If you travel to experience history, food, scenery or culture, then there is absolutely one country that should be on your radar, and that is Syria. Teaming with UNESCO world heritage sites from multiple eras of human history Syria is the dream of any history buff.
One of the most famous a largest sites in Syria that you can visit is Palmyra. Palmyra prior to the civil war was one of Syria’s biggest draw cards with epic colonnaded streets, ancient temples and luxury hotels nestled all in a desert oasis. Sadly, in 2015 and again in 2016 Palmyra was taken over by the Islamic state and was very badly damaged. The ancient site was about 40% destroyed including the main temple of Baal which was the superstar of the site after they filled it with explosives. Evidence of the destructions from rocket explosion sites to bullet holes are still very evident across the ancient architecture.
What remains of Palmyra the city?
Palmyra isn’t just the Roman ruins, there is a city attached to it which used to serve as the heartbeat for the huge tourism site. Unfortunately, this city is one of the worst affected during the war and is almost 90% destroyed. Some residents have returned, however the overwhelming majority have not, and the city lies in ruins.
What about the Palmyra Museum?
During the conflict, the Palmyra Museum was also one of the victims of ISIS who came through smashed statues and destroyed priceless artifacts. On top of this the roof was destroyed and until recently didn’t have much inside to be visited. Now in 2026, the museum is currently being repaired and statues that were hidden and not destroyed are being bought back. The museum is set to be finished sometime in 2026, but as of writing this in April 2026 it is still not finished.
What remains of the ruins?
Around 40% of the site was destroyed by ISIS and some of the site was used for some horrific acts of human terror such as executions. Nowadays there has been some slight repairs on the colonnaded street and one of the arches, however the main temple of Baal remains a giant pile of rubble.
A lot of the city is still in fairly good condition considering what it has been through, and considering it is a Roman ruins site it will been in some state of ruin regardless of ISIS. The amphitheatre is still in good condition and the site overall is still absolutely amazing to explore.
Is food and drink at the site?
Yes, there some Bedouin locals that have set up tents where you can get cold drinks and even get food if you order in advance. There are these people have also set up toilets for the few tourists that come through.
Can you buy souvenirs?
Yes, there are also local people that will be at the site selling small souvenirs such as old guide books, beads, headscarves and other touristy Kitch. These people will be both at the temple of Baal (or what remains of it) and the amphitheatre. They will probably also offer you coffee as is common all over Syria with their amazing hospitality.
Can you visit the Palmyra Citadel?
Yes, kind of. You can drive up the road to the entrance of the citadel however entrance into the citadel itself is not accessible as the bridge has been destroyed and the bridge that is there is not safe. There are some dangerous items around on the ground and so you should be mindful of this and not touch anything when in the remains of the Russian military outpost. There is an amazing view from the top overlooking the ruins of Palmyra city and so going up here is definitely worth it.
Can you stay at Palmyra?
No. Currently, there are no hotels for tourists available, however you may be able to stay in one of the Bedouin tents next to the site. Most people will do this as a day trip driving from Homs or Damascus. It is a 2 hour drive from Homs and 3.5 hours to Damascus. It is best to visit in the morning especially in the summer months as it can be very hot in the desert and there is little to no shade available.
How can I book a tour to see Palmyra?
The best way to see not only Palmyra, but also Syria is to contact [email protected] and we can arrange this for you. We run several group trips per year showcasing the best of the country with expert guides. Check out our website here for tour dates.
