Homs, one of Syria’s largest and most historically significant cities, is a vibrant blend of ancientheritage, natural beauty, and cultural richness. Located in the heart of the country, specifically, 162 kilometers (101 mi) north of DamascusHoms have roots that stretch back to the ancient kingdom of Emesa. The city is famous for its strong sense of identity, historical sites, local traditions, and unique way of life. Let’s dive into this amazing city.Book your tour to Syria here.
Visiting Homs offers a unique blend of rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture.As one of Syria’s oldest cities, Homs boasts landmarks like the Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque and the impressive Krak des Chevaliers, a UNESCO World Heritage site.Before the Syrian Civil War, Homs was a major industrial center, furthermore, it was the third-largest city in Syria after Aleppo to the north and the capital Damascus to the south Moreover, the history of Homs is unique by numerous invasions, with one of the most significant being the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. After the Mongols swept through much of the Middle East, their forces clashed with the Mamluks in a decisive battle near Homs in 1281, known as the Battle of Homs, this eventually, led us to
Homs has a long history of folk belief that the people there are as mad and fools.Historical and traditional sources also link the madness and foolishness of the Homsians with the Wednesday, or the ‟Day of the Fool” or ‟Homsians’ Feast”, which was considered a special day.The legend regarding the ‟Day of the Fool” and its celebration during Wednesdays has been passed down orally in the local culture and its origins likely trace back to ancient times when the city was still called Emesa.It is not just a coincidence. It is said that the people of Homs avoided the Mongol invasion by disguising themselves, acting crazy, and spreading the rumor that their river affected them with incurable illnesses and madness, which made the invading troops avoid the city of the mad, as they still proudly call it. Genius right?
When Travelling to Syria, explore the Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque. One of the most iconic landmarks in Homs, the Mosque, is dedicated to thefamed Muslim military commander, Khalid ibn al-Walid.The mosque stands out for its white marbleminarets and beautiful Ottoman-style architecture. Visitors can explore its intricate design andspiritual atmosphere, making it a must-see for history lovers and those interested in Islamic heritage. if you are interested: famous mosques in Syria.
Just outside Homs lies one of the most impressive medieval castles in the world: Krak desChevaliers. This Crusader castle, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, was constructed inthe 12th century and is widely regarded as one of the most well-preserved castles from theCrusader era.furthermore, the castle is renowned for its massive walls, towers, and spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.in fact, if you are interested in the top attraction sites in Syria you can read here.
Running through the heart of Homs, the Orontes River provides picturesque scenery and a peacefulescape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The riverside is perfect for walking and enjoying thesurrounding nature, with the added charm of cafes and small restaurants offering local food.so make sure to relax by the Orontes River when traveling to Syria.
A testament to Homs’s religious diversity, the Church of Umm al-Zennar (Church of the Girdle) is one of the oldest churches in Syria, dating back to early Christianity.It houses the relic of the VirginMary’s girdle (belt), makes it an important pilgrimage site for Christian communities in the region. . (if you are interested in the top Churches in Syria you can read here).
Although people in Homs eat the same foods that are common in Syrian cuisine, the city is well known throughout Syria for its own cuisine. A prominent dish is Batarsh, a type of baba ghanouj made with yogurt and garlic instead of tahini ( you can know more about baba ghanouj in the top dishes to try in Syria)Also, Homs is famous for Jazar Mahshi (stuffed carrot)it is a native dish in Homs and is made of yellow carrot stuffed with minced lamb and rice.
Christmas and Easter CelebrationsFor the Christian community in Homs, Christmas, and Easter are major celebrations, especially inhistoric churches like the Church of Umm al-Zennar.These festivals bring the city to life withreligious processions, services, and community festivities.Marmarita CarnivalThe Marmarita Carnival, held annually in the village of Marmarita in the Homs Governorate, is a lively cultural and religious festival that takes place in August.moreover, the carnival coincides with the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and is celebrated by the local Christian community, particularly the Greek Orthodox.furthermore, the carnival is famous for its colorful parades, traditional costumes, and festive atmosphere. in fact, participants march through the streets, often accompanied by music, dancing, and floats, creating a vibrant celebration of heritage, faith, and community.Afterward, it became a key cultural event in the region, attracting visitors from across Syria and beyond.You can read about Marmarita Carnival for A to Z here.
With its warm hospitality, rich traditions, and unique historical significance, Homs offers an unforgettable travel experience, book yours now.
