Hama itself is famous for the norias, but the Hama countryside is where the governorate opens up: oak and pine forests on the eastern slopes of the coastal range, valleys fed by cold springs, a castle carved with hidden passages, and a town that everyone in Syria agrees is the country’s home of ideas. These are the best places to visit, split between nature and history.
Natural areas
Abu Qubais
The village of Abu Qubais lies on the eastern slope of the coastal mountain range, within the Salhab district, about 45 km north-west of Hama.
It serves as a summer retreat for the people of Hama during the fiercest heat: the area is covered in oak and pine, and walnut and plane trees run the length of the valley, shading the watercourse and the small waterfalls that form along it.
Tourist facilities are spread along both banks of the valley, offering everything you need for a very pleasant trip — in the middle of nature, with the sound of water running through the valley.
Wadi al-Uyun
One of the loveliest places in Syria: a small town west of Masyaf set in a valley full of fresh springs, which is where the name comes from. Visitors struggle to decide which spot is the best — everywhere you stand feels like the most beautiful place on earth.
Wadi al-Uyun has a range of tourist facilities serving visitors, and it is one of the most popular areas for mountain-walking groups, who come for hiking, camping and time in unspoiled forest. It is an unforgettable experience of reconnecting with nature.
Archaeological sites
Masyaf Castle
In the heart of the town of Masyaf, a castle rises on a defensible rocky hill. Its history goes back two thousand years, and a succession of civilisations passed through it, leaving a living museum still standing today.
Masyaf Castle looks out over the coastal mountains on one side and the beginning of the Ghab plain on the other, a position that gives it a rare beauty. It is made up of a number of distinctive defensive towers and a great many tunnels and hidden passages, some of which are still being discovered.
A visit to Masyaf is not complete without a tour of the castle and the view from the top of its towers over the town.
Salamiyah
It is rare for a city to earn a reputation for culture, but in the case of Salamiyah everyone agrees: this is the town of thought and letters.
It lies 30 km east of Hama and forms the gateway to the Syrian steppe, and a jewel of settlement throughout history. Visiting is a genuine cultural trip — the town floats on a sea of good stories and every stone has one. Take the old irrigation channel known as “the lover’s canal”, built by one of Salamiyah’s princes to carry the water of Ain al-Zarqa to Apamea, the town of the woman he loved, some 150 km away, as a dowry so that she would agree to marry him.
Another striking landmark is Shmemis Castle north of the town: a Roman-period fortress on the summit of a volcanic cone, with a panoramic view over the whole surrounding plain.
Salamiyah rewards a visit at any time, but spring is the loveliest — especially for Shmemis Castle and the view of the green plain around it, when it becomes a favourite destination for the townspeople themselves.
Frequently asked questions about the Hama countryside
What are the best places to visit in the Hama countryside?
Abu Qubais and Wadi al-Uyun for nature, and Masyaf Castle and Salamiyah with Shmemis Castle for history.
How far is Abu Qubais from Hama?
About 45 km north-west of Hama, on the eastern slope of the coastal mountain range within the Salhab district.
Why is Wadi al-Uyun called that?
The name means “the valley of springs” — the valley is full of fresh water springs, and it is a favourite for hiking and camping groups.
What is Masyaf Castle known for?
A two-thousand-year history, distinctive defensive towers, and a network of tunnels and hidden passages still being discovered, with views over the coastal mountains and the Ghab plain.
What is Salamiyah famous for?
Salamiyah is known across Syria as a town of thought and culture. It is the gateway to the Syrian steppe, and nearby stands Shmemis Castle on a volcanic cone.
When is the best time to visit the Hama countryside?
Summer for the forests and valleys of Abu Qubais and Wadi al-Uyun, and spring for Salamiyah and Shmemis Castle, when the surrounding plain is green.
Plan your trip
Pair the countryside with the city: read what Hama is famous for, see the best attractions in Hama city, and stay at the best hotels in Hama.
