Jericho

Jericho (Arabic أريحا Arīḥā, Hebrew יריחו Yerikho), the "City of Palms", is a small city within the Palestinian Territories close to the northern end of Dead Sea and some 55 km (34 miles) from Jerusalem.

A relatively tranquil town, Jericho's reputation for calm and lack of security incidents in the midst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has made it a natural destination for West Bank visitors. Because Jericho is a tourist-orientated town, the Palestinian Authority goes to great lengths to make sure Jericho remains safe to visit. There is a constant tourist-police presence in the city and English is spoken by many in the town.

The modern town of Jericho includes the ancient mound known as Tell es-Sultan, the accumulated remains of cities that have existed on the site for some 9,000 years - the Neolithic period. Archaeology reveals that Jericho is one of the oldest human settlements in the Middle East.

Jericho, of course, is probably best known for its Biblical associations: (song) "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho - and the walls came tumbling down!"

Due to its location nearly 400 meters below sea level, Jericho is extremely hot in the summer!

• Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho). This site is the center of archaeological digs in Jericho. It was the location of the ancient Jericho of the Biblical times and is located some 2 km north-west of the modern city centre, overlooking the natural spring of Ein Sultan. If you prefer to focus on other things, then it is relatively easy to see the gist of the site from the surrounding roads. The site's car park features not one but two separate fountains both claiming to be Elisha's spring. ₪10 (intl. students ₪7).
• Shalom al Yisrael Synagogue Mosaic Floor. The synagogue floor is in the basement of a private house belonging to a Jerusalemite family, the Shahwans, at the end of the street. The family discovered the site and kept maintaining it until the Israelis confiscated the land and the house in 1987. ₪10.
• Hisham's Palace. This winter palace was built by the Umayyad Caliph Hisham Ibn Abdul Malek, before being destroyed by an earthquake soon after completion in 747 CE. The extensive site contains royal buildings, a mosque, water fountains and spectacular mosaic floors. ₪10.

• Sycamore Tree of Jericho. This tree is referenced in the New Testament due to its association with Jesus' visit to Jericho: "Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. Now a man named Zacchaeus was there; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to get a look at Jesus, but being a short man he could not see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, because Jesus was going to pass that way." (Luke 19:1-4, NET Bible) ₪5, just for the garden & tree (the museum is ₪20).
• Quruntal. A Greek Orthodox monastery is located here, atop the mountain where Jesus is believed to have been tempted by the Devil. It houses two Greek Orthodox priests. One arrived from Greece in November 2010 when he was 30, and will stay there for the rest of his life. The other has been there for decades. From this precarious rocky spot, you get a great view of Jericho and the Jordan Valley towards Amman. Hike up to the top of the mountain, or else take the world's longest cable car below sea level from the base of the mountain (see Do below).
• Jesus' Baptismal site. Located near Jericho on the Jordan River is the site where Jesus is said to have been baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (this site in Jericho is rivalled by another in Northern Israel at Yardenit). It is also believed to be the spot described in the Old Testament where the Israelites crossed the river to enter the Land of Canaan.
• Wadi Qelt Synagogue. This synagogue is thought to be the oldest synagogue in the world. It is part of the "Jericho Royal Winter Palace" complex that was constructed in the Second Temple Period.
• Herod's Palace (ruins). Not very impressive, but interesting if you are in to the topic. Conveniently located on the way in or out Wadi Qelt.
• Naaran Synagogue. This beautiful ancient synagogue also contains a floor decorated with mosaics.
• Monastery of Gerasimus of the Jordan, +970 2 9943038, +970 50 348892. Daily 08:00-18:00. The Greek Orthodox monastery of Deir Hajla near Jericho commemorates St. Gerasimus, whose lavra was nearby. Gerasimus left his family wealth and worldly affairs to become a monk. He departed for the region Thebaid in the Egyptian desert, later again returning to his native Lycia. About the middle of 5th century Saint Gerasimus went to Palestine and settled in wilderness near the Jordan River. There he established a monastery and became known for his righteous life of asceticism and prayer. The story of Gerasimus and the lion, when the saint tamed the animal by removing a thorn from its paw and taught it obedience, became widely known in the Christian world. He is reputed to have attended to the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon in 451.The history of the monastery is also linked to another Christian narrative. Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus were said to have found refuge in a cave here during their flight from Herod. An underground chapel was built on the spot where the Holy Family is believed to have spent the night. The crypt floor also contains the bones of monks who were massacred during the Persian conquest of the Holy Land.

Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho). This site is the center of archaeological digs in Jericho. It was the location of the ancient Jericho of the Biblical times and is located some 2 km north-west of the modern city centre, overlooking the natural spring of Ein Sultan. If you prefer to focus on other things, then it is relatively easy to see the gist of the site from the surrounding roads. The site's car park features not one but two separate fountains both claiming to be Elisha's spring. ₪10 (intl. students ₪7).

Shalom al Yisrael Synagogue Mosaic Floor. The synagogue floor is in the basement of a private house belonging to a Jerusalemite family, the Shahwans, at the end of the street. The family discovered the site and kept maintaining it until the Israelis confiscated the land and the house in 1987. ₪10.

Hisham's Palace. This winter palace was built by the Umayyad Caliph Hisham Ibn Abdul Malek, before being destroyed by an earthquake soon after completion in 747 CE. The extensive site contains royal buildings, a mosque, water fountains and spectacular mosaic floors. ₪10.

Sycamore Tree of Jericho. This tree is referenced in the New Testament due to its association with Jesus' visit to Jericho: "Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. Now a man named Zacchaeus was there; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to get a look at Jesus, but being a short man he could not see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, because Jesus was going to pass that way." (Luke 19:1-4, NET Bible) ₪5, just for the garden & tree (the museum is ₪20).

Quruntal. A Greek Orthodox monastery is located here, atop the mountain where Jesus is believed to have been tempted by the Devil. It houses two Greek Orthodox priests. One arrived from Greece in November 2010 when he was 30, and will stay there for the rest of his life. The other has been there for decades. From this precarious rocky spot, you get a great view of Jericho and the Jordan Valley towards [[Amman]]. Hike up to the top of the mountain, or else take the world's longest cable car below sea level from the base of the mountain (see Do below).

Jesus' Baptismal site. Located near Jericho on the Jordan River is the site where Jesus is said to have been baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (this site in Jericho is rivalled by another in Northern Israel at Yardenit). It is also believed to be the spot described in the Old Testament where the Israelites crossed the river to enter the Land of Canaan.

Wadi Qelt Synagogue. This synagogue is thought to be the oldest synagogue in the world. It is part of the "Jericho Royal Winter Palace" complex that was constructed in the Second Temple Period.

Herod's Palace (ruins). Not very impressive, but interesting if you are in to the topic. Conveniently located on the way in or out [[West Bank#See|Wadi Qelt]].

Naaran Synagogue. This beautiful ancient synagogue also contains a floor decorated with mosaics.

Monastery of Gerasimus of the Jordan, +970 2 9943038, +970 50 348892. Daily 08:00-18:00. The Greek Orthodox monastery of Deir Hajla near Jericho commemorates St. Gerasimus, whose lavra was nearby. Gerasimus left his family wealth and worldly affairs to become a monk. He departed for the region Thebaid in the Egyptian desert, later again returning to his native Lycia. About the middle of 5th century Saint Gerasimus went to Palestine and settled in wilderness near the Jordan River. There he established a monastery and became known for his righteous life of asceticism and prayer. The story of Gerasimus and the lion, when the saint tamed the animal by removing a thorn from its paw and taught it obedience, became widely known in the Christian world. He is reputed to have attended to the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon in 451.The history of the monastery is also linked to another Christian narrative. Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus were said to have found refuge in a cave here during their flight from Herod. An underground chapel was built on the spot where the Holy Family is believed to have spent the night. The crypt floor also contains the bones of monks who were massacred during the Persian conquest of the Holy Land.

