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Syria

Syria (الجمهوريّة العربيّة السّوريّة Al-Jumhuriya al-`Arabiya as-Suriya, the Syrian Arab Republic) is a country in the Middle East. Rich in history, the capital, Damascus, is the world's oldest continuously inhabited city, and the country has been the site of numerous empires.

Since 2011, the country has been torn apart by a brutal civil war. This aside, the country offers numerous attractions and some daring travellers have been able to visit Syria without hesitation.

Regions
Syria has 14 governorates, but the following conceptual division used to make more sense for travelers:

Cities

 * — the capital claimed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world
 * — a once-great ancient citadel with great views, much of Aleppo has been destroyed by fighting in the Syrian Civil War. Once the heart of Syria's Armenian community, but it is unknown how many remain after the Syrian Civil War.
 * — a desert town on the Euphrates River bank.
 * — known for its famous waterwheels.
 * — an ancient city by the Orontes river, amazing green mountains in Spring.
 * — a major port city, Saladin's Castle, Fronloq Forests and Al Samra Beach near Kasab.
 * — a historical port city and historical small island called Arwad.
 * — former capital of ISIS's self-proclaimed caliphate

Other destinations

 * — a former Roman city that once housed about half a million people. Apamea was hit by an earthquake in the 12th century and much of it was destroyed but it still boasts a long street lined with columns, some of which have twisted fluting.
 * — a Roman city in southern Syria close to the Jordan border noted for the use of black basalt stones and its well preserved theatre
 * — a series of towns that once formed part of Antioch. They have long since been abandoned but make an interesting stop for tourists. Al Bara boasts pyramidal tombs and formerly grand archways set on modern farm land. Serjilla is another famous dead city.
 * — not a tourist site, but an active Christian monastery actively promoting Islamic/Christian dialogue. Welcomes Christians and followers of other religious traditions. It is 80 km north of Damascus.
 * — the archetypal Crusader castle, magnificently preserved and not to be missed
 * — formerly held the once-magnificent ruins of a Roman city, in the middle of the desert. Once considered the main attraction in Syria, the UNESCO-listed heritage site was severely damaged by Daesh extremists in 2015. Restoration and de-mining is underway as of 2019.
 * — a quiet gem in a valley with pine trees about 37 km inland from Latakia
 * — Salamieh is an ancient city which was first known during Babylonian times in 3500 BC; contains Shmemis castle, Greek temple of Zeus, the old hammam, the old walls, remains of Roman canals

History
Syria was known as Aram in ancient times, and was one of the great civilizations of the Fertile Crescent. Later, Damascus was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate during the early days of the Islamic Golden Age, and Aleppo was one of the most important cities for the Silk Route in the Ottoman Empire. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, following World War I, France was given a League of Nations mandate over Syria. Shortly following its independence after World War II in 1945, Syria participated in the first war against the newly independent Israel in 1948. It participated in subsequent wars with the Jewish state in 1967, as a result of which it lost most of the Golan Heights, and 1973.

The President of Syria is Bashar al-Assad, who replaced his father, Hafez al-Assad, soon after his death on 10 June 2000. Having studied to become an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) in Damascus and London, Bashar was groomed for the presidency after the 1994 car accident of his elder brother Basil. Consequently, he joined the army and became a colonel in 1999. Bashar's modernizing credentials were somewhat boosted by his role in a domestic anti-corruption drive, and he began his rule with increased openness. Bashar's position as head of the Syrian state rests on his presidency of the Ba'ath Party and his role as commander-in-chief of the army.

Assad's regime and the Ba'ath Party own or control most of Syria's media. Criticism of the president and his family is not permitted, and the press (both foreign and domestic) is heavily censored for material deemed threatening or embarrassing to the government. A brief period of relative press freedom arose after Bashar became president in 2000 and saw the licensing of the first private publications in almost 40 years. A later crackdown, however, imposed various restrictions regarding licensing and content. In a more relaxed manner (perhaps since these matters are largely beyond possible government control), many Syrians have gained access to foreign television broadcasts (usually via satellite) and the three state-run networks. In 2002 the government set out conditions for licensing private, commercial FM radio stations, ruling simultaneously that radio stations could not broadcast news or political content.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, which was part of the Arab Spring that attempted to topple authoritarian leaders across the Arab world and transform the Arab countries into liberal democracies. Since then, numerous armed rebel groups backed by the United States and its allies have been waging a war against Assad's government, which is backed by Iran and Russia, and many parts of the country remain outside government control. Russian intervention on Assad's side since 2015 has brought more than half the country back under government control.

Syria's population has fallen from 21.9 million people in 2009 to 18.3 million in 2017 (UN estimates). About 4½ million are concentrated in the Damascus governorate. A moderately large country (185,180 km2 or 72,150 sq miles), Syria is situated centrally within the Middle East region and has land borders with Turkey in the north, with Israel and Lebanon in the south, and with Iraq and Jordan in the east and south-east respectively.

The population of Syria is predominantly Arab (90%), with significant minorities of other ethnic groups: Kurds, Armenians, Circassians, and Turks. The official language is Arabic, but other tongues that are occasionally understood include Kurdish, Armenian, Turkish, French, and English. The Syrian Republic is officially secular. Nonetheless, it is greatly influenced by the majority religion of Islam (80% of the population, split between 64% Sunni Muslim and 16% other Muslim, Alawites, and Druze). There is a significant Christian minority that amounts to about 10% of the population. Syria historically had a significant Jewish community, but most of the Syrian Jews were resettled in the United States in the 1990s in exchange for sanctions relief by the U.S., and the last Jews fled Syria for Israel with the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War.

As of 2023, most of the Arab countries have restored, or are in the process of restoring diplomatic relations with Syria. Syria was re-admitted into the Arab League in May 2023, in a move criticized harshly by the United States and its Western allies.

Tourist information

 * Offices: Damascus: 2323953, Damascus Int'l Airport: 2248473, Aleppo: 2121228, Daraa (Jordanian-Syrian border gate): 239023, Latakia: 216924, Palmyra (Tadmur): 910636, Deir-az-Zur: 358990
 * Ministry of Tourism website

Entry requirements
Visas are needed for most individual travelers. These are available in 6-month (single/multiple entries), 3-month (single), and 15-day (land borders only) versions. Citizens of Arab countries do not require a visa, except unaccompanied Moroccan women below 40 years old. In addition, Malaysian, Turkish, and Iranian citizens do not require visas.

Getting visas in advance is expensive and confusing. Americans are required to apply in advance at the Syrian embassy in Washington DC, even if they live elsewhere, and pay US$131 or €100. Most other travelers, though, can get them anywhere, a popular choice being Istanbul (Turkey), where they are generally issued within one day for €20 (Canadian citizens) or €30 (EU citizens). A "letter of recommendation" stating that your consulate has "no objection" to your visit to Syria may be required. The visa issued must have two stamps and a signature. Otherwise, the visa is considered invalid, and you will be turned back at the border. It is necessary to keep the blue arrival form, as travelers must submit it upon departure.

Official policy says that if your country has a Syrian embassy or consulate, you should apply for your visa in advance. Most nationals must apply for a Syrian visa in the country where they are a citizen. Alternatively, a foreign national may apply for a Syrian visa from a Syrian Consulate in a country other than their own if they hold a residency visa valid for at least six months for the country in which they are applying. There are very few exceptions to this rule. In practice, it is possible to obtain a visa at the border for most nationals.

As of June 2024, Syria has introduced e-visas (you must register on the website to access this option). This should considerably streamline the process, but there are reports of the system suffering from "teething problems", with the website going down from time to time, and applicants being denied visas for no obvious reason. It remains to be seen if and when this will improve.

By land
Every national can get a visa at the border, regardless of whether it is not officially written or recommended. But do not buy a bus ticket to take you across the border. They will always leave you there because it takes 2-10 hours for US citizens, and they will not tell you that in advance when purchasing the bus ticket. Buy a ticket to the border via minibus/shared taxi (servees), then do the same when you get to the other side. US citizens cost US$16 or €12, while others are more costly. Japanese are US$12-14 or €9-11, Singaporeans are US$33 or €25, Australians/New Zealanders are about US$100 or €75.99, and Swiss are US$63 or €47.88. They only take US dollars or euros. You may only receive a 15-day single-entry tourist visa and must go through this process if you ever re-enter Syria. When you exit Syria, you will have to buy/pay an exit card for about US$12 or €9.15.

If going by land and you are planning to get a visa on the border, bring US dollars, euros, or Syrian pounds. Other foreign currencies will not get a reasonable exchange rate, and there are no credit/debit card facilities at most crossings. Traveler's checks are also not accepted.

American citizens need to beware of sanctions on Syria. While traveling and spending money in Syria is permitted, you may not fly with Syrian Arab Airlines. More importantly, many US banks err on the safe side and ban all business with Syria. Some credit or ATM cards may not work, although many Americans today experience little problems. Be wary, however, as some travelers have had their bank account access frozen, regardless of whether or not they informed their bank of travel to Syria.

