Chances are that you have never thought about packing your rope and going to Syria for a rock climbing trip. But hold on, if adventure is your thing, check out the Rock Climbing Atlas to find out about one of the most unexpected sport climbing and bouldering destinations in the world.

Thanks to the oil industry, some expatriates began to develop rock climbing in Syria in the late 1990’s. There are already over 300 sport climbing routes and boulder problems and this number continues to grow. The crags that are dotted all around Damascus have very diverse and beautiful routes offering amazing views.

If you enjoy seeing a totally different world where mosques dominate the landscape, where the dessert never seems to end and where women cover their faces, and if you don’t mind to stay in a city full of life, make Damascus your home base and enjoy being a climbing pioneer in Syria!