Safest cities in Syria
14 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in SyriaTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Syria.
- Examples of previous significant attacks include:Foreign nationals, including British nationals, and the places they frequently visit could be considered legitimate targets. This includes:
- Terrorist kidnapThere is a very high threat of kidnapping from terrorists throughout Syria including from Al-Qaeda (AQ) affiliated groups and Daesh, formerly known as ISIL/ISIS. Terrorist groups operating in Syria routinely use kidnapping as a tactic for financial or political gain. There have been a number of kidnappings, including of British nationals and other…
Security situation
- The situation in Syria remains volatile. Fighting and violence may occur around the country and is highly unpredictable. This includes artillery and airstrikes. Some areas within Syria are controlled by local armed groups, and are not under control of the Syrian government, particularly in Suwayda province in southern Syria.
Political activity
- The political situation in Syria can be volatile. Political demonstrations may escalate into violent protests and fighting. Monitor the media for information about possible demonstrations and be alert to local and regional developments, which may trigger public disturbances.
Journalists in Syria
- Journalists and other foreign nationals may be at increased risk of detention, mistreatment, or harassment by armed groups and security forces. Security forces may also confiscate phones, cameras and other recording equipment.
Unexploded Weapons
- Landmines and other unexploded weapons remain from the Syrian conflict. While highly populated areas and major routes are largely clear, there remains a risk in less populated and rural areas. Do not step off roads and paved areas without an experienced guide. Take care near:
Basic services
- There is a humanitarian crisis in Syria. Public infrastructure and services have been seriously affected by the conflict including lack of water, sanitation and health services. Electricity, internet and cellular services are intermittent in many parts of the country. Food supplies are extremely limited and what is available is often prohibitively…
Sanctions
- Since the fall of the Assad regime, the UK has removed sanctions on some sectors, though some remain. See the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, HM Treasury, and UK sanctions on Syria for more information.
Crime
- Criminal kidnappingThere continues to be a risk of criminal kidnap for ransom. Foreign nationals, including Westerners, may be considered lucrative targets.
Laws and cultural differences
- ReligionSyria is a multi-faith country. Alongside the majority Sunni population, there are large practising Shia, Christian, Druze and Alawite communities, as well as other smaller sects and religions. Divisions along sectarian lines continue and flashes of sectarian violence are likely. Communities have been displaced and levels of religious tolerance…
- Personal IDYou must carry copies of your passport photo page and visa for identification.
- Illegal drugs penaltiesThere are severe penalties for drug offences in Syria. The penalty for drug possession is life imprisonment, and the death penalty applies for drug trafficking.
- MoneyAs a result of the 14-year conflict, there are restrictions on financial transactions in Syria and limitations on cash withdrawals in country. Prices for certain items may be listed in US dollar. There is minimal or no use of electronic payment systems to purchase goods.
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, you should:
Transport risks
- Road travelRoad travel is very dangerous in many parts of the country due to lack of road maintenance, the fragile security situation and unexploded weapons.
- Air travelThere are a limited number of international flights operating to and from Syria. Fighting has, at various times, led to the temporary suspension of commercial flights and closure of airports. Damascus airport and Aleppo airport are currently operating with some international flights. Other airports remain closed.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- EarthquakesEarthquakes are a risk in Syria. These can be high magnitude, cause damage to infrastructure and put lives at risk. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Syria, updated 2026-09-02 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 2.06 /100k2010
- Income inequality
- Gini 26.42022
- Human development
- HDI 0.5642023
- Income
- $4,740/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 14.9 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 25/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 26/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 15/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 7.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.36GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 32.1 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 1.5 doctors /1k1.4 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 0 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Drought
- 8.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 7.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 6.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 2.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Syria (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How Syria compares
| Measure | Syria | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 2.1 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −0.3 /100k — better for Syria |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 26.4 | 35.2 | −8.8 — better for Syria |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.564 | 0.763 | −0.199 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 14.9 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −0.5 /100k — better for Syria |
| Rule of law | 26/100 | 52/100 | −26/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 15/100 | 39/100 | −24/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 32.1 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +12.4 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 7.6/10 | 3.8/10 | +3.8/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Syria | Asia median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 2.1 /100k | 1.5 /100k | +0.5 /100k — better for Asia median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 26.4 | 33.6 | −7.2 — better for Syria |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.564 | 0.771 | −0.207 — better for Asia median |
| Road deaths | 14.9 /100k | 15.3 /100k | −0.4 /100k — better for Syria |
| Rule of law | 26/100 | 52/100 | −26/100 — better for Asia median |
| Corruption perceptions | 15/100 | 37/100 | −22/100 — better for Asia median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 32.1 µg/m³ | 26.7 µg/m³ | +5.4 µg/m³ — better for Asia median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 7.6/10 | 3.6/10 | +4.0/10 — better for Asia median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 14 cities, safest first
- Raqqa57.9 · #4601 worldwide
- As Suwayda57.7 · #4616 worldwide
- Qamishli57.7 · #4618 worldwide
- Al-Hasakah57.7 · #4619 worldwide
- Deir Ez Zor56.6 · #4735 worldwide
- Latakia56.5 · #4739 worldwide
- Manbij56.1 · #4768 worldwide
- Tartus56.0 · #4778 worldwide
- Homs55.8 · #4786 worldwide
- Hama55.2 · #4851 worldwide
- Aleppo54.6 · #4885 worldwide
- Daraa54.4 · #4895 worldwide
- Idlib54.4 · #4898 worldwide
- Damascus52.8 · #5035 worldwide