Due to the conflict, various areas of Syria are not under the control of the Syrian central government. Areas near Turkey are under the control of Kurdish and rebel forces. Foreigners will not be allowed to cross these borders, and Turkey/Syria borders are generally closed now because of the conflict. From the Kurdish Region of Iraq, people cross over the river into Syria at Faith Khabour. However, the crossing is only for humanitarian workers, and non-aid workers may not be allowed to travel.

By plane
Syria has two functioning international airports: Damascus International Airport, 35 km (22 miles) southeast of the capital and Bassel al-Assad International Airport , south of Latakia, the main sea port of the country. Due to the ongoing civil war, most airlines have suspended service to these airports. As Syria's airports are frequent targets for Israeli missile strikes, flights often have to be cancelled at short notice when the strikes render the runways unusable.

Upon arrival, a free entry visa can be delivered to almost all travellers if they are being received by a local travel agency. Call the Syrian Embassy in your home country for more information.

Syria levies a departure tax (~US$13) at land and sea borders. Airport departure tax is included in the ticket price, and airlines will put a manual stamp on your boarding pass.

One of the practical and reasonable ways to enter Syria from Turkey is to take a domestic flight to Gaziantep and then taxi to Aleppo through Oncupinar border-gate in Kilis. The journey takes around 2 hours including custom formalities. The fare is US$60, per car with max 4 and one way. Taxis holding licence can be arranged in Kilis or Gaziantep. Turkcan Turizm, 0348 822 3313

By train
As of 2020, all international and most domestic trains have been suspended indefinitely. Former international routes included the historical Toros Express from Istanbul to Aleppo and an overnight train from Tehran to Damascus.

By bus
Buses run from Turkey, with frequent connections from Antakya (Hatay). You can also travel by bus from Jordan & Lebanon. Buses to Damascus run from Beirut.

When arriving in Damascus by bus, move away from the bus terminal to find a taxi to the town center. Otherwise, you risk paying several times the going rate, as cars posing as taxis operate next to the terminal.

This is usually a two-person operation, with one person trying to distract you while the driver puts your suitcase into the trunk of the "taxi" and locks it.

By car
When traveling from Lebanon, service taxis (which follow a fixed route only, usually from one bus station to another) are a convenient way to reach Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Aleppo, or other Syrian towns. A shared service taxi from Beirut to Damascus will cost about US$17 per person, based on four people sharing the same taxi. You will have to pay for every seat if you want a private taxi. In most cases, buying a Syrian visa before leaving home is necessary, often costing about US$130 or less, depending on the country of residency. It's possible to obtain a free entry visa for tourists if being received by a local Travel Agency. It is also possible to arrive by car from Turkey. A private taxi from Gaziantep Airport (Turkey) will cost about US$60.

Service taxis run from Daraa across the Jordanian border to Ramtha; from there, microbuses are available to Irbid and Amman -- the stop in Daraa permits a side trip to Bosra, with UNESCO-recognised Roman theater and ruins.

By boat

 * The nearest car ferry port is Bodrum in Turkey.
 * Occasional passenger ferries run between Latakia and Limassol, Cyprus. This service has come and gone over the years. Confirm that the departure will occur with Varianos Travel before making plans to incorporate this route.
 * Latakia and Tartous serve as ports of call for several Mediterranean cruise lines.

By taxi
The taxis (usually yellow, always clearly marked) quickly get around Damascus, Aleppo, and other cities. Arabic would be helpful: most taxi drivers do not speak English. All licensed taxis carry meters, and it is best to insist that the driver put the meter on and watch it stay on. Most drivers expect to haggle prices with foreign travelers rather than use the meter. Private cab services (which advertise prominently at the airport) charge substantially more.

However, there is also a bus from Baramkeh station to the airport.

By car
Visitors can rent cars at various Sixt, Budget, and Europcar locations. Cham Tours (formerly Hertz) has an office next to the Cham Palace Hotel, which offers competitive rates starting at about US$50 per day, including tax, insurance, and unlimited kilometers.

Sixt Rent a Car at the Four Seasons Hotel has rates starting from US$40 per day (all-inclusive).

If you have never driven in Syria before, take a taxi first to get a first-hand idea of what traffic is like. Especially in Damascus and Aleppo, near-constant congestion, a very aggressive driving style, bad roads, and highly dubious quality of road signs make driving there an exciting experience, so err on the side of caution when traveling.

The only road rule that might come in handy is that, as opposed to most of the rest of the world, in roundabouts, the entering cars have the right of way, and the vehicles already in the roundabout have to wait. Aside from that, motorists are pretty free to do as they please.

If you have an accident in a rental car, you must obtain a police report, no matter how small the damage or clear it is who is at fault – otherwise, you will be liable for the damage. Police (road police No:115) probably will only be able to speak Arabic, so try to make other drivers help you and call your rental agency.

Gasoline/petrol (marked as "Super," red stands) costs about double diesel (green stand). Suppose you run out of fuel (try to avoid it), which is relatively easy wherever the eastern Damascus-Aleppo highway or mountains western from it, you can find some locals willing to sell you a few liters from a canister. Remember that prices may be high. Usually, gas stations are only in bigger towns and major crossroads in the desert, so try to refuel whenever you can.

By microbus
The microbuses (locally called servees or meecro) are little white vans carrying ten passengers around cities on set routes. The destinations are written on the front of the microbus in Arabic. Usually, the passenger sitting behind the driver deals with the money. You can ask the driver to stop anywhere along his route.

Often, microbuses will do longer routes, for example, to surrounding villages around Damascus and Aleppo or from Homs to Tadmor or Krak des Chevaliers. They are often more uncomfortable and crowded than the larger buses, but cheaper. Especially for shorter distances, they usually have more frequent departures than buses.

By bus or coach
Air-conditioned coaches are one of the easy ways to make longer hauls around Syria, for example, the trip from Damascus to Palmyra. Coaches are a cheap, fast and reliable way to get around the country; however, when they exist, the schedules are not to be trusted. For the busy routes, it's best to go to the coach station when you want to leave and catch the next coach, you'll have to wait a bit, but most of the time, it's less of a chore than finding out when the best coach will be leaving, and then often finding it's late.

By train
As of early 2020, rail transport in Syria is limited to a twice-daily service between the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartous and a commuter service in Aleppo. All long-distance services connected to Damascus, Aleppo, Deir-az-Zur, Al-Hassakeh, Al-Qamishli, and many other cities are canceled indefinitely. Rehabilitation is, however, underway in some sections.

The summer-only excursion steam train in Damascus, which travels to Al-Zabadani in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains and back, resumed operation in 2017. The train is popular with locals trying to escape the summer heat.

By bicycle
While traveling by bicycle may not be for everyone, and Syria is by no means a cycle tourist's paradise, there are definite advantages. Syria is a good size for cycling, and accommodation is frequent enough that even a budget traveler can get away with "credit card" touring (though in the case of Syria, it might be better to refer to it as fat-wad-of-cash touring). There are sites one can not get to with public transportation, like the Dead Cities, and the people are amiable, often inviting a tired cyclist for a break, cup of tea, meal, or night's accommodation. The problem of children throwing stones at cyclists or running behind the bicycle begging for candy and pens (such as in parts of Morocco) does not seem to have appeared in Syria. Locals, young and old alike, will be inquisitive about your travels and your bicycle, and if you stop in a town, you can expect a large crowd to gather for friendly banter about where you are from and your trip.

Wild camping is relatively easy in Syria. The biggest challenge is not finding a place for your tent but picking a spot where locals will not wander by and try to convince you to return to their home. Olive groves and other orchards can make a good spot for your tent, except on a rainy day when the mud will make life difficult. Another option is to ask to pitch your tent in a private garden or beside an official post like a police station. You will unlikely be refused as long as you can get your message across. A letter in Arabic explaining your trip will help with communication.

Syria's standard of driving skills is inadequate, and other road users tend to drive very aggressively. They seem used to seeing slow-moving traffic and usually give plenty of room as they pass. Motorcycles are the most significant danger as their drivers like to pull up alongside cyclists to chat or fly by your bike to look at the strange traveler and then perform a U-turn in the middle of the road to return home. The safest option, in this case, is to stop, talk for a few minutes and then carry on.

Finding good maps tends to be another problem. You should bring a map with you as good maps are hard to find in Syria. Free ones are available from the tourist bureaus but could be better for cycle touring. Even foreign-produced maps can contain errors or roads that don't exist, making excursions from the main route challenging. When you come to a crossroads, asking several locals for the right road is a good idea. With good maps, it can be easy to avoid riding on the main highway, which, while safe enough (a good wide shoulder exists on almost all the highways), is not very pleasant due to the smokey trucks and uninteresting scenery.

You should think about bringing a water filter or water treatment tablets with you. Bottled water is only sometimes available in smaller towns. Finding local water is easy. Tall metal water coolers in many town centers dispense free local water, always available near mosques. The Syrian word for water is pronounced like the English word “my” (as in “that is my pen”) with a slight A afterward, and if you ask at any shop or home for water, they will happily refill your bottles.

Talk
Arabic is the official language. It is always a good idea to know some words ("hello," "thank you," etc.). A surprising number of people speak at least (very) rudimentary English. Learning basic numbers in Arabic to negotiate taxi fares would be worth your while. Personnel working with foreign tourists (like tourist hotels, restaurants, tour guides, etc.) generally communicate reasonably well in English. Educated senior citizens usually speak French, a legacy of French colonial rule in Syria.

