Major city · Syria
Hamaحماة
Spend 1–2 days in Hama to see the waterwheels, Azem Palace and the old town; longer stays not needed.
Hama sits on the Orontes River, famous for its historic waterwheels, Ottoman-era Azem Palace and a compact old town that can be explored on foot in a day or two. It is a convenient stop on the M5 motorway between Damascus and Aleppo.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SYP
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jun–Aug (hot, limited water flow for wheels)
- Airport
- HMA
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Syria before …
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Syria ↗Check your own government travel advice for Syria before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Syria ↗No independent tourist entry route is documented here.
- Syria ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Syria before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hama112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hama, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards and ATMs generally do not work in Syria: see Insurance & payments above.Syria-wide
- SafetySecurity is unpredictable; follow official travel advisories, avoid demonstrations, and keep valuables concealed.
- Emergency numbers112 police · 110 ambulance · 113 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHMA Hama Airport (Domestic airport with limited flights).
- Getting aroundThe city centre is walkable; the main waterwheels are about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the centre.The city centre is walkable; the main waterwheels are about 0.6 mi (1 km) from the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeSYP 500–800
- Street or quick mealFalafel plateSYP 800–1500
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))SYP 4,000–6,000
- Museum or sight ticketWaterwheel entryFree
- Budget bedBudget hotel bed, a night, per personSYP 12,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per roomSYP 35,000
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per roomSYP 50,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SYP 30,000 · Mid SYP 60,000 · High SYP 90,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HMA Hama Airport (Domestic airport with limited flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Aug
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Sep
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Hama: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Jul
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Aug
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The city centre is walkable; the main waterwheels are about 1 km from the centre. Service taxis run frequently to the bus and railway stations and for short trips to nearby towns.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Apamea
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Service taxi from Hama, about 45 min
Well‑preserved Roman ruins, half‑day visit.
Dead Cities (Serjilla, Al‑Bara)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Service taxi, 1 h each
Ancient deserted villages, good for a long day.
Krak des Chevaliers
cautionDoor to door: ≈4 h round‑trip
Service taxi, about 2 h
Famous crusader castle; consider overnight nearby.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cairo Hotel
Budget option in city centre, basic clean rooms.
Riad Hotel
Budget option with common salon for travellers.
Afamia Al Sham
Higher‑end hotel near the citadel, open despite conflict.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- SYP 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- SYP 45,000–80,000 excl. bed
- High
- SYP 80,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range double room1 × 1 night × SYP 35,000 | SYP 35,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × SYP 60,000 | SYP 120,000 |
| Service taxi from Hama to Apamea (round‑trip)2 × SYP 12,000 · check | SYP 24,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × SYP 30,000 · check | SYP 60,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SYP 35,900 |
| Trip total≈ SYP 137,500 per person per day, bed included | SYP 274,900 |
2026 estimate in Syrian pounds; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | SYP 500–800 |
| Falafel plate | SYP 800–1500 |
| Taxi (5 km) | SYP 4,000–6,000 |
| Waterwheel entry | Free |
| Azem Palace entry | SYP 2,000–3,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security situation is volatile; check the Syria travel advisory before visiting.
- Waterwheel operation may be reduced in dry season; verify locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 110
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
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Hamaحماة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance110
- Fire113
Embassy
Check the US consulate in Damascus; other embassies are in Damascus or Beirut.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hama ↔ Damascus service taxi: ≈ SYP 15,000, 2 h (check)
- Hama ↔ Aleppo service taxi: ≈ SYP 18,000, 3 h (check)
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marḥabā)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- كم السعر؟ — How much? (kam al‑siʿr?)
- أين محطة الحافلات؟ — Where is the bus station? (ayna maḥaṭṭat al‑ḥāfilāt?)
- أحتاج تاكسي — I need a taxi (aḥtāj tāksī)
- هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ — Do you speak English? (hal tatakallam al‑inglīziyyah?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hama. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jun–Aug (hot, limited water flow for wheels)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Use Hama as a base for north‑east Syria day trips; limit stay to 1–2 nights.
- Combine budget hotels (Cairo, Riad) with a splurge night at Afamia Al Sham for comfort.
Sources
- fieldWikidata Hama
- officialSyrian Tourism Authority
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hama, revision 5239148 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Hama
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