Historical entrance-fee announcement — reviewed 6 November 2026: This post describes a museum and archaeological-site entrance-fee change announced for January 2026. Amounts quoted below come from an earlier circular, and may use pre-redenomination Syrian pounds. They are not confirmed current ticket prices. Check today’s ticket category, opening status and currency units at each site. For more information, read our Syria attractions guide, or explore our group tours and private tours.
The Directorate-General of Antiquities & Museums announced an entrance-fee schedule planned to begin on 1 January 2026. This historical article originally compared it with amounts charged through 31 December 2025. Tickets are collected in Syrian Pounds (SYP) at site gates.
The decision uses the official categorization that appears in the circular: first grade sites and second grade sites. In simple terms, first grade sites are those that are priced at 25,000 SYP in the earlier schedule; second grade sites are those that are priced at 15,000 SYP in the earlier schedule. From 1 January 2026, the new schedule sets first grade sites at 100,000 SYP and second grade sites at 50,000 SYP.
To help travelers understand what falls under each tier, the first grade group includes the major locations that were listed at 25,000 SYP in the earlier schedule. This covers the Damascus National Museum, Azm Palace (Damascus), Bimaristan Nuri, Krak des Chevaliers, Saladin Citadel, Marqab Citadel (noted as closed at the time), and the Busra Theater. The second grade group includes sites that were listed at 15,000 SYP, such as Asaad Pasha Khan (Caravansarai) and Azm Palace in Hama. Sites where no fees were being collected at the time included Palmyra, Apamea, and Ma‘arrat al-Nu‘man Museum. These locations will follow the posted ticketing once official collections resume.
The change aims to standardize pricing across museums and archaeological sites and make the tiers clearer for visitors and operators. At the time, the authority indicated that new signs would be placed at sites. Visitors travelling now should confirm opening hours, current ticket tiers and which Syrian-pound denominations are being used rather than rely on this older announcement.
Simple USD orientation (for clarity only):
This older article used approximate US-dollar conversions for 100,000 and 50,000 SYP. Those exchange examples are historical and should not be used as current ticket prices. Confirm the amount and currency units at each site.
To explore Syria’s archaeological sites and museums, see: All Syria Attractions & Fees.