Syria is also a multi-ethnic country, so in some areas, you might hear other languages such as Kurdish, Armenian and Aramaic.

Due to the general lack of ability by the public to communicate in English beyond basic phrases, Syria is a great place to force yourself to learn Arabic through immersion, should you wish to improve your Arabic skill.

See

 * Ancient cities such as Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra, Crac des Chevaliers and Bosra including Medieval souqs.
 * In Hama there are the Al Aasi Water Wheels in a river (نواعير نهر العاصي).
 * Al Hosn Castle in Homs.
 * Qala'at Samaan (Basilica of St Simeon Stylites) about 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Aleppo and the oldest surviving Byzantine church, dating back to the 5th century. This church is popularly known as either Qalaat Semaan (Arabic: قلعة سمعان Qalʿat Simʿān), the 'Fortress of Simeon', or Deir Semaan (Arabic: دير سمعان Dayr Simʿān), the 'Monastery of Simeon'.
 * Tartous with its Crusader-era Templar fortress
 * The Yarmouk Valley
 * Endless desert and countryside in much of the country
 * Mountain ranges in the west of the country

Money
Syria's currency unit is the Syrian pound or 'lira.' You will see a variety of notations used locally: £S, LS or S£, Arabic: الليرة السورية al-līra as-sūriyya, but Wikivoyage uses the ISO currency code SYP immediately prefixing the amount in our guides. The pound's subdivision 'piastre' is obsolete.

Coins of Syria are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 Syrian pounds. Banknotes of Syria are issued in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 Syrian pounds.

The black market rate for U.S. dollars is volatile. As of 3 January 2024, it was SYP 14,500 for US$1. Hard currencies such as U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, or euro can not be bought legally; the black market is the only source of foreign currencies available to Syrian businessmen, students, and the very many who wish to escape abroad. The maximum foreign currency amount that can be exported legally is a remarkably generous US$3,000 equivalent per year for each traveler. Any amount over US$3,000 risks confiscation by the authorities and time in jail. There are restrictions on the export of Syrian currency of a maximum of SYP2,500 per person.

Because of high inflation and political instability, amounts expressed in Syrian pounds in these guides are subject to significant change.

Due to international sanctions, some foreign financial institutions have suspended transactions with Syria, including MasterCard and Visa, and bank cards operating under the Cirrus, Maestro, and Plus transaction networks. It is nearly impossible to change travelers' checks in Syria. Even logging into a banking website or mobile application while in Syria could lead to your account being blocked, at least temporarily.

Shopping
An international student card reduces the entry fees to many tourist sites to 10% of the regular price if you are younger than 26 years. Depending on who is checking your card, you can get the reduction when you are older than 26 or have only an expired card. It is possible to buy an international student card in Syria (around US$15). Ask around discreetly.

In the souks (especially the Al-Hamidiyah Souq in the Old City of Damascus, where you can easily "get lost" for a whole morning or afternoon without getting bored), the best buys are the "nargileh" waterpipes, Koran, beautifully lacquered boxes and chess/draughts sets and (particularly in Aleppo) olive soap and traditional sweets. The quality of handicrafts varies widely, so when buying lacquered/inlaid boxes, run your hand over the surface to see that it is smooth and check, in particular, the hinges. In the souq, haggling is expected. Bargain ruthlessly.

Syrian traders who price goods in foreign currencies now face up to 10 years in jail after a decree issued by President Bashar al-Assad forbids the use of anything other than the Syrian pound as payment for any commercial transaction or cash settlement. This was because of the increasing "dollarisation" of an economy in ruins after two years of civil war.

Eat
Falafel, deep-fried chickpea patties, are available. Another popular vegetarian meal is Foul. Don't let the name put you off. It's pronounced "fool," and this fava bean paste – topped with cumin, paprika, and olive oil and served with flatbread, fresh mint, and onion – is tasty, satisfying, and filling.

You may also order a salad of Fatoush with your soup. Chopped tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and herbs are mixed in a dressing and finished with a sprinkling of fried bread resembling croutons. Cheese may also be grated on top.

Syrians also have a well-honed sweet tooth, with its desserts being largely similar to that of Lebanon, Jordan and the Palestinians. Syria is particularly known for its local style of ice cream, with Damascus ice cream shop Bakdash having been continuously in business for over a century. Other Syrian desserts to try include baklava, a pastry made of filo dough, nuts and syrup, and knafeh, made of kataifi and cheese.

Drink
Fresh fruit juices are available from street stalls in most towns, such as mixed juice (usually banana, orange juice, and a few exotic fruits like pomegranate).

Beer is cheap. Syrian wine can be found, and Lebanese and French wines are also available in a higher price bracket.

Tea is served in a little glass without milk, sweetened with sugar. Add the sugar yourself, as the Syrians have a collective sweet tooth and will heap it in.

Sleep
A double room in a three stars hotel costs about US$50, US$80 for four stars, and can reach US$250 in a five-star hotel.

Learn
Before the war, Syria became a significant destination for studying Arabic, with several language schools operating in Damascus.

Work
If you enter the country on a tourist visa, don't try to work and earn money. Foreign workers should always get official approval to work. Despite this, many international students supplement their income by teaching, and many institutes in Damascus will happily hire foreigners and pay them under the table.

Stay safe
Travelers should avoid all large gatherings as they may turn violent. Political groups have targeted foreign travelers, especially in the country's south.

You could find yourself in trouble if you engage in open criticism of and against the Syrian government or the president. Your best bet is to avoid political conversations altogether to avoid any possible problems. If you engage in political discussions with Syrians, be aware that they might face intense questioning by the secret police (mukhabarat) if you are overheard. As a general rule, always assume that plain-clothes police officers are watching you. You will notice that not many uniformed police officers can be seen in the streets, but this is because the police have a vast network of plain clothes officers and informants.

Since begging is common in some parts of Syria, particularly outside tourist attractions, mosques, and churches, it has been known that beggars occasionally demand money and may follow you around until you give. Some have even been known to "attack" tourists just for money and food. It is advised to wear appropriate Arab clothing and try to blend in. Keeping your money in your front pockets and safe with you is also better. Beware of these scams by beggars has also led many foreign tourists to lose quite a bit of money.

Syrian dual citizens
Dual citizenship is recognised by the Syrian government.

If you are Syrian – being a dual citizen of Syria, having an Syrian father, or having a father of Syrian descent – possessing another passport will not exempt you from mandatory military service (applicable to men only) and grant you consular access and protection in the event you get detained or arrested.

If you haven't completed mandatory military service (which normally lasts 18-21 months), you may not be allowed to leave the country.

Drugs
The death penalty is enforced for drug trafficking or cultivation.

Women
Women traveling alone may find that they draw a little too much attention from Syrian men. However, this is generally limited to stares or feeble attempts at conversation. If it goes beyond that, the best approach is to remain polite but be clear that approaches are unwelcome. Be loud and involve bystanders; they will often be very chivalrous and helpful.

Women can be arrested under suspicion of immoral behavior (e.g., being alone in a room with a man who is not the woman’s husband or being in a residence where drugs or alcohol are being consumed) and may be subjected to a virginity test.

Homosexuality
Homosexual conduct is illegal under Syrian law, which is punishable by up to three years of imprisonment.

Stay healthy
Healthcare in Syria is well below Western standards, and essential medication is not always available.

Local pharmacies are well stocked with treatments for most common ailments such as stomach bugs and traveler's diarrhea. Pharmacists often speak a little bit of English. You can ask your hotel to call a doctor and visit your hotel room.

Of course, the best treatment is to stay healthy in the first place. When eating, pick busy restaurants.

If you have a treatment, take it with you. Only expect to find some medicines in Syria. Ask for a "foreign" EU or US brand if you have to buy something from a pharmacy. You will have to pay a premium for that, but at least you will increase the chances of having actual medicine. According to certain local pharmacists, some products come from uncertain origins and are ineffective.

Generally you can drink water from the tap. It should be safe, but if you're unsure, ask the locals first. This water is free compared to bottled water.

Respect
Syria is a majority Muslim country with long-established Christian, Jewish and Yazidi minorities. However, the Jewish community is down to only a handful of individuals in Damascus, with the vast majority having immigrated to Israel. Historically, religious groups lived in harmony, and religion was primarily considered personal. It was inappropriate to ask someone about their faith unless you knew them well. However, this has changed since the start of the Syrian Civil War.

General etiquette

 * Syrians are indirect communicators. They are tempered by the need to save face and they will avoid saying anything that could be construed as critical, judgmental, or offensive.
 * Syrians often ask people personal questions. Some of the questions they may ask may be too personal ― for example, are your parents alive? ― in other parts of the world. Try not to be fazed or bothered by this because Syrians aren't trying to interrograte or corner you; this is how people get to know each other.
 * Syrians tend to be affectionate to children. In Syria, it's perfectly normal for both men and women to interact with a stranger's child. This does not imply that they have malicious intentions.
 * Syrians tend to speak loudly in groups. They also use aggressive body language and raise their voices in conversations; to most visitors, this implies that Syrians are an argumentative bunch, but Syrians tend to use emotions to convey interest in a conversation. What may seem like a shouting match in public may actually be a simple, friendly discussion!

