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Palestine📸 Photo album · 9 photos · Ultra-HD
Palestine📜 History of Palestine
The story of Palestine
The land of Palestine has one of the longest records of human settlement on Earth. Jericho, set in an oasis near the Dead Sea, is often described as one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world, with a stone tower built more than ten thousand years ago. Over the millennia Canaanites, Philistines, Israelites and others lived in the region, and the name Palestine itself is linked to the ancient Philistines of the coast. Successive empires, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and Greeks, ruled the area in turn.
Under the Romans and later the Byzantines, the region became central to Christianity, with churches built over sites associated with the life of Jesus, such as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Arab armies brought Islam in the seventh century, and Arabic gradually became the main language. Crusaders, Ayyubids and Mamluks fought over and governed the land in the Middle Ages, and the Ottoman Empire ruled it from 1516 for four centuries, leaving markets, caravanserais and mosques in towns such as Nablus and Hebron.
Read the full history
After the First World War, Britain administered Palestine under a League of Nations mandate. The end of the mandate in 1948 brought war and the establishment of the State of Israel, and many Palestinians were displaced. In 1967 the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza came under Israeli control. The Oslo Accords of the 1990s created the Palestinian Authority, and the State of Palestine is recognised by many countries; the region's status remains at the centre of a long-running conflict.
For visitors, the West Bank holds some of the world's most important religious and historic sites, alongside olive groves, desert monasteries and lively markets. Palestinian culture is known for its embroidery, music and dabke dancing, and for dishes such as musakhan, maqluba and Nablus's famous knafeh. Security conditions vary and can change quickly, so checking official advice is essential.
Timeline
- c. 8000 BCA stone tower is built at Jericho, one of the world's oldest towns
- c. 1200 BCPhilistines settle along the southern coast
- c. 330 ADThe Church of the Nativity is built in Bethlehem
- 7th centuryArab armies bring Islam to the region
- 1516The Ottoman Empire begins four centuries of rule
- 1920The British Mandate for Palestine begins
- 1948The mandate ends amid war
- 1994The Palestinian Authority is established
Palestine
🛂 Visa & entry
Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.
Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:
- IATA Travel Centre – passport, visa & health rules ↗
- U.S. passport holders – State Department country pages ↗
- UK passport holders – GOV.UK travel advice ↗
The latest visa and entry news for Palestine appears below as soon as publishers report it.
US Travel Advisories🛂 Visas & Entry Rules
Reissued Statement There were no changes to the Travel Advisory Level. The health risk indicator was added for Gaza. Advisory summary was updated to reflect that family members may travel to Israel. Reconsider Travel to Israel…
#Israel#Palestine#Travel advisory#Visas & Entry RulesUS Travel Advisories🛂 Visas & Entry Rules
Reconsider Travel to West Bank due to terrorism and unrest . Advisory summary U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Israel must obtain special authorization for official travel to the…
#Palestine#United States#Visas & Entry RulesPalestine✨ 10 best things to do in Palestine
Things to do in Palestine
- Visit the Church of the NativityStoop through the low Door of Humility into one of the oldest working churches in the world.
- Explore JerichoSee ancient Tell es-Sultan and ride a cable car up to the Monastery of the Temptation.
- Eat knafeh in NablusTaste the warm, cheese-filled sweet in the city that made it famous.
- Walk the Hebron old cityWander through historic souks and visit the Ibrahimi Mosque / Cave of the Patriarchs with a local guide.
- Hike Wadi QeltFollow an ancient aqueduct trail through a desert canyon to the cliff-hanging St George's Monastery.
- See Hisham's PalaceAdmire one of the most beautiful mosaic floors in the region at this Umayyad palace near Jericho.
- Join the olive harvestHelp families pick olives in autumn and taste fresh oil from the press.
- Explore Ramallah's café sceneExperience the lively cafés, galleries and cultural centres of this busy city.
- Walk the Battir terracesHike among ancient agricultural terraces recognised by UNESCO.
- Buy Palestinian embroiderySupport artisan cooperatives making traditional tatreez embroidery.
US Travel Advisories🛂 Visas & Entry Rules
Do Not Travel to Gaza due to terrorism, unrest, and limited health infrastructure . Advisory Summary: Restrictions on U.S. Government Personnel Movement U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Gaza for any…
#Palestine#United States#Visas & Entry RulesPaddle Your Own Kanoo✈️ Flights & Airlines
Anyone traveling from Israel to Amsterdam faces the risk of having their bags searched on arrival for goods that were produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank after the Dutch government introduced new laws that…
#Netherlands#Israel#Amsterdam#Flights & Airlines
Palestine🗺️ Where to visit in Palestine
Where to go in Palestine
- BethlehemWest Bank · pilgrimage townHome of the Church of the Nativity, Manger Square and a lively old town.
- JerichoJordan Valley · ancient oasisOne of the world's oldest towns, with ancient ruins and warm winter weather.
- NablusNorthern West Bank · old cityA historic old city of soap factories, hammams and sweet shops.
- 📍HebronSouthern West Bank · historic cityA city of ancient markets, glassblowing workshops and important religious sites.
- RamallahCentral West Bank · modern cityA cosmopolitan city with cafés, museums and nightlife.
- 📍Wadi Qelt and St George's MonasteryJudean Desert · hikingA dramatic canyon and an Orthodox monastery clinging to the cliffs.
- SebastiaNear Nablus · archaeological siteRoman and older ruins in a village surrounded by olive groves.
