Latakia

Latakia is Syria's window on the Mediterranean, ancient Laodicea, and it feels it: a port city of seafront cafes, a long corniche, shopping streets and a easier social air than the interior. A Roman tetraporticus - a four-way colonnaded arch - stands in the old quarter among later lanes, and the city museum occupies an old khan by the water. The beaches north of the city and the mountain resorts behind it make Latakia the base for the whole green northwest coast.

What you actually see

• The corniche - the seafront promenade and its cafes.
• The tetraporticus - the Roman four-way arch in the old lanes.
• The old khans - the caravanserai quarter near the port.
• The northern beaches - the sand and coves up the coast.

When to go

April to June and September to November are mild and clear. Summer is humid and busy with coastal holidaymakers. Winter is mild and rainy.

Honest expectations

Latakia is a working port city, not a resort - the best beaches are out of town. Museum and monument opening is irregular. Traffic is heavy in season.

Nearby

Ugarit is just north, and Ras al-Bassit is up the coast.