Essentials
- City
- Aleppo, Aleppo Governorate, Syria
- Population
- 2,100,000 (Approximate current residency)
- Internet Speed
- ADSL/Fiber available: 10-20 Mbps average; 4G/LTE is more reliable
- Currency & Banking
- Syrian Pound (SYP); 1 USD ≈ 13,000 SYP (Official Market), 14,500 SYP (Parallel Market)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; bottled water (Baqin or Dreikish) costs 5,000 SYP per 1.5L
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E/L; Note: Severe rationing, 2-4 hours daily (Private 'Ambeir' generators essential)
- SIM Card
- Syriatel or MTN Syria; 20GB data package approx. 150,000 SYP ($11 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- Mainly cash-based; International cards (Visa/Mastercard) do not work due to sanctions
- Accommodation
- Boutique hotels in Old City or modern rentals in Al-Shahbaa
- Cashless Friendly
- No; strictly cash (SYP) for almost all daily transactions
- Short Term Rentals
- Beit Salaheddine (Old City) or Damascus-based agencies like 'Syria Travel'
- Budget Accommodation
- Park Hotel (near Al-Maari Park) - approx. $25 per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al-Jdayde (Christian Quarter) for heritage and restored boutique houses
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al-Shahbaa or Mogambo for better access to private electricity generators and fiber internet
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Shabab Center (Al-Shahbaa) - provides reliable electricity and stable Wi-Fi
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cosmo Cafe (Al-Mogambo) - popular with young professionals; reliable backup power
- Networking Events
- Aleppo Chamber of Industry seminars; NGO meetups in Al-Aziziyah
- Social Events for Expats
- Cultural evenings at the French or Russian cultural centers (limited operations)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bee Taxi (local app) or street-hail yellow taxis (approx 15,000 SYP for short trips)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Informal rentals in Al-Shahbaa; mostly private ownership due to fuel shortages
- Best Beach Nearby
- Latakia/Wadi al-Qandil (approx. 3.5 hours drive from Aleppo)
- Top Regional Airline
- Cham Wings Airlines (flights to Beirut, Dubai, Abu Dhabi)
- Top International Airline
- Syrian Air (limited international connectivity via Damascus)
- Highway Access
- M5 Highway (Connects Aleppo to Hama, Homs, and Damascus)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Aleppo Railway Station (limited service); Al-Ramousah Bus Terminal for intercity travel
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal passes; Microbuses (serveece) cost approx. 1,000 SYP per ride
- Regional Travel
- Pullman buses (Al-Ahliah or Kadmous) to Damascus - approx. 45,000 SYP
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Al-Razi Hospital (Public) or Al-Shahbaa Private Hospital (Modern facilities)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Gym (Al-Shahbaa) offers occasional group sessions and spa services
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Oxygen Gym (Mogambo) - well-equipped with modern weights and cardio
- Laundry Services
- Modern Laundry (Al-Aziziyah) - wash and fold services available
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- YallaGo or local WhatsApp-based delivery services from restaurants
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kibbeh Bil Karaz (Kibbeh with sour cherries) at Al-Hatab Square
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Fairuz Cafe (Al-Jdayde) - excellent Mezze (Hummus, Mutabbal, Fattoush)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Salloura (Al-Muhafaza) - famous for 'Halawet el-Jibn' (Sweet cheese rolls)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Al-Madina Souq (partially restored) for bulk spices and local textiles
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited; mostly local Facebook groups for buying/selling goods
- Grocery Delivery
- Locally coordinated via grocery stores in Al-Mogambo
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Al-Aziziyah and Al-Jdayde have several bars and lounges (e.g., Al-Charchaf)
- Local Brewery
- Al-Sharq Beer (Historical local brand, production fluctuating)
- Wine Bars
- Agia Sophia (Al-Jdayde) - offering Syrian wines from the coast
- Street Food Stalls
- Falafel Al-Rabea in Al-Mogambo - standard sandwich for 7,000 SYP
- Popular International Cuisine
- Chili’s (Al-Shahbaa) for Western-style burgers and appetizers
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Citadel of Aleppo (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Museum of Aleppo (Ancient artifacts and archaeological finds)
- Historical Sites
- Great Mosque of Aleppo (under renovation); Al-Hatab Square
- Religious Sites
- Forty Martyrs Armenian Cathedral (Al-Jdayde)
- Annual Events
- Cotton Festival (re-emerging cultural event in early autumn)
- Cultural Districts
- Al-Jdayde for Christian heritage and Old Aleppo districts
- Theater Venues
- Aleppo Public Theater (occasional Arabic plays and musical performances)
- Local Markets
- Souq Al-Zarb (Textiles and traditional soaps)
- Music Scene
- Al-Turath (Heritage) evenings at old houses; traditional Muwashshahat music
- Street Art
- Various patriotic and reconstruction-themed murals in the city center
- Cooking Classes
- Informal sessions at boutique hotels like Beit Salah
- Art Galleries
- Le Pont Gallery (Contemporary Syrian and regional art)
- Historic Buildings
- Baron Hotel (Oldest hotel in Syria, hosted Agatha Christie)
- Local Heritage
- Ghar Laurel Soap (Traditional handmade olive and laurel oil soap)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Blue Lagoon (local recreation area outside the city)
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Simon (Jabal Simaan) for hiking and Byzantine ruins
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Public Park (Al-Belediye) - large green space for walking
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Citadel ramparts – panoramas of the entire city
- Birdwatching Locations
- Queiq River banks (seasonal migration spotting)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Limited; generally restricted to private family farms in the countryside
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex (limited service) or local bus couriers for domestic shipping
- Tech Repair Services
- Al-Bustam Digital Market (Al-Jameeliyah) for phone and laptop repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Al-Ittihad Club (sports complex for members and guests)
- Language Classes
- Language Institute at Aleppo University (Arabic for foreigners)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Central Library of Aleppo University (Requires student ID or permit)
- Community Centers
- Syrian Society for Social Development (SSSD) centers
- Gaming Lounges
- Level Up Gaming Center (Mogambo) - PC and Console gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Prohibited by law
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 in Al-Shahbaa)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $24,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $30,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,050 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $84,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $450 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $36,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Up to 28% for industrial/commercial entities
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (included in corporate tax framework)
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system for most income; global for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 22% on income over threshold
- VAT
- Generally structured as Consumption Tax (approx 10-15% on luxury items)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No formal CFC regulations currently enforced
- Property Tax
- Annual tax based on rental value assessment (low rates currently)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% to 5% of assessed value during transfer
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; high complexity due to international sanctions