Cityscape of Latakia in Latakia Governorate province — Syria's principal Mediterranean port

Latakia Governorate · Syria

Latakia

اللاذقية

35.5317° N · 35.7915° E
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“Syria's principal Mediterranean port.”

Latakia Governorate · May–June and September–October for swimming.
Province
Latakia Governorate
Population
~400,000
Climate
Mediterranean: warm humid summers, mild rainy winters.
Best Time
May–June and September–October for swimming.

Today's weather — Latakia

Overview

Latakia is Syria's chief port and a coastal resort backed by the green Alawite Mountains. Phoenician Ramitha became Hellenistic Laodicea ad Mare in the 4th century BCE.

History

Founded by Seleucus I Nicator around 300 BCE. Roman tetrapylon and colonnaded street remains stand in the modern city. Ancient Ugarit — birthplace of the world's first alphabet — lies 11 km north.

Highlights

  1. Latakia Corniche & seafront
  2. Roman Tetrapylon
  3. Ugarit (Tell Shamra)
  4. National Museum of Latakia
  5. Mount Casius (Jabal al-Aqra)

Major Attractions

  • Latakia Corniche

    Long palm-lined seafront promenade thronged in the evenings with families, cafés, and ice-cream vendors.

  • Roman Tetrapylon

    A four-arched 2nd-century gateway, the surviving fragment of the colonnaded street of Roman Laodicea.

  • Ugarit (Tell Shamra)

    11 km north — Late Bronze Age maritime kingdom whose scribes devised the world's earliest known alphabet.

  • Qala'at Saladin

    A spectacular Crusader-Ayyubid castle on a forested ridge inland, separated from the mountain by a 28 m rock-cut moat (UNESCO).

  • Slunfeh Mountain Resort

    Cool pine-clad hill station in the Alawite Mountains, popular in summer for cooler air and walks.

  • Ras al-Basit Beach

    Black-sand bay tucked between mountains and sea, the cleanest swimming on the Syrian coast.

  • National Museum of Latakia

    Set in an Ottoman caravanserai, holding finds from Ugarit, Amrit, and the coastal Phoenician sites.

Traveller Tips

  • Beaches north of Latakia (Ras al-Basit, Ras Ibn Hani) are cleaner than the city beach.
  • Combine Latakia with Saladin's Castle, Ugarit, and the mountain village of Slunfeh on a 2–3 day coastal loop.
  • Seafood is best ordered grilled, sold by weight from the day's catch.

What to Eat

  • Samakeh Harra

    Whole fish baked under a fiery paste of chilli, coriander, walnuts, and lemon — Latakia's signature dish.

  • Sayadieh

    Spiced rice cooked in fish stock and topped with caramelised onions and flaked fish.

  • Coastal Mezze

    Small plates of muhammara, fish kibbeh, fried sardines, octopus, and sea urchin in season.

Other local flavours: Samakeh harra · Sayadieh · Fresh seafood mezze

Where to Stay

  • Le Méridien Lattakia

    Five-star resort

    Beachfront international resort south of the city with private beach, pools, and tennis.

  • Côte d'Azur de Cham Resort

    Resort

    Large family resort on Ibn Hani peninsula with private beach and apartments.

  • Riviera Hotel

    Mid-range

    Central seafront hotel within walking distance of the corniche and old town.

Dalil Crafts

Local crafts & workshops

Other craft
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