Palmyra Travel Guide

  Funerary Temple at Palmyra
by atufft
 
  • Funerary Temple at Palmyra
      Funerary Temple at Palmyra
    by atufft
  • Funerary Temple at Palmyra
      Funerary Temple at Palmyra
    by atufft
  • Wall of the Funerary Temple
      Wall of the Funerary Temple
    by atufft
  • Columns of the Funerary Temple
      Columns of the Funerary Temple
    by atufft
  •   Palmyra
    by June.b
 

Pro

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 Ruins aren't surrounded by urban life 


Con

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 Close to Iraqi border inside a slightly creepy country 


In a nutshell

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 Extensive ruins in a desert oasis. 

 

Explore Palmyra

Things to Do  

Grand Colonnade

Grand Colonnade, Palmyra

 MM212 Says:  Built mostly in the early 2nd century AD, Palmyra's legendary Grand Colonnade measures more than 1km in length. The avenue leads from the Temple of Bel in the east to the Funerary Temple at the western end, and makes two slight turns along the way, at the Monumental Arch and... 

Palmyra kingdom booming :

Palmyra kingdom booming :, Palmyra

 sinou Says:  Palmyra kingdom boomed and reached to the top in the second /third century A.D. when the caravans crossing from the east to the Mediterranean sea and Europe and vice versa.Palmyra is a desert city, .. very high temperature in summer , and low humidity. That made it's... 

Main Street Palmyra, Part I

Main Street Palmyra, Part I, Palmyra

 atufft Says:  The main drag of ancient Palmyra was lined with a number of important public buildings and stretched for more than a half mile or so to end at the Funerary Temple. The street is not straight, as Roman roads are but takes a slight turn midway. From the Main Entrance Arch to... 

Temple of Bel

Temple of Bel, Palmyra

 MM212 Says:  The size and grandeur of the Temple of Bel make this one of the greatest temples of the Roman east. This enormous temple is quite befitting of the most important Semitic god, Bel (or Baal), who was equated with the Greek god Zeus. The columned porticoes of the outer... 

The view on top of the fortresses.

The view on top of the fortresses., Palmyra

 June.b Says:  I was disappointed because I wanted to spend more time on top of the citadel, and wait for the sunset, am not romantic or sumthin', just want to enjoy a beautiful scene, and the sun is still glaring and my group is already in the van!Anyhoo, we left the castle, went down,... 

The Arabic Citadel (on the fortress)

The Arabic Citadel (on the fortress), Palmyra

 June.b Says:  And so we've reached the top, this is the much awaited climax of the tour - the rest of the group been asking for this - it has to be the last stop after all it's on the top.I was a bit sad because, I was expecting to finish the tour watching the sunset on top of the... 

Going up the Palmyra Castle

Going up the Palmyra Castle, Palmyra

 June.b Says:  I don't exactly know the official name of this castle, I'm even confused if it's a citadel or a castle? the Arabic Castle - it says on the wall just before the ticket window. it's on top of the hill, so you'd better have a car or your tour service to get there, unless you... 

The Arabic Citadel

The Arabic Citadel, Palmyra

 June.b Says:  The final destination of our Palmyra tour is the highly anticipated climb to the citadel on top of the hill. Not really climb, we are in the van of course, but upon entry to the castle we have to navigate around and climb stairs going on the top of the citadel to witnesxs... 

Palmyra Gateway and grand collonade

Palmyra Gateway and grand collonade, Palmyra

 June.b Says:  The fourth stop is my much awaited part of the tour - the gateway entrance of the ancient city leading to the kilometers long collonade. The arches are are intricately designed and seemed like inviting you to come in. It is the grand entrance to the rest of the ancient city... 

Temple of Bel

Temple of Bel, Palmyra

 June.b Says:  The third stop is one of the best preserved ancient structure in Palmyra is the temple of Bel. Dedicated to the Semitic god Bel, worshipped in Palmyra as Malakbel. The temple is a religiouscenter of Palmyra. The main god of the Aramaeans at Palmyra was Bol later became known... 

Tomb of Three Brothers

Tomb of Three Brothers, Palmyra

 June.b Says:  Second stop in Palmyra is an underground tomb. No names, the side of the entrance which is under a long stairs says "The Tomb of Three Brothers" which I asked the guy who opened the gate with huge key, and he said just 3 brothers. Photography is not allowed inside. 

Restaurants  

Venus Restaurant: Beware your stomach

Venus Restaurant: Beware your stomach, Palmyra

 gmg61 Says:  Vary basic restaurant with few outdoors tables. The walls are covered with compliments of customers, but I wasn't satisfied by the food and - more - got a little sick with my stomach for a couple of days after visiting it.They serve traditional bedouin food ( for example... 

Several: Restaurants in General

Several: Restaurants in General, Palmyra

 PierreZA Says:  I went to about three restaurants when visiting Palmyra. Generally speaking, I was quite dissapointed. Only one of the three were ok, especially service.There are several restaurants to choose from - but check out the menu first.The service at the Traditional Palmyra... 

Transportation  

Group Tour - Palmyra

Group Tour - Palmyra, Palmyra

 June.b Says:  Although it's a bit costly - i was really intending to do it on my own - but the group tour in a van is convenient. I paid SYP2,500 or $55 at Riad Hotel who arranges the van and enlist people on the tour. I know I could have spent even half of that but well, I felt awkward... 

Group Tour

Group Tour, Palmyra

 June.b Says:  Although it's a bit costly - i was really intending to do it on my own - but the group tour in a van is convenient. I paid SYP2,500 or $55 at Riad Hotel who arranges the van and enlist people on the tour. I know I could have spent even half of that but well, I felt awkward... 

Shopping  

Local people: Rugs and local handicrafts

Local people: Rugs and local handicrafts, Palmyra

 June.b Says:  Around Palmyra, especially in front or around the highlights of the place, there are several local people selling rugs, they will approach you - they speak english - and ofer you their wares mostly those red rugs. Some are pushy, in general, they're friendly. I heard one guy... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Qala'at Ibn Maan

Qala'at Ibn Maan, Palmyra

 iwys Says:  The Arab citadel of Ibn Maan stands high up on mountain overlooking Palmyra. It is the perfect place to go at sunset. the citadel was built in the 17th century by Fakhr ad-Din, a Lebanese warlord, who held out here against the might of the Ottoman empire. It is believed,... 

To Iraq in Palymra

To Iraq in Palymra, Palmyra

 zuyao Says:  The road leading to Palmyra is also on the way to Baghdad. I stopped by road signs showing Iraq and Baghdad to take some pictures. It was interesting because it's as if I'm headed to Baghdad during this trying times! 

Favorites  

Fakhrad-din Almaany the II castle :

Fakhrad-din Almaany the II castle :, Palmyra

 sinou Says:  the Arabic castle aka castle of IBN MAAN the Lebanese prince Fakhr ad-din al-Maany the second, who ruled internal Syria besides Lebanon.- 16th century-, builds it on a top of strategic mountain, it's overlooking enables defense army to explore the enemies from far away... 

The modern city :

The modern city :, Palmyra

 sinou Says:  Palmyra today is a modern city with straight streets , and a lot of hotels , cafés and restaurants. Surrounded by a fertile oasis.Inhabitants economic depends on agriculture, trade and tourist services . live around some Bedouin tribes depending on breeding. Palmyra kingdom... 

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Map of Palmyra