Social customs

 * Never beckon a Syrian person directly, even if they have done something wrong in your opinion. Syrians are quite sensitive to being beckoned directly, and it is considered very rude manners. If you must give feedback, give a mix of both positive and negative feedback.
 * Don't talk someone down for having poor English skills. Many Syrians can speak English, usually as a second language. Making condescending statements such as "You speak very good English" is extremely rude.
 * Do not swear or use obscenities in the presence of women. This is applicable to male travellers. It is considered extremely rude.
 * It's common for Syrians to turn up to a place unannounced. When this happens, stop what you are doing and attend to your guests.
 * Never show the soles of your feet to others. This is considered very disrespectful, unless you are in the company of friends.
 * Don't spit in public or in the direction of others, even when obviously done without malice. It is extremely rude.
 * Do not tell dirty jokes. As is the case throughout the Arab world, such humor is not appreciated in Syria.

Clothing
Male and female visitors can generally wear whatever attire they would normally wear in their home countries. Contrary to what some Westerners may believe, it is possible for women to wear T-shirts and it is not necessary to wear long-sleeved tops unless visiting a religious site. Head covers are recommended when visiting Muslim religious sites. Dress as you would normally dress in the West to visit Christian religious sites, avoid wearing shorts at churches. Many local women dress in Western attire, especially in Christian neighbourhoods. Shorts are common for both men and women. Be mindful of your environment, outside of areas frequented by tourists it is wise to dress in more modest clothing.

Women who wish to attract less attention should wear shirts that reach the elbow, and have no revealing cleavage. T-shirts and jeans are acceptable attire in Damascus.

Religion
If you are of European ancestry most Syrians assume that you are a practising Christian. Most Syrians will also be puzzled by a suggestion that you are an atheist, due to the strong influence religion has in Syrian social and cultural life. The coastal areas are much more progressive when dealing with religion and the same applies to areas of Damascus most frequented by Western tourists such as Bab Touma, the Christian Quarter. The further you travel east, the more conservative people are. In order to avoid any protracted philosophical discussions, it is best to avoid identifying as an atheist or non practising Christian.

Things to avoid
Politics:
 * Avoid talking about Israel. Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights is considered illegal by the vast majority of Syrians and many Syrians express negative sentiments against Israel. Unless you have a heart for prolonged discussions, avoid debates on Israel.
 * It is unwise to criticise or speak badly of the Syrian government. A comment heard by the wrong person can land you in legal hot water. Those who have fled Syria are more likely to have negative things to say about the Al-Assad government.

Sensitive issues:
 * Be cautious when talking about the civil war. Millions of Syrians have fled their country and some have lost their loves ones in the war. Offer sympathy when the opportunity arises; Syrians will appreciate the gesture.

Phone
The international calling code for Syria is +963.

Internet
Syria has easy and cheap internet access. Internet is very common around the cities at internet cafés. The cafés are very friendly but in order to avoid being price gouged it is best to ask a local how much the internet costs per an hour before agreeing to sit down. It is best to avoid political debates regarding the Syrian government, or reading Israeli newspapers or websites on-line.

Prices for high-speed access are quite varied.

title: Syria


text:
Syrian Coast and Mountains

The Coast and Mountains of Syria is a region in the west of the country. It is green and fertile, relatively Christian, somewhat liberal, and dominated by Phoenician and Crusader history.

Cities

 * — small city with an impressive Crusader castle
 * — ancient city with a Roman theater
 * — a major port city, Saladin's Castle, Fronloq Forests and Al Samra Beah near Kasab
 * — a historical port city and historical small island called Arwad

Other destinations
The region has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Get in
As of 2020, the most accessible way of reaching the Syrian Coast is overland, either with car, taxi or long distance bus. While the route from Damascus is generally safe, conditions can change rapidly. From Aleppo, a long detour is needed to avoid conflict areas. The border crossing with Lebanon, at Arida, is open while the border with Turkey remains closed.

There are no passenger trains from outside the region, however rehabilitation of tracks are underway and a limited number of trains might return in 2021.

There is one major airport in the region, SyrianAir operates a highly irregular service from Damascus.

Get around
As one of the few regions in Syria that has been spared the violence of the Civil War, public transport infrastructure are still somewhat functioning. Long distance buses are available between cities and the national railway operator CFS runs daily passenger trains between Latakia and Tartous.

Stay safe
As of 2018, Latakia and Tartus Provinces have remained under government control for the entire war. Latakia and Tartus, therefore, are by far the safest area of Syria for travel, and well worth a visit even now.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Syrian Coast and Mountains


text:
Syrian Desert

The Syrian Desert, or Southeastern Desert, is a vast and sparsely populated region in southeastern Syria. It is the basin of the river Euphrates. It consists of the districts Ar-Raqqa (Arabic: الرقة), Al-Hassakeh (Arabic:الحسكة; Syrian Aramaic: ܓܨܪܛܐ; Kurdish: Hesiça), Deir az-Zur (Arabic: دير الزور) and parts of the provinces of Muḥafaẓat Ḥimṣ (Arabic: مُحافظة حمص), Muḥāfaẓat Ḥamāh (Arabic: محافظة حماة) and Rif Dimashq (Arabic: ریف دمشق).

Understand
Large and sparsely populated, the Syrian Desert is home to numerous ruins of former civilizations. Cities are clustered along the Euphrates River with Deir-az-Zur being the largest.

Cities

 * — a desert town on the Euphrates River bank
 * — Midsized city along the Euphrates, best known for serving as the headquarters of ISIS between 2014 and 2017.

Other destinations
In the province of Al-Hassakeh there are a lot of ancient sites that show up unexpected in the desert.

 * — magnificent ruins of a Roman city, in the middle of the desert. It can be considered the main attraction in Syria. Large parts this irreplaceable heritage were deliberately blown up by ISIS during armed conflict in 2015.
 * — Ruins of a Hellenistic, Parthian and Roman border city built on an escarpment 90 metres (300 feet) above the right bank of the Euphrates River.
 * — Remains of an ancient Semitic city.
 * — Archaeological site of the Byzantine city of Sergiopolis
 * — A castle (qasr) in the middle of the Syrian Desert, built by the Umayyad caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik in 728-29 CE.
 * — Ruins of a medieval Arab–Islamic fortress
 * — Ruins of ancient city known as Zenobia

Understand
Be sure to practice desert safety if traveling to the Southeastern Desert (and war zone safety until the situation improves).

Get in
The border with Iraq is open, almost all traffic goes through the.

Stay safe
See the warning in Syria.

title: Syrian Desert


text:
Syros

Syros is in the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands, off the normal tourist track. Known as "the grand dame of the Cyclades", Syros provides an authentic Greek island culture experience. Ermoupoli, the main city of 13,000 people, is the Cyclades' centre of government and features magnificent neoclassical architecture. The majority of residents do not work in the tourist industry.

Understand
The main towns are, a classical Cycladic medieval settlement that is densely built with narrow, winding streets, and , the capital of the South Aegean region.

By boat
Ermoupoli isn't only the capital of Syros, but also the capital of the Cyclades and thus well-connected with Athens. There are daily ferries from Piraeus, the port of Athens, to Ermoupoli (Syros) which take 4 hours. Ferries to Thessaloniki, take 18 hours. There is also a ferry leaving from Lavrio, to the south of Attica and reaching Syros in about 5 hours.

Apart from the mainland, there are many ferries and hydrofoils (faster but more expensive) to connect Syros with other Aegean islands. Normal ferries connect Syros to Aegiali, Amorgos (5 hours), Andros (3.5 hours), Donousa (6 hours), Folegandros (6 hours), Heraklion, Crete (12 hours), Ios (5 hours), Karlovasi, Samos (4 hours), Katapola, Amorgos (7 hours), Kea (4 hours), Kimolos (6 hours), Kos (4 hours), Koufonisia (8 hours), Kythnos (2.5 hours), Leros (3.5 hours), Milos (8 hours), Mykonos (1.5 hours), Naxos (3 hours), Paros (1.5 hours), Patmos (3 hours), Rhodes (8 hours), Schinoussa (9 hours), Serifos (4 hours), Sifnos (5 hours), Sikinos (5 hours), Skiathos (9 hours), Skopelos (8 hours) and Santorini (7 hours). Regular hydrofoils connect Syros to Mykonos (1 hour) and Tinos (40 minutes).

By plane
The airport of Syros Island is located south of Ermoupoli. There is a daily flight from Athens airport (35 minutes) by Sky Express.

A new airline, Cycladic, flies 12-passenger Cessnas between Syros and Naxos, Paros, Astypalaia, Heraklion and Milos.

Get around
Syros is quite a big island, with scattered towns. Ermoupoli is fairly walkable, but to go anywhere else you will need to take a bus or taxi. Ask a Greek-speaking friend to call a radio taxi for you (there is a small charge added to the meter), and the local bus service is cheap and reliable. There are some free town buses, in particular between Ermoupoli and Ano Syros (see below for details). In Ermoupoli, taxis can usually be found waiting outside the Plateia Miaouli where the city hall is (though it can be difficult to find one at rush hour when the ferries arrive). From Ermoupoli to Finikas costs around €15, but the opposite direction costs €19 because the taxi has to come from Ermoupoli to Finikas to collect you.

