Location: Nablus
Top Things to do in Nablus
Top Restaurants in Nablus
Top 7 Things to do in Nablus, Palestinian Territories
Nablus (Arabic: نابلس Nāblus [næːblʊs] ( listen), Hebrew: שכם Šəḵem, Biblical Shechem ISO 259-3 Škem, Greek: Νεάπολις Νeapolis) is a city in the northern West Bank, approximately 49 kilometers (30 mi) north of Jerusalem, (approximately 63 kilometers (39 mi) by road), with a population of 126,132. Located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, it is the capital of the Nablus Governorate and a Palestinian commercial and cultural center, containing the An-Najah National University, one of the largest Palestinian institutions of higher learning, and the Palestinian stock-exchange.
Restaurants in Nablus
1. Jacob's Well
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By qualitywork1 - Bristol
Visited this place today. It's about 3km from the centre and easy to find. When I arrived the man with the key unlocked it for me. It's a bit blingy inside and you have to go downstairs to see the well. As I am not even slightly religious it didn't mean as much to me. I left a 20 donation and that seemed fine.
If god is your thing.... get yourself down here.
2. The Samaritan Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Dirk W - Mermaid Beach, Australia
We were welcomed by 2 lovely ladies, one Samaritan, one Palestinian ; remarkably, it was the Palestinian woman who explained us the history of the Samaritans and answered our questions in fluent English - she was well spoken, friendly and knowledgeable. We toured the small room for a while and then ran into the priest, Hosni Cohen, when we left. I regret that we did not meet him earlier or longer, because he was a gentle, approachable and very pleasant (dare I say "funny", for a priest) man - I would have liked having a cup of tea with him, but time did not allow us.
3. Albader Soap Factory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
one of the oldest soap factories in the old city of nablus. we are the only factory left making soap from virgin Palestinian olive oil, and fresh goats milk.best choice for traditional gifts. we welcome visitors, in more than 800 years building. we are listed in lonely planet Magazine
Reviewed By chasetravelers - Brunswick, Maine
We were recently in Nablus and visited the soap factory. The owner explained the traditional way of making soap. The factory has been there for 800 years - hard to imagine.Thank you and always welcome
4. Bait Al Karama Cooking Class
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Otto W - San Antonio
The first part of this adventure was walking through the souk and going in so many shops (soaps, spices, bakeries, fresh vegetables, etc). When we got to the class, we pitched in and helped with the food prep. While lunch was being prepared we were given a tour and had a nice visit. Lunch was really good as was the company. We were largely able to keep the conversation steered clear of politics. It was a worthwhile destination.
5. Great Mosque of Nablus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By AndrewA64 - Winchester, United Kingdom
The Mosque in Nablus, originally built as a Church in the Crusader period, is an atmospheric and peaceful place which oozes history in the Middle of the fascinating souk. Do take the time to wander in (and get lost in this authentic area), and if you're there in the late afternoon, try to watch the making of kanafe (a Palestinian sweet delicacy), and sampling some fresh!
6. Mount Gerizim Site (Mount of Blessing)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Mount Gerizim covers an area of a hundred acres and contains the remains of the Hellenistic city and Byzantine church compound. The tour lasts about an hour and a half to two hours. The site also includes a museum, church, Passover sacrificial site and a tahini paste factory. We recommend combining your tour with a preliminary tour of the Samaritan neighborhood. For opening hours, please visit our website.
Reviewed By jvquarterback - Monterey, California
There were no other visitors and we had to honk the horn a bunch at the gate to get the guards to open up. It was cloudy and even drizzled a bit but the views were amazing.
If you're Christian you can't get into the Dome of the Rock where Abraham was going to offer Isaac but the Samaritans believe it happened here, and, as undeveloped as this place is was it was a lot easier to imagine a ram getting its horns caught in a thicket nearby.
7. Tell Balata Archaeological Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Patrick H - Sydney, Australia
This site isn't as large as some of the others in the region - smaller than Tell Megiddo, about the same size as Tell es-Sultan in Jericho. But it's still a fascinating visit. There's a small on-site museum with some amazing finds from the site, ranging from the chalcolithic to Roman eras. The video introduction which is played is also very helpful to get a lot of context for the site - unlike the two other Canaanite sites I mentioned earlier, there's not a lot of explanation on the signs identifying each of the ruins. Something that still needs improving here.
The gate by the entrance we chose wasn't staffed as we entered, so we had to go seek out the staff in their office in the main building. The attendant was very helpful once we made ourselves known.
In terms of preservation and excavation, the most visually obvious and exciting parts were the city wall (comparatively well preserved for the era) and double-chambered gateway, as well as the central temple area. Down the other end of the site there are still olives growing amongst the ruins - very Palestinian!
If you're coming to Nablus, it's well worth a visit for historical significance as an early city-state, although without some of the visual splendour of the old city or Roman ruins.
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