The Al-Madina Souq
Aleppo’s covered market: kilometres of vaulted lane, khans between them, and shops reopening. Where to enter, how long it takes, what to buy.
- Opening hours
- Around 09:00–19:00, quiet on Friday afternoon
- Entry
- Free
- Duration
- 120 minutes
- Best time
- Morning, as the shops open and the vaults are still cool
- Period
- Mamluk — Ottoman
- Address
- Between the citadel and the Great Mosque, Old City, Aleppo
One of the longest covered markets in the world. Kilometres of lane under stone vaults, khans scattered between them, and a separate trade on each street: soap makers, coppersmiths, silk merchants. It was badly damaged in the war; repair is under way and the shops are coming back section by section.
Getting there
West of the citadel, on foot from the citadel square. The souq runs from the citadel to the Great Mosque; whichever gate you enter, walking west brings you out at the mosque.
How long it takes
Half an hour end to end without stopping, though nobody has ever crossed this souq in half an hour. Two hours is realistic.
Do not miss
The khan courtyards off the side lanes. Visitors who stay on the main axis never see them, and the real architecture of the souq is in there — two arcaded storeys around a well.
Tips
- Turn off the main axis: the khan courtyards are the real architecture and most visitors never enter
- Laurel soap is bought here straight from the mould; nine months dry means grey outside, green inside
- Repair is ongoing and some lanes may be shut; do not hesitate to ask directions