Step into the soul of Syria, right here in London. On this intimate 3-hour walking tour, journey through centuries of Syrian art, culture, and storytelling with your guide Nadia, a London-raised Syrian-Palestinian whose roots run deep in Damascus. Explore hidden treasures like the stunning Arab Hall based on a traditional Damascene Home at Leighton House, learn to make a manoushe, taste traditional Arabic ice cream, and connect with Syrian creatives and entrepreneurs keeping their heritage alive. Through food, conversation, and memory, experience a moving celebration of resilience, identity, and cultural exchange.

Tour Highlights

• Step into an Arab Hall based on a traditional Damascene home: Explore the exquisite Damascus Room inside Leighton House, and discover how traditional Syrian architecture protected beauty and privacy.

• Personal Stories, Powerful Connections: Hear Nadia’s lived experiences and family stories, tales of grandmothers, art, and old Damascus, as they connect past to present.

• Traditional Levantine Breakfast: Try your hand at making a manoushe, a beloved Middle Eastern pastry while learning about regional ingredients like za’atar

• Arabic Ice Cream & Backgammon: Watch how traditional Arabic ice cream is made, while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of a Levantine café.

• Meet the Makers: Engage with Syrian entrepreneurs and restaurateurs who have brought their culture to London, sharing laughter, stories, and snacks.

Detailed Itinerary:

Join us on a journey into the world of Syrian heritage without leaving London on this immersive cultural walking tour led by Nadia, a London-based Palestinian guide with deep personal ties to Damascus.

Begin your tour in the stunning Arab Hall of Leighton House, inspired by 19th-century Damascus interiors. Admire original hand-painted tiles, intricate Islamic architecture, and a central courtyard fountain as you learn how artists, travelers, and empires shaped this space. Hear about Nadia’s grandmother and life in Damascus, adding a personal, living layer to the historic setting.

After all the architectural beauty, enjoy a short tea break with maramia (sage) tea, a cherished Levantine remedy wrapped in centuries-old legends. Learn about its sacred role in regional homes and how it links faith, folklore, and healing.

Next, head to a bakery where you’ll see how manoushes, a traditional Levantine flatbread, is made. Enjoy fresh manoushe topped with za’atar or cheese, just like Nadia’s childhood breakfasts in Damascus. Learn the etymology of this beloved dish and its thousand-year-old history as a staple across Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.

End your experience at a vibrant café where you’ll watch the making of booza, a stretchy Arabic ice cream that dates back to the 15th century. As you enjoy your dessert, hear stories of Saidnaya Monastery and Nadia’s glamorous family memories in 1950s Damascus, from sacred icons to sweeping terraces and incense-filled shrines. This final stop blends the past and present, sacred and everyday, in one final sweet moment.