Destination guide
Hama
A riverside city famous for the giant wooden waterwheels of the Orontes.
Published stays in HamaOverview
Discover Hama
Hama grew along the Orontes River, and for centuries its huge wooden norias, waterwheels around 20 metres across, lifted water into aqueducts to irrigate fields and gardens. The groan of the wheels turning is still the sound most visitors remember.
It is a calm, compact city with riverside cafés and parks, and a convenient base for the Roman ruins of Apamea and the castle at Masyaf.
Why stay here
Reasons to stay in Hama
A riverside setting
Parks, cafés and old houses line the Orontes, and the norias are never far away.
An easy-going pace
Smaller and quieter than Damascus or Aleppo, with a centre you can explore on foot.
Day trips
Apamea's colonnaded street and Masyaf Castle are both within about an hour's drive.
Things to see
Beautiful spots to visit
Norias of Hama
HeritageSeventeen historic waterwheels survive along the river. The largest, Al-Muhammadiyya, is about 20 metres in diameter.
Azm Palace of Hama
HeritageAn 18th-century governor's residence by the river, smaller than its Damascus namesake, with painted rooms and a courtyard.
Apamea
HeritageAbout an hour north-west, this Roman and Byzantine city has one of the longest colonnaded streets of the ancient world. Check access before you go.
Riverside parks and cafés
LeisureGardens and cafés along the Orontes are where locals gather in the evening, often within sight of the wheels.
Where to stay
Choosing your base
Every listing shows its approximate location. Compare it with the areas below before you request a booking.
City centre near the river
Walkable to the norias, cafés and older quarters.
Newer residential districts
Quieter, with easier parking, and useful if you are driving out on day trips.
Published stays
Compare current stays in Hama
These are published listings, not a promise that a date is free. Open a property for its photos, capacity, amenities, and the total for your dates.
- Hama Riverside HotelAl-Hader, Hama
- Orontes Noria GuesthouseOrontes riverside, Hama
Local flavours
Halawet el-jibn, sweet cheese rolls filled with cream and topped with pistachios, is Hama's signature dessert.
Best time to visit
Spring, when the river runs fuller and the countryside is green, and autumn.
How long to stay
One to two nights, or longer as a base for day trips.