Location: Jericho
Top Things to do in Jericho
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Jericho, Palestinian Territories
Thought by archaeologists to be the oldest city in the world, this famed Biblical site boasts ancient ruins and excellent restaurants in a garden setting.
Restaurants in Jericho
1. Mount of Temptation Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By Hugo W - London, United Kingdom
Went up by Cable Car. Please be aware that there are a large number of steep steps to climb up to the Monastery, I nearly did not make it, you have to be quite fit to get up there, but if you do, it is well worth a visit. They claim that this is the place where Jesus was tempted. That claim is however more than questionable. They also display a stone upon which Jesus was said to have stood when being tempted by the Devil. According to the Bible, Jesus was alone on the mountain when being tempted, so how would anybody know where Jesus stood when being tempted?
2. Hisham's Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By Emily M
Well worth a visit to the old ruins of the palace. They are well maintained and there is plenty of information in English. Mainly there are old foundations, but be sure to also see a great mosaic. Also don't miss the small but well presented museum. Toilets were very dismal but staff were great and called a taxi for us as there were none around.
3. Tel es-Sultan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By beheaded c - Brisbane, Australia
Jericho is claimed to be the oldest continually occupied city in the world and excavations have identified about 23 layers of different civilizations. There is an important biblical significance here and theories abound as to whether the story of Joshua is real. For those who date the Exodus to about 1250BC under Pharaoh Ramses II Joshua would have been invading in the iron age. However there is mounting evidence to put the Joshua conquest 200 years earlier in the Late Bronze age, not the iron age. Well worth the visit!
4. Jericho Cable Car
Overall Ratings
4 based on 67 reviews
Spectacular views in the oldest city in the world. The center is comprised of a state of the art cable car linking Tel Jericho to the Mount of Temptation in less than five minutes. The cable is 1330 meters long from the base station to the top station in the mountain. There are 12 cabins and each cabin takes 8 persons with a carrying capacity of 625 persons per hour.
Reviewed By Shumaila Y
I took the cable car to go to mount of temptation..i was a bit disappointed to know that the journey will only be 7 minutes..so the price is a bit too much for the time spent in the car. ...but it was a wonderful experience and amazing view. the hike to the monastery was also lovely.
5. Zaccheus' Tree
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By Glen W - Kiev, Ukraine
Not much to see but this tree, it is a lovely tree and has interesting story behind it about Zaccheus, who was infamous tax collector, but on climbing this tree and see Jesus pass by, who called him to come down from the tree and for them to go to his home. This made Zaccheus a nice tax collector. I am inspired by the poem of Joyce Kilmer about Trees which goes:
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
6. The Monastery of Saint Gerassimos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By наталья е - Vladivostok, Primor'ye, Russia
The Monastery is named after Saint Gerassimos. He is easily recognized on any icon - always pictured with a lion.
The story dates back to the 5th century (455 AD), when Gerassimos was an abbot living in a monastery about a mile from the River Jordan . Once walking in the desert he came upon a lion roaring in pain caused by a thorn stuck in one’s paw. Gerassimos was fearless enough to approach the lion, remove the thorn, clean the wound and bind it up. Afterwards the animal followed the monk to the monastery and stayed there ever after. The lion was named Jordanes and converted to the peaceful life of eating bread and vegetables only – no meat! This is just the beginning of the exciting story about Gerassimos, the lion, three camels, thieves, merchants, a stolen donkey etc. , but to cut the story short let’s get back to the Monastery itself.
In 1976, when the Greek monk Chrysostomos arrived there , the place was in ruins with no visible signs of any possible restoration.
Forty years later the monk became Archimandrite Chrysostomos and the Monastery turned into the real oasis in the desert with 18 hectares of greenery abound in blossoming trees, fragrant flowers, singing birds and the whole set of domestic animals ranging from rabbits to horses.
There is even a talking parrot, living in a cage in the inner yard, but in the time of our visit it was not in the talkative mood ignoring us completely. Hope for more luck next time.
It’s a pity our visit was limited to just a couple of hours – all future guests are strongly recommended to allocate much more time for the tour. Or there is another option – book with the Monastery pilgrimage center, stay overnight and learn everything about the lion story, the nun Christodouli and her pets’ tale and a lot of others myths, tales and legends pertaining to this fantastic place.
7. Hantourism
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Hantour is Arabic for ‘horse-drawn carriage’ or ‘horse and buggy’. Hantours are still popular among local famers in Jericho for transporting crops and agricultural products from their farms to the central vegetable and fruit market. Hantourism started using local farmers’ horse-drawn farm carriages as means of transportation for J=ericho city tours. Today, Hantourism offers many community-based tours in all major destinations around Palestine
Reviewed By Adrian G - Hong Kong, China
A memorable experience. Ashraf took me into parts of the local community that I would never have been able to access without his local knowledge. As a photographer, the ability to connect with locals and explore remote locations and communities was priceless. Ashruf has a very good rapport with the local community which led to some memorable interactions.
8. The Good Samaritan Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
The museum offers archeological remains, including magnificent mosaics from the Byzantine period, an ancient building and church and a courtyard displaying a variety of archeological findings. One of the museum’s wings is dedicated to the story, history and customs of the Samaritan community. We recommend rounding up your visit at the Moshe Castel Museum of Art in Ma’ale Adummim. The entrance to the Martyrius and Euthymius sites is for groups only, by prior arrangement.
Reviewed By mys64 - Jerusalem, Israel
A small museum and probably the real place the parable mentions...
On the road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea/Jericho there is a very old Inn - dated to the first temple but used by all since then.
The old ottoman building became a small museum for mosaics and artifacts. The floor of the byzantine church is preserved, and there are more finds from other periods.
Very recommended visit - if possible for 2-3 hours, using a guide or headphones
9. Mosaic Centre Laboratory
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Mosaic art holds a significant place in Palestinian cultural history. Mosaic Centre is reviving this tradition through conservation works and in-house mosaic production. Come and discover the story of Palestine through mosaics!
Reviewed By Carla B - Jericho, Palestinian Territories
At the entrance of the city of Jericho, just before the bridge on the wadi Qelt, it is possible to stop in this art laboratory where it possible to appreciate local mosaic art. The artists here perform mosaic art as in the past and is possible to see example of Palestinian mosaic pieces. The laboratory carries out training course in mosaic production for children and adults.
10. Russian Museum Jericho
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Jon B - Birmingham, United Kingdom
When I visited, the site was just about ready, and the staff were preparing for official opening by President Putin shortly after the Paralympic Games in Sochi.
A large-scale new complex, the newly-built and Russian-funded museum is built in attractive grounds which features some archaeological excacations and attractive planted areas. The famous Tree of Zacchaeus is within the garden wall. Coaches full of tourists stop outside the perimeter fence, but the only way to get up close to the tree is to buy a ticket to the museum (or at least one to the grounds), becauase the tree is now part of the complex.
The museum itself features some of the objects discovered in the excavations, plus some photos of Russian pilgrims to Jerusalem. The guide told me they were planning to build a cafe and extended exhibition spaces on the first floor, but when I visited, only the ground floor was in use.
The site is sure to become a key visitor attraction in Jericho. Just a short walk away from the main square/Tourist Information Centre.
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