Tartous (Arabic:طرطوس), an ancient city on the Mediterranean coast of Syria, is the second largest port in Syria after Latakia and had a population of 115,769 in the 2004 census before the current civil war.

Understand

The city's history dates back to the 2nd millennium BC when it was founded as a Phoenician colony known as Antaradus. It was a major stronghold of the Crusaders in the 11th century and remained an important commercial city during the Ottoman era and onto modern Syria. It is a major port as well as home to a Russian naval facility.

Spared by the Syrian Civil War, today Tartous is a summer vacation spot for many Syrians, numerous beach hotels and resorts are dotted along the coast.

Get in

As of 2017, rail services is limited to twice daily trains from Latakia, all long distance trains are cancelled indefinitely.

• 1 Tartous railway station (محطة قطار ركاب طرطوس). (updated May 2023)

See

Templar Fortress

• 1 Tartous Castle (قلعة طرطوس). Old castle, today only parts remain and the castle grounds are occupied by other buildings. However the keep is open for visitors and contains a small museum and cultural exhibitions. (updated Jul 2021)
• 2 Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa (كاتدرائية طرطوس). Former Catholic cathedral erected during the 12th century. It has been described by historians as the best-preserved religious structure of the crusades. (updated Oct 2020)
• Amrit Museum. (updated Jul 2021)
• 3 Temple of Amrit. (updated Jul 2021)

Arwad

The only inhabited island in Syria which has been settled since at least the 2nd millennium BC.

• 4 Citadel of Arwad (قلعة أرواد). (updated Oct 2020)

Do

Go by boat to Arwad Island.

Eat

Tabole Fatoush Hot Fish + Syadiah

Drink

Tower tombs at Amrit

Arak

Sleep

• 1 Holiday Beach Resort, ☏ +963 43 631 970. A major resort located a few kilometers north the city that remains open despite the ongoing civil war. (updated Oct 2017)
• Menchie (Raffoul), Place Menchie, ☏ +963 43 220616. Check-out: 11:00. Low Budget hotel. Hotel is close to bus station. Next to Tartus museum. Owner is a nice man, he has also shop in the same building. Rooms are clean. 
• The Republic Hotel. Budget hotel. Rooms are dirty and stink. Staff (owner) doesn't speak English. 
• Daniel Hotel. Nice hotel, with clean rooms and bathrooms. 

Cope

Consulates

• Greece, Al Wahdeh Street, P.O. Box 4011, ☏ +963 43 221 104, fax: +963 43 329 900, hdanial@maktoob.com.