Jericho (Arabic أريحا Arīḥā Hebrew יריחו Yəriḥo) , the "City of Palms", is a small city within the Palestinian Territories and Israeli-occupied West Bank, close to the northern end of Dead Sea and some 55 km (34 miles) from Jerusalem. A relatively tranquil town, Jericho's recent reputation for calm and lack of security incidents in the midst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have made it a natural target for visitors to areas administered by the Palestinian National Authority.
Understand
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!"
Getting there
Jericho is somewhat difficult to reach. There are no direct connections between Jericho and Jerusalem. When you want to get there, use the Arabic word "Al-Quds" rather than the Hebrew "Jerusalem" to speak to the drivers.
From Jerusalem there is at least one easy option by service (pronounced serveese). From just outside the Damascus Gate, take the Palestinian Service to Ramallah, line 18, which costs 6.50 NIS. This will take you to a small bus station in Ramallah. In Ramallah, ask for a Jericho Service, which costs 15 NIS. The driver will drop you off near the center square in Jericho. This is the cheapest way to get to Jericho from Jerusalem.
As a citizen in Jerusalem ( Al Quds ) the easiest way from Jerusalem to Jericho is by taking bus 36 or 63 from Damascus gate, it cost 6 NIS and then you go to Al ezariya then ask for Jericho Service the driver will drop you off near the center of Jericho for 10 NIS
Total is 16 NIS - cheaper :)
See
Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho) - the large city mound is located some 2 km north-west of the modern city centre, overlooking the natural spring of Ein Sultan. It costs 10 NIS to enter.
Synagogue Mosaic Floor- In between Tel es-Sultan and Hisham's Palace, there is a synogogue floor from the 6th century C.E. Look for the bent, orange sign that says Synagogue or בית כנסת, look straight across the street and there is a road going diagonal towards some Palestinian flags. The synagogue floor is in the basement of a private house belonging to a Jerusalemite family the Shahwans at the end of the street. It costs 10 NIS to enter. The family discovered the site and kept maintaining it until the Israelis confiscated the land and the house in 1987.
Hisham's Palace - 2 km north of modern Jericho, this winter palace was built by the Omayyad Caliph Hisham Ibn Abdul Malek, before being destroyed by eathquake soon after completion in 747 CE. The extensive site contains royal buildings, a mosque, water fountains and spectacular mosaic floors. It costs 10 NIS to enter.
Things to do
Take the world's longest cable-car below sealevel ride to the 'Quruntul mountain'. from the precarious rocky spot you get a great view of Jericho and the Jordan Valley. There a Greek Orthodox monastery situated high in the rocks, and it is the biblical setting for Jesus' temptation by the devil.
Eat
It worth a visit to Qurantal mountain where Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights after the devil's temptation to him, where you will find a very nice restuarant at the bottom of the mountain, you will have your lunch in front of an amazing panaromic birds eye view of Jericho city ,the mountains of Jordan and the dead sea.
You can reach this restuarant by using the Cable Car of Jericho, it costs ( ~$15 )55 NIS / Person for a 7 mintues trip of about 1.35 Km.
Drink
Sleep
Jericho Resort Village
Built in the last 1990s the Jericho Resort Village is a 4 star hotel boasting multiple swimming pools, fine dining, poolside bungalows and a rooftop spa. The hotel also has a small conference centers and a poolside bar.
Intercontinental Hotel & Oasis Casino
A 5 star hotel and casino located right after the Palestinian checkpoint at the entrance to Jericho. The hotel was built before the second intifada and is one of the nicest in Palestine and also the tallest building in Jericho giving each beautifully appointed room views for miles. The hotel boast 3 swimming pool, a water slide and a pool with dead sea water.
Since the outbreak of the second intifada the casino has been closed, though it has been rumored it will reopen soon
Contact & location
Be the first one to add a review
The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:
Jericho (Arabic أريحا Arīḥā Hebrew יריחו Yəriḥo) , the "City of Palms", is a small city within the Palestinian Territories and Israeli-occupied West Bank, close to the northern end of Dead Sea and some 55 km (34 miles) from Jerusalem. A relatively tranquil town, Jericho's recent reputation for calm and lack of security incidents in the midst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have made it a natural target for visitors to areas administered by the Palestinian National Authority.
Understand
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!"
Getting there
Jericho is somewhat difficult to reach. There are no direct connections between Jericho and Jerusalem. When you want to get there, use the Arabic word "Al-Quds" rather than the Hebrew "Jerusalem" to speak to the drivers. From Jerusalem there is at least one easy option by service (pronounced serveese). From just outside the Damascus Gate, take the Palestinian Service to Ramallah, line 18, which costs 6.50 NIS. This will take you to a small bus station in Ramallah. In Ramallah, ask for a Jericho Service, which costs 15 NIS. The driver will drop you off near the center square in Jericho. This is the cheapest way to get to Jericho from Jerusalem.
As a citizen in Jerusalem ( Al Quds ) the easiest way from Jerusalem to Jericho is by taking bus 36 or 63 from Damascus gate, it cost 6 NIS and then you go to Al ezariya then ask for Jericho Service the driver will drop you off near the center of Jericho for 10 NIS
Total is 16 NIS - cheaper :)
See
Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho) - the large city mound is located some 2 km north-west of the modern city centre, overlooking the natural spring of Ein Sultan. It costs 10 NIS to enter.
Synagogue Mosaic Floor- In between Tel es-Sultan and Hisham's Palace, there is a synogogue floor from the 6th century C.E. Look for the bent, orange sign that says Synagogue or בית כנסת, look straight across the street and there is a road going diagonal towards some Palestinian flags. The synagogue floor is in the basement of a private house belonging to a Jerusalemite family the Shahwans at the end of the street. It costs 10 NIS to enter. The family discovered the site and kept maintaining it until the Israelis confiscated the land and the house in 1987.
Things to do
Eat
It worth a visit to Qurantal mountain where Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights after the devil's temptation to him, where you will find a very nice restuarant at the bottom of the mountain, you will have your lunch in front of an amazing panaromic birds eye view of Jericho city ,the mountains of Jordan and the dead sea.
You can reach this restuarant by using the Cable Car of Jericho, it costs ( ~$15 )55 NIS / Person for a 7 mintues trip of about 1.35 Km.
Drink
Sleep
Jericho Resort Village
Built in the last 1990s the Jericho Resort Village is a 4 star hotel boasting multiple swimming pools, fine dining, poolside bungalows and a rooftop spa. The hotel also has a small conference centers and a poolside bar.
Intercontinental Hotel & Oasis Casino
A 5 star hotel and casino located right after the Palestinian checkpoint at the entrance to Jericho. The hotel was built before the second intifada and is one of the nicest in Palestine and also the tallest building in Jericho giving each beautifully appointed room views for miles. The hotel boast 3 swimming pool, a water slide and a pool with dead sea water.
Since the outbreak of the second intifada the casino has been closed, though it has been rumored it will reopen soon
Contact & location
Be the first one to add a review
The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:
name_23960, name_23961, name_3982, name_23962, name_23963
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Peter Fitzgerald, Marlene Radolf, Stacy Hall and Ravikiran Rao, Pjamescowie
This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at
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