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Josh 2024-06-23 Lulu was our tour guide in Damascus in October 2022 and she was the best guide we could‘ve hopefully for! We had a tight schedule so we asked to see as much as possible, which she happily obliged to. She has a very interesting background, knowing every last bit of the city, its culture, history and food! She speaks multiple languages, including Japanese (!) and was just a fantastic guide to have. 10/10 would recommend. Samantha Echeverria 2024-06-23 An extraordinary and humbling experience. From start to finish the whole experience was an adventure, learning of the Syrians deep history gives a great insight to their collective strength and dedication to their culture. To walk the same footsteps as mentioned in the Bible and Quran is profound and indescribable. Overall I was incredibly humbled by my experience in Syria. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to coming back to Syria soon 🤲🏼 Per Sommer 2024-05-31 Jeg rejste tre dage sammen med Tambi i det nordlige Syrien. Det var en uforglemmelig oplevelse. Sammen besøgte vi Homes, Krak de Chevaliers, Maloula, Aleppo, Arward Island og Apamea. Ikke bare er Tambi blevet en god ven, men han har også en kæmpe viden om de steder, som vi besøgte. Et af højdepunkterne var også at være på besøg hos Tambi i hans lejlighed og møde hans kone. Her fik vi te, kager og en god snak om oplevelserne under den lange krige. Jeg kan kun give Tambi mine varmeste anbefalinger. Marco Arenas 2024-05-31 I was in Syria a few years ago doing a little tour with Ayoub and the experience was amazing, Ayoub and his team were marvelous guides all around the country, making the most of the trip. Their service is amazing. I highly recommend Ayoub because he is reliable and well-organized. I am looking forward to coming back to Syria! Junaidi 2024-05-21 I recently had the pleasure of exploring Syria with Tambee as our tour guide, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Tambee’s deep knowledge of Syria's rich history and culture brought every site we visited to life. His passion for the country was evident in the way he shared stories and historical insights, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Tambee’s professionalism and attentiveness were remarkable. He ensured our group felt safe and comfortable at all times, handling all logistics seamlessly. His ability to navigate the complexities of travel in Syria, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, made our journey both smooth and memorable. What I really love is his knowledge of Islamic History. The way he told me the History of Islam while we are standing on the historical site itself just gave me goosebumps. He can make the history comes to life. In summary, Tambee is an exceptional tour guide whose expertise and dedication significantly enhanced our Syrian adventure. If you're planning a trip to Syria, do yourself a favor and contact Tambee. You won't be disappointed! Joel Lara 2024-05-20 Everything on the tour was amazing. Whatever you need to feel comfortable, they will go out of their way to make sure you feel okay. Tambi was our tour guide and I honestly would not have switched anything about it. He is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Someone that is really passionate about sharing the past, present and future of Syria. You need to book your trip to Syria as soon as possible. There is so much history to be seen in this country. Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to what western media would say about this country. Saying it’s all about terrorism and dangerous, that’s a HUGE lie, go see for yourself how kind and loving those people in Syria are. As for the war in Israel, it feels really safe in Syria. You going there gives people hope for a better future. Visa costs depend on nationality. As a US citizen my Visa was pretty costly 220$. It was WORTH IT! Cymbie Lumbao 2024-05-20 Syria was definitely on our list of country to visit. It exceeded our expectations! Syrians are the most hospitable and warmest people we have ever met. The history is amazing! Tambee is our tour guide and Tayseer is our driver. They are the best! Tambee is very passionate about his country and their history. We felt really safe and well taken care of. We would definitely visit again. We went in for a tour of Syria and came out with a lifelong Syrian friends! 🙏🏽🇸🇾 thank you for a wonderful experience! Shukran! Rahul Mudumba 2024-05-19 Tambee was fantastic, and made sure I had an incredible trip! Filippo Volpato 2024-05-18 Tambee was the most exquisite guide we could have ever wanted. Always attentive, extremely knowledgeable and open to adjust the itinerary based on your interests (expect surprises for you!). Hopefully we will be back to this beautiful country, that Tambee made us fall in love with. Michael Van Arragon 2024-05-18 Ask for Tambee! There is so much to learn about the history and future of our shared humanity in this important and beautiful country. I travelled 10 days across a large part of Syria and wish I could've stayed. Tambee who emphasizes the "intangible" is a talented and enthusiastic story teller with an amazing personal connection to the people and culture. He will help you come away with a big picture appreciation of everything youre seeing and with a specialist's attention to detail; help you deepen your own sense of what is happening today in the region. These are some seriously friendly people- a visit to Syria like this one is so special.
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Ayoub Al Smadi
Ayoub boasts over five years of tour guiding and tour operator expertise. he has a master’s degree in planning and managing sustainable tourism development, and his cheerful, vibrant personality makes every moment with him fly by unnoticed.
