Question · Safety and risk
Is Syria dangerous?
The short answer
It depends where you go. For a visitor on the main tourist corridor with a local guide, the ranked risks are road accidents first, unexploded ordnance second, and limited medical facilities third. Terrorism risk has fallen substantially since December 2024 but is not zero, and remains regionally concentrated. Petty crime is genuinely low by regional standards. Some regions remain unsafe and should not be visited at all.
6 min read Last reviewed September 2026 Part of the Plan Your Trip pillar
Quick facts
- Biggest real risk: road accidents
- Second: unexploded ordnance off surfaced roads
- Third: limited medical care outside the main cities
- Petty crime: low by regional standards
- Government advice: most still advise against all travel
- Insurance: standard policies will not cover you
Go deeper
The full guides
Last reviewed September 2026. This is not a substitute for official travel advice. Conditions in Syria change quickly and vary sharply by region. Check your own government's current advisory and read our full safety page before making any decision.