Major city · Syria
Palmyra
Skip visiting Palmyra as a tourist: safety concerns, landmines and limited services; if you must, limit to a day visit with strict local guidance.
Palmyra is an isolated oasis with UNESCO ruins that are partly destroyed and lie in a mine‑contaminated area. Limited accommodation and no reliable services mean a short, guided day trip only, and many travellers choose to skip it altogether.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SYP
- Best months
- Oct–Nov (cooler mornings for sunrise/sunset views)
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat) and any period of active conflict (check current security)
- Airports
- Damascus (DAM) · Aleppo (ALP)
- Nights
- 0–1 (day visit only)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Syria before …
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Syria ↗Check your own government travel advice for Syria before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Syria ↗No independent tourist entry route is documented here.
- Syria ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Syria before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Palmyra112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Palmyra, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards and ATMs generally do not work in Syria: see Insurance & payments above.Syria-wide
- SafetycheckHigh security risk; travel only with a local guide, keep to daylight hours, and check foreign travel advisories before you go.
- Emergency numbers112 police · 110 ambulance · 113 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDAM Damascus International Airport (No direct buses to Palmyra as of Dec 2025…
- Getting aroundWalk; the historic core is within a few kilometres.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DAM Damascus International Airport (No direct buses to Palmyra as of Dec 2025; buses toward Deir ez-Zor pass on the bypass about 4 km (2.5 mi) north-east of the museum (check)) · ALP Aleppo International Airport (Reach Homs first, then a minibus from the southern station to downtown Tadmur, about 2 h 30 min (Dec 2025); check current service)DAM Damascus International Airport (No direct buses to Palmyra as of Dec 2025; buses toward Deir ez-Zor pass on the bypass about 2.5 mi (4 km) north-east of the museum (check)) · ALP Aleppo International Airport (Reach Homs first, then a minibus from the southern station to downtown Tadmur, about 2 h 30 min (Dec 2025); check current service)
Map of Palmyra
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Palmyra: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Jun
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk; the historic core is within a few kilometres. Camel rides are offered locally but arrange through your camp or guide.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 3 h
Minibus from the southern station in Homs to downtown Tadmur, about 2 h 30 min (Dec 2025)
The usual approach; bring cash and confirm the return leg before you leave.
Door to door: About 4 h
No direct buses as of Dec 2025; buses toward Deir ez-Zor pass on the bypass about 4 km (2.5 mi) north-east of the museumNo direct buses as of Dec 2025; buses toward Deir ez-Zor pass on the bypass about 2.5 mi (4 km) north-east of the museum
Long-distance buses stop on the bypass, not in town: arrange the last 4 km (2.5 mi).Long-distance buses stop on the bypass, not in town: arrange the last 2.5 mi (4 km).
Deir ez-Zor
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Long-distance bus from the northern station in Homs, stopping on the bypass about 4 km (2.5 mi) north-east of the museum, about 2 h 30 min (Dec 2025)Long-distance bus from the northern station in Homs, stopping on the bypass about 2.5 mi (4 km) north-east of the museum, about 2 h 30 min (Dec 2025)
Same bypass stop; check current service before relying on it.
Door to door: Check
By road with your own vehicle or a guide; no scheduled service
Landmines and no services away from the oasis: do not wander off the road.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Palmyra Sunrise Camp
Tent‑style camp opened 2025; 2 min walk to colonnade, 5 min to Temple of Bel; $25 pp incl. breakfast; basic facilities, electricity, warm blankets.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ≈ $30–$45 excl. camp night
- Mid
- ≈ $50–$70 excl. camp night
- High
- ≈ $80+ excl. camp night
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Minibus from Homs to Palmyra | ≈ 4 USD |
| Camel ride | ≈ 10 USD |
| Tent camp night (incl. breakfast) | ≈ 25 USD |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Landmines remain in and around the site; travel only with a local guide.
- Security situation can change rapidly; check foreign travel advisories before planning.
- No ATMs accept foreign cards; bring cash (SYP or USD).
- Facilities are minimal; limited food, water and medical services.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 110
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
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PalmyraPalmyra
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance110
- Fire113
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Palmyra. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Nov (cooler mornings for sunrise/sunset views) · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat) and any period of active conflict (check current security)
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Palmyra
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