7 Cities You Have to Visit While in Palestine: The Southern Levant where Palestine is located is home to numerous religious and cultural destinations. There are many cities containing rich histories, a cursory glance cannot begin to describe the significance of each of these unique and abundant locales. From the dry sands of Jericho and the intrigue of the Dead Sea to the ancient structures found in the Old City of Jerusalem, Palestine has sites to interest visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
While it may be tricky to decide which cities to prioritize when you visit, a good first step is to review the list below and take a mental note of what strikes you as the most compelling or interesting. Additionally you can decide what time of year you will be visiting and how the local weather will influence your decisions. Another consideration will be whether you are travelling alone, lodging options and possible tours where you can meet other travellers.
Another option to consider, which you will find linked in the very last item on this list of remarkable Palestinian cities, is finding other places to volunteer. While this list cannot possibly cover all of the rich historical sites, tourist attractions and religious destinations, it offers a brief glimpse of just how memorable your future visit to Palestine may be.
Below is a shortlist of cities that you cannot miss while travelling or living in Palestine:
- Jerusalem
Known as one of the holiest cities of all three major Abrahamic religions, few cities are as universally revered as centers of culture and history as Jerusalem.
Aside from the many amenities provided to tourists, Jerusalem is home to a great number of famous spiritual destinations such as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Wailing Wall. You can explore the old city, markets and cafes.
- Bethlehem
Bethlehem is best known as the birthplace of Jesus. The 1700-year-old Church of the Nativity (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) marks the place traditionally accepted as the birthplace of Christ.
Bethlehem is also home to various other religiously significant sites such as Milk Grotto, and other important non-religious destinations such as famous artist Banksy’s Walled-Off Hotel located directly beside the illegal separation wall built by the Israeli government. It is possible to visit some of the refugee camps in and around Bethlehem,this will give you further insight into the lives of those residing there and you may be inspired to apply to volunteer or assist with various projects within these camps.
Bethlehem is also well known for olive wood crafts. There are lots of items crafted from olive wood which are popular gifts.
- Hebron
Although not one of the most commonly visited tourist destinations Hebron is home to several important sites. The most famous is Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, commonly known as the burial site of Abraham, the patriarch of all three major monotheistic religions, as well as several other important religious figures.
Hebron is home to the Hirbawi textile factory- the last remaining factory to produce keffiyehs in Palestine. You can also find pottery and glassware factories in Hebron, you may even be lucky enough to see some items being made right in front of you. It is very interesting to see the craftsmen at work.
Hebron is also an interesting destination for those looking to learn more about the Israel-Palestine conflict, as its divided status serves as a microcosm for the conflict as a whole.
- Jericho
Jericho is known as the oldest city in the world, having been continuously inhabited for around 11,000 years. It is also home to several sites of religious importance such as the Mount of Temptation, the Sycamore Tree of Zacchaeus, and two monasteries. It is also located very near to the dead sea—famous as the lowest place on Earth, at 430 meters (1400 feet) below sea level. Visitors to Jericho can enjoy hiking through the beautiful landscape or perhaps take a cable car and marvel at the spectacular views from the air.
- Ramallah
Ramallah is one of the centers of cultural and political life in the West Bank. It serves as an administrative center for the Palestinian National Authority and houses the mausoleum of Palestinian political icon Yasser Arafat. It is also home to an old city boasting attractive Ottoman-era architecture, and numerous Christian churches and Muslim mosques.
- Nablus
Nablus is one of the largest cities in the West Bank and is the home of the famous cheesy treat known as kunafeh. Like Jerusalem and Bethlehem its old city serves as a cultural center, home to many buildings that date back to the Ottoman era.
Nablus is also renowned for producing olive oil and soap. You will find churches, mosques, Turkish baths, lively markets, some tanneries, potteries and textile workshops within this city..
Outside of the city itself are Sebastiya and Mount Gerizim, two important archeological and religious sites best known for their connection to the Samaritan people of the Levant.
- Jenin
Although not as famous or as popular among tourists as Jerusalem or Bethlehem, Jenin is a must-see for those willing to travel a bit off the beaten path. Located directly outside of Jenin is the Um Al-Rihan Forest, the largest in the West Bank and the perfect place for an outdoor excursion.
Another possibility is St. George Church, located in the nearby town of Burquin, considered to be the 3rd oldest Christian church in the world.
Lastly, the Jenin Refugee Camp is home to The Freedom Theatre, a cultural center for the arts that serves as a pillar to Palestinian culture and creative expression. To experience this city fully, consider applying to be a volunteer.
Palestine Climate
Palestine has a mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry and winters have a mild temperature although there is the possibility of snow on occasion in some areas. Spring and autumn are short seasons, each lasting around one month. The average annual temperature for Palestine is 26° degrees and there is about 79 mm of rain in a year. It is dry for 316 days a year with an average humidity of 54% and an UV-index of 6. Jericho is a favourite winter resort as it is warmer than other parts of the West Bank.
Jerusalem can also be warm on a sunny winter’s day. The summer stretches from May to October, the hottest months are July and August. Ramallah and the North West Bank are favoured in the summer by both locals and foreigners. Spring is a good time to visit if you would like to take advantage of the moderate weather and find travelling around more comfortable.
The Khamseen winds affect Palestine during April, May and early June. These winds originate from the Arabian desert and are hot, dry, dusty and sandy. These winds become calmer and cooler during late summer and provide a breeze to counteract the hot temperatures of July, August and September.
Average temperatures range from 10-18°C in winter and 27- 35°C in summer.
Temperature and rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Day | 17°C | 19°C | 21°C | 26°C | 29°C | 32°C | 33°C | 34°C | 32°C | 29°C | 23°C | 19°C |
| Night | 10°C | 10°C | 12°C | 14°C | 18°C | 21°C | 23°C | 24°C | 22°C | 20°C | 16°C | 11°C |
| Precip | 9mm | 11mm | 14mm | 2mm | 3mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 1mm | 7mm | 13mm | 18mm |
| Raindays | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Drydays | 25 | 22 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 25 |
| Sun hoursper day | 6 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Wind forcein Bft | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| UV-index | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
Final remarks
Palestine has a lot to offer as a travel destination. It has not always been an obvious choice for tourists but it is definitely an area with several hidden gems. It is a place where visitors will receive a warm welcome. International visitors choose to come here for many different reasons. Some are interested in the political situation or intrigued by the historical and religious sites. Others are keen to discover the beautiful natural landscape. Most people enjoy sampling the culinary delights and immersing themselves in a different culture. Those who wish to learn Arabic can do so in Palestine and if you are interested in volunteering there are plenty of options available. Palestinians are talented, creative people.
The handmade crafts which are unique to the area often make excellent gifts and souvenirs from your trip. During your time in the West Bank you are certain to have many new experiences, the memories of which will stay with you for a long time. We hope that your trip is all that you could wish for and that you will want to return to Palestine again.
We at the Excellence Center are always happy to offer help and advice to assist you in your travel plans.
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