There are frequent buses to the main beaches and villages (see below). They leave from the in Ermoupoli. The buses are punctual, and can fill up quite quickly, so it is recommended to arrive 10 minutes early to get a seat. You purchase tickets on the bus.

See

In or near Ermoupoli,
 * City Hall, designed by Ernst Ziller, also home to the Archaeological Museum
 * Apollo Theatre, inspired by Italian and French architectural styles, seat of the International Classical Music Festival of the Cyclades. Small entry fee.
 * The Vaporia neighborhood, with stately mansions and the Church of St Nicolas
 * Industrial Museum (11 Georgiou Papandreou)
 * Further uphill, the 13th-century.
 * Further uphill, the 13th-century.

Villages
The island's prettiest villages are Galissas, Kini, Parakopi with its delightful pine groves, Delagrazia, Chrousa, Episkopio with its fine mansions, and Finikas for its beaches, restaurants and marina.

Do

 * Walk the narrow back streets of Ermoupoli and discover the city's charm.
 * Visit Ano Syros and take in the views from the ancient Catholic Cathedral of Agios Georgios. Take a bus or taxi to Ano Syros and then walk downhill through the medieval city.
 * Hang out with the locals in Plateia Miaouli, one of Greece's best public plazas.
 * Walk to the Holy Church of the Resurrection of Christ to view the opulent interior and splendid views.

Beaches
The best beaches are in Finikas, Kokkina, Galissas, Delfini, Poseidonia, and Agathopes. Other beaches are in Kini, Vari, Megas Gialos, and Angathopes.

For the nearest beaches, take the bus from the KTEL bus station (see above) in Ermoupoli to (about 20 minutes) or  (20 minutes direct or 45 minutes through the southern part of the island).

If taking the bus to the beaches around Poseidonía (Ποσειδωνία), get off at the bus stop before the village of Poseidonía. There are three beeches in the area, walking along the coast road. Those nearest the bus stop are the quietest. The beach at, at the end of this road (about 7 minutes' walk from the bus stop), is the most organized, but it has been spoiled by blaring music being played all day out of huge loudspeakers from the club at the end of the beach (unless that's your thing).

Also, you can visit some of the northern beaches by boat. Small boats conduct tours from Kini to Varvarousa, Aetos, Lia, and Grammata.

Buy
In Ermoupoli,
 * Traditional products, such as herbs and traditional sweets (loukoumia and chalvadopita). There are lots of shops offering traditional products at Hiou street.

 * Local San Michalis cheese with saffron at Prekas grocery store (4 Chiou Street)
 * Halvado-pita (nougat) at the Korres workshop (29 Chiou Street)
 * Loukoumi (chewy sweet) at Denaxas (52 Ethnikis Antistaseos Street)

Eat
Ermoupoli Finikas
 * Django Gelato Syros, Emmanouil Roidi 10, Ermoupoli. Excellent gelato made by hand on-site. Try the tonka bean.
 * Ithaki tou Ai (Ιθάκη του Αή), Stefanou 1. Traditional tavern offering local specialties.
 * Iliovasilema (Ηλιοβασίλεμα), Galissas. Seafood tavern near the beach. Try the "saganaki" (fried San Michali cheese) and "gouna" (Fish prepared in a unique traditional manner).

 * Calmo Mare Inexpensive and delicious Greek food in a pleasant ambience. Portions are generous. The small meat platter for two actually serves 3-4 people, and the large meat platter feeds an army.

Cope
If you arrive by boat, there are public toilets and showers at the Finikas marina. The toilets are free but the showers cost €2.50, payable at the harbourmaster's office.

Go next
Move on by boat to Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios or Santorini.

title: Syros


text:
Szamotuły

Szamotuły (pronounced as shamottOOwhee) is a small city in the central part of the Wielkopolskie Voivodship, 35 km north-west of Poznań in Poland. It is situated south of the Warta River Valley and south of Puszcza Notecka Forest.

By train
Visitors arrive to Szamotuły mostly from Poznań. The quickest way to come here is by train: there are up to 11 (depending on the day, the highest number on Fridays and Sundays) regional trains, 2 Inter-Regio accelerated trains and more than a dozen fast trains. Travel time is between 25 (fast trains) and 35 (regional ones) minutes. Most local trains run on the line: Poznań – Szamotuły – Krzyż, some head as far as to Szczecin (and during the summer season to the sea resort of Świnoujście (Swinemuende)) or to Kostrzyn where one can change to a connected train to Berlin.

Long-distance trains come from the south from e.g. Katowice, Kraków, Łódź, Warsaw, Wrocław and calling at Poznań and Szamotuły head as well to Szczecin or Świnoujście.

By bus
For most tourists buses will be less practical than trains, but some lines can be useful:
 * to Sierakow (up to 7 daily)
 * to Miedzychod (up to 6 daily)
 * to Klempicz i further through Czarnkow to Pila (4 daily)
 * to Poznań (12 daily) – the travel time is slightly longer than by train (ca. 50 mins) but the bus station is much closer to the touristy area in Szamotuły - at the crossroads of Lipowa and Poznańska.

Check the bus timetable here.

There are also buses going to Poznań straight from the market square (stop Szamotuły, Rynek) at a fixed rate of 8 PLN (as of August 2012). In Poznań they call at the Poznań-Ogrody tram loop (not the central station). Check their timetable here

By car
As travel to Szamotuły by train is very easy, roads are a little bit more complicated. The town is located and the regional road junction:
 * number 184 from Poznań (the way out from the city as for Swiecko and Berlin by country road number 92, just behind the city limits – to the right) to Wronki
 * number 187 from Oborniki Wielkopolskie – important for those traveling from the north - to Pniewy (another connection with the road number 92)
 * number 185 to Obrzycko (from where you can ride further through Czarnkow to Pila)

By bike
Here you will find a precise bike route to/from Poznań, or alternatively Czarnków, Piła.

Get around
Szamotuły is a relatively small town, so all attractions are accessible on foot.

As taxi stops are virtually non-existent, you must order a taxi by phone if you need one. Try +48 602 318 928 or +48 664 317 965. It may be sometimes problematic to communicate in English - if need be, ask a passer-by for assistance.

See

 * The Górka Castle (once belonged to the House of Górka) – from the 15th century, rebuilt in 1518 and once more in 19th century. Its interiors are home to a rich collections of furniture, pictures, ancient home equipment and to the biggest icon collection in western Poland. Entrance fees: 3.50 Zloty (regular), 2 Zloty (reduced).
 * The Halszka Tower – the remnant (together with the moat) of the former castle defence system. The name of the tower comes the name of pretty Halszka from Volhynia (in modern day western Ukraine) – according to tradition, Halszka married (against her will) the Greater Poland province master Łukasz Górka, she disagreed to sexual life with him and preferred to spend 14 years in the tower. After his husband's death she was freed, but soon she went crazy. Entrance fees like in the castle: 3.50 zloty (regular), 2 zloty (reduced).
 * The Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Consolation and St Stanislaus the Bishop – the oldest and the most valuable monument in the city, as well one of the most important sacral places in the region, erected in the first half of XV cent. The decoration of the church consists of polychromies from 1952 and appr. one-hundred-year-old glass windows. In the interiors pay attention to the cross from appr. 1370, the stone sarcophagus of Jakub Rokossowski from the last years of XVIth century and a bronze commemorating plate of Andrzej Szamotulski – probably from the famous Vichers’ workshop in Nurmberg in Bavaria.
 * The Franciscan Monastery – erected at the end of XVIIth century using the fundaments of former mansion house of Szamotulski family. In XIXth cent, after the cancellation of most orders, the building was overtaken by the neighbouring church of the Holy Cross was closed till 1963, when a parish was the re-opened. The rococo interiors come from the end of XVIIth cent. The main element is the altar with a crucifix, figures of Our Lady Suffering, St. John the Baptist, monks and the picture of God the Father, Holy Spirit and angels. The monastery building are now undergoing renovating works.

Sleep
Szamotuły is not a town where many tourist would stay overnight, so the choice of accommodation is pretty limited:

In the vicinity
Most of the accommodation places nearby are agrotouristic houses:

Go next
Most tourists stay in Szamotuły on their way from Poznań toward north west of Poland, e.g. to Szczecin or on their way to Notecka Forests (angling, canoeing, walking, cycling, cross-country skiing), to Gorzow Wielkopolski and to Sierakow Lake District.

title: Szamotuły


text:
Székesfehérvár

Székesfehérvár is the largest city and the county seat of Fejér county, Hungary. It's roughly 60 km southwest of Budapest, and is considered Hungary's first, as this was the royal seat of King Szent István (also known as Saint Stephan). Though most of the medieval city was destroyed by the Turks, it was rebuilt to glory under Maria Theresa Habsburg. The city is between Lake Velence and Lake Balaton, making it an ideal stop-off between the two.

Places outside of the city that are in the district of the same namexare listed in the and Székesfehérvár district article.

