Syria : Safety by CityAleppo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world; it may have been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.
For the past eight years, Syria has currently been experiencing an ongoing civil war, which had made more than a thousand people citizens being killed or severely injured.
Travel to Syria (including Aleppo), by all means, is discouraged in the strongest possible terms.
Aleppo is a city in Syria, serving as the capital of the Aleppo governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate.
With an official population of 4.6 million in 2010, Aleppo was the largest Syrian city before the Syrian Civil War; now Aleppo is the second-largest city in Syria after the capital Damascus.
Warnings & Dangers in Aleppo
OVERALL RISK: HIGH
The city is one of the most unsafe in Syria. Given all the decline due to the war in Aleppo, the high crime rate and all the actions of residents are criminal. However, the main danger comes from the military conflict in the country.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
Safe transport practically does not exist here, and if you move on your transport, it will also be unsafe. Drivers here ignore traffic signs. You need to move around the city with extreme caution.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
In connection with the devastation from the war, poverty is rampant in the city, and there are certainly pickpockets. However, they are unlikely to bother you. In any case, keep your belongings with you and do not leave them unattended.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Apart from human-made disasters, floods and earthquakes may be in the Aleppo region. However, they are not often here. Study the environment in advance to avoid natural disasters while visiting the city.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Due to the military situation, major robberies and theft are not common here. In case of armed robbery, give everything that is required of you, do not conflict with the robber.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
The risk of terrorism is very high in the Aleppo region. It is unlikely that you will find a place more prone to terrorist attacks than this city. In this regard, the city needs to be especially careful, adhere to curfews, and cooperate with the military.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Scams can happen; however, this is not the most common occurrence here. Be careful if you ask to take you somewhere by taxi; fraud with travel prices is possible.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
In Aleppo, women are not recommended to be alone. As a matter of fact, in general, tourists now have no place here. Lonely female travelers, most likely, will quickly become a target for terrorists and local.
So... How Safe Is Aleppo Really?
Aleppo should not be considered a safe destination for any travel due to the Syrian civil war and active landmines.
The index of crime is very high here.
Even before the civil war in Syria, Aleppo was a fairly conservative city.
Anyone should have been dressed appropriately to avoid any problems and to avoid standing out too much.
Men should wear shirts and trousers and women should not wear anything too revealing.
Headscarves are not necessary unless you want to enter a mosque.
Many buildings in the city, particularly in the Salaheddin neighborhood and surrounding areas, have been damaged severely by the civil war.
Buildings can collapse, often with deadly consequences.
Stay away from buildings that have sustained substantial damage or look structurally unstable.
There are a lot of military men in the city; on the one hand, it can provide a certain amount of security while you are near them.
About 20% of Aleppo is destroyed or damaged, but the city center is mostly unharmed.
US Department of State does not recommend travel to Aleppo due to terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.
The destruction of infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, and power and water utilities has also increased hardships for travelers.
It is really not safe to travel to Aleppo nowadays.
How Does Aleppo Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Aleppo | 28 |
| Damascus | 39 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
| Montreal (Canada) | 81 |
| Sydney (Australia) | 80 |
| Santiago de Chile (Chile) | 71 |
| Vienna (Austria) | 88 |
| Hong Kong (China) | 70 |
Useful Information
Visas
All countries do need a visa to visit Aleppo. Visa must be obtained from one of the Syrian diplomatic missions in advance. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Syrian embassy for further information.
Currency
The Syrian pound or Syrian lira is an official currency of Syria and is issued by the Central Bank of Syria. The pound is subdivided into 100 qirshes, although coins in qirsh are no longer mattered. The standard abbreviation for the Syrian pound is SYP.
Weather
The average temperatures in Aleppo are varying high. With humidity, temperatures feel very nice much of the year, but it's hot in the summer and cold in the winter with a meager chance of rain or snow throughout the year.
Airports
Aleppo International Airport is an international airport serving Aleppo, Syria. It located 9 km from the city. The airport used to serve as a secondary hub for Syrian Air. Aleppo International Airport has a modern terminal which combines a modern and Islamic architecture. The total area is 38,000 square meters over four floors. The airport capacity is 1.7 million passengers a year.
Travel Insurance
The medical travel insurance is required for travelers in any country as well as Syria. On the border, any traveler may be asked by a customs officer to show insurance.
Aleppo Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 11 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 30 | 34 | 37 | 37 | 34 | 28 | 19 | 12 |
| Low °C | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 14 | 7 | 3 |
| High °F | 52 | 55 | 64 | 73 | 86 | 93 | 99 | 99 | 93 | 82 | 66 | 54 |
| Low °F | 36 | 37 | 43 | 50 | 59 | 66 | 72 | 72 | 66 | 57 | 45 | 37 |
Syria - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Aleppo | 28 |
| Damascus | 39 |
Exercise caution
Unfortunately the whole craziness that is happening in Syria has deterred me from traveling to Aleppo again anytime soon. If you plan to visit this city I would check the safety recommendation before booking a trip, even before boarding the plane, as things move quite fast there.
The first time I was there I took the bus from Damascus to Aleppo. Be warned, there will be a lot of military checkpoints on the road but that is to be expected, they need to keep everything in check.
Since you’re visiting a former war zone, caution, respect and empathy are essential. Visit the local spots as usual but avoid opening painful and unwanted conversations.
These people are doing the best they can to survive and to find a glimmer of hope through the rubble that’s around them so if you can, support them, Leave a tip, buy souvenirs, whatever you can, everything matters.
In the Old City you will find areas where things are slowly being rebuilt but a big part of the city is unscathed. Walking around the town you will feel a deep contrast between the remains of the conflict and the people that are just passing by.
I stayed at the Aleppo Palace Hotel, a hotel that has been in renovations quite a lot. It’s affordable, close to the square and the hotel staff is just lovely, friendly and eager to help.
All the women I saw were dressed appropriately, with no skin showing so I’m guessing this is the norm, Aleppo being quite a conservative city.
If you follow the protocol and the recommendations available on your country’s embassy website you will be fine. This is not the type of city you can explore while mindlessly looking at your phone. Be careful and enjoy your time there.