Palmyra is a city located in central Syria within the Homs Governorate. It is situated in an oasis in the middle of the Syrian Desert, positioned approximately 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus and 180 kilometres southwest of the Euphrates River.
The site is notable for its ancient ruins, which are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are located about 500 metres southwest of the modern city centre. The area is relatively isolated, with the nearest surrounding localities being Arak to the east, Al-Sukhnah to the northeast, Tiyas to the west, and al-Qaryatayn to the southwest.