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Voykit pocket guide · Syria
Tartous
طرطوس
Spend 1–2 days in Tartous: see the castle keep, the Crusader cathedral, and relax on the beach; train from Latakia twice daily.
Tartous is Syria's second‑largest port on the Mediterranean, with a modest historic core and a stretch of beach hotels. The town is reachable by a limited twice‑daily train from Latakia and has a handful of budget to mid‑range lodging options. One full day covers the main sights; a second day adds a boat trip to Arwad Island.
- Country
- Syria
- Local name
- طرطوس
- Best months
- May–September (check)
- Avoid
- July–August (high heat, check local conditions)
- Stay
- 1 night
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 ₤30,000–₤45,000 excl. bed · Mid ₤60,000–₤90,000 excl. bed · High ₤120,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 113
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | ₤500–₤800 |
| Fresh fish dish | ₤1200–₤2500 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | ₤1500–₤2500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LTK · Bassel Al-Assad International Airport
- About 1 h by taxi or train from Tartous; limited flights, check current status.
Typical fares
- Latakia → Tartous train
- about ₤1,500 one way, twice daily (check)
- Taxi Tartous city centre → beach
- ≈₤2,000 for 5 km (3.1 mi)≈₤2,000 for 3.1 mi (5 km)
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
Train from Latakia runs twice daily; local taxis and minibuses serve the city and beach area. Boats depart for Arwad Island.
See and do
Known for
- Tartous Castle keep and museum
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa
- Beach resorts
- Arwad Island boat trips
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Arwad Island | Boat from Tartous harbor, about 30 min | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Holiday Beach Resort
- Large resort north of town, open despite conflict
- Menchie (Raffoul)
- Low‑budget hotel near bus station and museum
- Daniel Hotel
- Clean rooms, mid‑range price
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | عفواًʿafwan |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much is it? | بكم هذا؟bikam hādhā? |
| Where is the beach? | أين الشاطئ؟ayna ash‑shāṭiʾ? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Security situation can change; check current travel advisories.
- Train service is limited; verify schedule before travel.
Tartous is relatively stable compared with inland areas, but overall Syrian travel carries heightened risk; follow official guidance.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tartous yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Tartous Castle keep and museum
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa
- Beach resorts
- Arwad Island boat trips
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: Tartous, revision 5220020 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5220020
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/tartous). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.