Aleppo
Aleppo (حلب) is the second largest city in Syria - population 1.7 million.
Culture and History
As it is in any Islamic country, the call to prayer is called out from mosques five times a day starting in the early morning. It can be a beautiful sound.
The people of Aleppo were possibly the most friendly people that I have met in my travels. Regular folk on the street will offer you a chair if you seem tired and then offer you some water or tea.
Dress appropriatly to avoid any problems and to avoid standing out too much. Men should wear regular shirts and long pants and women should not wear anything that is too revealing. If you follow that simple dress code you should not have any problems. Head scarfs are not necessary unless you want to enter a mosque.
There were no hostile feelings towards Americans however you could find yourself in trouble if you speak against the Syrian government too much. Your best bet is to avoid political conversations all together just to avoid any possible problems.
Friday is a holy day and most shops and historic sites are closed so plan accordingly for this.
Stealing is looked down upon and thus is not very common. Crime is generally low and you should feel safe to walk around in any part of the city at any time day or night. But as in any city, its a good idea to keep an eye on your belongings, particuarly in the suk.
Meals are a bit later than in the U.S. but simmilar to the times in some European countries. Lunch is from 1 to 3 and dinner around 8pm.
Aleppo is a beautiful and historic city that anyone who is considering a trip to the Middle East should go see.
Travel to Aleppo, visa requirements
You will need a visa to enter into Syria and this should be done before you arrive. How you get the visa varries by country so check with a travel agent or consult. Also remember there is an airport departure fee so reserve a small amount so that you can actually leave the country.
If going by land, and you are planning to get a visa on the border, bring US Dollars or Syrian Pounds. Forgeign currency will not get a good exchange rate and there are no facilities for credit/debit cards. Travellers cheques are also not accepted.
Get around
Taxis are everywhere, probably more taxis than people. They are easy to take and very affordable but just make sure it is a licesned taxi.
Vans: There are van services that drive around and you can hop on and off whenever the van slows down enough to get out. I'm not sure of the cost though.
Rental Cars: Hertz and other rental car agencies are available in Aleppo but the driving can be very hectic and if you are not accustomed to driving in a place with few rules and almost no regard for street signs you should probably not attempt to drive on your own.
Aleppo attractions and sightseeing
The Citadel: The citadel sits on a hill in the center of the city and is visable from almost anywhere. It was an old fortress used by the crusaders and many other of the conquerers of Aleppo. There are tours daily.
The Suk: There are multiple suks (pronounced souq) in the city including a covered section. All of the shopping you could want to do from gold and silver, boxes, clothing, fabric and soaps can be found in the various suks. Bargaining is encouraged and if you know Arabic it will get you a much better price.
San Sebastion: Located 30 miles outside of Aleppo this is an old church that was dedicated to a Monk who used to pray there. This church was built and became a monastery. There are guided tours. The grounds are beautiful and it is nice to get away from the city for a day.
The great Mosque: There are many mosques in the city but this is the largest and most ornate.
Any amount of time spent walking around the city will reveal a historical site or point of interest. There are some many pieces of history in the city it is impossible to see it all but also impossible to walk around and not come across a famous gate or ruin. Also check out the Christian section of the city to see a different part of Aleppo.
City tours
Walk around the city at least a few times to really get a feel for what it is like. It is a vibrant and lively place that will continually suprise you. Visit the historical sites and take a few tours but defiently spend some time on your own. Also spend at least a day shopping and exploring the suk because it is a very unique place and you can find some wonderful deals and items.
Shopping, Aleppo souvenirs
Gold: Although the prices are as high as they have every been gold is still a worthwhile purchase here. There is a special gold pattern called the Aleppo weave or chain that is made only in Aleppo. All gold is sold by weight and is 22 karot.
Boxes: Aleppo is also famous for its intricate inlay work that can be found in boxes of all shapes and sizes. These boxes are beautiful and can be found at almost all of the shops in the suk. A great, affordable gift to take home.
Wraps/Tablecloths: There are many nice wraps that can be worn as shawls or used as tablecloths that are also available everywhere in the suks. Another good gift.
Sweets: Pistachios are everywhere in Aleppo and accordingly there are many different kinds of sweets made from the pistachio. These usually come in a decorative box and are yet another good gift.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
The falafel is excellent. Also try and buy some of the freshly made pita bread that is sold throughout the markets and the city as it is delicious. The Shwarma is a local treat and also worth a try. Be prepaired to eat very similar meals everyday as there is not a lot of variety in the diet. There are pleanty of good resturants around and meals are very affordable. The best restaurants are in the Christian Quarter (El Jedeide) district.
- Beit Sissy [1]. A particularly good choice. It has a beautiful courtyard and their shish kebab in cherry sauce is out of this world!
Aleppo nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Alcohol is permitted but not widely available. Restaurants and hotels that cater to Westerners will generally serve alchoholic beverages.
There is one local beer, called Al-Sharq, while the Damascus brew Barada may also be found. Neither are exactly lethal - 3.7% and 3.4% respectively.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Budget
Mid range
Splurge
- Baron hotel - a colonial throwback whose former guests include Agatha Christie (who wrote much of Murder on the Orient Express here) and T.E. Lawrence.
Get out
Syrians take a siesta in the middle of the day, from about 3 to 6, but this means that the night life is very active. You can return to the markets and public squares that you visited during the day and by 10pm they will be bustling with people selling food and treats and drinks. It is a like a street fair every night.
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