Homs & Wadi al-Nasara — the Crossroads City and the Green Valley of the Castles

Homs is the crossroads of Syria — the roads to the coast, the north and Palmyra all branch from it. The city itself has important religious and historic sites, but its real jewel lies in the green hills to its west: Krak des Chevaliers and the Valley of the Christians. Here's what to see in the city and its countryside, and how to visit.

The way from Damascus

About 160 km, 1.5 hours — the nearest of the central provinces, on an easy paved road.

In the city

• The Mosque & Shrine of Khalid ibn al-Walid — Homs's most famous landmark, with its domes and twin minarets and the tomb of the companion-general.
• Umm al-Zunnar Church — one of the oldest churches in the world (Syriac Orthodox), believed to keep part of the Virgin Mary's belt, with a crypt dating to the early centuries AD.
• The Nuri Great Mosque, built over an older church, and the ablaq stonework of the city's old quarters.
• Homs Castle — an archaeological mound in the centre with Roman, Byzantine and Islamic layers.
• The old covered souk, the Orontes river banks, and the black-stone Christian quarter of Bustan al-Diwan.

Honest note: the old city was heavily damaged in the war and reconstruction is ongoing — expect worksites, but also a city where life has returned and people are back in their quarters.

Krak des Chevaliers — the crown

About 65 km west of Homs (a half-day round trip), in the green Wadi al-Nasara. Krak des Chevaliers is the best-preserved Crusader castle in the world and a UNESCO site — concentric walls, halls, a chapel and stores that could feed a garrison for years. Lawrence of Arabia called it "the finest castle in the world." Standing on its ramparts over the green valley is the moment of the trip.

Wadi al-Nasara & nature

• The Valley of the Christians — 30+ green villages below Krak, among the loveliest rural areas in Syria; the best known are Marmarita and Al-Mishtaya.
• St George's Monastery (Deir Mar Georges al-Humayra) — a Greek Orthodox monastery over 1,400 years old, one of the most important in the region.
• Lake Qattinah and the Roman dam of Qattinah — the largest preserved Roman dam in the Middle East, southwest of the city.

We'll get you there

Homs pairs naturally with Krak des Chevaliers and the coast, or sits on the way to Palmyra. We arrange a private trip with a driver who knows the roads, at a fixed price.

👉 Book a Homs & Krak trip on WhatsApp — tap and message us; we reply right away with details, timing and price.

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Read more: Krak des Chevaliers · the Syrian coast · Palmyra · Syria travel guide

In Arabic: دليل حمص الشامل

Wherever your road leads, we'll get you there.