Time Zone

October - March GMT+2hours
April - September GMT+3hours

Climate

Syria has a moderate Mediterranean climate, 4 distinct seasons, and cloudless blue skies for the greater part of the year. Temperatures in autumn and spring range between 20 and 25 degrees centigrade, 30 degrees in summer, and 5 to 10 degrees in winter.

Winter is generally moderate but wet in the coastal region and cold inland; summer is hot and dry inland, hot and humid on the coast. Winter clothing is recommended between October and May, and summer clothing between May and September.

Money

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Currency Syrian Pound, locally referred to as the lira, is the official currency.
Syrian Pound (SYP) = 100 piasters.
Notes are in denominations of SYP 1,000, 500, 200, 100, and 50.
Coins are in denominations of SYP 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Currency Exchange
Generally speaking, banks are the best places to exchange money. Hard currency can be exchanged for local currency at the Commercial Bank of Syria, (one in Yousef al-Azmeh St.) open Sat-Thurs 0800-1400; or at official exchange offices (one on corner of al-Quwatli St. & Bab al-Faraj St.) open Sat-Thurs 0900-1930.M
Hotel staff and merchants will sometimes exchange money for you, but before they do so, you should know the applicable exchange rate.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
It's often a hassle (and sometimes impossible) to charge purchases to a credit card—getting cash advances from an ATM using a credit or bank card is probably the most convenient option.

There are ATMs all over Aleppo.

American Express and Diners Club are most readily accepted; some hotels will accept MasterCard. Airline tickets may be bought with credit cards.

Traveller's Cheques
It is possible to cash traveler's checks at banks, but they are not generally recommended.

Banking Hours
Commercial Bank of Syria: normally Sat-Thurs 08:00-14:00
(banks tend to close early on Thursdays).

General Tips

Water
Drinking water in Syria is perfectly safe, clean and hygienic. It is derived from natural ground and mountain springs and sources and is treated with the most advanced techniques. Sources of bottled mineral water are renowned for their purity. Among these are the Boukein and Dreikish spring water available in bottles throughout the country.

Transport
In-town transport is made easy by taxi cabs. Yellow cabs charge fares indicated by meters.

Shopping
Souks (markets) are the best places for shopping. Local handicrafts in Aleppo are numerous and precious, including mother-of-pearl items (such as backgammon boards), olive-wood carvings, weaving and embroidery, leather goods and gold and silver jewelry.

Favorite items with visitors are:
- Silk brocade embroidered with gold and silver thread.
- Hand-engraved brass with silver inlays of different patterns and designs.
- Popular hand-printed cotton garments and cloth.
- Pictures of epic and folk heroes painted on glass or cloth.
- Mosaics inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tinted wood.
- Hand-woven rugs made of pure wool.
- Glass made-as-you-wait-and-watch; this is the work of glass blowers using mud furnaces where liquid of glass is turned into pretty beakers, plates, and lamps.
- Delicious oriental sweets filled with pistachios; preserved fruit; Turkish Delight.

Shopping hours:
Sat-Thurs 09:30-14:00 and 16:30-22:00 (summer);
Sat-Thurs 09:30-14:00 and 16:00-20:00 (winter).

Religious Services
Held in mosques, churches, and other places worship throughout the country. Visitors are expected to respect the sanctity of these places with regards to dress and conduct as they would do elsewhere.

Language
Arabic is the official language; English and French are spoken as second languages.

Taxes There is a 10-15% tax added to the bill in restaurants/hotels. Tipping Tip 10% for most services (restaurants/cafes; taxis do not expect a tip).

Other Essential Information
There are no endemic or communicable diseases in Syria.
Weights and Measures: Metric
Electricity: 220 Volts, 50 AC, European 2 pin.
Plug: Voltage regulator suggested
Official working hours: 8 a.m to 3 p.m.
Friday and Saturday are the official weekend.
International Country Code: +963

City Codes within Syria:
• Damascus: 011
• Aleppo: 021
• Homs: 031
• Latakia: 041
• Tartous: 043