Destination · Hauran, southern Syria
Bosra
A black basalt town where a Roman theatre still stands inside a medieval citadel.
Region
Hauran, southern Syria
Best time
March–May · September–November
Time needed
Half a day to a full day
From Damascus
About 2 hours by road
Why go
A theatre hidden inside a fortress.
Bosra was a Nabataean city and later the capital of the Roman province of Arabia. Its theatre, built in the 2nd century, survived largely because Ayyubid builders wrapped it in a citadel, turning a stage into a stronghold.
Around it lies a living town of dark basalt stone: streets, baths, gates and early mosques, where daily life carries on between the ruins.
Highlights
- The Roman theatre inside the citadel
- The colonnaded street and Nabataean arch
- The Omari Mosque and Al-Mabrak Mosque
- Roman baths and the old market
- Lunch with a local family in the Hauran
Gallery
Seen on our journeys
When to go
Best in spring and autumn.
Spring · Mar–May
Green fields across the Hauran plain and comfortable temperatures.
Summer · Jun–Aug
Hot middays. We start early and rest in the shade of the citadel.
Autumn · Sep–Nov
Warm, steady weather and golden light on the black stone.
Winter · Dec–Feb
Cool and sometimes rainy, with very few visitors.
Getting there
Bosra is south of Damascus, near the Jordanian border. We travel by private car, and it fits easily into a day trip or a route through southern Syria.
Good to know
- The theatre’s upper rows are steep: take care on the steps
- Basalt holds heat, so bring water and a hat
- Modest dress is appreciated in the old town
- Arrive early for the quietest light
Combine with
Damascus for a day trip, or Shahba and the villages of the Hauran on a longer route south.
Travel with Juzoor
Plan a journey to Bosra.
As a day from Damascus or part of a longer route south. Tell us your dates and we will shape it with you.
