Visiting Jericho – The Oldest City in the World
Is Jericho Safe to Visit?
Jericho, often called the oldest city in the world, is one of the top attractions when visiting the Holy Land. Before my visit, I found myself asking, “Is Jericho safe to visit?” I found varying information, depending on the source, and ultimately decided that I felt safe visiting Jericho.
Jericho is located in the Palestinian-controlled area of the West Bank (Area A). While tourists are welcome to cross into the Palestinian Territories, Israeli citizens are banned from entering as it is against Israeli law. This is important to know when planning West Bank day trips or a Jericho day trip from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
Is Jericho Safe for Tourists in the West Bank?
During my visit to Jericho, I found the Palestinian people to be friendly, helpful, and extremely welcoming. I never felt unsafe and didn’t have any worries or anxiety during the time I spent in the Palestinian Territory.
My experience was definitely enhanced by booking a tour of Jericho. Without the help of a local guide who was familiar with the area, I might have felt overwhelmed.
For those interested in visiting Jericho or traveling to the Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank, I recommend doing your research and making your own decisions. The politics of the region can change quickly, and tourists should stay updated on any potential conflicts. Please do your research before visiting the Palestinian Territories and check with your local government for any travel warnings.
This page highlights my experience touring the city of Jericho and can help answer the question, “Is Jericho safe for tourists in the West Bank?”
Is Jericho Safe to Visit? Jericho Day Trips in the West Bank - Table of Contents
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How to Get to Jericho from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
Jericho is located around 90–100 kilometers from Tel Aviv and about 30 kilometers from Jerusalem, depending on the route. The trip to Jericho takes about 90 minutes from Tel Aviv and 40–60 minutes from Jerusalem. As Israeli citizens are not permitted in the Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank (Area A), transportation options are limited.
I highly recommend taking a tour to Jericho, as it is the safest and easiest way to visit Jericho. For my tour, I went with the company Elijah Tours. Elijah Tours provided a comfortable bus driven by an Arab Israeli. Our guide, Elias (not his company), met us once we crossed the border into the Palestinian-controlled portion of the West Bank.
Crossing into the Palestinian Territories was easy, as there was no checkpoint, and we did not have to show our passports. When we returned to the Israeli portion of the West Bank, an Israeli soldier boarded our bus and asked certain people to show their passports.
In addition to visiting Jericho, the tour also included the city of Bethlehem and the traditional site of Jesus Christ’s baptism on the Jordan River.
Overall, I was glad that I had the expertise of a professional driver and local guide. Without their assistance, getting to Jericho would have been very stressful.
Viewing the Zacchaeus Sycamore Tree in Jericho
Our first stop in Jericho was the Zacchaeus Sycamore Tree. Christians believe that in this location, Zacchaeus, a tax collector for Jericho, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. According to Elias, our guide, Christians believe that this is the exact Sycamore Tree that Zacchaeus climbed.
After doing some of my own research, it seems improbable that this is the exact tree. This sycamore tree may be over 2,000 years old, but it is unlikely that during the time of Jesus, the tree would have been able to support the weight of a person. Still, it is a meaningful Christian pilgrimage site and one of the most recognizable things to do in Jericho.
We spent about 5 to 10 minutes viewing the Zacchaeus Sycamore Tree before leaving for our next stop, the Mount of Temptation.
Visiting the Mount of Temptation in Jericho
Our next stop in Jericho was the Mount of Temptation. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ went into the mountains to pray and fast for 40 days and 40 nights. During that time, Jesus was tempted by the Devil three times. Christians believe that the Mount of Temptation was the location where the Devil tempted Jesus, which makes it one of the most important biblical sites in Jericho.
Riding the Jericho Cable Car
The Mount of Temptation is open for visitors, and tourists have the option of taking the Jericho Cable Car to the top of the mountain. A ride in the cable car costs ₪60 (about $15.00) and was included in the price of our tour.
It takes about five minutes to reach the Mount of Temptation by taking the Jericho Cable Car. During my visit, it was well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which made it an uncomfortable ride as the Jericho Cable Car is not air-conditioned.
Once we arrived at the upper station of the Jericho Cable Car, it was time to start exploring the Mount of Temptation. There is a small restaurant near the upper station that serves drinks, snacks, and coffee.
Inside (or Outside) the Mount of Temptation Monastery
Near the top of the Mount of Temptation is a small monastery. Elias had mentioned that it was worth walking up towards the monastery even though it was unlikely we would be allowed inside.
As we walked towards the Monastery of the Temptation, there were some great photo opportunities. Eventually, we reached an entrance to the Mount of Temptation Monastery. To the surprise of Elias, the entrance was open.
Before entering, I was able to take another great photo of the city of Jericho.
Shortly after entering the area of the monastery, I was told that no photos were allowed. The photo below was the last photo that I was able to take.
We spent about an hour total visiting the Mount of Temptation. This time included the ride to and from the mountain in the Jericho Cable Car.
Exploring the Old City of Jericho (Ancient Jericho / Tell es-Sultan)
Our next stop was the Old City of Jericho. According to Elias, parts of the Old City of Jericho date back to the year 9,000 BCE. During our visit to the Old City of Jericho, Elias stayed back with a few members of our group who had overheated due to extreme temperatures. It was slightly disappointing to be touring the Old City of Jericho without a guide, but everyone understood that the health and safety of our group was most important.
The entrance fee to the Old City of Jericho was a reasonable ₪10 (about $2.60). I was one of the few members of our group that decided to visit the Old City. The temperature was well over 110 degrees Fahrenheit at this point. As a result of the high temperatures, I spent only about 20 minutes walking through the ruins of the Old City of Jericho.
Without a guide, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was seeing. I don’t want to make any incorrect claims about the Ancient City of Jericho.
I took a full lap around the ruins of the Old City of Jericho but wasn’t quite sure what I was seeing.
After following the circular path, I ended up back where I started. Elias was waiting for me and led us to our final stop, the Elisha Spring Fountain.
Visiting the Elisha Spring Fountain (Ein es-Sultan)
The final stop on our tour of Jericho was the Elisha Spring Fountain. According to Elias, the spring is associated with the prophet Elisha, who is mentioned in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. All three religions believe that Elisha healed the bitter waters of the spring, making them sweet and drinkable. The spring has been flowing for thousands of years and is an important part of the history of Jericho.
It was hard to get good photos of the Elisha Spring Fountain as quite a few people were swimming in the fountain.
Jericho Day Trips, Tours, and Holy Land Packages
A tour is the best way to visit Jericho. Tours are often grouped with Bethlehem and the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ. Many travelers choose a Jericho and Bethlehem tour or a combined Holy Land day trip that includes several major West Bank biblical sites.
I have linked a few tour packages to Jericho below. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
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