City break in Aleppo. Active leisure ideas for Aleppo - attractions, recreation and nightlife

Tourists mostly visit Aleppo in search of historic attractions and visits to picturesque oriental bazaars. The choice of interesting activities is not as rich here as in many other tourist destinations. Besides excursions, you can make your vacation in Aleppo more exciting by visiting interesting natural attractions located in the vicinity of the city. One of the largest rivers in the region – the Afrin River – flows in the province. The river’s total length is over 130 km. The Afrin River flows not only in Syria but also in Turkey.

A part of the river located in the Aleppo province is considered one of the most interesting to visit. There are several interesting tourist routes laid along the river banks. You can explore the area on foot or take a car ride. This is a wonderful chance to see the typical flora of the region. Moreover, the river is a well of life for multiple species of birds and animals. The area is home to rare predatory birds, and so ornithologists from different countries come here to watch them.

The General Park or Aleppo Public Park is a charming and tranquil place. Today, the park looks exactly the same as before the war period. The park is incredibly beautiful and large. Multiple big trees provide the necessary shade that is so cooling and refreshing on hot days. The park’s landscaped design is another advantage of this place. Numerous flowers, decorative plants, and wonderful fountains make the park even more attractive. Local people visit the General Park to relax with their children because the park has much space for walking, games, and other activities. Tourists enjoy visiting the General Park to look at symbolic monuments of the most important politicians and prominent cultural figures of the region. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Bab Al Faraj Square is an excellent place to enjoy an evening stroll. The square is not big and is mostly famous because of the ensemble of stylish historic buildings that surround it. An old column with a clock is installed in the middle of the square. It is particularly interesting to visit Bab Al Faraj in the evening because the gorgeous illumination system makes this place truly magical. There are numerous restaurants and shops on the first floors of almost all buildings near the square, so this part of the city is almost always crowded.

Just like most Muslim cities, Aleppo doesn’t have many nightclubs and bars. Foreign tourists can find bars that look typical for them only at some big hotels. Local people prefer to visit national cuisine restaurants when they want to relax in the evening. Visit one of these restaurants to enjoy not only a rich selection of dishes but also several types of fragrant shisha. Many restaurants offer an interesting entertainment program with live music.

If you like unusual entertainment and adventure, consider exploring Aleppo suburbs. It is better to make such a journey together with a local guide. You can visit traditional settlements, people in which have the same lifestyle as several centuries ago. Many travelers want to visit the abandoned ghost towns and archaeological sites located close to Aleppo. This is a rare opportunity to take a walk on dunes and see thousand-year-old buildings that are almost completely covered with sand. Tourists in Aleppo can participate in such excursions all year round.

Even a simple stroll in the historic district of the city can easily turn into an exciting journey. There are many old buildings in this part of Aleppo. Today, restaurants, shops, and artisan workshops are open in almost every historic building. The historic district is the location of one of the largest markets in the city. It attracts not only tourists but also multiple locals who come to make purchases and socialize. Buying necessities is often not the primary purpose to visit the market. People come to talk and drink fragrant coffee – there are several charming restaurants that are always ready to offer it. For tourists, the main market in Aleppo is a popular place to shop for souvenirs.

Just like in many other Syrian cities, children are cherished in Aleppo. They are one of the main values in the life of every human here. Kids virtually have no restrictions here. There are amusements and playgrounds for children in all shopping malls. In Aleppo Public Park, children can play on the lawn. Kids also enjoy playing with fountains that are installed in many parks and squares. When the weather is hot, it is better to take kids to a local shopping mall and enjoy the activities that it offers. All shopping malls have attractive family cafes. In general, Aleppo cannot offer many exciting activities but this doesn’t mean that the city is boring. Both family tourists and fans of original entertainment can find something interesting here.