Tartus, Syria

Capital City

Tartus may seem like a vacation spot for many Syrians, but the reality is a city grappling with a heavy tax burden, courtesy of its strategic port that sees 458,327 residents (2023 estimate). Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the city's shifting governance - it was under Latakia Governorate until the 1970s, when it became a separate governorate. The climate, though relatively mild with high precipitation compared to inland Syria, can feel oppressive in the sweltering summers. For all its historical charm, Tartus is best suited for those unfazed by the tradeoffs of living in a coastal Syrian city.