Cityscape of Burj Islam in Latakia Governorate province — Latakia's northern beach village of open sand and pine ridges

Latakia Governorate · Syria

Burj Islam

برج إسلام

35.6486° N · 35.7472° E
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“Latakia's northern beach village of open sand and pine ridges.”

Latakia Governorate · June–September for swimming; May and October for quiet beaches.
Province
Latakia Governorate
Population
~5,000 (village and coastal strip)
Climate
Mediterranean: hot humid summers, mild wet winters, sea breeze most afternoons.
Best Time
June–September for swimming; May and October for quiet beaches.

Today's weather — Burj Islam

Overview

Burj Islam is a coastal village about 15 km north of Latakia, named after the old watchtower above its bay. Its long open beach — one of the widest sandy stretches on the Syrian coast — draws families from Latakia and the mountain villages all summer, alongside a strip of chalets, beach cafés and seasonal seafood shacks.

History

The bay takes its name from a medieval coastal watchtower (burj) built to warn of raiders approaching Laodicea. The village remained a fishing and farming settlement until the 1970s, when summer chalets and resorts spread along the shore between Ibn Hani and Burj Islam.

Highlights

  1. Burj Islam main beach
  2. The old watchtower headland
  3. Seasonal seafood shacks
  4. Sunset over the bay
  5. Short drive to Ras Ibn Hani and Ugarit

Major Attractions

  • Burj Islam Beach

    A wide sandy beach with gentle shelving water, lined in summer with umbrellas, chalets and cafés — the busiest family beach north of Latakia.

  • The watchtower headland

    The rocky point that gives the village its name, good for evening walks and views back over the whole bay.

  • Ras Ibn Hani

    A few kilometres south — a Bronze Age site on a peninsula with quieter swimming coves beside the excavations.

  • Ugarit (Tell Shamra)

    About 12 km inland-north, the Late Bronze Age city where the world's earliest alphabet was written — an easy morning trip from the beach.

Traveller Tips

  • Weekends in July and August are very crowded; come on a weekday morning for space.
  • Most beach chalets are rented by the day or week directly from owners — arrange by phone in advance.
  • Modest swimwear is the norm on public stretches; resort beaches are more relaxed.
  • Bring cash — card payment is rare at beach cafés.

What to Eat

  • Grilled fish

    Chosen from the day's catch, sold by the kilo and grilled over charcoal with lemon and olive oil.

  • Samakeh Harra

    Whole baked fish under a chilli, walnut and coriander paste — the coast's signature dish.

  • Sea urchin and sardines

    Cheap summer plates at the beach shacks, eaten with bread and arak.

Other local flavours: Grilled fish by weight · Samakeh harra · Fried sardines · Fresh lemonade with mint

Where to Stay

  • Beach chalets

    Seasonal rentals

    Rows of privately owned summer chalets behind the beach, rented daily or weekly during the season.

  • Coastal resorts

    Resort

    Several resorts operate along the Ibn Hani–Burj Islam strip with private beach access.

  • Latakia city

    Base city

    Twenty minutes south, with the widest choice of hotels year round.

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