Destination · Hama countryside
Apamea
A Roman city with a colonnaded street that runs for nearly two kilometres.
Region
Northwest of Hama
Best time
March–May · September–November
Time needed
Half a day
From Hama
About 1 hour by road
Why go
Columns as far as you can see.
Apamea was a large Hellenistic and Roman city. Its great colonnade, with many columns standing again, is one of the longest in the ancient world.
The site was badly looted during the war, but walking the colonnade with the Ghab plain below is still unforgettable.
Highlights
- The great colonnaded street
- Twisted and fluted columns
- Qalaat al-Madiq castle above the site
- Views over the Ghab plain
- The mosaics museum nearby
When to go
Best in spring and autumn.
Spring · Mar–May
Wildflowers among the columns.
Summer · Jun–Aug
Very little shade: go early.
Autumn · Sep–Nov
Warm and golden.
Winter · Dec–Feb
Cool, sometimes muddy.
Getting there
A short drive from Hama by private car, ideal as a half-day trip.
Good to know
- There is very little shade on site
- Bring water and a hat
- Wear closed shoes
- Combine with Hama the same day
Combine with
Hama, or continue to the Dead Cities and Aleppo.
Travel with Juzoor
Plan a visit to Apamea.
Add it to a route through central Syria.
