In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Syria
Homs
حمص
Spend 1–2 days in Homs: see the citadel, two historic mosques, and sample local food; then continue to nearby mountain sites.
Homs, Syria's third‑largest city, offers a compact historic centre with a medieval citadel, Ottoman‑style mosques and a handful of restaurants. With limited transport options, a short stay (1‑2 days) lets you see the main sights and then head to the Orontes Valley or mountain resorts.
- Country
- Syria
- Local name
- حمص
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (high heat, limited services)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- SYP
- Money
- Foreign cards and ATMs generally do not work in Syria: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget check (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 113
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | SYP 1,000–2,000 |
| Shawarma with labneh | SYP 2,000–3,000 |
| Bottle of arak (local spirit) | SYP 5,000–8,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DAM · Damascus International Airport
- ≈160 km (99 mi) east; reach Homs by bus or taxi (≈2–3 h)≈99 mi (160 km) east; reach Homs by bus or taxi (≈2–3 h)
Typical fares
- Damascus → Homs bus
- about SYP 1,500 per person, 2 h (check)
- Taxi within city centre
- ≈ SYP 800 for short trips
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
No rail service. Reach Homs by bus or taxi from Damascus, Aleppo or Latakia airports. Within the city use taxis or shared minibuses; most attractions are within walking distance of the centre.
See and do
Known for
- Citadel of Homs
- Khalid ibn al‑Walid Mosque
- Great Mosque of al‑Nuri
- Church of Saint Elian
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mashta el Helou | Private car or taxi, about 45 km (28 mi) north‑westPrivate car or taxi, about 28 mi (45 km) north‑west | ≈1 h |
| Marmarita | Taxi, 45 km (28 mi) north‑westTaxi, 28 mi (45 km) north‑west | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Safir Homs Hotel
- 5‑star hotel on Ragheb Al Jamali St, central location.
- Homs Grand Hotel
- Upscale option near the Damascus road.
- Assafeer Hotel
- Popular 5‑star hotel in Alinsha'at district.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | مرحباmarḥabā |
| Thank you | شكراshukran |
| How much? | بكم؟bikam? |
| Where is the hotel? | أين الفندق؟ayna al‑funduq? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Security situation can change rapidly; check the Syria travel warning before you go.
- No public train service; rely on road transport.
- Some mountain sites may require a camping permit.
Security can be volatile; follow official travel advisories, stay in known hotels, and avoid night travel outside the city centre.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Homs yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Citadel of Homs
- Khalid ibn al‑Walid Mosque
- Great Mosque of al‑Nuri
- Church of Saint Elian
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Homs official city council: homscitycouncil.gov.sy
- Wikivoyage: Homs, revision 5272936 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5272936
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/homs). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.