Palmyra

Palmyra, rising from an oasis deep in the Syrian desert, was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, a fabulously wealthy caravan hub linking Rome and the East, and its ruins are among the most spectacular classical sites on earth. Long known as the Bride of the Desert, this UNESCO World Heritage site spreads a breathtaking panorama of honey-coloured colonnaded avenues, temples, a grand theatre, ceremonial arches and elaborate tower tombs across the sands, framed by palm groves and desert hills. Ruled in its glory by the legendary Queen Zenobia, Palmyra remains an unforgettable vision of ancient grandeur amid the vastness of the desert.

What you actually see

• The Great Colonnade - the grand honey-coloured colonnaded avenue.
• The Temple of Bel - the majestic ancient sanctuary.
• The theatre and arch - the Roman theatre and ceremonial arch.
• The tower tombs - the elaborate tombs in the Valley of Tombs.

When to go

October to April, the cooler months, are far more comfortable in the desert than the fierce summer heat, ideal for exploring the vast site on foot, with the golden ruins especially beautiful in the low light of early morning and late afternoon. Winter days here are mild and clear.

Honest expectations

Palmyra suffered deliberate damage to several of its greatest monuments in recent years, so parts of the site are diminished from their former glory, and it lies remote in the central desert. As the majestic Bride of the Desert, a UNESCO World Heritage caravan city of golden colonnades and temples amid the sands, though, Palmyra remains one of the most spectacular and evocative classical sites in the world.

Nearby

The oasis town of Tadmur and the surrounding desert lie around the ruins.