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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
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.
- Country
- Syria
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (heat, limited services)
- 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 ₤2,000–3,500 excl. bed · Mid ₤3,500–6,000 excl. bed · High ₤6,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 113
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a local café | ₤300–500 |
| Simple lunch (sandwich or falafel) | ₤400–800 |
| Microbus ticket (one way) | ₤600–900 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ALP · Aleppo International Airport
- check
Typical fares
- Aleppo → Ma'aret an Nu'man microbus
- ≈₤600 one way (check)
- Kafranbel → Serjilla ride (hitch‑hike)
- Free if locals offer a lift
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
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.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 4:00 PM.
See and do
Known for
- Al Bara ruins
- Serjilla village
- Church of Saint Simeon Stylites
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serjilla | Microbus to Ma'aret an Nu'man, then switch to Kafranbel bus; walk/hitch‑ride to village | ≈3 h round‑trip |
| Church of Saint Simeon Stylites | Microbus from Aleppo to Daret'Azze, then walk or hitch‑ride | ≈3 h round‑trip |
Sleep
- Aleppo
- No hotels in the Dead Cities; stay in Aleppo or Hama and take a day trip.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Where is the bus to ...? | أين الحافلة إلى ...؟ayna al‑hafila ila ... |
| How much does it cost? | كم السعر؟kam al‑si'r? |
| I need a taxi | أحتاج تاكسيahtaj taxi |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Microbuses cease operation early (around 16:00); plan return accordingly.
- Some sites have limited signage; ask locals for directions.
- Security situation in Syria is volatile; check travel advisories before going.
Syria remains a high‑risk destination; follow government travel advice and stay in well‑populated towns.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Dead Cities yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Al Bara ruins
- Serjilla village
- Church of Saint Simeon Stylites
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Local Syrian tourism authority (general info): syria-tourism.gov.sy/en/
- Wikivoyage: Dead Cities, revision 5234254 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5234254
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/dead-cities). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.