Ramallah
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The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Palestine. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Palestine
- Region
- Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate
- Population
- 40,000
- Best time to go
- March to May, September to November
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Queen Alia International, Amman (AMM)
- Coordinates
- 31.90°N, 35.20°E
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Overview
Ramallah sits in the hills north of Jerusalem and serves as the administrative centre of the Palestinian Authority. It grew from a small Christian village into a busy, cosmopolitan town of cafés, cultural centres and restaurants.
This guide is written for a calmer time to visit. When that comes, Ramallah is a good base for exploring the olive-covered hills and villages of the central West Bank.
Things to see
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Photo: بدارين, CC BY-SA 4.0 Mahmoud Darwish Museum
A garden museum and tomb honouring the celebrated Palestinian poet, on a hill above the city.
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Photo: OneArmedMan, Public domain Yasser Arafat Mausoleum
A simple, modern stone memorial within the Muqata'a compound.
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Photo: Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0 Al-Manara Square
The traffic-filled heart of the city, ringed by stone lion statues and shops.
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Photo: Dan Palraz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Palestinian Museum
A striking modern museum in terraced gardens at Birzeit, a short drive north.
Things to do
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Photo: elif ayse, CC BY 2.0 Café culture
Linger over coffee and knafeh in the cafés and bakeries around the old town.
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Photo: Julien Harneis from Conakry, Guinea, CC BY-SA 2.0 Visit Taybeh
A Christian hill village to the east, known for its family-run brewery.
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Walk a stretch of Masar Ibrahim
A long-distance trail through hill villages and olive groves, best done with a local guide.
Where to stay
City centre
Close to Al-Manara, restaurants and transport.
Hotels in City centreAl-Masyoun
Quieter and more upmarket, with modern hotels.
Hotels in Al-MasyounAl-Bireh
Ramallah's neighbouring twin town, with some practical, good-value hotels.
Hotels in Al-Bireh
Getting around
Shared taxis (service) and regular taxis are the main way to get around and to nearby towns.
Visitors have usually arrived overland from Jordan via the Allenby Bridge crossing, or by bus from Jerusalem.
When to go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are mild and green. Summers are warm and dry, and winters cool and occasionally wet.
Plan your trip to Ramallah
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.