Destination guide
Homs
A central crossroads city and the gateway to Krak des Chevaliers and the desert road to Palmyra.
Published stays in HomsOverview
Discover Homs
Homs sits at the heart of Syria, on the road between Damascus and Aleppo and at the gap that leads west to the coast. Its landmark is the Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque, with silver domes and slender minarets, built in the early 20th century around the tomb of the celebrated early Islamic commander.
Large parts of the old city were damaged during the conflict and are being rebuilt. For travellers, Homs is above all a practical base: Krak des Chevaliers is about an hour to the west and Palmyra lies across the desert to the east.
Why stay here
Reasons to stay in Homs
A central location
Roads lead from Homs to Damascus, Aleppo, the coast and the desert, which makes it easy to fit into a wider trip.
Gateway to two icons
Krak des Chevaliers and Palmyra are both reached most easily from here.
Local sweets
Homs is known across Syria for its pastry shops and dairy sweets.
Things to see
Beautiful spots to visit
Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque
HeritageAn Ottoman-era mosque with black-and-white stone banding, nine domes and two minarets. Restoration work has been carried out after damage in the conflict.
Church of Saint Mary of the Holy Belt
HeritageKnown locally as Um al-Zennar, one of the oldest church sites in Syria, associated with a relic said to be the belt of the Virgin Mary.
The old souks
MarketsCovered market streets near the old centre, gradually returning to life as rebuilding continues.
Krak des Chevaliers
Day tripAbout 60 km west, the great Crusader castle is the most popular day trip from Homs.
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
Convenient for shops, transport and restaurants.
Wadi al-Nasara instead
If the castle is your focus, staying in the valley about an hour west is a cooler choice in summer.
Published stays
Compare current stays in Homs
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.
- Homs Clock Square HotelClock Square, Homs
- Al-Hamidiyah Central ApartmentAl-Hamidiyah, Homs
Local flavours
Halawet el-jibn and other dairy sweets from the city's pastry shops, plus hearty dishes such as kibbeh.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn. Summers are hot, and winters are cool and occasionally wet.
How long to stay
One to two nights as a base for day trips.