Forty-five Saudi motorcyclists arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday evening as part of the 2026 Saudi-Syrian Motorcycle Rally, marking the return of this type of journey between the two countries after an absence of about 15 years. Rally activities inside Syria will continue until 12 October.
Videos posted by Syrian accounts and pages on social media showed the motorcycle convoy entering the streets of Damascus. Participants were welcomed with performances of the traditional Sham al-Arada, accompanied by drumming and chants of welcome, while the Saudi motorcyclists joined in the reception ceremony.
The rally route from Jeddah to Damascus
The rally set off from the city of Jeddah in Makkah province, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency, before the participants followed a long route that included several stops in Saudi Arabia. The convoy passed through the cities of Yanbu, Al Wajh and Duba, then Neom and Haql, before crossing Jordanian territory on its way to its final destination in the Syrian Arab Republic.
The motorcyclists covered an estimated 1,700 kilometres over three consecutive days of riding. The journey aims to explore shared natural and historical landmarks, while combining sporting activity with an introduction to tourist attractions along the rally route.
Syrian tours introducing tourist sites
The programme planned inside Syria includes field tours in a number of cities and areas, with the aim of highlighting the country’s tourist, cultural and historical sites and attractions during the remainder of the activities, which continue until 12 October.
Syrian Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salhani said, while receiving the participants, that the journey represented “a real opportunity to discover Syria, meet its people and experience its cultural, natural and historical diversity”. He stressed the importance of the motorcyclists’ arrival to explore the country after an absence of 15 years, describing the rally as a positive step towards revitalising tourism.
