Majdal Shams combines archaeological finds and memorial sites with agriculture shaped by fruit growing. For travel planning, local history and nearby destinations can be considered separately: the monuments are in the town, while Majdal Shams Forest lies below it on the southern slope of Mount Hermon. If you’re looking for hotels for a stay in Majdal Shams, you can first decide whether to focus on local history, the Golan Trail, or a visit to the forest as well.

Finds and Monuments in Majdal Shams

Remains of a Phoenician temple and an olive press have been found in Majdal Shams. These archaeological traces stand alongside memorial sites with different historical associations. A monument in the central square commemorates Sultan Pasha al-Atrash, leader of the Great Syrian Revolt, and the heroes who took part in the resistance against French colonial rule at that time. A monument to Shaykh As'ad Kanj Abu Saleh and the insurgents associated with him stands on the western edge of the town.

The historical themes can be distinguished as follows: the finds point to archaeological remains, while the two monuments commemorate different people and events. Their locations also provide two distinct landmarks in the town: the central square and the western edge.

Fruit Growing and the Route

More than 95 percent of Majdal Shams’s land area was devoted to growing apple and cherry trees. The Golan Trail passes through the streets of Majdal Shams and through the orchards in Yaafuri Valley. Its described route therefore connects town streets and orchards, while the land-use figure indicates the extent of fruit growing in the town. If you’re interested in the trail, check current trail conditions and access before your trip.

Majdal Shams Forest and Its Attractions

Majdal Shams Forest is a mixed forest of planted conifers and naturally growing trees and shrubs. Below Majdal Shams, it has a park and a picnic area for outdoor recreation. This offers a different focus from the finds and monuments in town: the forest is centered on vegetation and outdoor recreation.

There is a year-round spring in the forest at Ein Qa'aqan. Its water is collected in a constructed pool measuring 5 × 7 meters. Along with its named location, the pool’s dimensions make this spring area a specific destination in the forest.

In 2024, a parking lot opened in Majdal Shams Forest for the general public and forest visitors. At the time of its opening, it had seating and a viewpoint overlooking the Hula Valley and Galilee. Hiking trails connect the area with Ein Qa'aqan. These details provide different points of interest for a visit to the forest: the viewpoint, the picnic area and the connection to a named destination. Check the current operating conditions of the parking lot before your visit.

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