Site of Palmyra

Overview

Palmyra fused Greco-Roman, Parthian, and local Aramaic-Arabic traditions into a singular hybrid art and architecture, immortalised under Queen Zenobia.

Significance

UNESCO World Heritage Site (1980); placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2013.

Notable Features

• 01Temple of Bel (32 CE)
• 02Roman Colonnade
• 03Ancient Theatre
• 04Valley of the Tombs
• 05Palmyra Castle (Qala'at Ibn Maan)
• 06Archaeological Museum

Major Attractions

• 01

  Temple of Bel

  The cella was destroyed in 2015; the monumental gateway and parts of the temenos wall survive as poignant fragments of the 1st-century sanctuary.

• 02

  Great Colonnade

  Palmyra's main avenue, a 1.1 km columned street linking the Temple of Bel to the funerary temple at the western end.

• 03

  Roman Theatre

  2nd-century theatre with a remarkably intact scaenae frons opening onto a circular plaza.

• 04

  Valley of the Tombs

  Tower tombs and hypogea of Palmyra's merchant families, decorated with the painted limestone portraits that defined Palmyrene art.

• 05

  Qala'at Ibn Maan

  A 13th-century Arab citadel on the ridge above the city — the iconic sunset viewpoint over the ruins.

Visitor Tips

• ›Access has been restricted since 2015; always confirm current security and routes before travel.
• ›Bring everything you need (water, food, fuel) from Homs — Tadmur services are limited.
• ›Sunrise and sunset are the only tolerable times for photography in summer.

What to Eat Nearby

• Mansaf

  Bedouin lamb-and-jameed dish, the desert table's centrepiece.

• Lamb Ouzi

  Whole stuffed lamb roasted in a sealed clay oven for festive Bedouin meals.

• Cardamom Coffee

  Pale, bitter Bedouin coffee served in small cups as the desert greeting.

Where to Stay

• Homs base

  Recommended

  Most visitors currently base in Homs (2.5 hr) and visit on a long day trip as conditions allow.

• Zenobia Hotel

  Historic / closed

  Famed 1900 hotel by Howard Crane on the colonnade — damaged and not regularly operating.