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Homs
ℹ️Practical info — Homs
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Always check current travel advisories and the local security situation before planning your visit.
- The city is in the process of rebuilding; show respect for its history and the ongoing reconstruction efforts.
- Shared taxis (servees) are the primary way to get around; it helps to know your destination's name in Arabic.
- Syrians are incredibly hospitable; accepting a polite invitation for tea is a wonderful way to connect.
🍽 Food
A famous local dessert of sweet cheese rolls you must try at traditional sweet shops.
Highly popular and delicious street food found in the bustling commercial areas.
Various styles of this meat and bulgur dish are widely available in local restaurants.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The traditional markets are great for spices, local sweets, and everyday goods.
The first-rate stop for fresh flatbreads and Syrian pastries.
A historically significant and serene place of worship (ensure modest dress).
Strolling along the river provides a calmer atmosphere away from the city traffic.
Water temperature…
Homs lies in west-central Syria on the Orontes River and has been a major settlement for thousands of years. In antiquity it was Emesa, the famous "city of the sun", home to the priestly dynasty of the Roman emperor Heliogabalus, whose family served the local sun god Elagabal. Today Homs is the third largest city of Syria and one of its key industrial and transport hubs, where the Damascus-Aleppo axis crosses the routes that link the Mediterranean coast to the Iraqi border. The city hosts a major oil refinery, fertilizer plants and substantial food processing. Among its religious monuments, the Mosque of Khalid ibn al-Walid stands out, sheltering the tomb of the celebrated early Muslim commander, alongside the Church of Our Lady of the Holy Belt, one of the oldest Christian sites in Syria. The Crusader fortress of Krak des Chevaliers and the so-called Valley of the Christians lie nearby.
- Location: Syria
- Top sights: The Museum of Homs · Old Clock · Homs panorama
- Nearby: Al-Qusayr (25 km)
- Population: ~775.404 (2026)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 6 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 19 | 13 | 8 |
| Rain mm | 91 | 68 | 44 | 24 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 23 | 46 | 71 |
Geography
Facts
- Homs is the third-largest city in Syria after Aleppo and Damascus.
- In ancient times, the city was known as Emesa.
- The Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque is famous for its nine distinct domes.
- Homs is home to the most significant oil refinery in the country.
- The city is located on the Orontes River, a key waterway in the Levant.
- The Church of Saint Mary of the Holy Belt is one of the oldest in the city.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Homs (11)
Frequently asked questions
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