The Syrian Coast:

The Syrian Coast consists of long stretches of beaches and green mountains. These mountains are mostly covered with pine and oak trees, and their slopes touch the shore. This landscape repeats itself from Ras al-Basit in the north to Tartus in the south.
On the mountains are scattered villages and towns with sources of mineral water, fresh air and lovely sceneries, in addition to many archaeological sites & famous old castles.
It is difficult to find such a small area that has a combination of fascinating nature & great monuments where history left its imprints on every corner & where great civilization enriched mankind's knowledge & illuminated his way to prosperity.
Words fail to describe those high mountains covered with evergreen trees, those silvery fresh - water springs surrounded with roses, lilies, narcissus, daisies and various blooming wild flowers or those monuments narrating the glory of the past.
The many scattered uncovered relics as well as the still covered ones attracted researchers who eagerly long to investigate about the ancient peoples & their deep rooted civilizations from allover the world and motivated them to write tomes & tomes about this rich heritage.

The Beaches:

The Syrian seashore is about 175 kms long and its numerous beaches are distinguished by soft sand, unpolluted sea, moderate climate, clear blue sky and well equipped tourist establishments.
Only a half an hour drive will lead you to one of the many mountains summer resorts where you can enjoy the cool weather.

The Mouhafazat of Latakia

Latakia:

Latakia is Syris's main sea-port on the Mediterranean (186 kms southwest of Aleppo). 348 kms north of Damascus. It has retained its importance since ancient times.
Latakia was one of the five cities built by Saluqoss Nikator in the 2nd century B.C. He named it after his mother, Laudetia.
Not many ancient remains have survived in Latakia, but here are four columns and a Roman arch from the time of Septimus Ottoman construction called 'Khan al-Dukhan', which is now a museum.
Latakia is the sea-gate to Syria. It is well-provided with accommodation, and is well-placed as a base from which to explore the coastal regions of the country.
Latakia is connected to other main cities in the country by a network of highways and asphalted roads, and can easily be reached by public transport.
Hotels, restaurants and chalets of different standards meet every taste.
The tourist information center, at the entrance of the city, provides tourists with necessary information.
Latakia "Mahabba Festival" which takes place from the second till the twelfth of August. This cultural, sportive & artistic event attracts many arab & foreign tourists.

Summer resorts and historical spots in the Mouhafazat of Latakia

There are beaches, mountains, archaeological sites and many relics of the Crusaders, all within a few hours from each other.

Ras Shamra (Ugarit)

16 kms to the north of Latakia. It is the site of Ugarit, the kingdom that had a golden past in administration, education, diplomacy, law, religion and economics between the 16th and 13th centuries B.C. It is the kingdom that gave humanity the first alphabet in the world. This alphabet is still preserved on a clay tablet at the National Museum in Damascus.
Documents, statues and jewels from the Ugarit kingdom are also on display at the Latakia, Aleppo and Tartus museums.

Al-Qardaha

Situated 30kms from Latakia, it is a small town located 14 kms to the east of the high-way between Jableh & Latakia overlooking a beautiful valley surrounded by green trees.
An international hotel which offers good services is available there.

Jableh

It is another Syrian seaside town, 28 kms to the south of Latakia.
It has a theatre built to accommodate 7,000 to 8,000 spectators.

Slenfeh

50 kms east of Latakia and 1200 ms above sea-level. It has a spectacular scenery and lovely weather.

Kasab

65 kms north the Latakia, located on the Aqra' mountain amongst woods and thickets, 800 ms above sea-level. The road leading to it from Latakia is one of the most beautiful in Syria. It runs through woods and meadows of wild flowers and groves of olive and pine, orchards of apple trees leading to the beautiful forest of Frulloq.

Salma

Situated 12 kms from Slenfeh and 800 ms above sea-level. It is characterized by moderate climate and pure mineral water.

Ras al-Bassit

Located on the northern part of the Syrian shore, about 40 kms to the north of Latakia, it is one of the most beautiful spots on the Mediterranean: a wide bay, with clear water and clean sand, Surrounded by mountains and green hills. Chalets, camping sites and restaurants along the shore make Ras Al-Bassit all the most attractive to visitors.

Salah al-Din Citadel

Due to the importance of its position, this castle has been exploited before the crusaders, nevertheless it was described as the most impregnable crusader fortress.
It stands on a rocky spur whose vertical walls rise above the junction of two fast flowing streams. It was completely isolated from the plateau by a deep ditch dug right through the connection neck of land.
Today there is a drawbridge and a road which provide easy access to the foot of this "eagle's nest".

