Qardaha Travel Guide
City Coastal village in Latakia Governorate
A mountain town above the Latakia plain known for olive groves and citrus terraces. Travelers stop for cooler air, village markets, the stone-made town center and views sweeping toward the Mediterranean coast.
Why Visit Qardaha? #
Perched in the coastal mountains of Latakia Governorate, Qardaha attracts travelers curious about regional history, Alawite culture and olive-country scenery. Hillsides and olive groves set the scene, while Levantine dishes such as kibbeh and hearty stews reveal local culinary traditions. Visitors often combine village visits with nearby Mediterranean beaches and mountain walks to experience both inland customs and seaside life.
Top Things to Do in Qardaha
All Attractions ›
- Assad family mausoleum complex - Visit the Assad family mausoleum complex set within Qardaha's town outskirts and gardens.
- Qardaha town center - Walk Qardaha's streets to see traditional Alawite architecture and local cafés.
- Terraced olive groves - Explore terraced olive groves above Qardaha, learning traditional pressing techniques.
- Family-run olive press visit - Visit a family olive press to sample cold-pressed oil and traditional snacks.
- Hillside viewpoints - Hike short trails to hillside viewpoints providing sweeping coastal and mountain panoramas.
- Local Friday market - Browse the local Friday market for fresh produce, spices, and handmade textiles.
- Latakia - Drive thirty minutes to Latakia for Mediterranean beaches, souks, and coastal promenades.
- Jableh - Visit ancient Jableh to see its Roman theatre, Byzantine mosaics, and seaside cafés.
Best Time to Visit Qardaha #
Qardaha has classic Mediterranean seasons - visit late spring or early autumn for warm, comfortable weather and flowering hills. Summers are hot and dry; winters are mild but rainy.
Best Time to Visit Qardaha #
Qardaha's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (944 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (160 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (158 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (133 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (210 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Qardaha
Qardaha is accessed mainly by road from Latakia (Bassel Al-Assad Airport) or by intercity bus/shared taxi from other Syrian cities. Road travel is the practical option; check current travel advisories and local transport availability before planning.
Bassel Al-Assad International (LTK): The main airport for the Latakia region is Bassel Al-Assad International near Latakia. From Latakia the road journey to Qardaha is by car or taxi (roughly 35-50 km depending on route; journey time ~45-75 minutes under normal conditions). Taxis or private transfers are the typical means of travel between the airport/Latakia and Qardaha.
Damascus International (DAM): For some national/international itineraries travellers arrive in Damascus and travel north by road; the drive from Damascus to Qardaha is long (several hours) and usually done by private car or bus with intercity stops.
Train: Syria’s passenger rail network historically connected major cities, but regular services and reliability vary; there are no direct regular passenger trains to Qardaha.
Bus / Shared taxi: Road transport (intercity buses and shared taxis) is the typical option for travel within Latakia Governorate and to Qardaha. Local minibuses and shared taxis connect Latakia with surrounding towns; journey times and availability depend on local schedules and conditions.
