Tartus is Syria's main Mediterranean port after Latakia, a coastal city where the sea gives the country a different mood from the inland caravan cities. It is practical rather than grand, but the old centre has Crusader masonry, narrow lanes, and enough sea air to make it a useful stop on the coast.
The historic name was Tortosa, and the strongest surviving monument is the former Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa, once a Crusader church and later used as a museum. Nearby, the Citadel of Tartus is less a single showpiece than a lived-in area of old walls and houses.
Tartus also matters because it is the mainland base for Arwad Island. Boats cross from the waterfront when conditions and local circumstances allow. Travellers should check current security and transport conditions carefully before planning any Syrian coastal itinerary.