Understand
Székesfehérvár (Latin Alba Regia) is one of the most ancient towns in Hungary.

During his principality (972 - 997) Géza, the Grand Duke, established Székesfehérvár as his princely dwelling on the hills surrounded by swamps and therefore considered safe. His palace was fortified by ditches and ramparts, and the Byzantine-style, quatrefoil church, which was one of the first Hungarian stone built churches and later served as his resting-place.

During the reign of King St Stephen (1001 -1038) it was a populous and extended settlement, surrounded by palings and walls built of soil. King Stephen's basilica was built in this time. It was one of the most monumental buildings in Europe at that time.

In the 12th century there were great building operations in Székesfehérvár. The monks settling in the city and the inhabitants enriched Alba Regia by building pompous churches, monasteries, and dwelling houses. The construction of Saint Peter's cathedral - next to Saint Peter's church, built under the principality of Géza - was started in the 13th century. King Béla IV was crowned in this cathedral. The city was fenced with walls in the 14th century.

The Turks occupied the strategically important town in 1543 and kept it under their rule for 145 years.

In 1703 the city regained its title as a free royal city. In the 1720s major construction were started: first the Franciscans then the Carmelites built churches, and under the rule of Maria Theresa there were Baroque-, rococo-, and so called copf-style town-houses built.

In 1800s the first Hungarian and German primary school opened its gates, the education was started at the Jesuits' secondary school, and this town was the first to embrace the cause of the Hungarian theatrical art.

In 2014, it was home to 98,000 people.

By car
The M7 runs just south of Székesfehérvár and is the fastest way to arrive. From the exit merge onto 63 which will eventually take you into Piac Square.

By taxi
Because the city is 60 km out of Budapest this is by far the most expensive option. If, however, you are arriving at Ferihegy and are going directly to Székesfehérvár, Zona Taxi offers a fixed rate of Ft 20 000.

Get around
Buses only accept cash on board.

If you are going to Bory's Castle you will need to travel either by car or bus. From the bus station take bus #26 or #26A and from the train station #32. Make sure to tell the bus driver you're going to Bory Vár because none of the buses will take you directly there and you won't know otherwise when to get off.

Further afield

 * Csók István Memorial House (Cece, Arany J. u. 1.) Closed due to technical reasons.
 * Csók István Memorial House (Cece, Arany J. u. 1.) Closed due to technical reasons.
 * See more: Transdanubia Fejér County part.
 * See more: Transdanubia Fejér County part.

Do

 * Football: Fehérvár FC play soccer in NB 1, the top tier. Their home ground Sóstói Stadion (capacity 14,200) is by the lake 1 km southwest of the railway station.
 * American football: Fehérvár Enthroners play in the European League of Football at First Field.

Events

 * Királyi Napok Nemzetközi Néptáncfesztivál
 * Öreghegyi Mulatságok
 * Fehérvári Zenei Napok - FeZeN
 * Musica Regia (Aug)
 * Királyi Borlakoma - Virágálom
 * Pünkösdkor (Pentecost)
 * Kortárs Művészeti Fesztivál (May)
 * Fúvószenekari Koncertek a Zichy ligetben (Aug Sunday evenings)
 * Harmonia Albensis templomi koncertek (Jul)
 * Aranybulla Művészeti Napok (Aug)
 * Fehérvári Vigasságok - Lecsófesztivál (end of Sep)
 * Fehérvári Advent - Karácsonyi Sokadalom (Dec)
 * Bolondballagás (end of Apr)

Sleep

 * Hotel Novotel
 * Hotel Novotel
 * Hotel Novotel

Go next

 * Budapest
 * Siófok, Lake Balaton
 * Velence, Lake Velence - 15-20 km of Székesfehérvár. Swimming in a very childfriendly water, angling, boating, bathing, cycling, horse riding, sailing, This is also a popular place for the competitive road and mountain bikers.
 * Veszprém

title: Székesfehérvár


text:
Szczawnica-Zdrój

Szczawnica is a spa town in Małopolskie Province in the mountains of southern Poland.

Get in
Buses run from Kraków every two hours, taking 2 hr 30 min to Szczawnica. Usually a change in Nowy Targ will be necessary. From Nowy Targ buses cost approximately 8 zł one way.

Alternatively you can get by train to Nowy Sącz or Nowy Targ and then by bus to Szczawnica.

Do

 * Hiking.
 * Mountain biking, horse riding.
 * Skiing in winter.
 * Fishing or kayaking on Dunajec river.
 * Rafting the Dunajec Gorge.
 * Chair-lift to Palenica mountain.
 * 700 m long summer slide at Szafranówka mountain.

Sleep
Lots of places, it's a spa town.

Go next
Visit the nearby castles in Niedzica and Czorsztyn.

Hike to Slovakia via the trail through the National Park to Lesnica.

title: Szczawnica-Zdrój


text:
Szczecin

Szczecin, (pronounced Shchetsin, German: Stettin, Latin: Stetinum) is a maritime port city and the capital of Zachodniopomorskie in Poland. The city has a population of over 400,000, with almost 780,000 living in its metro area (2019). It is one of the seven largest metropoles in the country. It lies in the northwestern corner of Poland, very close to the German border. It is easier to get to Szczecin from some parts of Germany, notable from Berlin, than it is from much of Poland. For a significant part of its history, Szczecin was a part of Germany, and in other periods, of Denmark and Sweden. Szczecin is Poland's third-largest port and much of its industrial base used to be a part of an important shipyard. But the city is not on a seaside, but rather on the river Odra (German: Oder), some 20 kilometres south of the Baltic Sea as the crow flies, and many more by road. Many visitors to Poland are also unaware of Szczecin's architectural attractiveness, as the large parts of the city were designed by Baron Haussmann, the same man who designed the boulevards of Paris.

Understand
The place now known as Szczecin was first mentioned in written history in 1st century when West-Roman historian Tacitus located East Germanic tribe of Rugians somewhere in the area; the Rugians left in the 5th century during the Great Migration. Sometime in the 8th century Western Slavic tribe of Pomeranians built their stronghold here. In 10th century the town was mentioned as "one of major in Pomerania" in Abraham ben Jacob's chronicle. In approximately 1080 its area was incorporated into Poland, but within eight years, the town was controlled by the Dukedom of Pomerania, and five years later, Denmark. In 12th century when its competitor, Wolin (also known as Veneta in medieval chronicles) declined Szczecin began to prosper from trade and became one of the major Baltic sea harbours. Its name was first recorded in 1133 as "Stetin".

In 1181 Pomeranian dukes joined Holy Roman Empire. In 1243 Szczecin got city rights before it became member of the Hanseatic League in 1278. Until early 17th century the city was the capital of Pomeranian Dukedom, then in 1630 when local dukes died out it became part of Sweden, then Kingdom of Prussia, then for a brief period, due to Napoleon's conquests, the French Empire. Beginning in the 18th century, the city was a part of Germany and served as the "port of Berlin". During World War II the city was hit hard by Allied bombers; city centre, Old Town and industrial areas were destroyed. After the Soviet forces invaded Nazi Germany in 1945, according to Potsdam Conference agreements, Poland annexed all lands up to the Oder river, expelling the native German population and extending the border to include Stettin: Poland thus gained control of the city.

In the 1980s, the city was (with Gdańsk) one of the birthplaces of Solidarity movement.

An unusual feature of Szczecin is its urban planning, with many roundabouts and wide avenues. Stettin was rebuilt in 1880s using designs by Georges-Eugene Haussmann, who also did the urban planning for Paris. His design style is still being used for newly built (or modified) city areas.

The maritime industry is still strong with a busy port and repair shipyard, and it is a center of service industries in Poland. Szczecin is sometimes considered one of the most liberal Polish cities.

By plane
You can reach the airport by car (the journey may take up to 1 hour, depending on traffic), by taxi (about 120 zł), or by minibus – LOT operates a minibus to and from the airport for all LOT's flights (free of charge for passengers), leaving from LOT's office (al. Wyzwolenia 17) about 90 minutes before departure, and Interglobus has minibuses for all international flights. A railway service links the airport's terminal directly with Szczecin's main railway station and with Kołobrzeg.

Due to Szczecin's proximity to Berlin, the latter's airport is a viable option to get to Szczecin. From Berlin, you can get to Szczecin by minibus (numerous Szczecin-based companies, including Atlastransfer and Interglobus, operate regular services to Berlin Brandenburg International airport at attractive prices), by car or by train in 2–3 hours.

By train
Polish State Railways (PKP) has connections to and from all major Polish cities. There are several trains daily to and from Warsaw – travel time on express or Intercity trains is less than 6 hours, but minor delays are not uncommon. To Poznań, travel time is about 2½ hours (from 40 zł), with frequent trains running throughout the day. There are also frequent trains to Świnoujście (2 hours).

Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) has train connections from Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague and many cities in neighboring Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Due to the construction works of the rail tracks between Berlin and Szczecin, there are no direct trains between the cities until some time in 2025; coming from Berlin, you'll have to change to a replacement bus service or different train in Angermünde. Upon completion, travel time between the cities will supposedly be reduced to 90 minutes.

