Archaeological · Latakia Governorate
Ugarit (Tell Shamra)
أوغاريت
35.6017° N · 35.7822° E“Birthplace of the world's earliest alphabet.”
- Category
- Archaeological
- Era
- 2nd millennium BCE
- Location
- Latakia Governorate
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
Overview
Significance
Notable Features
- Royal Palace
- Ancient harbour at Minet el-Beida
- Alphabetic cuneiform discoveries
- Temples of Baal and Dagan
- Library of the High Priest
Major Attractions
Royal Palace
A 90-room palace of the 14th–13th centuries BCE with an internal garden court and the famous administrative archives.
Library of the High Priest
Where the Baal cycle and other Ugaritic mythological texts were discovered — foundational documents of Northwest Semitic literature.
Temples of Baal and Dagan
Twin temples on the acropolis with surviving stelae and altar bases.
Minet el-Beida
Ugarit's harbour town, a kilometre west on the coast — the trade gateway to Egypt, Cyprus, and the Aegean.
Visitor Tips
- Combine with the National Museum of Damascus, where the Baal stele and the alphabet tablet are displayed.
- Easy 30-minute drive from Latakia — pair with a beach afternoon at Ras al-Basit or Ras Ibn Hani.
- Bring a sun-hat — there is no shade on the tell.
What to Eat Nearby
Samakeh Harra
Latakia's signature spicy baked fish — perfect after a hot morning on the tell.
Coastal mezze
Muhammara, fish kibbeh, and grilled sardines on the Latakia corniche.
Where to Stay
Le Méridien Lattakia
Five-star resortBeachfront resort 20 minutes south of the site.
Côte d'Azur de Cham Resort
ResortLarge coastal resort on Ibn Hani peninsula.