• Participate with visiting archaeologists in the many archaeological digs taking place in the Jericho area.
• Also, Jericho is known to the local population as an area surrounded by beautiful surroundings. There are numerous hiking trails that have beautiful views of the oases surrounding Jericho. Make sure to bring lots of water, Jericho is also known to the locals for its hot weather.
• Go for a camel ride in the desert. Ask the Bedouins walking around with decorated camels. So much fun! Make sure to agree on a price before hand.
• Cable Car. Jericho Cable Car Company for getting to Mount Temptation Monastery instead of hiking. ₪55 for a 7-min trip of about 1.35 km.
• Kalya Beach. This beach on the Dead Sea is managed by the nearby Israeli settlement of Kalya. They usually allow Palestinians to use the beach as well. (Shared) taxis can be organised from Jericho.
• Banana Land Amusement Park, +970 568 466-617. Spend the day having fun at the park.

Participate with visiting archaeologists in the many archaeological digs taking place in the Jericho area.

Also, Jericho is known to the local population as an area surrounded by beautiful surroundings. There are numerous hiking trails that have beautiful views of the oases surrounding Jericho. Make sure to bring lots of water, Jericho is also known to the locals for its hot weather.

Go for a camel ride in the desert. Ask the Bedouins walking around with decorated camels. So much fun! Make sure to agree on a price before hand.

Cable Car. Jericho Cable Car Company for getting to Mount Temptation Monastery instead of hiking. ₪55 for a 7-min trip of about 1.35 km.

Kalya Beach. This beach on the Dead Sea is managed by the nearby Israeli settlement of Kalya. They usually allow Palestinians to use the beach as well. (Shared) taxis can be organised from Jericho.

Banana Land Amusement Park, +970 568 466-617. Spend the day having fun at the park.

There are Bedouins selling a variety of goods in Jericho, but the prices for them aren't much cheaper than other places. Food, however, is significantly cheaper in Jericho.

Near the Central Square, there are many places for quick bites, especially in the direction of the Sycamore Tree or Hisham's Palace.

It worth a visit to Qurantal mountain where Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights before the devil's temptation to him, where you will find a very nice restaurant at the bottom of the mountain. The buffet is agreeable and costs around US$15 per head for lunch. Ask to sit outside for an incredible panoramic view. You will have your lunch in front of an amazing panoramic birds eye view of Jericho city, the mountains of Jordan and the Dead Sea. You can reach this restaurant by using the Cable Car of Jericho.

• Limonä Restaurant Jericho, Muntazhat Street, +972 02 231 2977. Good but expensive.
• Sultana Restaurant, +970 2 231 4241.

Limonä Restaurant Jericho, Muntazhat Street, +972 02 231 2977. Good but expensive.

Sultana Restaurant, +970 2 231 4241.

The town is pretty much alcohol-free except in the hotels and resorts.

All major Palestinian cities are served directly by shared taxis (sherut/serviis) from here, sometimes with an interchange necessary. Travel to Israeli towns can be tricky but is possible; ask the local tourist information on the central roundabout.

• Tiberias – A large Israeli town in the north and great starting point for Galilee and Golan.
• Nablus – One of the oldest cities in the world and famous for its kunafa/kenafeh. If you are on a tight schedule and planing to go to Ramallah, you might want to skip the latter for this more exciting Palestinian city.
• Jerusalem – Besides the Dead Sea, a central focus for most people coming to this region.
• Dead Sea – One of the most famous things to see/do in Israel and Jordan. Check out Ein Gedi, a Nature Reserve and oasis along the Dead Sea.
• Negev & Judaean – Deserts close to the Dead Sea, featuring amazing sites and desert landscapes, including the Ramon Crater and two other craters.
• Hiking in the Judaean Desert – Go out to other nearby hiking trails; particularly the Mishmar and Ze'elim streams are very close by.

For the King Hussein "Allenby" Bridge to neighbouring Jordan, see Palestinian territories#Go next.