Traveling to any country requires a specific motivation, with each country having its own unique reasons to attract visitors who often have to go to far lengths to get there. These reasons differ depending on the traveler and their destination, but some of the most common include work, education, historical or archeological interest, and recreation– but there are many others.
As with any other country, Palestine has attractions that draw people from thousands of miles away. The question is, what does Palestine have to offer as a possible destination for you? What makes Palestine so special? And why should you visit Palestine in particular as opposed to another country in the region?
Here are ten reasons that might convince you to come to Palestine for a visit.
1. Palestine is a Beautiful Country
Whether you enjoy the sight of tree-covered hills that seem to go on forever or the glow of city lights along an urban skyline, Palestine has something to offer everyone in terms of aesthetic appeal.
Smaller towns in the south, such as Beit Sahour and Beit Jala, are surrounded by greenery, and the mountainous landscape makes an awe-inspiring view easy to find. The more arid regions, such as those surrounding the Dead Sea, provide a stunning contrast to the life that they sustain.
The metropolitan areas also contain a wealth of amazing things to see; the souq of Hebron is colorful and lively; the architecture of much of Jerusalem’s Old City dates back thousands of years, transforming a quick walk toward Jaffa Gate into a trip back through time; the street art of Bethlehem illustrates the struggles of its inhabitants, capturing the humanity of a society in turmoil. Unquestionably, beauty is abundant in Palestine in many forms and in many places.
2. Delicious Food
Palestinian food is fresh and healthy. You won’t find any frozen dinners or canned soups here, and fast food is far less common than in a Western country. Instead, produce is a staple of most snacks and meals, and is often even straight from a home’s garden. Many products are also locally sourced, and if you’re lucky enough to spend time with a Palestinian family, you’ll sample a variety of delicious homemade dishes.
The Palestinian table is always full of a variety of dishes despite the weak economy, and the people here are renowned for presenting delicious yet affordable food that mainly contains meat and ghee. There are not many vegetarians in Palestine, and while there are no specific statistics on the precise number, you can tell that there are not many because most restaurants base their menus around meat.
It is typical for Palestinians to start their day after having a rich breakfast that usually includes pita bread, labneh (close to sour cream), sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, olive oil with Za’atar (a mixture of dried herbs) as well as fried or boiled eggs, hallum cheese or yellow cheese, and fuul (fava bean stew). Tea is always there to accompany any meal.
Lunch in Palestine has more options than breakfast. For instance, Palestine is full of restaurants that sell different types of sandwiches, with the most preferred types of sandwiches being falafel, a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both, and shawarma, which is stuffed with meat and salad.
3. The Value of its Holy Sites
Palestine holds countless holy and spirtual sites of tremendous value and significance to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The more well-known places include the Temple Mount and Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and al-Ibrahimi Mosque and Machpelah Cave in Hebron, but if you dig a bit further, there’s a wealth of hidden gems to be found.
For instance, on the southern outskirts of Jerusalem sits Rachel’s Tomb, notable for its sacred atmosphere despite a surrounding military zone. A short walk from the Church of the Nativity, down an unassuming alley, is the Milk Grotto, another holy site in Christianity. And among the bustling chaos of Hebron city life, you can find Abraham’s Oak located on land owned by the Russian Orthodox Church, alongside a small monastery. Regardless of your religion, each site is a place of peace and beauty.
Palestine is a place full of history and beautiful things to see and do, to the point that even simply taking a drive to take in the gorgeous scenery is a pleasure in itself.
4. The Unique Industries
Palestine creates some of the most unique products in the world. It’s home to several glass and ceramic factories where dedicated workers use their skills to create beautiful pieces of art. Glass is painstakingly blown using age-old methods, and ceramics are hand-sculpted and painted with intricate detail, and the factories often have an open layout, allowing visitors to watch the artists in action.
The textile industry is also popular, including keffiyeh and beautifully embroidered clothing and accessories. Olive-wood carvings are widely available in Bethlehem and are famous for the wood’s natural beauty and resilience, and cosmetic products made from fresh olive oil and Dead Sea mud are also a unique find.
5. The Language
Arabic is a beautiful and complex language, with a seemingly endless number of dialects and accents. Levantine Arabic is the dialect of choice in Palestine, and if you’re studying the language, this is especially important. Levantine Arabic, used primarily in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, most closely resembles the formal Modern Standard Arabic taught in universities and language centers. Studying Arabic in an Arabic-speaking society is also an excellent way of acquiring conversation skills much faster than you would elsewhere.
