Damascus has hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The best months to visit are March to May and September to November, when the weather is warm without the extreme heat of summer or the rain of winter.
Spring (March-May) brings sun and comfortable temperatures with minimal rain. The city is green and the Ghouta orchards are at their best.
Autumn (September-November) offers similar warmth without the scorching summer heat. The Silk Road Festival takes place in late September, a multi-city event with theatre, folklore dancing, exhibitions and gastronomic events that follows the old trade route through Damascus, Palmyra, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor. It lasts about five days and is a fine excuse to travel the country.
Summer (June-August) is very hot, with dry dusty winds blowing in from the desert. The International Flower Show at Teshreen Park runs in July or August, and jazz festivals are held in both Damascus and Aleppo in August.
Winter (December-February) brings cold weather and rain, making sightseeing less pleasant.
The Damascus Film Festival in November draws filmmakers and audiences from across the Arab world, Latin America and Asia. The Damascus Theatre Festival, a biennial event dating back to 1969, stages performances at venues across the city.