500 |
| Simple lunch (sandwich or falafel) | ₤400–800 |
| Microbus ticket (one way)check | ₤600–900 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Microbuses cease operation early (around 16:00); plan return accordingly.Microbuses cease operation early (around 4:00 PM); plan return accordingly.
- Some sites have limited signage; ask locals for directions.
- Security situation in Syria is volatile; check travel advisories before going.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 110
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Dead CitiesDead Cities
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance110
- Fire113
Embassy
Check the nearest foreign embassy in Damascus; many consulates are closed.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Aleppo → Ma'aret an Nu'man microbus: ≈₤600 one way (check)
- Kafranbel → Serjilla ride (hitch‑hike): Free if locals offer a lift
Say or show
- أين الحافلة إلى ...؟ — Where is the bus to ...? (ayna al‑hafila ila ...)
- كم السعر؟ — How much does it cost? (kam al‑si'r?)
- أحتاج تاكسي — I need a taxi (ahtaj taxi)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dead Cities. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jun–Aug (heat, limited services)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Microbus schedules from Aleppo/Hama (check times).
- Local guides in Aleppo bus stations can arrange rides.
Sources
Ask about Dead Cities
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