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Tartus
ℹ️Practical info — Tartus
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Take a short boat trip to Arwad Island, Syria's only inhabited island, located just off the coast.
- Stroll along the Corniche in the evening when locals gather to enjoy the sunset breeze.
- Visit the Cathedral of Tartus, a memorable example of Crusader architecture that now houses the National Museum.
- Tartus is famous for fresh seafood; look for restaurants directly at the harbor for the best catch of the day.
- Explore the narrow alleys of the old city, tucked within the ancient fortress walls.
🍽 Food
Try this specialty in the seafood restaurants located right along the harbor.
A spiced fish and rice dish with caramelized onions, a staple of the Syrian coast.
Sold by street vendors along the Corniche, excellent for a refreshing walk.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
A bustling place early in the morning to see the local Mediterranean catch.
Good for finding local textiles and traditional laurel soaps from the surrounding region.
The coastal stretches south of the city are generally quieter and less crowded than the Corniche.
The shaded corners of the island's ancient fort offer a peaceful escape from the busy island alleys.
Water temperature…
Tartus is the second port of Syria after Lattakia and lies on a Mediterranean bay opposite the small island of Arwad, the only inhabited island of the country. In antiquity it was the city of Antaradus, and in the Middle Ages the Crusaders turned it into a major stronghold under the name of Tortosa, whose remains are still embedded in the massive walls of the old town. The former Templar Cathedral of Our Lady, a sturdy Romanesque and early Gothic building, today houses an archaeological museum and is one of the best-preserved Crusader monuments in the Levant. Since the late twentieth century the modern port also hosts a Russian naval facility. Economically, Tartus combines its port functions with tourism along the surrounding beaches and coastal mountains, and serves as a gateway to the Christian hinterland with monasteries such as Saidnaya and the limestone communities of the coastal range.
- Location: Syria
- Top sights: Mar Danial Church For Greek Orthodox · The Baptist Evangelical Church in Tartous
- Nearby: Al-Hishe (11 km)
- Population: ~458.327 (2026)
Geography
Facts
- Tartus is located directly opposite the inhabited island of Arwad.
- The Cathedral of Tartus is one of the best-preserved Crusader buildings.
- The city is home to a significant Russian naval facility.
- Historically, Tartus was known as Tortosa, a major Templar stronghold.
- It is the second-largest seaport in Syria on the Mediterranean coast.
- The Tartus coastline is a popular destination for its sandy beaches.
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Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Tartus (2)
Frequently asked questions
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