The Deutschland-Ticket is only valid on the German side here. In the trains or rail replacements buses you get a border crossing ticket from Grambow to Szczecin for €2.50 or from Tantow/Angermünde to Szczecin for €3.60 from the ticket inspector or bus driver

Valid German tickets from and to Szczecin including the entire public transport system in Szczecin are (prices as of Feb 2024): • Brandenburg-Berlin-Ticket (day-ticket for 5 people for €33) • Brandenburg-Berlin-Ticket Nacht (night ticket for 5 people for €25 valid 18:00-7:00) • Berlin-Stettin-Ticket (€14.70 one-way, €29.60 day-ticket) • Mecklenburg-Vorpommern-Ticket (day ticket for 1-5 persons for €23-44)

A cheap way is the Brandenburg-Berlin-Ticket, which is valid from 09:00 (from 0:00 on the weekend and on bank holidays) until 03:00 on the following day. It's for travel on all local and regional German trains and on local public transport systems in all cities and towns in Berlin, Brandenburg and Szczecin. The €33 divided by 5 persons, one person can travel for about €6.60 (€5 if using the night ticket). The groups often form spontaneously before departure or on the train.

You even can get from or to the Danish border via Schleswig-Holstein-Ticket, valid in the regional trains of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein until Padborg or Tonder (DK) with a surcharge of €2.50 for the ride from the Polish border to Szczecin.

By car
You can reach Szczecin by car from major Polish cities, including Warsaw, Poznań, Gdańsk, Wrocław, and also from Berlin. Thanks to its location close to the border and direct link with the German motorway system, Szczecin has the best road connection with Western Europe of all Polish cities.

The main route to Szczecin from Berlin is the E28 (German: A11, Polish: A6). The journey takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic. Note that the German A11 motorway is undergoing continuous improvements, resulting in some disturbances in certain sections.

Travelling by car to and from other parts of Poland can be troublesome – the traffic is pretty heavy, the distances are large and there is a general shortage of motorways. It also takes quite some time – for example, the trip to Gdańsk (350 km) usually takes 4–5 hours, and to Warsaw (520 km along national road no. 10) you need at least 6–7 hours, even if you don't follow the speed limits too strictly.

You can also reach Szczecin from Sweden (Ystad) and Denmark (Copenhagen) using the ferry connections to and from Świnoujście. From there, the journey takes about 1½ hours, although this road gets completely jammed on summer weekends. To avoid traffic jams in high season, follow the yellow "tourist route" ("Trasa turystyczna") signs. These will take you along B-roads, bypassing the most crowded section of national road no. 3.

By bus
Many international and domestic connections (see Poland).

There are multiple stops for long-distance buses in Szczecin:

There are also dozens of minibus operators driving to and from Berlin

By boat
Szczecin is on the banks of the Odra (German: Oder) and Regalica (branch of the Odra) rivers and Lake Dąbie, near the Szczecin Lagoon. There are some marinas, most of them in the northern districts and on the shores of Lake Dąbie.

Since the discontinuation of the hydrofoil service from and to Świnoujście in 2015, the only way of reaching Szczecin by boat is using your own vessel.

Get around
Szczecin is split in two parts (Lewobrzeże and Prawobrzeże) named after their location on banks of Oder (Lewobrzeże = left bank) and Regalica (Prawobrzeże = right bank) rivers. The port is in between. City centre and most of attractions are situated in Lewobrzeże.

Public transport
Szczecin has extensive public transport network covered by trams and buses. See the maps (dziennej = by day, nocnej = by night, tramwajowej = trams) and schedules. You can also install the timetables on your mobile phone: for J2ME compatible phones and Symbian: MPK Mobile, for Android and Windows Phone: Transportoid.

Tickets are randomly checked by plain clothed inspectors; fines are severe and can be a major hassle. Tickets are available at all newspaper stands and you can buy them from the driver after 18:00. If you have an account in Polish bank you can also use your mobile phone. Rush hours are 07:00-08:00 and 16:00-17:00, night hours are between 23:00 and 05:00. Tickets for express buses are twice as expensive. You can change between lines freely as long you stay within time limit (the exception is changing from "normal" bus or tram to express bus). Remember to stamp your ticket immediately after you board the tram/bus.

Prices (June 2024): 15 minutes 2.00 zł, 30 minutes 3.00 zł, 1 hour 4.00 zł, 2 hours 5.00 zł, 24 hours 12 zł, 5 days 35 zł. A family weekend ticket, for 14 zł, is valid on weekends for one or two adults with at least one child up to 16 years old. There are also tickets valid for 10 days, a month and a quarter.

Brandenburg-Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, Schönes Wochenende and Brandenburg-Berlin Nacht tickets issued by Deutsche Bahn are valid for public transport operated by ZDiTM (trams and buses) in Szczecin. Monthly/quarterly tickets issued by ZDiTM are valid for DB trains within the city (Szczecin Główny-Szczecin Gumieńce).

Lines:
 * 0 - tourist tram line
 * 1-11 - trams
 * 50, 100 - tourist bus lines
 * 51-244 - buses
 * A, B, C - express buses
 * 521-536 - night buses
 * 7xx - free buses (to and from shopping malls)
 * 8xx - replacement buses for trams
 * Tourist lines (vintage trams and buses) operate in July and August on Saturdays and Sundays. The fare costs 3.50 zł for adults and 2.50 zł for children (paid to the driver). Line numbers: 0 (tram), 50 and 100 (buses).

Railway
If you want to go to or from the city centre (station name: Szczecin Główny) to districts of Dąbie, Gumieńce, Podjuchy, Zdroje, Zdunowo or Załom (or nearby suburban towns of Goleniów, Gryfino or Stargard), the fastest way might be the train. Check times with PKP; you have to buy separate ticket (6 zł, one way, no matter how many stops), the exception are trains operated by DB (see above).

By foot
City centre can be covered by foot (depending on your fitness, etc.). Look for the red line on the pavements - so called "red walk" which connects nearly all the attractions within the centre. This is by far the best way to discover the centre on foot, as all attractions are marked by a number (there are about 40) on the pavement, so you won't miss one. At each of them there is a sign explaining some details about the sight.

The red line starts and ends at the train station. When you exit through the main entrance, turn left on the sidewalk and look for it, some of the paint may have already vanished. Close to the start is also a map showing the route and the attractions. You can get a similar map that also includes the red line at the tourist information center.

By car
Streets in Szczecin are (compared to other Polish cities) easy to navigate and not congested.

Parking within the centre during business hours (08:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Friday - after 17:00 and on weekends it is free) is paid; the pay depends on the zone and parking time. You can buy tickets from vending machines. Most of malls have free parking, and no one will check if you visited the mall or just used free parking opportunity.

Drunk driving is a serious criminal offence (up to 3 years in prison) and the police have no mercy for drunk drivers. Many of the "zero tolerance for drunk drivers" programs ongoing in Poland have started in Szczecin.

By bicycle
There is network of bicycle paths connecting the city center with the suburbs. You can take your bike on public transport for free (outside rush hours). If you want to see Szczecin from the bicycle but don't have one you can rent it using the Bike S Szczecin system, which is a system of city bikes available for everyone to rent. They have several hire and drop off stations over the center of the city. If you happen to be present in Szczecin on any last Friday of the month, feel free to join the Critical Mass - the start point is Plac Lotników square, 18:00.

By taxi
Hail a taxi from the street or stand only in emergency or if very tired or drunk as it is much cheaper to call for one: ask locals for numbers or see taxi advertisements, they are nearly everywhere. When you call, ask the operator when the taxi will arrive and then look for car plastered with number of company you called.

There is taxi "mafia" operating from stands near railway station, popular clubs, hotels etc. Avoid these rip-offs, they are very expensive.

Fares within the centre shouldn't be more than about 12-15 zł. Fare from left side of the river (Lewobrzeże) to the right side (Prawobrzeże) or the other way is about 40-50 zł. Fares during the night are slightly more expensive. All officially registered taxis have meters, the driver should turn them on just after you enter. For payment have cash ready, only the minority of taxi drivers have necessary equipment for payments with debit or credit cards. Ask if in doubt.

Some of taxi companies operating in the city:
 * Auto Taxi: +48 91 4535555
 * City Taxi: +48 91 4335335
 * Express Taxi: +48 91 4261038
 * Euro Taxi: +48 91 4343434
 * Gold Taxi: +48 91 8122222
 * Granada Taxi: +48 91 4554554
 * Szczecin Taxi: +48 91 4835835

See

 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.
 * Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.

Do

 * Football: Pogoń Szczecin play in Ekstraklasa, Poland's top tier. Their home ground Floriana Krygiera Municipal Stadium (capacity 21,163) is 2 km northwest of city centre.
 * See the panorama of Szczecin - from the cafe on top of Pazim building, just by Galaxy shopping center (admission free), from St. Jacob's Cathedral tower (paid admission) or from one of the towers of Pomeranian Dukes Castle.
 * Take a trip through Szczecin's waterways and port - many boats go from the river bank near Wały Chrobrego.
 * Kayak through the city and lower Oder valley.You can borrow one at Kąpielisko Dziewoklicz (ul. Autostrada Poznańska, public transport - bus No. 61, stop "Dziewoklicz") or any of the neighbouring towns situated by the Oder river - look for wypożyczalnia kajaków (kayak rentals) or kajaki (kayaks).
 * See dancing fountain near Teatr Pleciuga (ul. Wielkopolska). It might not be the most impressive fountain show in the world but it's nice eyecandy and it's free. The show lasts 30 minutes and starts every summer day at 21:30.
 * See dancing fountain near Teatr Pleciuga (ul. Wielkopolska). It might not be the most impressive fountain show in the world but it's nice eyecandy and it's free. The show lasts 30 minutes and starts every summer day at 21:30.

