Cityscape of Bloudan in Rif Dimashq Governorate province — Damascus's mountain balcony at 1,500 metres

Rif Dimashq Governorate · Syria

Bloudan

بلودان

33.7256° N · 36.1178° E
Plan a routeOffline planner

“Damascus's mountain balcony at 1,500 metres.”

Rif Dimashq Governorate · June–September for the summer season; January–February for snow.
Province
Rif Dimashq Governorate
Population
~12,000
Climate
Alpine-Mediterranean — snowy winters, dry cool summers.
Best Time
June–September for the summer season; January–February for snow.

Today's weather — Bloudan

Overview

Bloudan sits on the eastern slope of the Anti-Lebanon range, 45 km northwest of Damascus and high enough that its summers stay in the mid-twenties while the capital bakes. Long the summer resort of Damascene families, its terraced hotels and orchards look west across the Zabadani plain.

History

A quiet farming village until the late Ottoman period, Bloudan became a hill station in the 1920s and 1930s and hosted the 1937 Bloudan Conference, a landmark pan-Arab political gathering. Its grand mid-century hotels and villas date from that resort era.

Highlights

  1. Panoramic Zabadani valley viewpoint
  2. Apple and cherry orchards
  3. Summer resort promenade
  4. Winter snow slopes
  5. Bloudan grotto

Major Attractions

  • The Corniche viewpoint

    The main ridge road strings together cafés and terraces overlooking the Zabadani plain and the Lebanese border ranges — the reason most Damascenes come.

  • Orchards of Bloudan

    Apple, cherry and walnut terraces climb the slopes; roadside stands sell the harvest from June through October.

  • Bloudan Grotto

    A small limestone cave above the village, an easy walk with valley views on the return.

  • Zabadani

    The neighbouring spa town, ten minutes downhill, forms one continuous excursion with Bloudan.

Traveller Tips

  • Weekend traffic from Damascus is heavy in July and August — travel midweek if you can.
  • Nights drop sharply after sunset even in August; pack a jacket.
  • The road passes close to the Lebanese border — carry your passport and expect checkpoints.

What to Eat

  • Bloudan apples

    Crisp high-altitude apples that supply Damascus markets — the local emblem.

  • Terrace mezze

    Long slow lunches of mountain labneh, pickles, kibbeh and arak with a view over the valley.

  • Grilled trout

    Farmed in the cold springs of the Barada headwaters and grilled at the roadside restaurants.

Other local flavours: Mountain apples · Cherries · Fresh trout · Terrace mezze

Where to Stay

  • Bloudan resort hotels

    Mid-range to upscale

    Several hillside hotels reopen for the summer season with pools and valley-facing balconies.

  • Summer apartments

    Self-catering

    Short-term family apartments are the standard local option and cheapest in June and September.

← All cities

Next

Zabadani →