Palestine
Some of the world's most storied places lie within an hour of each other in the West Bank: the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque, ancient Jericho in the Jordan Valley, and Nablus's soap factories and knafeh bakeries. Hospitality is generous and the food superb, but access can change at short notice, so check the FCDO travel advice before planning.
Overview
The State of Palestine comprises the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, though in practice visitors see only the West Bank, which runs from the Jordan Valley, far below sea level, up into the hills around Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem and Hebron. Most trips are short and hub-based: stay in Bethlehem or Ramallah, or in East Jerusalem, and make day trips south to Hebron, east down to Jericho, Wadi Qelt and the Mar Saba monastery, and north to Nablus and the Roman ruins at Sebastia. Gaza has been effectively closed to ordinary visitors since 2007.
Expect checkpoints, the separation barrier and the patchwork of Areas A, B and C to shape your days, and allow time for delays. Costs are lower than in Israel, guesthouses are often family-run, and beyond Bethlehem you will rarely meet tour groups. It suits pilgrims, history lovers, walkers on the Masar Ibrahim trail and travellers who want to understand the region beyond the headlines. Visitors are often surprised by the food (musakhan, maqluba and Nablus knafeh), by the brewery at Taybeh, and by how readily strangers invite them in for coffee.
Map of Palestine
Top 5 highlights
- 1Sacred site
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Stoop through the low Door of Humility into one of the world's oldest working churches, built over the grotto venerated as Jesus's birthplace; restored Byzantine mosaics glitter above the nave. Arrive early to beat the grotto queues.
- 2History
Hebron Old City
UNESCO-listed since 2017, Hebron's Mamluk-era old town centres on the Ibrahimi Mosque, built over the Cave of the Patriarchs and sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians. Local guides explain the divided city and its checkpoints.
- 3History
Jericho
One of the world's oldest towns, about 250 m below sea level: see the Neolithic tower at UNESCO-listed Tell es-Sultan and the mosaics of Umayyad Hisham's Palace, and ride the cable car towards the Mount of Temptation monastery.
- 4Food
Nablus Old City
Wander covered Ottoman-era souqs between olive-oil soap factories, the steam of Hammam al-Shifa and bakeries pulling trays of knafeh, the cheese pastry for which Nablus is famous across the Arab world.
- 5Nature
Wadi Qelt and St George's Monastery
Hike the dramatic desert gorge between Jerusalem and Jericho to St George's Monastery, which clings to the cliff face above an ancient aqueduct channel; go with a guide and start early to beat the heat.
Biggest cities
Gaza City
Palestine's largest city, on the Mediterranean, has been effectively closed to tourists since 2007 and suffered vast destruction in the war that began in 2023.
Khan Yunis
The main city of southern Gaza, with a Mamluk-era caravanserai fortress dating from 1387; like the rest of the Strip, it has been closed to visitors for many years.
Hebron
The West Bank's largest city, known for glass-blowing, ceramics and grapes; its old town around the Ibrahimi Mosque is divided under separate controls, so visit with a local guide.
Populations are 2017 census figures; most of Gaza's population has since been displaced by war, and Hebron may now be larger than Khan Yunis. Nablus is the next-largest West Bank city.
When to go to Palestine
Best time: Mar–May, Sep–Nov.
Average climate in Ramallah
Festivals & events
- Jan, DecChristmas in Bethlehem
Manger Square hosts scout parades and Midnight Mass at St Catherine's Church on 24 December; Orthodox and Armenian Christmas follow on 6–7 and 18–19 January.
- Oct–NovOlive harvest
Families gather in the groves to pick by hand; several organisations run volunteer picking programmes for visitors, and new-season oil and soap fill the markets.
How much does Palestine cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Musakhan
The national dish: taboon flatbread soaked in olive oil and piled with roast chicken, slow-cooked onions, sumac and pine nuts, eaten with your hands.
Maqluba
'Upside-down' rice layered with fried aubergine or cauliflower and chicken or lamb, cooked in a pot and flipped onto a platter at the table.
Knafeh nabulsiyeh
Nablus's speciality of soft white cheese under a crisp layer of semolina or shredded pastry, soaked in syrup, served hot and usually tinted orange.
Getting around
Shared yellow minibuses called servees link West Bank towns from central stands, leaving when full; they are cheap and frequent. Arab-run buses connect East Jerusalem with Bethlehem and Ramallah. Taxis are plentiful, but agree fares first. Israeli hire cars are usually not insured in Palestinian-controlled Area A, so use a local hire firm or driver. Carry your passport for checkpoints and allow extra time for queues.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CH230V — bring a UK-to-C/H adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +970
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Around 10% is appreciated in sit-down restaurants; round up taxi fares, and tip guides and drivers at the end of a day trip.
- Etiquette
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially in Hebron, Nablus and at religious sites. Don't photograph soldiers or checkpoints, and accept offers of coffee or tea when you can.
- Main airports
- Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), Tel Aviv — across the border; Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Amman — across the border
Visas & entry for Palestine
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Israel without a visa as a tourist. On entry, visitors get permission to stay for up to 3 months. However, if you are a dual national, read the dual nationals guidance for more information.
If you work in Israel without the proper permissions, you can be detained and deported. This process could take several months.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Palestine
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 15 Nov 2026 | Independence Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Catholic Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 5 Jan 2027 | Isra' and Mi'raj |
| Thu 7 Jan 2027 | Orthodox Christmas Day |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sun 2 May 2027 | Easter |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha |
| Wed 19 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Arabic
| English | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا | MAR-ha-ba |
| Thank you | شكرًا | SHOOK-ran |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت | law sa-MAHT |
| How much is this? | بقديش هاد؟ | b'ad-DAYSH haad |
Know before you go
- Check the FCDO travel advice before and during your trip, and keep your passport on you at all times; you will need it at checkpoints, including when returning to Jerusalem.
- Plan around Friday, the Muslim day of rest, when many shops in Hebron and Nablus close; some Christian-owned businesses in Bethlehem close on Sunday instead.
- Shekels are used everywhere and ATMs are common in Ramallah, Bethlehem and Nablus, but carry small notes and coins for servees and market stalls.
Palestine travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Palestine?
The best time to visit Palestine is generally Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Peak months are April, May and October. Average highs in Ramallah range from 11°C to 28°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Palestine cost per day?
Roughly £35 a day on a tight budget, £80 mid-range and £170+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Palestine?
Israeli new shekel (ILS).
What plug type does Palestine use?
Type C and H sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Palestine?
Traffic drives on the right in Palestine, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Palestine?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Palestine?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Israel without a visa as a tourist. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Palestine before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/palestine/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Palestine?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A and Tetanus for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
