What to wear in Palestine: When you start preparing for your trip to Palestine, you may wonder exactly what clothes you need to pack. You may wonder about things such as, “What sort of clothing should I bring? Will the weather make me uncomfortable in the clothes I wear?” Of course, the answers to these questions really depend on what time of year you’ll be coming, and what experiences you’re seeking in Palestine. This article contains information about the weather, the availability of basic products, and the necessities that you’ll want to bring with you rather than trying to find them in Hebron.

Palestine Climate

Palestine has a mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry and winters have a mild temperature although there is the possibility of snow on occasion in some areas. Spring and autumn are short seasons, each lasting around one month. The average annual temperature for Palestine is 26° degrees and there is about 79 mm of rain in a year. It is dry for 316 days a year with an average humidity of 54% and an UV-index of 6.  Jericho is a favourite winter resort as it is  warmer than other parts of the West Bank.

Jerusalem can also  be warm on a sunny winter’s day. The summer stretches from May to October, the hottest months are July and August. Ramallah and the North West Bank are favoured in the summer by both locals and foreigners. Spring is a good time to visit if you would like to take advantage of the moderate weather and find travelling around more comfortable.

The Khamseen winds affect Palestine during April, May and early June. These winds originate from the Arabian desert and are hot, dry, dusty and sandy. These winds become calmer and cooler during late summer and provide a breeze to counteract the hot temperatures of July, August and September.  

Average temperatures range from 10-18°C in winter and 27- 35°C in summer.

Temperature and rainfall 

Average Temperature in Palestine 

The hot season in the West Bank lasts for 4.5 months, from May 25 to October 8, with an average daily high temperature above 79°F. The hottest day of the year is August 8, with an average high of 85°F and low of 66°F.

The cool season in Palestine  lasts for just over 3 months, from early December to mid March, with an average daily high temperature below 59°F. The coldest month of the year is January  with an average low of 41°F and high of 53°F.

 Travelling to Palestine during the summer

If you plan to travel to Palestine during the summer, from May until September, it is important to consider the heat and sun when choosing your wardrobe. For men, packing t-shirts or lighter shirts would be a good way to tolerate the heat, and trousers made of a lightweight, breathable material will be beneficial. Natural materials such as cotton are more suitable than synthetic fabrics. 

Artificial materials such as polyester, nylon, or rayon, and even a natural material like silk, tend to repel water rather than absorb it and may leave you feeling uncomfortable. A hat and sunglasses might also help you manage the sunlight. Although it is hot during the days, the nights in Palestine can be cooler than you might expect from a Middle Eastern country, so if you’re thinking of leaving your jacket at home – don’t!  

Dressing modestly is important

Another question you might have is whether or not you should dress to “blend in” with the local population, or wear your usual styles. While we stress that dressing modestly is important, for both men and women, you shouldn’t feel pressured to dress like everyone else – in fact, most Palestinians wear clothing much like anywhere else and “western” styles are not unusual at all. As long as you’re not wearing clothes with provocative, offensive, or vulgar phrases and/or images, you won’t have to worry at all. It may be a good idea to bring one set of “formal” clothes, just in case you attend an event that would require them.

Packing for Palestine shouldn’t be a stressful experience, and as long as you keep the cultural expectations, time of year, and weather in mind, it should be easy for you to choose what clothes you want to wear.

What do women wear in Palestine? 

It is also advisable for women to select clothing made out of lighter material to enable them to remain cool. Long, loose clothing is acceptable but tight, revealing clothes are considered inappropriate and will draw attention to you.  

Please keep in mind that Palestine is a Muslim country and a lot of Palestinian women wear the hijab and fully cover their bodies. While this is not expected of non-Muslims and international visitors, conservative dress is still expected. Women are required to cover their hair when visiting a mosque- most mosques will provide a hood or hair covering for you if you do not have one.

A simple rule is to avoid shorts and sleeveless tops or anything that may draw unwanted attention to yourself. Long sleeved, loose fitting shirts are preferable although T shirts are also acceptable. It is a good idea to wear loose fitting trousers or skirts/dresses which are calf length or ankle length. Any outfits which are tight or revealing are likely to attract negative attention and will make both you and those around you uncomfortable. It is easy to avoid this situation by choosing to wear modest clothing and most visitors do not have any problems.

Travelling to Palestine during winter 

The winter is a different story altogether. From the months of November to February, it can get very cold in Palestine – particularly in hilly parts of the country such as Hebron. The temperature can drop below zero – Palestine is not extremely cold at any point in the year, but many international travellers may expect it to be hot during all parts of the year, which isn’t the case. A heavier jacket is essential for the winter – it gets very cold and rain is also more common during this time of the year, so it may be a good idea to bring a waterproof coat.

 If you plan on hiking, boots would be a useful item to bring with you. 

 The current the state of the Palestinian economy (made worse by the political situation) leaves the West Bank without its own power source. As a result of this, most families do not have any heating in their houses. Heaters are difficult to find and even if a family has one, they usually won’t heat every room in the house. Instead, they rely on blankets and warm clothes to help them to keep warm. If you’re travelling during the winter, make sure you have warm clothes, lots of layers are ideal. You don’t need to worry about blankets, Palestinian households have a plentiful supply of these!

Best time of year to visit Palestine

The best time of year to visit Palestine and the West Bank for general outdoor tourist activities is from mid May to late October. If you come to visit in Winter, you should bring warm clothes.

 Final remarks

Palestine has a lot to offer as a travel destination. It has not always been an obvious choice for tourists but it is definitely an area with several hidden gems. It is a place where visitors will receive a warm welcome. The culture may be different to that of most Western countries but provided a little care is taken and consideration given to local customs, international visitors can integrate easily with Palestinian people and culture. A few simple modifications to your general dress code will enable you and those around you to be comfortable during your time in Palestine.

We hope that your trip is all that you could wish for and that you will want to return to Palestine again. We at the Excellence Center are always happy to offer help and advice to assist you in your travel plans.