Jericho City
Ancient city in West Bank, Palestinian Territory
Jericho’s palm groves and Tell es‑Sultan ruins attract archaeologists and pilgrims alike; a cable car climbs the Mount of Temptation, while local date farms and oasis pools mark its long history.
Jericho at a Glance#
Costs: Budget to mid-range inexpensive - $40-80 per day in local guesthouses and eateries.
Safety: Relatively safe for tourists but politically fragile - daytime visits are commonly safe but the area is politically sensitive.
Best Time: March-May, September-November - mild spring and autumn avoid intense summer heat.
Why Visit Jericho?#
One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited sites, Jericho offers palm‑lined oasis landscapes alongside archaeology like Tell es‑Sultan and the cliff‑perched Mount of Temptation monastery. Date groves and local markets selling dried dates define the area’s agricultural rhythm, and nearby hot springs and access to the Dead Sea add a restorative layer to any visit. The city’s deep historical layers make it an evocative stop for travelers interested in biblical archaeology and desert life.
Best Things to Do in Jericho#
Jericho Bucket List#
Hisham’s Palace (Khirbet al-Mafjar) - Hisham’s Palace (Khirbet al-Mafjar) archaeological site with ornate mosaics and carved decorations.
Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho) - Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho) ruins and the Ain es-Sultan spring, one of oldest settlements.
Monastery of the Temptation - Monastery of the Temptation reached by cable car, perched on the Mount of Temptation cliff.
Sycamore tree of Zacchaeus - Sycamore tree traditionally linked to Zacchaeus, a quiet spot with biblical associations.
Orange groves - Fresh orange groves around Jericho offering seasonal fruit stands and shaded walks.
Greek Orthodox Saint George - Greek Orthodox church of Saint George, small historic church by the city center.
Dead Sea - Dead Sea shores for floating, mineral mud treatments, and stark desert vistas.
Qumran Caves - Qumran Caves archaeological site where Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, short drive away.
Best Time to Visit Jericho#
Best to visit Jericho in spring and autumn when temperatures are comfortable for walking ancient sites. Summers are extremely hot; winters are mild but wetter.
December - February
8 to 18°C (46 to 64°F)
Mild and rainy - comfortable for temple visits but expect grey skies and occasional downpours.
March - May
12 to 28°C (54 to 82°F)
Warm, dry and fragrant with blossoming palms - excellent for hiking nearby oases and seeing early vegetation after winter rains.
June - October
25 to 40°C (77 to 104°F)
Brutal heat and dry conditions; great for early-morning exploring but midday temperatures can be oppressive and draining.
Jericho's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with very hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 36°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 49 mm | some cloud | 68% | 2.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.2h |
| February | Very Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 32 mm | partly cloudy | 66% | 2.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Excellent | 12° - 24° | 18° | 27 mm | some cloud | 63% | 2.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 15° - 28° | 22° | 9 mm | some cloud | 56% | 2.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Ideal | 19° - 32° | 25° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 2.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.6h |
| June | Ideal | 22° - 34° | 28° | 0 mm | clear | 47% | 2.7 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 14.0h |
| July | Ideal | 24° - 36° | 31° | 0 mm | clear | 49% | 2.3 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.8h |
| August | Ideal | 25° - 35° | 32° | 0 mm | clear | 53% | 2.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.1h |
| September | Ideal | 23° - 34° | 30° | 0 mm | clear | 54% | 1.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 20° - 31° | 25° | 5 mm | clear | 53% | 2.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.3h |
| November | Ideal | 15° - 26° | 20° | 25 mm | mostly sunny | 55% | 2.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Very Good | 10° - 21° | 15° | 45 mm | some cloud | 63% | 2.1 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.0h |
How to Get to Jericho#
Jericho is reached entirely by road - there are no airports or rail lines in town. International visitors typically arrive via Jerusalem (Israel) or Amman (Jordan) and continue overland, taking into account border and permit procedures.
