Visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem$30–60
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world, marking the traditionally recognized birthplace of Jesus.
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Middle East
Things to do in Palestine
Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity and centuries of layered history across the West Bank, accessible to travelers through Israeli-administered crossings, with entry procedures and conditions that can shift and require careful, current confirmation.
Explore Palestine on the map →Budget$
Best for3-5 days for the West Bank circuit
CapitalRamallah
VisaAn Electronic Travel Authorization has been required since January 2026 for travel to Palestinian areas; entry is primarily via Israel's Ben Gurion Airport followed by an Israeli-administered crossing into the West Bank, Gaza is not open to foreign travelers. Confirm current, specific requirements immediately before any trip, as conditions can shift.
CurrencyIsraeli new shekel (ILS) and Jordanian dinar are both commonly used
LanguagesArabic (official)
InternetGood in Bethlehem and Ramallah
Typical lodging$20–$50/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/G varies)
Time zoneUTC+3
Emergency number999 or 112
Dialing code+970
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Food★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended. 10–15% expected, often added as a service charge.
Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world, marking the traditionally recognized birthplace of Jesus and drawing Christian pilgrims from across the globe for well over a thousand years. The West Bank holds a dense concentration of archaeological and religious sites spanning Canaanite, Israelite, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Crusader-era history, reflecting one of the most continuously significant and contested landscapes in the world; travel logistics are genuinely distinct from typical destinations, and current entry requirements, access points, and conditions should always be confirmed immediately before any trip.
When to go
SpringMarch–May
Mild temperatures and blooming landscapes, historically a popular window for Bethlehem and the wider West Bank.
SummerJune–August
Hot and dry, particularly in the Jordan Valley, though Bethlehem and Ramallah's higher elevation keeps conditions somewhat milder.
AutumnSeptember–November
Cooling temperatures and clear skies, considered alongside spring as a comfortable overall window.
WinterDecember–February
Mild but occasionally rainy, with Bethlehem's Christmas season drawing significant pilgrim visitation historically.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
11Explore Bethlehem's Old City and Manger Square$30–60
The historic heart of Bethlehem, centered on the square adjoining the Church of the Nativity, with markets and centuries of layered history.
Visit the ancient city of Jericho$30–60
Widely considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, with archaeological layers stretching back roughly 11,000 years.
Explore Hisham's Palace near Jericho$30–60
An 8th-century Umayyad-era palace complex holding one of the finest surviving mosaic floors from the early Islamic world.
Explore Ramallah's contemporary cultural scene
The West Bank's de facto administrative center holds a lively contemporary art, music, and café culture reflecting modern Palestinian daily life.
Visit the Mount of Temptation and its monastery near Jericho$30–60
A dramatic cliffside Greek Orthodox monastery built into the mountain traditionally associated with the biblical temptation of Jesus.
Explore Hebron's Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, holding a site sacred to both Islam and Judaism as the traditional burial place of Abraham.
Visit Nablus's Old City and traditional soap factories
A historic city known for centuries-old olive oil soap production and a well-preserved Old City market.
Visit the Walled Off Hotel and its street art in Bethlehem$30–60
A distinctive art hotel adjacent to the separation barrier, displaying politically engaged street art including work by Banksy.
Explore the Herodium fortress near Bethlehem$30–60
A dramatic hilltop palace-fortress built by King Herod the Great, offering sweeping views over the surrounding Judean hills.
Visit a Palestinian embroidery cooperative
Traditional Palestinian tatreez embroidery, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, remains a genuinely practiced and significant craft tradition.
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Food & drink
7Eat Palestinian musakhan, sumac chicken with bread
Roasted chicken with sumac and caramelized onions over taboon bread, widely considered a defining dish of Palestinian cuisine.
Try Palestinian maqluba, an upside-down rice dish
A layered rice, meat, and vegetable dish flipped dramatically upside-down when served, a genuine centerpiece of Palestinian home cooking.
Try Palestinian knafeh, a sweet cheese pastry
A warm, syrup-soaked cheese pastry topped with crushed pistachios, particularly associated with the city of Nablus and beloved across the region.
Try Palestinian falafel and hummus at a local restaurant
Staples of the wider Levantine table, prepared across Palestinian towns with genuine local variations and family recipes.
Visit the Taybeh Brewery near Ramallah
The Middle East's first Palestinian-owned microbrewery, founded in a historic Christian village, reflecting a genuinely distinctive corner of the local economy.
Try Palestinian mansaf-style lamb with jameed yogurt
A rich lamb dish cooked in fermented dried yogurt, reflecting the broader Levantine culinary tradition shared with Jordan.
Try Palestinian za'atar and fresh olive oil with bread
A simple, genuinely beloved combination of wild thyme spice blend and fresh-pressed local olive oil, central to everyday Palestinian meals.
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Nature & scenery
2Explore the shores of the Dead Sea from the West Bank side
The lowest point on Earth's land surface, with famously buoyant, mineral-rich water accessible from the West Bank's eastern edge.
Explore the olive groves of the West Bank countryside
Olive cultivation is genuinely central to Palestinian agricultural life and identity, with centuries-old trees still tended across the hillsides.
Common questions
▾How do I enter Palestinian areas as a tourist?
The West Bank is accessible to tourists primarily via Israel's Ben Gurion Airport followed by an Israeli-administered crossing; Gaza is not open to foreign travelers. An Electronic Travel Authorization has been required since January 2026: always confirm the latest specific requirements immediately before any trip, as conditions and procedures can shift.
▾Is it safe to visit the West Bank right now?
Conditions vary by location and can change quickly given the region's ongoing situation; established pilgrimage and tourist routes like Bethlehem see regular visitation, but it's essential to check current, area-specific government travel advisories before finalizing any plans.
▾Why is the Church of the Nativity significant?
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world, marking the traditionally recognized birthplace of Jesus and drawing Christian pilgrims for well over a thousand years.
▾Can I visit Gaza as a tourist?
No. Gaza is not open to foreign travelers under current conditions, and this page's coverage focuses on the West Bank, where established tourist and pilgrimage routes operate.
▾How many days does a West Bank visit typically take?
3-5 days is reasonable for Bethlehem, Jericho, and Ramallah, often combined with a broader itinerary that includes Jerusalem, given the region's compact geography and how closely these cities sit together.
▾How much does it cost to visit Bethlehem and Jericho?
Entry to sites like the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is generally free, though guided tours typically run $30-60 USD per person and are worth it given the historical context. Access and border-crossing conditions in the West Bank can change with little notice depending on the current situation, so check up-to-date guidance close to your travel dates rather than planning too far in advance.