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Pro
Ruins aren't surrounded by urban life
Con
Close to Iraqi border inside a slightly creepy country
In a nutshell
Extensive ruins in a desert oasis.
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...
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.
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)
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
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.
June.b Says: The tower tomb of Elahbel is an ancient pre-roman tomb and is our first stop in Palmyra.There are lots of native carpet sellers just before you reach the tomb. We already have purchased the ticket to enter this tower tomb from the main museum building. I forgot, it's...
MM212 Says: Built around 50 AD, Palmyra's Forum or Agora is located next to the Tetrapylon, at the centre of the colonnaded avenue. The Agora was a spacious courtyard surrounded by columned porticoes on four sides. Some of these columns are still half standing, while many have been...
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...
MM212 Says: Completed in 32 AD, the cella of the Temple of Bel predates the surrounding porticoes of the temple. Unlike the rest of the temple, the cella is more Hellinistic in style, but at the same time has the form of Semitic temples. This inner sanctuary is the most sacred part of...
Venus Restaurant: Beware your stomach
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
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...
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...
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...
Local people: Rugs and local handicrafts
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...
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,...
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!
Plan a Palmyra vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Palmyra locals
The ruins of Palmyra are located near the town of Tadmor and here you will find the tourist information centre (open 8am-2pm/6pm- midnight). Here you can...
Q: Hi Ive been to syria many many times with my job, but unfortunately havent been to palmyra before. What i wanted to know is...
A: That sounds like a great idea. I worked in Aleppo and spent a weekend down at Palmyra. The best time to visit the site is sunrise. It will be very cold, but totally...
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One of the Great Cities of the Ancient World
In ancient times, it took four days of travel across barren desert to reach the oasis of Palmyra. For us it took about four hours by bus. When we arrived at about midnight, we had to knock on the...
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tadmor, please - the city of dates
my first Syrian stop... my first highlight... my first love . Palmyra is dark grey plumby skies... then the mists opened, revealing ancient temples and mysterious funerary tombs. Enchanting! Palmyra...
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Before you go to Palmyra, you hear so much about it that you almost become cynical. You start to think, no place can be that great, can it? But, when you wake up to your first Palmyran dawn, all of......
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Situated in the heart of the Syrian Desert, Palmyra contains one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. Tadmor, as it is known in Arabic, is Syria's crown jewel of tourist interests...
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Palmyra (Tadmor in Arabic), is an amazing place to visit, as it encases one’s soul with the atmosphere of the Roman Empire. The architecture is amazing with the tall, strong purpose built structures...
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