mGr@ mws~ (m&h)
مغارة موسى (m&h) is a viewpoint in Zabadani, overlooking the area.
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Zabadani
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ℹ️Practical info — Zabadani
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Zabadani is famous for its apple orchards; visiting during the spring blossom season is truly magical.
- Located in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, the town provides a very pleasant and refreshing mountain climate.
- Visit the nearby headwaters of the Barada River, the primary water source for Damascus, for a picnic.
- Weekends can be crowded with day-trippers from the capital; visit during the week for a more peaceful experience.
- The mountain air here is historically regarded as healing and particularly good for the lungs.
🍽 Food
🍽
Zabadani Apples
These are considered the best in Syria; buy them fresh from roadside stands in the valley.
🍽
Charcoal Grilled Chicken
Many local valley restaurants specialize in chicken grilled over open charcoal pits.
🍽
Fresh Walnuts
In the autumn, you can find vendors selling walnuts harvested directly from the local groves.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Roadside Fruit Stands
Found all along the main roads, offering seasonal fruits and homemade preserves.
🛍
Local Honey and Syrups
Look for natural products sourced from the surrounding mountain villages.
🧘
Barada Valley Trails
Away from the main road, you can find quiet paths following the stream through the orchards.
🧘
Mountain Slopes
The higher slopes of the Anti-Lebanon range offer solitude and wide panoramic views.
Water temperature…
Zabadani lies in a closed mountain basin of the Anti-Lebanon range at about 1100 meters above sea level, some 45 kilometers northwest of Damascus on the rail line that once connected the capital with Beirut. The fertile plateau is fed by numerous springs that also form the headwaters of the Barada River supplying Damascus. This abundance of water, the mild climate and the vast orchards of apples, apricots and cherries long made Zabadani the de facto summer capital of Syria, particularly popular with affluent Damascenes and Gulf tourists. The historic narrow-gauge Damascus-Hama-Beirut railway once ran through the valley and partly survives as a technical monument. Local economy is based on apple varieties, spring-water bottling and summer residences. During the civil war the town was heavily damaged and besieged for years, and the return of tourism remains slow and fragile.
- Location: Syria
- Nearby: Bloudan (4 km)
- Population: ~29.549 (2020)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 5 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 11 | 7 |
| Rain mm | 69 | 57 | 29 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 35 | 57 |
Geography
Facts
- Zabadani sits at an average elevation of approximately 1,100 meters.
- The city is nationwide famous for its production of apples and peaches.
- The source of the Barada River is located in the nearby Barada Valley.
- Zabadani is connected to Damascus by a historic railway line.
- The city is located only 45 kilometers northwest of the Syrian capital.
- Historically, the region was a favorite resort area for Arab nobility.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Zabadani (1)
Frequently asked questions
What characterizes Zabadani?
It is known as a summer resort near Damascus with a mild climate.
Is it currently accessible?
No, a visit is not advisable due to conflict damage.
What is the area like?
The city is located in a scenically beautiful mountainous region.
What was the main feature?
The numerous gardens and orchards defined the cityscape.
Which season was best?
Summer was good for escaping the heat in the capital.
Zabadani: where is it located?
Zabadani is located in Syria.
Zabadani: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Zabadani: why is it worth visiting?
Zabadani lies in a closed mountain basin of the Anti-Lebanon range at about 1100 meters above sea level, some 45 kilometers northwest of Damascus on the rail line that once connected the capital with Beirut.
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Monastery of St. Thecla
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Nature
More places
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Wadi Barada is a picturesque mountain valley through which the Barada River flows to supply water to the capital, Damascus.
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Anti-Lebanon Mountains
The Anti-Lebanon Mountains are a rugged mountain range forming a natural barrier between Syria and Lebanon.
Ghouta Oasis
A historically rich agricultural area around Damascus that has supplied the city with fruit and vegetables for millennia.
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Adra Industrial City
A massive industrial complex northeast of Damascus, housing thousands of factories and workshops from various sectors.
Qalamoun Mountains
The Qalamoun Mountains are the northeastern extension of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range and a strategically important mountainous region…