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and Queen Alia International (AMM): Jericho has no commercial airport; international travellers generally fly into Ben Gurion (TLV, Israel) or Queen Alia (AMM, Jordan) and continue overland. From TLV or AMM you will need onward ground transport and should check border crossing requirements and permits in advance.
Jerusalem / Bethlehem approach: Many visitors arrive overland from Jerusalem or Ramallah via Palestinian or Israeli transport links; flights do not serve Jericho directly.
Train: There is no passenger rail service to Jericho.
Bus / Shared minibus: Jericho is accessible by Palestinian buses and shared taxis from Ramallah, Nablus and Jerusalem; service patterns depend on political and security arrangements. From Jerusalem the public bus services / Palestinian carriers and shared taxis reach Jericho in under two hours depending on route and checks; prices vary and services may be subject to timetable changes.
How to Get Around Jericho#
Because Jericho is integrated into a complex political geography, plan road travel carefully. Shared taxis and private transfers are the most practical options; local buses are cheap but less predictable.
- Shared taxi / Service taxi (Varies (local fares)) - Shared taxis and service taxis are the most common way to reach Jericho from surrounding cities. They are relatively quick and frequent but may be subject to route restrictions and checkpoints; confirm pick‑up points locally.
- Local bus (Low (local fares)) - Palestinian-operated buses serve Jericho from nearby West Bank towns; they are inexpensive but schedules can be irregular and routes change with local conditions.
- Private hire / Taxi (Moderate (agree beforehand)) - Hiring a private taxi is the most reliable door-to-door option, useful if you have luggage or tight timing. Negotiate the fare in advance and allow extra time for checkpoints and traffic.
- Tour operator / Guided transfer (Varies by operator) - Many visitors use guided tours or private transfers from Jerusalem, Bethlehem or Amman which handle permits and border crossings. Organized tours also include visits to nearby sites like Qumran and the Mount of Temptation.
- Walking - Jericho’s compact Old City and archaeological sites are easy to explore on foot; walking is the best way to see the main ruins, markets and the oasis areas once you are in town.
Where to Stay in Jericho#
Old City / Near Hisham’s Palace - $30-70/night
Jericho’s budget stays are small guesthouses and hostels near the city center and archaeological sites. Expect simple, locally run accommodations.
Budget guesthouses (Booking search) - Simple local guesthouses
Small inns and hostels (Tripadvisor) - Basic, often family-run
City centre / Oasis - $70-140/night
Mid-range hotels offer comfortable rooms, breakfast, and easy access to archaeological sites. Options concentrate near the city center and oasis areas.
The Andeleh / local mid-range hotels (listings) - Comfortable, locally managed hotels
Mid-range hotels (Booking search) - Good base for exploring Jericho
Near archaeological parks - $150+/night (limited)
True luxury hotels are limited; upscale travelers often use private villas or stay in nearby Ramallah or Jerusalem for more high-end services.
Limited luxury hotels in Jericho - Higher-end stays are rare locally
Private villas / luxury guesthouses (listings) - Arrange ahead for premium comfort
Where to Eat in Jericho#
Jericho offers simple Palestinian cuisine-meze, grilled meats and abundant dates sold in markets and served in family-run restaurants and cafés.
- Jericho Old City Market - Dates, olives and fresh produce
- Local family restaurants - Mezze, grilled meats and salads
- Cafés and teahouses - Mint tea and Arabic coffee
Markets specialize in dates and regional sweets; street vendors and bakeries offer falafel, shawarma and fresh breads for quick, flavorful bites.
- Date shops and stalls - Local varieties and sweets
- Street-food vendors - Falafel, shawarma and snacks
- Local bakeries - Fresh flatbreads and pastries
Shopping in Jericho#
Shopping in Jericho is focused on local markets and small shops. The souk sells produce, dates and everyday goods; you can also find simple souvenirs and traditional food products in market stalls. Expect a local, no-frills shopping experience rather than large retail centers.
Nightlife in Jericho#
Nightlife in Jericho is very limited. Evenings are typically quiet with a few cafés and restaurants open for locals and visitors. There is no active club scene; cultural or social life tends to revolve around family gatherings and community venues.
