There’s something magical about spring in Syria this year. As the winter frost gives way to nature awakens, the entire country prepares for one of the most vibrant celebrations in its cultural calendar: Newroz in Syria. But this year is different – this year marks the first time in modern Syrian history that Newroz is celebrated openly and officially across all Kurdish regions, including the beautiful mountains of Afrin, the historic streets of Damascus, and the welcoming communities of Hasakah and Raqqa.
Did you know that Kurdish communities have been an essential thread in Syria’s cultural tapestry for centuries? Throughout various periods of our shared history, Kurdish citizens have held high positions within the Syrian state, contributing their wisdom and courage to our nation’s development. This isn’t just history; it’s the living story of how different cultures have woven together to create the rich mosaic that is Syria today.
Imagine this: on March 20th, as the sun sets over Syria’s landscapes, something extraordinary begins. Across Kurdish communities, families and friends gather to light bonfires that dance against the evening sky. Consequently, the mountainsides glow with hundreds of flickering flames, creating a breathtaking panorama that seems to set the very hills alight. This isn’t just fire – it’s the ancient symbol of renewal, burning away the old and welcoming the new.
Then, as darkness falls, the real magic begins. Traditional music fills the air as people gather in open squares, wearing their beautiful Kurdish attire – vibrant colors that tell stories of generations past. Also, the rhythmic steps of folk dances echo across the valleys as communities come together in joyous celebration. The atmosphere is electric with laughter, music, and the shared spirit of hope that defines Newroz in Syria.
But the celebration doesn’t stop when night ends! The following morning at 10 AM, the festivities continue with more traditional dances and the proud raising of Kurdish flags – a symbol of cultural identity and national pride that now flies freely across Syria. Residents expressed joy at being able to celebrate freely: “I feel like I’m born again,” said one celebrant.
Newroz celebrations in Syria were historically restricted under previous regimes. However, the situation changed dramatically after December 2024 with the fall of the Assad regime. Obviously, this represented a significant shift in cultural freedom and Kurdish rights recognition.2026 marks a historic milestone for Syria and its Kurdish communities. For the very first time, Newroz in Syria is being celebrated officially and openly in all major Kurdish-populated areas. This means:
Afrin Region – Experience Nowruz celebrations in this peaceful and secure mountain area, where the traditions burn brightest, and the community spirit is strongest. In fact, Afrin stands out as a safe, stable, and welcoming destination where you can experience Newroz in Syria in its purest form.
Damascus – Witness the capital’s first-ever official Newroz celebration in modern history, where the nation comes together to honor its cultural diversity.
Hasakah and Raqqa– Discover the unique Newroz traditions of northeastern Syria, where ancient customs meet modern celebration in perfect harmony.
Ready to experience this historic celebration firsthand? We’re thrilled to introduce our March Newroz Tour – a once-in-a-lifetime journey that takes you to the heart of Syria’s most vibrant cultural celebration!
Historic First: Be part of the first official Newroz celebrations in modern Syrian history
Authentic Experience: Celebrate in Afrin – the safest and most traditional Newroz destination
Cultural Immersion: Participate in traditional dances, wear Kurdish attire, and join local families in celebration
Spectacular Views: Witness the breathtaking bonfire ceremonies that light up the mountainsides. Complete Journey: Visit Damascus, Afrin, in addition to many attraction sites in Syria, to witness the beauty of the country.
Spaces are limited for this historic celebration. Thus, don’t miss your chance to experience Newroz in Syria – the way it was meant to be celebrated: authentically, joyfully, and freely.
Contact us today to reserve your spot on the March Newroz Tour.Let us handle all your travel arrangements while you focus on making memories.Syria Scope Travel, your new way to explore.
For more information about Syria, please get in touch with us today! Alternatively, check out our extensive range of group tours to Syria.
