Hebron is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a place of deep significance for both Muslims and Jews. The Cave of the Patriarchs sits at the old centre, sacred to both faiths as the burial place of Abraham, Sarah, and four other patriarchs and matriarchs. Visiting it is a powerful experience — the building is divided into a mosque section and a synagogue section, each with its own entrance and heavy security presence.
The old city's souq is lively and full of bargains — hand-blown Hebron glass in cobalt and turquoise is the standout craft. On market days the narrow streets fill with vendors and women in traditional Palestinian dress. The atmosphere in Hebron can be tense — the city is a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with a small but heavily guarded Israeli settlement in the heart of the old town. Come with an open mind, stay aware of your surroundings, and be respectful of both communities.
Just north of the city, Abraham's Oak marks the traditional site of the patriarch's camp at Mamre, surrounded by a Russian Orthodox monastery. The archaeological site of Tel Rumeida on the edge of the old city reveals Bronze Age and Iron Age layers beneath modern Hebron.