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Palestine travel guide
Ancient towns, olive groves and deep-rooted traditions.
Palestine is home to some of the oldest towns in the world and places important to Christians, Muslims and Jews. Visitors explore Bethlehem, Jericho near the Jordan Valley, the old cities of Hebron and Nablus, and lively Ramallah.
Travel tools
Getting there
There is no functioning airport; most travellers enter the West Bank via Israel or across the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge from Jordan. Entry rules and crossings can change, so check before you go.
Best time to visit: Mar–May and Sep–Nov – mild weather for walking old towns.
Tougher months: July–August: very hot, especially in the Jordan Valley.
Weather by month in Bethlehem
- 12°J●●
- 13°F●●
- 16°M●
- 21°A●
- 25°M
- 27°J
- 29°J
- 29°A
- 27°S
- 24°O
- 19°N●
- 14°D●●
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Asia/Gaza, Asia/Hebron. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 156 of 198 other passports can enter Palestine without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 42 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Source and more: Palestine travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Palestine are based around Bethlehem, Jericho or Nablus. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$35–55 for a backpacker and US$90–160 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Palestine page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: C, H. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +970.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Bethlehem (West Bank · pilgrimage town): Home of the Church of the Nativity, Manger Square and a lively old town.
- Jericho (Jordan Valley · ancient oasis): One of the world's oldest towns, with ancient ruins and warm winter weather.
- Nablus (Northern West Bank · old city): A historic old city of soap factories, hammams and sweet shops.
- Hebron (Southern West Bank · historic city): A city of ancient markets, glassblowing workshops and important religious sites.
- Ramallah (Central West Bank · modern city): A cosmopolitan city with cafés, museums and nightlife.
- Wadi Qelt and St George's Monastery (Judean Desert · hiking): A dramatic canyon and an Orthodox monastery clinging to the cliffs.
- Sebastia (Near Nablus · archaeological site): Roman and older ruins in a village surrounded by olive groves.
- Battir (Near Bethlehem · UNESCO landscape): Ancient stone terraces and irrigation channels perfect for walking.
Things to do
- Visit the Church of the Nativity. Stoop through the low Door of Humility into one of the oldest working churches in the world.
- Explore Jericho. See ancient Tell es-Sultan and ride a cable car up to the Monastery of the Temptation.
- Eat knafeh in Nablus. Taste the warm, cheese-filled sweet in the city that made it famous.
- Walk the Hebron old city. Wander through historic souks and visit the Ibrahimi Mosque / Cave of the Patriarchs with a local guide.
- Hike Wadi Qelt. Follow an ancient aqueduct trail through a desert canyon to the cliff-hanging St George's Monastery.
- See Hisham's Palace. Admire one of the most beautiful mosaic floors in the region at this Umayyad palace near Jericho.
- Join the olive harvest. Help families pick olives in autumn and taste fresh oil from the press.
- Explore Ramallah's café scene. Experience the lively cafés, galleries and cultural centres of this busy city.
Source: full Palestine guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Musakhan – roast chicken with sumac and onions on taboon bread
- Maqluba – upside-down rice with vegetables and meat
- Knafeh – warm cheese pastry soaked in sweet syrup
- Falafel and hummus – classic chickpea dishes
Source: RoamSun Palestine guide
Money and safety
Currency: Israeli new shekel (ILS). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: About 10% in restaurants is common; small tips for guides and drivers are appreciated..
Emergency numbers: 100 police · 101 ambulance · 102 fire.
- The Israeli new shekel is the main currency, and Jordanian dinars and US dollars are also used in some places.
- ATMs are available in the main cities, but cards are not accepted everywhere.
- Travel to Gaza is not possible for most visitors and is strongly advised against; check your government's latest travel advice for the West Bank before planning a trip.
- The situation can change quickly; monitor local news and avoid demonstrations and areas of tension.
Source: RoamSun Palestine facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Palestine?
Mar–May and Sep–Nov – mild weather for walking old towns. Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and cool, rainy winters; Jericho stays warm year-round.
What time zone is Palestine in?
Palestine uses Asia/Gaza, Asia/Hebron.
Do I need a visa for Palestine?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 156 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 0 need an e-visa or eTA and 42 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Palestine use?
Palestine uses plug type C, H at 230 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Palestine?
The international calling code for Palestine is +970.
Do you tip in Palestine?
About 10% in restaurants is common; small tips for guides and drivers are appreciated..
What is the emergency number in Palestine?
100 police · 101 ambulance · 102 fire.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Palestine?
Traffic drives on the right.