The Damascus governorate has started enforcing a unified timetable for when businesses open and close across the city. The decision covers shops, markets, restaurants, cafés, and other venues. The aim is to make hours clear for everyone and reduce late-night noise and traffic.
Here is the core schedule in plain terms. Retail shops and traditional markets now work from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. year-round, with a weekly rest day depending on the business. Restaurants and cafés can open in the morning and serve until 12:00 midnight on normal days. On Thursdays and Saturdays, many are permitted to serve until 1:00 a.m. Some sectors are exempt or run on special timetables: fuel stations can operate 24 hours a day, and wholesale or industrial food markets have their own early-hours schedules to keep supplies moving.
How this affects your trip
Plan your shopping earlier. If you want time in the souks for photos, browsing, and bargaining, go late morning or mid-afternoon. The shutters start coming down around 21:00, and many shopkeepers will wind down a bit earlier.
Book the nights that matter. If you prefer a later dinner or a longer evening, target Thursday or Saturday. Those are the two nights when many places can legally run until 1:00 a.m. Reserve popular venues for the late slot and arrive by 23:30 to enjoy a full service window.
Expect midnight to be the normal cutoff. On other days, last orders often come before 24:00. Staff will try to close on time to comply with the city rules. Don’t count on walk-ins after midnight except on the extended nights.
Know what stays open. You can rely on 24/7 fuel stations for late-night basics: water, snacks, phone credit at some mini-markets, and of course fuel for late transfers. Wholesale and supply markets operate on their own schedules but are not tourist-oriented.
Build buffer time into plans. If your flight lands close to midnight, ask your hotel about food options on arrival, or pick up snacks in advance. For day trips, aim to be back in the city with enough time to grab dinner before the standard cutoff.
Be ready for enforcement. Authorities have said they will monitor compliance. Individual places may close slightly earlier to avoid penalties. When in doubt, call ahead or ask your hotel reception to confirm a venue’s exact hours for the day.
Bottom line: Shop by 21:00, dine by 24:00 (or 1:00 a.m. on Thu/Sat), and lean on 24/7 fuel stations for late basics. With these times in mind, you can plan smooth days and stress-free evenings in Damascus.