Keen to go somewhere off the beaten track? Palestine is one of the most beautiful – and underrated – destinations out there. However, you might have some questions before you go. The following guide is designed to help answer some of the most frequently asked queries they have before traveling to Palestine. How do we know all this? The Excellence Center has been operating in Palestine since 2011, and has safely welcomed over 1000 international volunteers into our family since. 

What do the procedures in Ben-Gurion Airport look like? 

When arriving in Palestine, you can either enter over the Jordanian land crossing, or by flying into Israel’s main Ben Gurion Airport. 

Flying into the airport can be a faster and easier way of entering Palestine, but the security measures can also be a lot stricter. On entering Israel, the immigration officials might ask you questions about your intentions in the country and why you have decided to come and visit now. 

Our advice is to:

• Stay calm and relaxed: immigration and border security guards are not there to be friendly. It can be easy to want to talk back to them, especially if they are taking a long time to decide whether they’ll let you into the country. Our best advice is to stay very calm and patient, and be as friendly as possible, no matter what your position on the local politics. 
• Prepare answers to the questions you might get asked: Being questioned by immigration guards is not something that you might have experienced before. It can certainly be a nerve-wracking experience. In that kind of situation, your brain can easily empty itself of nerves. To avoid looking suspicious, we suggest that you spend time in front of the mirror practicing your answers to the questions you might be asked. Being prepared can also help to lower your nerves. 
• Dress to impress: dressing nicely, even formally, is a great way to make you look like a tourist or holiday-goer. The immigration officials are not keen on letting in people who might engage in activist-type activities, so make sure you don’t dress like that, as that is what you are going to do! 

Why do people think that Palestine is not safe?

When it comes to Palestine, there is a lot of asymmetry. That means there are a lot of imbalances in power that make life more difficult for one of the parties. For Palestine, that asymmetry exists a lot in the global media. As a result, the way Palestine is reported in the news is not an accurate reflection of how it is in real life. When people who have never been to Palestine hear about it, it’s usually in the context of war or violence. However, this just isn’t how life is in the West Bank on a day-to-day basis. 

Since 2011, the Excellence Center Palestine has safely welcomed over 1000 volunteers to come and spend time with us, all of whom have had a positive experience living and staying in Hebron. We encourage anyone who is interested in coming to Palestine to look beyond the headlines and come to see for yourself!

What is it like to be among Palestinian people? 

Palestinians are incredibly kind and welcoming people, so you will feel right at home right away. They are people who are hospitable, love their traditional food, and have a deep love of family life. They are also incredibly resilient. Life under military occupation is not easy, but the spirit of the Palestinian people feels unbreakable.

One of our 2025 volunteers, Eva, talks about her experience living in Palestine for three months: “I’ve honestly never met such kind, welcoming people as those I met in Palestine. From day one, I felt safe and like I was part of the community. It’s really different from the vibe in Australia, where everyone mostly looks out for themselves. Here, I felt like I could ask anyone for help if I needed it, and I would look forward to being served coffee or tea at most of the shops I went to. 

It was heavy, being here and hearing about all of the stories of what people have been through. But they were so generous in the face of it, so defiant – it was really inspiring.” 

What makes Palestine special to visit?

Palestine has a long history and a lot of religious significance, making it a unique place to come and spend time. There are some beautiful cities in Area A of the West Bank that are essential to visit for any traveller to Palestine. 

• Jerusalem: Al-Aqsa Mosque, Old City, religious and historical sites

The famous Jerusalem is just as impressive in real life as it is in the biblical stories. Featuring some of the holiest sites in the monotheistic religions, Jerusalem is home to Al Aqsa mosque (the third holiest in all of Islam), the Temple Mount, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (where it is said Jesus was crucified and resurrected). You can wander the streets of the Old City through the Muslim Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter – just be careful to keep your feet on the worn and slippery stone pathways! 

• Bethlehem: Church of the Nativity, cultural attractions

The famous birthplace of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem, is a lovely city that mixes old and new almost seamlessly. A must-visit is the Church of the Nativity, said to be the birthplace of Jesus. For those into art, you can see the famous graffiti of the separation wall that runs through the city, featuring some pieces by the elusive Banksy. You can also buy beautiful locally made olive tree carvings, which are famous from this area. 