Arwad Island

Al-Marqab Citadel

Jableh Theatre

Safita

Syrian Coast

Salah-al Din Citadel

Amrit - Tartus

Meridien Hotel - Latakia

Côte d'Azur resort - Latakia

Kasab

Palace Gate from Ugarit

Popular Costume from Latakia

The Mouhafazat of Tartus

Tartus

The second most important Syrian seaport on the Mediterranean (90 kms to the south of Latakia). It was called Antaradus by the Phoenicians and Tortusa by the Byzantines. Tortusa was to become one of the main supply ports for the Crusaders and a military base of considerable importance. It was held by the Templars, but recovered by Saladin in 1188.
The arches, wall - towers and narrow lanes in Tartus evoke what the town must have been like in medieval times. A jewel of Romanesque art is the cathedral of Tartus, which is now a museum containing relics from various Syrian civilizations.
During summer an attractive festival is held there containing many activities such as sea sports, handicrafts exhibition, shopping center & cultural events.

Summer resorts and historical spots in the Mouhafazat of Tartus

Arwad

This is the only island in Syria, and it is located 3 kms from Tartus.
It was an independant kingdom named Aradus in the days of the Canaanites. It was often mentioned in inscriptions because of its importance in commerce and seafaring.
Arwad is a beautiful small island, with a mass of houses and fortresses with narrow lanes. It has many cafés and restaurants overlooking Tartus and the sea. Its ancient citadel was used as a prison for the nationalists during the resistance against the French. The walls of some cells in this citadel are still covered with the writings of the nationalists.

Draykish

A lovely town, 29 kms from Tartus, situated on a mountain covered with olive trees which overlook the sea. It has a reputation for its well-known mineral water. It has several hotels and camping sites.

Safita

10 kms south of Draykish, 35 kms east of Tartus and 380 ms above sea - level, Safita is surrounded by hills covered with olive trees and flowers on all sides.
The present - day town with its tiles roofs stands on the site of the fortress that was called Castle le Blanc by the crusaders. One of its huge towers, about 38 ms high is still standing; this tower contains a chapel, which has never been deconsecrated: Christians still hold their services in it.

Hosn Sleiman

25 kms from Safita; 14 kms beyond Draykish, in the direction of Misyaf, "Hosn Sleiman" is the Arabic name for the site of ancient Baetocece; it was here, in the heart of these wild mountains cut through by ravines, that the inhabitants of Aradus (the present Isle of Arwad) once built a temple dedicated to Baal and Astrate.

Arima

Today Qal'aat al-Arima (15 kms southwest of Safita), once a forward strong point for castle le Blanc and for the Crac, it still has two towers dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

Qala'at Yahmur

(Chastel Ronger or Castrum Rubrum), 20 kms west of safita on the Tartus road. Like Arima, Qal'aat Yahmur was a small fortress, and its 15 ms high keep is still impressive.

Mashta al-Helu

Located north-east of Safita, it is the largest in a group of small villages scattered on the green hills, where the weather is cool even on the hottest summer days. The most attractive among these white stone villages is al-Kafroon (3kms from Mashta al-Helu). It is located at the foot of a small hill, completely covered with oak trees and surrounded by mountains with many churches and mosques. Also worth visiting is Mar Elias, a cave-like church in the north of the village.
An international hotel resort, in addition to many hotels, restaurants & cafés are available in the apple orchards along the streams that run through it.

Banyas

This city is located on the Syrian coast, 55 kms to the south of Latakia. It was an ancient Phoenician seaport. Today it is better known for its oil refinery.

Al-Marqab Citadel

This citadel is only 6 kms south-east of Banyas, and is 500 ms above sea-level. It is enormous: there are not less than fourteen square and round towers jutting from the curtain wall that encircles the hilltop to from a triangular bastion. Its southern corner, sharper than the others and bristling with defences, has a keep rising above it like the prow of a ship. What makes it particularly glowering is the black basalt stone with which it was built. There are beautiful gardens and orchards surrounding it and the sea is not far  away.
This citadel could accommodate 1000 people, in addition to the garrison, along with provisions to last them for five years.

Amrit

It is located to the south of Tartus. It contains a unique temple dating back to the 5th century B.C. This temple is carved in rock and surrounded by water.
Amrit also contains the remains of a big stadium which could seat 11 thousand spectators, and dates back to the 16th century B.C. The ancient Syrians used the stadium for their sport seasons, a practice which was picked up by the Greeks after 8 centuries, and was called the Olympic games.