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Josh Lulu was our tour guide in Damascus in October 2022 and she was the best guide we could‘ve hopefully for! We had a tight schedule so we asked to see as much as possible, which she happily obliged to. She has a very interesting background, knowing every last bit of the city, its culture, history and food! She speaks multiple languages, including Japanese (!) and was just a fantastic guide to have. 10/10 would recommend. Samantha Echeverria An extraordinary and humbling experience. From start to finish the whole experience was an adventure, learning of the Syrians deep history gives a great insight to their collective strength and dedication to their culture. To walk the same footsteps as mentioned in the Bible and Quran is profound and indescribable. Overall I was incredibly humbled by my experience in Syria. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to coming back to Syria soon 🤲🏼 Per Sommer Jeg rejste tre dage sammen med Tambi i det nordlige Syrien. Det var en uforglemmelig oplevelse. Sammen besøgte vi Homes, Krak de Chevaliers, Maloula, Aleppo, Arward Island og Apamea. Ikke bare er Tambi blevet en god ven, men han har også en kæmpe viden om de steder, som vi besøgte. Et af højdepunkterne var også at være på besøg hos Tambi i hans lejlighed og møde hans kone. Her fik vi te, kager og en god snak om oplevelserne under den lange krige. Jeg kan kun give Tambi mine varmeste anbefalinger. Marco Arenas I was in Syria a few years ago doing a little tour with Ayoub and the experience was amazing, Ayoub and his team were marvelous guides all around the country, making the most of the trip. Their service is amazing. I highly recommend Ayoub because he is reliable and well-organized. I am looking forward to coming back to Syria! Junaidi I recently had the pleasure of exploring Syria with Tambee as our tour guide, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Tambee’s deep knowledge of Syria's rich history and culture brought every site we visited to life. His passion for the country was evident in the way he shared stories and historical insights, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Tambee’s professionalism and attentiveness were remarkable. He ensured our group felt safe and comfortable at all times, handling all logistics seamlessly. His ability to navigate the complexities of travel in Syria, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, made our journey both smooth and memorable. What I really love is his knowledge of Islamic History. The way he told me the History of Islam while we are standing on the historical site itself just gave me goosebumps. He can make the history comes to life. In summary, Tambee is an exceptional tour guide whose expertise and dedication significantly enhanced our Syrian adventure. If you're planning a trip to Syria, do yourself a favor and contact Tambee. You won't be disappointed! Joel Lara Everything on the tour was amazing. Whatever you need to feel comfortable, they will go out of their way to make sure you feel okay. Tambi was our tour guide and I honestly would not have switched anything about it. He is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Someone that is really passionate about sharing the past, present and future of Syria. You need to book your trip to Syria as soon as possible. There is so much history to be seen in this country. Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to what western media would say about this country. Saying it’s all about terrorism and dangerous, that’s a HUGE lie, go see for yourself how kind and loving those people in Syria are. As for the war in Israel, it feels really safe in Syria. You going there gives people hope for a better future. Visa costs depend on nationality. As a US citizen my Visa was pretty costly 220$. It was WORTH IT! Cymbie Lumbao Syria was definitely on our list of country to visit. It exceeded our expectations! Syrians are the most hospitable and warmest people we have ever met. The history is amazing! Tambee is our tour guide and Tayseer is our driver. They are the best! Tambee is very passionate about his country and their history. We felt really safe and well taken care of. We would definitely visit again. We went in for a tour of Syria and came out with a lifelong Syrian friends! 🙏🏽🇸🇾 thank you for a wonderful experience! Shukran! Rahul Mudumba Tambee was fantastic, and made sure I had an incredible trip! Filippo Volpato Tambee was the most exquisite guide we could have ever wanted. Always attentive, extremely knowledgeable and open to adjust the itinerary based on your interests (expect surprises for you!). Hopefully we will be back to this beautiful country, that Tambee made us fall in love with. Michael Van Arragon Ask for Tambee! There is so much to learn about the history and future of our shared humanity in this important and beautiful country. I travelled 10 days across a large part of Syria and wish I could've stayed. Tambee who emphasizes the "intangible" is a talented and enthusiastic story teller with an amazing personal connection to the people and culture. He will help you come away with a big picture appreciation of everything youre seeing and with a specialist's attention to detail; help you deepen your own sense of what is happening today in the region. These are some seriously friendly people- a visit to Syria like this one is so special.
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Ayoub Al Smadi
Ayoub boasts over five years of tour guiding and tour operator expertise. he has a master’s degree in planning and managing sustainable tourism development, and his cheerful, vibrant personality makes every moment with him fly by unnoticed.
Damascus International Airport reopened to air traffic on Wednesday, April 08th 2026