6. Culture in Palestine
Palestinian culture is one of the most hospitable in the world. Guests are offered every comfort, especially as tea, food, and good conversation are the staples of Palestinian social life. Friends and strangers alike will take a genuine interest in your life, history, and opinions, and will readily share their own stories with you. Even families that might not have much will share what they have and do their very best to make you feel comfortable and at ease.
Palestinians are eager to show the internationals the Palestinian culture and involve them in many different family and cultural activities that will make your trip to Palestine full of memories and enjoyable moments. Not only this, but they are also keen to learn about other cultures and the daily habits of international visitors, allowing you to share your own culture as well.
Palestinian culture is based not only on helping family members and neighbors but also strangers– regardless of whoever that person is and whatever they may need. If they can help, they will!
Moreover, despite their differing views, Christians and Muslims live alongside one another peacefully, which lends spiritual and social harmony to Palestine and imbues Palestine with a special beauty. An example of this harmony is the site of the Church of the Nativity and the Mosque of Omar bin al-Khattab, both sharing the same location in Manger Square at the heart of Bethlehem.
7. To Learn the Truth
When you’re playing football with your host brother or having coffee on a balcony overlooking a city skyline, it can be easy to forget Palestine’s tumultuous history. Unfortunately, the reality of the occupation is inescapable for those who call Palestine their home. Walls exist in many forms; the separation barrier surrounding the West Bank is the most recognizable, but economic, political, and social blockades are obstacles that can be just as limiting.
However, there is much to be learned from each side of the conflict. Sometimes what you hear is different from what you see and realize with your own eyes. As Galileo Galilei once said, “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” Therefore, to discover the truth, you need to explore and figure it out by yourself. What you will see will shock and surprise you, and it will explain and reveal to you the full truth about the ongoing situation. Here you will be able to hear people’s stories about the conflict and their vision regarding any possible settlement.
As the media often does not show the full image or the current realities, rather, only highlights one small angle of the daily life of people here, being in Palestine is an invaluable opportunity to educate yourself.
8. Affordable Prices
All travelers think twice about the budget of their trips. Most of them, especially students, try their best to spend as little as possible or choose a country that fits comfortably within their budget limit. It is likely pleasing to know, then, that Palestine is considered to be an inexpensive place to visit compared to other countries.
Here, for example, you can have a full lunch or dinner for three or four American dollars. Transportation is also cheap in Palestine, as within the West Bank service taxi fees can range from 15 to 40 NIS one-way, per person, depending on the distance of the drive. Within cities, private taxis will range in fees from two to fifteen NIS. Hostels in Palestine are also affordable, with the average price of a night’s stay ranging from $12 to $15 US per night.
9. Palestine is a Small Country
Palestine is a small country, which means that it does not take a long time to travel from one city to another. Therefore, you will be able to visit almost every place in Palestine in a short time and at a low cost. This also will allow you to see the diversity within Palestinian cities and how each city in Palestine is when it comes to culture, climate, and nature.
10. Moderate Weather
The location of Palestine, situated on the eastern Mediterranean coastline and adjacent to the Sinai Peninsula and Jordanian desert, plays an important role in the weather there. Its position is directly responsible for the enjoyable moderate and mild climate of Palestine.
Winter in Palestine spans about three months in duration, and the temperature only occasionally falls to zero. It also does not usually snow in Palestine; in recent years, it has snowed only twice.
Summers in Palestine are hot. July and August are the hottest months in the country, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), and even higher some days. But although the summer is hot, the evenings are cool, which makes them a popular time for going out to enjoy the cooler weather after a hot day. A sweater or light jacket may be comfortable for evenings.
The climate during the remainder of the year is mild and moderate. Rainfall in Palestine is very limited, with the rainiest months occurring from November to February. Every year during April, May, and in the middle of June, Palestine faces hot, dry, sandy, and dusty khamseen winds that originate in the Arabian Desert. During the winter Palestine experiences seven hours of sunshine, while there are about 13 hours of daylight during the summer.
This moderate weather makes Palestine a place to visit in summer and winter and makes your journey enjoyable no matter what time of year you plan to visit.
Altogether, no matter which reason motivates you to come to Palestine, know that there is an abundance of experiences, culture, and welcoming people waiting for you. We hope you choose to visit us in Palestine!