Events

 * Juwenalia 16–20 May
 * Baltic Rock Meeting 25 May - 3 June
 * Dni Morza / Days of the Sea June
 * Boogie Brain Festival October

Learn

 * Maritime University of Szczecin
 * University of Szczecin
 * West Pomeranian University of Technology
 * Pomeranian Medical University
 * Academy of Arts
 * West Pomeranian Business School

Work
English teachers and IT developers/engineers are in high demand.

Buy
Szczecin has many shopping malls:
 * Auchan - in Ustowo. Don't consider it if you don't have a car as the place is pedestrian unfriendly.
 * Carrefour - near Media Markt (mall with electronics) in Pomorzany district. Open 08:00-21:00.
 * CH Ster - near Castorama (big shop for DIY builders) in Gumience district, nearest mall from the German border. Open 08:00-21:00.
 * CH Turzyn - another mall in the center. Open 08:00-21:00.
 * Kaskada - the newest and the biggest shopping mall in Szczecin, best brands and spacious foodcourt. Open 09:00-21:00.
 * Galaxy shopping mall. Many outlets of major brands. In the center, near Kaskada. Open 08:00-21:00.
 * Outlet Park Szczecin - in Prawobrzeże. Connected by 2 bus lines and 5 other a short walk away. Open 10:00-21:00.
 * Outlet Park Szczecin - in Prawobrzeże. Connected by 2 bus lines and 5 other a short walk away. Open 10:00-21:00.
 * Outlet Park Szczecin - in Prawobrzeże. Connected by 2 bus lines and 5 other a short walk away. Open 10:00-21:00.

Eat
You will easily find fast food such as hamburgers, hot dogs, kebabs, pizza, etc., but for unique Szczecin snack try paszteciki (plural, singular is pasztecik), which are type of deep fried cake with meat or cheese and mushrooms filling. They taste best hot and combined with a cup of barszcz czerwony (red beetroot soup).

Budget

 * Turysta Milk Bar, Obrońców Stalingradu 6a (open 07:30-18:30)
 * Zacisze Bar, Asnyka 19 (Niebuszewo district)
 * Akademia Kulinarna, Mickiewicza 45 (open 09:00-17:00)

Mid-range

 * Amar, Śląska 9 (open Monday-Friday 11:00-19:00, Saturday & Sunday 12:00-17:00) Vegan & vegetarian. If you are on limited budget, order their "danie dnia" (dish of a day) and/or "zupa dnia" (soup of a day) which are always very affordable.
 * Camarillo, Mściwoja 8 - fusion
 * Green Way, Krzywoustego 16 (open Monday-Friday 10:00-21:00, weekends 11:00-19:00) - vegetarian
 * Green Way, Krzywoustego 16 (open Monday-Friday 10:00-21:00, weekends 11:00-19:00) - vegetarian

Splurge

 * Chief, Rayskiego 16 - all kinds of sea food
 * Ładoga, Jana z Kolna - Russian
 * Sake, Piastów 1 - Japanese
 * Columbus - On Waly Chrobrego by Marine Academy
 * Colorado - on Waly Chrobrego by Polski Theatre
 * Karczma Polska - Lotnikow Square
 * Colorado - on Waly Chrobrego by Polski Theatre
 * Karczma Polska - Lotnikow Square

Drink
The majority of pubs and bars can be found in the old town (Stary Rynek) or around ul. Bogusława in the middle town area. Expect to pay between 6 zł and 8 zł for a large beer and around 6 zł for a 50-ml shot of vodka.

Local beer, local vodka

 * Bosman beer is made by local brewery. There are variants with red (czerwony) and green (zielony) label, both are lager. You can buy it at most of general stores and some pubs.
 * Taverna pub has its own microbrewery making lager and porter type beers.
 * Starka is a seasoned vodka made by Polmos Szczecin distillery. There are variants which are 10, 18, 25 and 50 years old. You can buy them at Polmos store (corner of Jagiellońska and Bohaterów Warszawy streets); as you can guess, Starka is rather expensive (especially the 50-year-old one) and only available in limited amounts. You can also tour the factory, which is quite interesting, tasting Starka is included with the tour (email them for booking and information).
 * Starka is a seasoned vodka made by Polmos Szczecin distillery. There are variants which are 10, 18, 25 and 50 years old. You can buy them at Polmos store (corner of Jagiellońska and Bohaterów Warszawy streets); as you can guess, Starka is rather expensive (especially the 50-year-old one) and only available in limited amounts. You can also tour the factory, which is quite interesting, tasting Starka is included with the tour (email them for booking and information).

Connect
As of Aug 2022, the city and its approach roads have 4G from Orange, Play and T-Mobile, and 5G from Plus. You might also pick up the German carriers. Wifi is widely available in public places.

Stay safe
Szczecin used to be infamous in Poland for its organized crime, but these days are long gone; nearly all the gangsters are dead or in prison. Now it is a very safe city. However, you should stay away from some of its "bad" suburbs, like Gocław, especially after dark.

Be careful when crossing streets as jaywalking is a crime in Poland and the police often lie in wait for tourists crossing streets when the pedestrian crossing is on red. If stopped, claim that your money and passport are in your hotel, and you may get away with it.

Consulates

 * Cyprus, ul. Śląska 7, +48 91 4330766
 * Czech Republic, ul. Monte Cassino 27, +48 91 4237980
 * Denmark, ul. Piłsudskiego 1a, +48 91 4330930
 * Estonia, ul. Kurza Stopka 5/cd, +48 91 8123827
 * France, ul. Skłodowskiej-Curie 4, +48 91 4761546
 * Germany, ul. Chodkiewicza 2a, +48 91 4850657
 * Kazakhstan, ul. Grodzka 14/14, +48 91 3264011
 * Mexico, ul. Energetyków 3/4, +48 91 4624371
 * Norway, ul. Niepodległości 17, +48 91 8121430
 * Slovakia, ul. Skłodowskiej-Curie 4, +48 91 4890661
 * Sweden, ul. Skłodowskiej-Curie 4, +48 91 4862673
 * United Kingdom, ul. Starego Wiarusa 32, +48 91 4870302

Go next
On the mainland:
 * Police and its Jasienica district. Monuments from the Middle Ages, small marina in the Old Town on the Łarpia (Oder) River and World War II ruins of Hydrierwerke synthetic petroleum factory. Szczecin shares its public transport with Police and borders the town. You can go to Police by taking a public bus.
 * Kamień Pomorski — sea resort and medieval town
 * Kołobrzeg — sea resort and medieval town
 * Trzęsacz — for Gothic church ruins
 * Stargard Szczeciński — medieval town with a cathedral over a hundred metres high
 * Świdwie — for the birds reservation
 * Międzyodrze (Lower Oder valley) — picturesque marsh area full of wildlife
 * Nowe Warpno — quiet medieval town
 * Trzebież — resort with big marina

On the Wolin island:
 * Woliński National Park
 * Game reserve of wisents
 * 93-metres high Gosan cliff
 * Kawcza Góra Mountain
 * sea resort and port Świnoujście
 * sea resort Dziwnów
 * sea resort Międzyzdroje
 * ancient town of Wolin (town)

title: Szczecin


text:
Szczyrk

Szczyrk is a winter sport resort of about 6,000 inhabitants in southern Poland in the Silesian Voivodeship, situated southwest of Kraków, in the vicinity of Bielsko-Biała. It is located in the Silesian Beskids.

By public transport
There are quite frequent buses from Bielsko-Biała to Szczyrk. The buses cover the distance in 30 minutes. If traveling by public transport this is almost the only option, since there is no train station in the town.

Do
There are a number of ski runs at Szczyrk Salmopol as well as a ski-jump hill, and in the mountains above the town there is a network of hiking trails. The town continues to operate year-round.

Buy
Shopping is limited to small stores, with most focusing on souvenirs for tourists, however, there are two small supermarkets.

Eat
There are over a dozen pubs and restaurants serving local food and a few international cuisines (e.g. Mexican, Italian).

Drink
Silesia is beer country with the renowned and local Żywiec and Tyskie beers available almost everywhere with a typical price in a bar starting at 5zł.

Sleep
As a ski resort town there are a number of accommodation options, ranging from bed & breakfast to 3-/4-star hotels. Ensure to book in advance if visiting during peak season. The hotels may appear dated by modern international standards but clean.

Connect
As of April 2024, Szczryk has 4G from all Polish carriers, but the signal is patchy on the approach roads. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Bielsko-Biała — at the Biała River with a beautiful market square and several protestant churches. The whole city is located at the foot of the hills.
 * Żywiec — the town where one of the most popular Polish beers is brewed, and also with a pretty but small historical center.

title: Szczyrk