Krak des Chevaliers — The World's Finest Crusader Castle

Krak des Chevaliers is the best-preserved Crusader castle in the world — not a ruin but a complete fortress you can walk through as it was 800 years ago. It sits on the edge of the Homs Gap and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Why it's special

• Concentric walls — a high inner ring overlooking an outer ring, built to withstand a long siege; it held a garrison of hundreds with years of supplies.
• Held by the Knights Hospitaller from the mid-12th century, it resisted many sieges.
• What to see inside: the sloping stone glacis, the Gothic great hall, the reservoir and towers, and views over the green valley.

Getting there

• From Homs — about an hour.
• From Damascus — about 2.5 hours; a long but doable day if you start early.
• From the coast — an easy stop on the way back from Tartus or Latakia.

It's remote and the mountain road needs a car — we arrange a private trip with a driver who knows the way. See more in the Syria travel guide.

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