A day in Palmyra
From the colonnaded street to the tower tombs and up to the castle. Three stops, short distances, a long day — the desert light sets the order.
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Distance
- 16 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best season
- March–May, October–November
- stops
- 3
- City
- Palmyra
Small distances, long day. There are sixteen kilometres between the three stops, and the reason for spreading that over a day is not fatigue but light: in the desert the middle hours are both shadeless and unphotographable.
The route
Start on the colonnaded street in the morning — enter from the west end and walk towards the theatre and the agora. Around noon go back to the vehicle and cross to the valley in the west; the tower tombs are there and they are not within walking distance. Spend the afternoon in shade, then climb to the castle.
Timing
Be at the ruins at seven. Cross to the valley at eleven. Rest between noon and three — the site passes 45 degrees in those hours and the vertical light flattens the stone. Go up to the castle at five; sunset is watched from there and the ruins below resolve into lines.
Take care
There is no shade at any of the stops. At least two litres of water per person, a hat, closed shoes. The condition of the site and access can change; check before you travel.
The route on a map
Stops along the route
- 01
- 02
- 03
