Deir ez-Zor Governorate · Syria
Deir ez-Zor travel guide
Deir ez-Zor is a city in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria, home to about 272,000 people.
- Best months
- March, April and November
- Currency
- SYPSyrian pound
- Time zone
- Asia/Damascus
- Language
- Arabic
About
About Deir ez-Zor
Deir ez-Zor (Arabic: دَيْرُ ٱلزَّوْرِ / دَيْرُ ٱلزُّور, romanized: Dayru z-Zawr / Dayru z-Zūr) is the largest city in eastern Syria and the seventh largest in the country. Located on the banks of the Euphrates 450 km (280 mi) to the northeast of the capital Damascus, Deir ez-Zor is the capital of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate.
Deir ez-Zor is a relatively young city (Ottoman period) so does not contain any spectacular ruins - though there are many extraordinary archaeological sites in the region. The city is flanked on one side by the Euphrates River and on the other by the stretch of desert which leads to Palmyra. It is not a tourist-oriented city, which can add to some of its appeal if you have come from Palmyra. There is a museum to visit and a famous suspension bridge over the Euphrates as well as a small souk. The city is about 300 km south-east of Aleppo and about 200 km east of Palmyra.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Deir ez-Zor
See
There is a well-maintained, thoughtfully laid out, clean museum - a surprise given that most museums in Syria seem to be shrouded in dust, dirt and covered by broken roofs. Here you will find some background on the many tells in the surrounding area. The museum is open from 09:00, every day except Tuesday. There is also a famous suspension bridge over the Euphrates and various archaeological sites around Deir ez-Zor (Halabiya and Zalabiya, Qal'at Rahbeh, Qal'at Rabah).
- Deir ez-Zor Museum
- Armenian Genocide Memorial Church
- Suspension Bridge
Do
From Deir ez-Zor it is possible to visit two sets of Mesopotamian ruins (Dura-Europos and Mari) that lie between the city and the Iraqi border and beside the Euphrates River. Both sites can be easily visited in a single day from Deir ez-Zor by catching one of the many minibuses that run from the city towards the Iraqi border along Highway 4 as they are less than 1 km from the highway. Traveling southwards from Deir ez-Zor the first ruins that are reached are Dura-Europos and about 10 km further south is the complex of Mari. Returning minibuses to Deir ez-Zor can be flagged down on the highway.
- Municipal Stadium
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Deir ez-Zor to stay in
There are not many hotels and even fewer where foreign tourists and particularly lone women would feel comfortable. Hotel Al-Jamia Al-Arabia (Tel. 351371) is one of the few decent budget options in town. A double room with shared toilets (squat but clean and separate cubicles for men and women) does not including breakfast. The owner speaks excellent English and is very willing to share knowledge about the city and area, which helps make up for the slightly shabby decor. The hotel could do with a lick of paint and touch-up but is essentially clean. Some rooms have balconies overlooking the main street. If you fancy a touch of luxury, there is a Cham Palace.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Deir ez-Zor
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Deir ez-Zor are March, April and November. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 41 °C; January is the wettest, with about 31 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Deir ez-Zor
Getting in
There are buses from both Aleppo, Damascus and Palmyra. However there are many checkpoints along the way.
Getting around
Deir ez-Zor is not a big city so it is easy to walk around. The Euphrates is about a 10 minute stroll from the main street. Taxis are also available.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Deir ez-Zor
Eat
Deir ez-Zor seems to specialise in kebab restaurants. Meat is finely chopped and mixed with onions and spices, then grilled over charcoal and served with grilled tomatoes, salad, garnishes and ayran (a drink of diluted yogurt). The price is set by the weight of the meat and a normal meal is 250 g of meat per person. You can also find plenty of restaurants serving roast chicken, falafels and other typical Syrian fast food.
Drink
On the main street there is a small shop selling the usual selection of wine, beer, arak and other alcoholic drinks. You can find it halfway between the main square and the Commercial Bank of Syria, on the left hand side if you are walking towards the bank. Bar al-Kandeel is an unpleasant affair with some interesting patrons about 200 m along the main street north west of the square, on the right. Lone travellers and especially women should avoid.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Deir ez-Zor: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Deir ez-Zor?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Deir ez-Zor are March, April and November. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 41 °C; January is the wettest, with about 31 mm of rain.
What currency is used in Deir ez-Zor?
Syrian pound (SYP).
Nearby
Destinations near Deir ez-Zor
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.