Essentials
- City
- Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine
- Population
- Approximately 40,000 (Central), 330,000 (Metropolitan)
- Internet Speed
- 15-30 Mbps on ADSL; Fiber optic expanding in Al-Masyoun reaching 100 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Israeli New Shekel (ILS), Jordanian Dinar (JOD), and USD used. 1 USD ≈ 3.65 ILS
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 18L mineral water bottles (15 ILS)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type H (unique to Palestine/Israel) and Type C
- SIM Card
- Jawwal or Wataniya (Ooredoo). 5GB data packs for approx. 50 ILS ($14)
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Palestine and Arab Bank are the most reliable for international transfers
- Accommodation
- Modern apartments in Al-Masyoun; guesthouses like Habibi Hostel (100 ILS/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Cash is king. Credit cards accepted only in upscale hotels and supermarkets like Bravo
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb available; monthly rentals via 'Ramallah Apartments' Facebook groups
- Budget Accommodation
- Area G Hostel (60 ILS for a dorm bed), located near the central bus station
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al-Masyoun for luxury or Old City (Tahta) for cultural immersion
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al-Irsal or Al-Masyoun for proximity to cafes, coworking, and better infrastructure
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- BuildUp Innovation Hub in Al-Masyoun (Approx. $15/day or $150/month)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Zamn Cafe (Al-Irsal) – fast Wi-Fi, plenty of outlets, and great Arabic coffee
- Networking Events
- Events hosted by Gaza Sky Geeks (Ramallah branch) for tech/startup sectors
- Social Events for Expats
- Thursday nights at Snowbar (Summer) or events at the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Careem is the primary ride-hailing app in Ramallah
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not common due to hilly terrain; walking and shared taxis (Service) are preferred
- Best Beach Nearby
- Dead Sea (approx. 1 hour drive - access via Jericho)
- Top Regional Airline
- Royal Jordanian (flying via Amman, Jordan)
- Top International Airline
- Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines (flying via Ben Gurion Airport, TLV)
- Highway Access
- Route 60 (Primary North-South artery), though subject to checkpoints
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Al-Manara Square (central hub for 'Service' shared taxis)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; pay 4-7 ILS cash per ride to the driver in shared vans
- Regional Travel
- Yellow shared taxis (Service) to Nablus (25 ILS) or Bethlehem (25 ILS)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Istishari Arab Hospital in Al-Reehan (Private, high-quality care)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Farah Yoga Studio in Al-Masyoun (Approx. 50 ILS per class)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Orion Fitness Center (500 ILS/3 months); features modern equipment and sauna
- Laundry Services
- Bubble & Squeak Laundry in Al-Irsal; approx. 30 ILS for a large load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Haat or Jawwal Pay's delivery integration
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Musakhan (sumac chicken on taboon bread) at Al-Zaward
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Abu Khalil (Best Falafel/Hummus in the city) - meal for 15 ILS
- Best Dessert Spots
- Rukab’s Ice Cream on Main St (Famous resin-based stretchy ice cream, 10 ILS)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- The Central Market (Hisba) for fresh produce at low prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mostly local Instagram shops; Shein is extremely popular for fashion delivery
- Grocery Delivery
- Bravo Supermarkets online delivery service
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Radio (Bar/Cafe) and Garage in the city center; very vibrant weekend scene
- Local Brewery
- Taybeh Brewing Company (located in nearby Taybeh village, 20 mins away)
- Wine Bars
- Khouri Wine or the bar at the Millennium Hotel
- Street Food Stalls
- Al-Manara Square stalls for grilled corn and Ka’ak bread with eggs
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pronto (Italian) or Kyoto (Japanese/Sushi) in Al-Masyoun
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Al-Manara Square (The Center) and the Mahmoud Darwish Museum
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Palestinian Museum in Birzeit (Stunning architecture and exhibits)
- Historical Sites
- Areeha (Jericho) Hisham's Palace, accessible via a 45-min taxi
- Religious Sites
- Ramallah Friends Meeting House (Quakers) and the Melkite Catholic Church
- Annual Events
- Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival (April/May)
- Cultural Districts
- Old City of Ramallah (Tahta) featuring restored stone buildings
- Theater Venues
- Al-Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque
- Local Markets
- Tuesday Market (Souq al-Thulatha) near the bus station
- Music Scene
- Al-Mahatta for alternative music and local DJ sets
- Street Art
- Graffiti along the Separation Wall (near Qalandia) and local murals downtown
- Cooking Classes
- Beit Sitti (Amman based) pop-ups or workshops at local guesthouses
- Art Galleries
- Zawyeh Gallery in Al-Bireh for contemporary Palestinian art
- Historic Buildings
- The Ottoman-era buildings in Ramallah al-Tahta
- Local Heritage
- Embroidery (Tatreez) shops in the town center
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Wadi Qelt (Stunning desert canyon hiking 30 mins away)
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Gerizim (Holy site and park near Nablus)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The hills of Birzeit offer excellent rural walking trails
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Al-Reehan neighborhood for sunset views over the coastal plain
- Birdwatching Locations
- Jericho Oasis (seasonal migrations)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated picnic areas in the Jifna valley
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex Ramallah Office in Al-Bireh
- Tech Repair Services
- PC Center in Al-Irsal for laptop and phone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Saryet Ramallah (Community sports club)
- Language Classes
- Ahlan Palestine or the Qalam wa Lawh center for Arabic
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Ramallah Public Library near the Municipal building
- Community Centers
- Saryet Ramallah (First Ramallah Group) for sports and culture
- Gaming Lounges
- The Exit Gaming Lounge in Al-Masyoun
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is illegal/prohibited)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $90,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $63,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,850 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $120,250)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,250 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $81,250)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $153,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $99,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% standard rate for most companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Palestine does not currently levy withholding tax on dividends)
- Tax System
- Territorial basis for individuals; income earned within Palestine is taxed
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 15% for income exceeding 60,000 ILS annually
- VAT
- 16% (Aligned with Israeli VAT minus 1%)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC legislation currently in place
- Property Tax
- Yes, handled by Municipalities based on rental value assessment
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration fee of 1% to 3% of the property value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Low personal income tax (15% max) and no tax on foreign-sourced income for non-residents