Baniyas

Baniyas is a port city on the Syrian Mediterranean about 55 kilometers south of Lattakia, with an ancient past as a Phoenician settlement and a Byzantine episcopal seat. In the Middle Ages, in the twelfth century, the town was an essential stage on the coastal road and was fiercely contested during the wars for the Crusader states. The nearby Margat fortress (Qalat al-Marqab), one of the most powerful Hospitaller castles, still preserves the architectural memory of these conflicts. In modern Syria the local economy is dominated by oil: Baniyas is the terminus of one of the country's main pipelines bringing crude oil from the east for export and hosts the largest refinery in Syria, alongside a major thermal power plant. The old town remains small but characteristic, with mosques, churches and a traditional harbor.

Nearby cities

Tartus

Tartus is the second most important port city of Syria and a major center for trade and tourism on the Mediterranean coast.

Safita

Safita is a city in the Tartus Governorate built on three hills and known for its Crusader fortress.

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Al-Hishe

A coastal area in the Tartus Governorate of Syria, known for its vacation resorts and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.

Ain az-Zarqa

A picturesque coastal village in Tartus Governorate, known for its natural freshwater spring right by the sea.

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Hamidiyah Beach

A coastal town south of Tartus founded by Cretan Muslims, known for its unique culture and sandy beaches.

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Kafroun

An idyllic village in Tartus Governorate, known for its religious significance and natural beauty.

Mashta al-Helou

A popular Christian mountain resort near Tartus, known for its pleasant climate.

History & landmarks

Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa

An outstanding example of Crusader Romanesque architecture, which today houses the National Museum of Tartus.

Arwad Citadel

A massive island fortress off the Syrian coast that was the last bastion of the Crusaders in the Middle East before their fall.

Nature

Al-Sinn River

The short but water-rich Al-Sinn River flows into the Mediterranean Sea and is crucial for coastal irrigation.

More places

Baniyas Refinery

One of Syria's largest oil refineries on the Mediterranean coast, central to the country's energy supply.

Margat Castle

A black basalt fortress of the Knights Hospitaller resting on an extinct volcano overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Tartus Olive Groves

The hills and plains in the Tartus Governorate are covered with centuries-old olive trees that provide high-quality oil.

Port of Tartus

The second largest Syrian port, which, in addition to commercial goods, hosts a strategically important Russian naval base.

Amrit

An ancient Phoenician excavation site near the coast, featuring a unique rock-cut temple that was surrounded by a pool of water.

Jabal al-Nabi Matta

A forested mountainous area valued for its natural beauty and as a habitat for numerous animal and plant species.