Experience in Bethlehem, Palestine by Ziad

What is it like to live in Bethlehem? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Bethlehem is one of the most famous cities in Palestine. It is the cultural capital of Palestine, sort of speak. It is where Jesus born, where the Nativity Church is. The city stands for ideal model of Muslim and Christian religions live in harmony and perfect integration. Nativity Church lies on one side of the managers square while the Immam Omar Mosque lies on the other side (100 meters distance). It is a shopping center for its residents and all residents from other cities in the area and the villages from the rural communities around. Full of international tourists along the year time and seasons. Therefore, it is famous of its souvenirs shops, hotels, coffee-shops ...etc. In Bethlehem area there are three Palestine refugees camps (out of 19 camps in the West Bank), public transportation is available to Jerusalem (30 minutes), to Jerich and the Dead Sea (45 minutes), to Ramalla (75 minutes) ...etc.

What is the student lifestyle like in Bethlehem?

There are three universities in Bethlehem; Bethlehem University, Al-Quds Open University and Palestine Ahliyeh University College. University students come from all other Palestinian cities including East Jerusalem. Students can easily find suitable accommodation at affordable price, easy access to many recreational centers and reach to about 250 NGOs and civil society organisations of all interests. Cross cultural environment of Bethlehem provides a sufficient room for privacy, mutual respect and reciprocity.

How much does it cost to live in Bethlehem?

In fact it depends on your lifestyle and how much you plan to spend. Bethlehem is considered the second expensive city in Palestine due to tourism. Bethlehem is a very small city (close to town) but there are 35-40 hotels, 30 guest houses, hundreds of family-owned accommodation (rooms) ...etc. You can find nutritious and delicious food at high price as well as low prices. Staying at hotel my cost you US$ 50-60 per nigh, at the guest house you may pay 15-20 US$ per night. Most of educational, recreational and other services are in short walking distances from all possible dorms.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Bethlehem? Is there any advice you can give?

Finding an accommodation that is convenient to your needs and financial resources is very easy due to availability of many accommodation options as stated above. Bethlehem Hotel, Al-Mahd Hotel, Jassir Hotel and Stars Hotel are famous names that one can google and book a room for stay. Guesthouses in the city of Bethlehem or nearby cities like Beit Sahour and Beit Jala are also available. In Dhesheh Camp and Azzeh Camp, there are guesthouses that are accessible and convenient.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food served in the restaurants of the city varies between popular traditional meals to Western types of food / meals especially the fast food. Traditional Palestinian food can be found in the restaurants of other cities like Hebron (30 minutes from Bethlehem) more than in Bethlehem. Homos & Falafel, all types of Pizza and fast food, french and Italian dishes are very common in Bethlehem.

What places would you recommend visiting in Bethlehem?

Nativity Church, Herodun Mountain, Shepherds Field, Refugee camps, Bethlehem villages, Universities, Dar Al-Nadwa theater, peace center,vegetable market, Apartheid Wall, Israeli Settlements build on Bethlehem confiscated land.

Is it good to eat out in Bethlehem? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

There are many famous, yet popular restaurants in Bethlehem such as Abu-Shanab, rest., Abu-Eilly Rest., Everest Rest., Efteem Rest., Al-Kheima Rest., and many others

Is the nightlife good in Bethlehem? Where is good to go?

Coffee-shops are the most common place where one may hang-out. These you can easily find while walking in the streets of the city. Few disco spots are available but the Western nightlife is not available due to differences in the cultural context.

What advice would you give future students heading to Bethlehem?

It is very important to arrange your study visit through academic or other civil society organisations because this will save you the time for accommodating your needs and get the right orientation for your movement, travelling and safety which is close to perfect in Bethlehem already.