A decade ago, visiting this historical Syrian city would have been completely implausible. It was controlled by ISIS, one of the most brutal terrorist groups in recent history. Now, however, the city is peaceful, and many of its residents have returned, rebuilding so much of the city and turning it back into a bustling metropolis. There are now a plethora of things to do in Raqqa.
Currently, Raqqa is under the control of the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces). This means that it requires a permit to visit, and cannot be visited with only a regular Syrian visa / entry stamp. If you join one of our tours to Rojava, Raqqa will be included as part of the itinerary, including entry permits/documentation.
So, what are some of the best things to do in Raqqa? Here’s a list of them.
1) I Love Raqqa
The “I Love Raqqa” sign is located on Naim Roundabout in the center of the city. Right now, it’s a popular meeting point for locals. However, during the times of ISIS, this square was used as a place where they would undertake public punishments, such as cutting off the hands of thieves and even public executions. Just next to it is a great sweet shop (with delicccciiooous ice cream) called بيت الكيك. Just write that word into Google Maps and it will show up.
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2) The Euphrates River
One of the most famous rivers in the world, the land between the Euphrates and Tigris river makes up much of ancient Mesopotamia. It starts in Turkey, then flows into Syria, through the cities of Raqqa and Deir Ezzour, then crosses into Iraq, passing through Babylon and Najaf before flowing out into the Arabian/Persian Gulf. In Raqqa, it is a popular spot for families to go for a picnic and enjoy the blue water.
3) Baghdad Gate
Raqqa’s ancient city gates dates back to the Abbasid period (8th Century AD). One of them remains, known as Baghdad gate, named after Baghdad, which was the capital city of the Abbasid empire. The nearby Qasr Al Banat ruins can also be visited, and date back to the same period.
4) Bustling Markets
In my opinion, one of the highlights of Raqqa is just walking through the bustling streets and meeting its friendly people. In my opinion, they are some of the friendliest in all of Syria! You can start by the “I love Raqqa” sign and slowly walk through the markets on the way to the river. You are guaranteed to find some hustle and bustle and feel the vibe of the city.
5) Jaabar Castle
This is one of the best things to do in Raqqa! This ancient castle is one of my favourite historical sites in all of Syria, located right next to what was previously known as Assad Lake (I don’t think they have come up with a new name for it, yet). If you come here an hour or two before sunset, you’ll have enough time to explore the castle, and also to watch the sunset over the lake. It’ll be one of the best sunsets you’ve ever seen, I can guarantee you that!
If you’re interested in visiting Raqqa, or Syria in general, you know where to look. We provide some of the best Syria tours on the market, so make sure you get in touch with us!