Essentials
- City
- Homs (Emesa), Homs Governorate, Syria
- Population
- Approximately 800,000
- Internet Speed
- ADSL/VDSL 4-10 Mbps; 4G/LTE 20-40 Mbps via Syriatel/MTN
- Currency & Banking
- Syrian Pound (SYP). 1 USD ≈ 13,500 - 15,000 SYP (Market Rate). Official rate varies.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; bottled water brands like Dreikish or Lulu (approx. 4,000 SYP per 1.5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E/L. Frequent load shedding (3-6 hours off for 1 hour on). Backup batteries/UPS essential.
- SIM Card
- Syriatel or MTN Syria. Available at Al-Quwatli Street branches. Approx. 25,000 SYP for initial SIM and 10GB.
- Banking for Expats
- Cash-based economy due to sanctions. International cards (Visa/Mastercard) do not work. Use Al Baraka or Cham Bank for local accounts.
- Accommodation
- Mostly through local brokers or Facebook groups ('Homs Real Estate'). Limited Airbnb presence.
- Cashless Friendly
- No; strictly cash (SYP). Few upscale spots accept local debit cards.
- Short Term Rentals
- Homs Grand Hotel or private apartments in Al-Inshaat area (approx. $300-$500/month).
- Budget Accommodation
- Ghazal Hotel (near Clock Tower), approx. 120,000 SYP per night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al-Hamidiyah (Old City) for history or Al-Inshaat for modern amenities.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al-Waer (newer developments) or Al-Inshaat for better electricity reliability and services.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None official. Professionals use the business lounge at Homs Grand Hotel (Al-Quwatli St).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Julia Dumna Cafe (Old City) - quiet atmosphere and reliable power via private generators.
- Networking Events
- Homs Chamber of Commerce events or cultural seminars at the Al-Kindi Cultural Center.
- Social Events for Expats
- NGO networking meetups often occur at the Safir Hotel Homs restaurant.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Use 'Seryas' (private taxis) or hail yellow cabs. Short trips approx. 15,000 SYP.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not available commercially; locals use personal motorcycles.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Tartus (approx. 90 km west), about 1.5 hours by car.
- Top Regional Airline
- Syrian Air or Cham Wings (flying via Damascus International Airport).
- Top International Airline
- Cham Wings (connects via Beirut, Dubai, or Yerevan).
- Highway Access
- M5 Highway (Damascus-Homs-Aleppo) and the Homs-Tartus highway.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Homs Railway Station (partially operational); Al-Karajat al-Janoubiya (Southern Bus Terminal).
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes. Pay cash (approx. 1,000-2,000 SYP) per 'Service' (microbus) ride.
- Regional Travel
- Pullman buses to Damascus or Aleppo (approx. 25,000 SYP) from Bolman Departure Station.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Al-Birr Hospital (Al-Waer) or Al-Zaim Hospital (Al-Inshaat).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Private sessions at Al-Inshaat health clubs; no dedicated yoga studios.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Oxygen Gym (Al-Inshaat) - membership approx. 150,000 SYP/month.
- Laundry Services
- Al-Nazaia Laundry (Hamidiyah district) - approx. 10,000 SYP per load.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- BeeOrder (Limited availability) or direct phone orders to restaurants.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Halawat al-Jibn (Sweet cheese rolls) - Best at Al-Baba Sweets (Al-Ghouta).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Falafel and Hummus shops in the Old City; Fattoush and Tabbouleh widely available.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Al-Aqsa Sweets near the Old Clock Tower.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Al-Hisba Market for fresh produce at local rates.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None (Sanctions limit global players). Locals use Facebook Pages for delivery.
- Grocery Delivery
- Direct delivery from large supermarkets in Al-Inshaat via WhatsApp.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Al-Hamidiyah district (Christian quarter) features local bars like 'The Gate'.
- Local Brewery
- Al-Sharq Beer (brewed in Aleppo, widely served in Homs cafes).
- Wine Bars
- Dumna Lounge in the Old City (serves regional wines from Sednaya).
- Street Food Stalls
- Al-Midan Street for shawarma (approx. 12,000 SYP) and falafel.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Seven Days Restaurant (Al-Inshaat) for Pizza and Pasta.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque and the Old Clock Tower.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Homs Folklore Museum (Az-Zahrawi Palace).
- Historical Sites
- Krak des Chevaliers (Qala'at al-Hosn) - 45 mins from city center.
- Religious Sites
- Um al-Zennar Church (Church of the Virgin's Belt) in Al-Hamidiyah.
- Annual Events
- Homs Culture Festival (seasonal/irregular).
- Cultural Districts
- The Old City (Al-Madina) and its traditional souks (partially restored).
- Theater Venues
- Al-Kindi Theater near the city center.
- Local Markets
- Souk al-Nouri for traditional textiles and spices.
- Music Scene
- Live Tarab music at restaurants in Al-Wadi (Valley of Christians) nearby.
- Street Art
- Reconstruction murals located around the Old City gates.
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes arranged through local community centers in Al-Hamidiyah.
- Art Galleries
- Subhi Shuaib Art Gallery.
- Historic Buildings
- The old basalt houses in the Hamidiyeh neighborhood.
- Local Heritage
- Traditional silk weaving and the 'Homsi' sense of humor culture.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lake Qattinah, located southwest of the city (20 mins drive).
- National Parks Nearby
- Al-Shoumeriyeh Mountains for trekking.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Orontes River (Al-Assi) banks for walking.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Rooftops of Al-Waer for city panoramas.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Wetlands around Lake Qattinah.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Wadi al-Nasara (Valley of Christians) picnic areas.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex (limited) or Kadmous Transport for domestic parcels.
- Tech Repair Services
- Small kiosks along Al-Hadara Street for mobile/laptop repair.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Al-Karamah SC Sports Club.
- Language Classes
- Syrian Virtual University (SVU) or private tutors for Arabic (Levantine).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Baath University Library (accessible for students/researchers).
- Community Centers
- Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) center for volunteer networking.
- Gaming Lounges
- Net-Cafes in Al-Inshaat with private generators.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Prohibited by law.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $450 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $18,000).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $250 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $10,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $24,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $12,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $350 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $28,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $180 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $14,400).
- Corporate Tax
- 10% to 28% depending on the sector and profit.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Typically 7.5%.
- Tax System
- Territorial; income earned within Syria is taxed.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 22% on income exceeding a specific threshold.
- VAT
- No formal VAT; consumption tax applies to select services (5-15%).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No.
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on assessed rental value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1% of the property value per recent legislation.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- None; no specific digital nomad visa exists. High risk due to international sanctions.