• Ramallah: Vibrant city life, museums, and nightlife

Located just north of Jerusalem, Ramallah is the cosmopolitan, political, and NGO center of Palestine. Less conservative than the south, foreigners can even visit bars and dance until the early hours in Ramallah’s vibrant nightlife. For a more cultural experience, you can find a museum dedicated to the legendary Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish, or visit the tomb of Yasser Arafat. 

• Hebron: Old City, Ibrahimi Mosque, glass and ceramic factories

The economic heart of the West Bank, Hebron, is a sprawling southern city with a very friendly and local community feel. With its vibrant central streets and low cost, many people come to Hebron to shop on the weekends. Here, you can visit the old city, the holy Ibrahimi mosque, and see local industry at work through hand-blown glass craft and painted ceramics factories. 

• Nablus: Historic souks, Jacob’s Well, Sebastia ruins

About an hour and a half north of Ramallah, Nablus is a beautiful little city nestled among surrounding mountains. This place is famous for its old winding markets and its delicious kunefe (a decadent dessert made with soft cheese and sugar syrup). In Nablus, you can also see historically and religiously significant sites, like Jacob’s Well and the Sebastia Ruins, that date back 4000 years.  

• Jericho: Mount of Temptation, Hisham’s Palace, Dead Sea access

Located close to the Jordanian border crossing, Jericho is the lowest city on the planet. It features areas of biblical significance like the Mount of Temptation, and is one of the earliest known human settlements. There is also a beautifully preserved palace from the Umayyad era in the 8th century, with stunning mosaics. Jericho is in close proximity to the Dead Sea, where you can go for a swim in water so densely salinated that your body will effortlessly float on its calm waters. But beware – don’t get any water in your eyes!

Tell me about the food in Palestine

Food is a central part of Palestinian culture, signifying family, togetherness, community, and celebration. Coming together over a good meal is an important part of everyday life and helps to make people feel connected to one another. 

So, what is Palestinian food? It is similar to some other countries in the Middle East region, but with a few significant differences. You’ll still find hummus, falafel, and shawarma, but there are many other delicious local dishes to try! 

A favourite of volunteers to the Excellence Center (and a great dish during winter) is Maqlooba – consisting of chicken, vegetables like cauliflower and eggplant, and rice. Once it’s finished cooking, the pot is flipped upside down onto a large serving dish, ready for everyone to dig in and enjoy! Sweets made with semolina, dates and sugar syrup are also incredibly popular, especially during Ramadan. 

What volunteer opportunities in Palestine can I get?

If you’d like to do something more impactful with your time while in Palestine, there are plenty of opportunities to make a difference through volunteering. 

Because of the high need in Palestine, there are a lot of opportunities to volunteer in a wide range of areas. Some of the most common volunteer programs include human rights, journalism, working with refugees, spending time in rural villages, teaching English, and many more. 

At the Excellence Center Palestine, there are volunteer programs available from a week to three months, in a variety of different interest areas. You can learn more about them here. 

Is it easy to travel between Israel and Palestine? What about checkpoints? 

For international travelers, traveling between Israel and Palestine is no problem – just make sure you keep your passport and your visa on you at all times. 

There are many checkpoints controlling travel between the two areas and between Palestinian cities, but all that usually means for international travelers is that they might have to wait in traffic sometimes, and sometimes soldiers might ask where you’re from and check your ID. 

Jerusalem is the main point of connection between Israel and Palestine. From Damascus Gate, on the Palestinian side, you can get buses to cities like Hebron, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. On the Israeli side of Damascus Gate, you can take the light rail to the main station of Yitzhak Navon and then a train to places like Tel Aviv or coastal Haifa. 

More questions?

Whether you’re travelling, studying, or looking to volunteer, Palestine is really a unique place, and we look forward to welcoming you! 

We hope this has answered some of your questions about life and living in Palestine, but if you have any more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team at rafat@excellencecenter.org.