Revolut Logo
Revolut Ultra offers premium banking with global perks like lounge access, data, subscriptions, and insurance, ideal for frequent travelers.

Lounge access & subscriptions.

Affiliate disclosure

Latakia, Syria 🇸🇾
#683 ,

Nomad Score: 42%

Essentials

🏙️ City Latakia is a coastal city in Syria, lying on the Mediterranean Sea. It serves as the capital of the Latakia Governorate and is known for its beautiful beaches and Mediterranean climate.
👥 Population Approximately 400,000 residents.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 5-20 Mbps, but can vary based on location and provider.
💸 Currency & Banking Currency is the Syrian Pound (SYP). 1 EUR ≈ 10,000 SYP, 1 USD ≈ 9,000 SYP.
🚰 Tap Water Tap water is generally not considered safe to drink; bottled water is recommended.
🔌 Power Electricity is 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets.
📶 SIM Card Major mobile providers include Syriatel and MTN Syria, offering prepaid SIM cards widely.
💳 Banking for Expats Some banks in Latakia accept foreign cards, but it is advisable to use cash for most transactions.
🛌 Accommodation Options range from local apartments to hotels. Airbnb is becoming more popular.
💳 Cashless Friendly Not very cashless friendly; cash transactions are preferred.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Available through platforms like Airbnb and local rental agencies.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel-style lodging options like Al-Badia Hotel offer affordable rates starting at approximately 15,000 SYP per night.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The city center near the waterfront is preferred by tourists.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Areas near the coast, such as the Al-Assad area, are suitable for longer stays with some coworking options.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Currently, there are no established coworking spaces; some cafes offer conducive environments for remote work.
Best Cafe for Work Café Damas offers good Wi-Fi and a pleasant ambiance for working.
💼 Networking Events Events are limited; however, social media groups for expats can offer networking opportunities.
🥂 Social Events for Expats The local expat community is small, and events are typically organized through social media platforms.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Careem is the most popular ride-sharing app available in Latakia.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bicycle rentals are not widely available but some locals may offer rentals.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby The main beach, Al Rasheed, is the most popular, located 10 minutes from the city center.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Syrian Airlines offers limited domestic flights.
✈️ Top International Airline Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways offer flights connecting through other cities.
🛣️ Highway Access Main highway access includes the M5 highway linking to Damascus.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Latakia's bus terminal is the main hub for regional transport.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Public transport operates mainly through buses and microbuses; passes are not commonly used.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses and shared taxis are available for travel to nearby cities.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Al-Assad University Hospital is the main healthcare facility in Latakia.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga classes are available at some private gyms; options are limited.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Gyms like Al Hayat Fitness Center offer workout facilities.
🧺 Laundry Services Local laundromats are available, with services priced at around 5,000 SYP per kg.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Boost is a popular local food delivery app.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Try 'Samak Mashwi', a popular grilled fish dish unique to the region.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Local vegetarian options are limited; most restaurants serve a mix of meat and vegetarian dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Bakeries like Sweet Tooth offer traditional Syrian desserts like Baklava.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Lebanon Street serves as a marketplace with fresh produce and local goods.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Local online stores tend to be limited; most purchases are done in physical shops.
🛒 Grocery Delivery While deliveries are limited, some local stores offer delivery services.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Abu Nidal Street is known for local bars and nightlife.
🍻 Local Brewery Craft beer culture is minimal; local beverages are mainly traditional.
🍷 Wine Bars Wine bars are scarce; local wines are traditionally served in restaurants.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street vendors along the Corniche offer local snacks like falafel and shawarma.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Pizzerias and local Chinese restaurants serve international options.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Citadel of Salah al-Din, a historic hilltop fortress, and the seaside Corniche.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues The Museum of Latakia showcases local history and artifacts.
🏰 Historical Sites Visit ancient ruins such as Ugarit, known for its archaeological significance.
🕍 Religious Sites The Al-Sayida Zainab Mosque is a prominent religious site in the city.
🎉 Annual Events Local fairs and markets occur seasonally, especially during the summer.
🎨 Cultural Districts Old Latakia features traditional architecture and local crafts.
🎭 Theater Venues Local theaters occasionally host cultural performances but are limited in scope.
🛍️ Local Markets The Al-Attar souk is a bustling market for spices and local goods.
🎼 Music Scene Local cafes sometimes feature traditional music nights.
🎨 Street Art visible street art can be found in various neighborhoods, reflecting local culture.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Some local chefs offer informal cooking classes in traditional Syrian cuisine.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Limited art galleries exist, but local artisans display their work at markets.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The ancient port and its watchtowers remain important historic landmarks.
🏴 Local Heritage Latakia's heritage includes the blending of various ancient civilizations.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes The coastal areas and nature reserves near Latakia provide excellent hiking opportunities.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby The mountainous regions nearby offer nature parks, such as Qadmus National Park.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Scenic coastal paths are available for walking and cycling along the coast.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The top of the Citadel provides stunning views of the city and the Mediterranean.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Wetlands near Al-Ahrash are known for birdwatching during migratory seasons.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Designated beach areas along the coast allow bonfires during summer evenings.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL offers international parcel delivery services from Latakia.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local shops provide basic tech repair; check near the city center.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Few recreational centers have table tennis; check gyms for available facilities.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Private tutors offer language lessons; inquire at local community centers.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Local libraries and cafes provide spaces to study.
🏘️ Community Centers Community events are hosted at various local cultural centers.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Few gaming lounges are available; visit internet cafes for online gaming.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Gambling is illegal in Syria, and no casinos operate in Latakia.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. 500,000 SYP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 20,000,000 SYP)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. 300,000 SYP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 12,000,000 SYP)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. 700,000 SYP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 42,000,000 SYP)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. 400,000 SYP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 24,000,000 SYP)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. 600,000 SYP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 48,000,000 SYP)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. 350,000 SYP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 28,000,000 SYP)
💼 Corporate Tax Standard corporate tax rate is around 15%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax Commonly at 10%.
🏦 Tax System Syria operates a progressive tax system for residents.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket Maximum personal income tax rate is around 22%.
🧾 VAT Standard Value Added Tax rate is 10%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules CFC rules are not heavily enforced.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax rates vary based on location and property values.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Typically, 5% on property transactions.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Digital nomads can operate with minimal taxation depending on residency.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.