Baniyas is a port town on Syria's Mediterranean coast, in the western part of the country. It offers a mix of industrial character and natural scenery, with green hills rising close behind the town and the sea in front of it.
What to expect
- A working harbour. The port is still active, and a stroll along it gives a direct view of local maritime life, from boats and dockside activity to the rhythm of a town built around the sea.
- Fresh seafood. Visitors can enjoy seafood here, a natural pleasure in a coastal port.
- Coastal views. The landscape around the town, with its lush hills and the Mediterranean, makes for relaxed sightseeing.
Around the town
Baniyas is also a gateway to the Alawite Mountains, which lie nearby and are reached easily from the coast. For visitors who want more than the waterfront, the hills offer a change of scene from the port, with greenery and open country inland.
The town suits a slower kind of visit: a day or two to walk the harbour, eat by the water, and look out over the coast and the hills. Its appeal lies in the pairing of working port life and natural setting rather than in a long list of sights, so it rewards those who enjoy an unhurried coastal stop.