Palmyra Castle
An Arab castle on the hill west of the ruins. The only point that fits all of Palmyra in one frame, and where people watch the sun go down.
- Opening hours
- Daylight hours — conditions change, confirm
- Entry
- Varies — confirm at the gate
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Best time
- An hour before sunset
- Period
- Medieval Arab
- Address
- Hill west of the ruins, Palmyra
It has nothing to do with the ancient city — the castle is far later, built in the medieval period to watch the desert. But climbing it is the best way to understand Palmyra: the whole site, the colonnaded street, the theatre, the tower tombs and the date palms of the oasis lay themselves out below as a single plane.
Getting there
West of the ruins, on a separate hill. You can drive most of the way; the last stretch is on foot.
When to go
Sunset. As the light slides from east to west the shadows of the columns stretch out and the ruins below resolve into lines — this is where the most photographed view of Palmyra is taken from.
Take care
The hill is windy and has no shade. The access road and the condition of the castle can change; check before you travel.
Tips
- Go up an hour before sunset; as the light slides the ruins turn into lines
- The hill is windy and unshaded; a jacket helps even in summer
- The road and the castle's condition can change; confirm before you go