- 📍BattirNear Bethlehem · UNESCO landscapeAncient stone terraces and irrigation channels perfect for walking.
Palestine✨ Must-do experiences
- Taste fresh knafeh in Nablus's old city
- Walk part of the Masar Ibrahim hiking trail
- Watch glass-blowing in Hebron
- Join an olive harvest in autumn
Palestine🍽️ Taste of Palestine
- 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
Palestine🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Palestine
Best time to visit Palestine
The region has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Jericho and the Jordan Valley are much hotter, while the highlands can see occasional snow.
BestMarch–May and September–November: mild temperatures and clear skies for sightseeing and hiking.
ShoulderDecember–February: cool and sometimes rainy, but festive in Bethlehem at Christmas and warm in Jericho.
AvoidJuly–August: very hot, especially in the Jordan Valley.
12°💧💧Jan
13°💧💧Feb
16°💧Mar
21°💧Apr
25°☀️May
27°☀️Jun
29°☀️Jul
29°☀️Aug
27°☀️Sep
24°☀️Oct
19°💧Nov
14°💧💧Dec
Typical daytime highs and rain in Bethlehem (approximate averages).
Palestine🎉 Festivals & events in Palestine
- December–JanuaryChristmas in BethlehemWestern, Orthodox and Armenian Christmas celebrations bring processions to Manger Square.
- March–AprilEasterChristians celebrate with services and processions in Bethlehem and nearby towns.
- Varies (Islamic calendar)Ramadan and Eid al-FitrEvenings light up with iftar meals, sweets and festive markets.
- October–NovemberOlive harvestFamilies gather in the groves to pick olives in a key season of rural life.
Palestine🧭 Palestine itinerary ideas
How many days in Palestine?
3 daysBethlehem and Jericho
Only if official advice permits: Day 1 Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity and old town. Day 2 Jericho, Hisham's Palace and the Monastery of the Temptation. Day 3 hike Wadi Qelt or visit Battir.
7 daysWest Bank discovery
Only if official advice permits: Days 1-2 Bethlehem and Battir. Day 3 Hebron with a guide. Days 4-5 Jericho and Wadi Qelt. Days 6-7 Ramallah, Nablus and Sebastia.
Palestine🎒 Backpacking Palestine – tips & hacks
Backpacker budget: about $35–55 a day
- Shared minibuses (servees) are a cheap way to travel between towns.
- Bethlehem and Ramallah have guesthouses and family homestays at budget prices.
- Falafel, hummus and fresh bread from bakeries make for very cheap meals.
- Use local guides and community tourism groups to learn more and support local businesses.
- Always carry your passport, as checkpoints are common.
Palestine🛡️ Safety & money in Palestine
Stay safe
- 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.
- Expect checkpoints and allow extra time for journeys, carrying your passport at all times.
- Dress modestly, especially at religious sites and in conservative towns.
Money
- 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.
- Tipping around ten percent is appreciated in restaurants, and guides and drivers expect tips.
Emergency: 100 police · 101 ambulance · 102 fire
Palestine🛬 Getting to Palestine
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.
✈️ Cheap flights to Palestine: airports, flight times & best time to fly →
Palestine💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Palestine
- Jericho is about 250 metres below sea level, among the lowest towns on Earth.
- Nablus is famous for its traditional olive oil soap.
- Palestinian embroidery (tatreez) is inscribed on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
- Bethlehem celebrates Christmas several times, according to different church calendars.
- The dabke folk dance is performed at weddings and celebrations.
Palestine❓ Palestine travel FAQ
Palestine travel questions
Is Palestine safe for tourists?
Gaza is not accessible to most visitors and travel there is strongly advised against. Conditions in the West Bank vary and can change quickly, so check your government's latest travel advice before planning a trip.
When is the best time to visit Palestine?
Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather. Christmas is a special time to visit Bethlehem, if conditions allow.
How do you get to the West Bank?
Most visitors enter through Israel or via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge from Jordan. Rules and opening hours can change, so check before travelling.
Do I need a visa to visit Palestine?
Entry depends on your passport and on which crossing you use. Check the official government site or embassy before you travel.
What currency is used in Palestine?
The Israeli new shekel is the main currency, with Jordanian dinars and US dollars sometimes accepted. Carry some cash, as cards are not accepted everywhere.
Palestine💰 What a trip costs
$$price level
$35–55backpacker / day
$90–160mid-range / day
Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).
Palestine🚌 Getting around
Shared taxis called servees and minibuses connect towns cheaply. Allow extra time for journeys between cities.
Palestine🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
- Church of the Nativity – Built over the place Christians honour as the birthplace of Jesus
- Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs) – Tomb site of Abraham, holy to Muslims and Jews
- Mar Saba Monastery – Ancient monastery clinging to a desert cliff, founded in 483 AD
Palestine🤝 Local etiquette
- Dress modestly, especially at religious sites and in smaller towns
- Accept tea or coffee when offered – it is a sign of welcome
- Ask before taking photos of people
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IsraelBeach cities, desert fortresses and the salty Dead Sea
JordanRose-red Petra, desert camps and the Dead Sea
LebanonAncient ruins, mountain cedars and Mediterranean food
CyprusSunny Mediterranean island of myths, mosaics and meze
SyriaAncient cities, Crusader castles and old souqs
EgyptPyramids, pharaohs' tombs and Red Sea reefs
TürkiyeWhere Europe meets Asia – bazaars, beaches and balloons
IraqCradle of civilisation, holy cities and ancient Mesopotamia