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Al Khalil is mentioned in the holy Bible as the home of Abraham, the burial place of him, and several generations of his family. In King David’s time, Hebron was briefly the capital of the Israelite state, before the capital moved to Jerusalem.
Today, Hebron is holy to both Muslims and Jews due to its association with Abraham. (Christianity is also an Abrahamic religion, but Christians haven’t paid as much attention to Hebron.)
History
The center of Al Kahlil city was the site of Al-Ibrahimi Mosque/The tomb of the Patriarchs whose buildings are in a compound built in the first century to protect the tombs of the patriarch Abraham and his family.
This place became a site of pilgrimage for the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The town was sited at the crossroads of trade routes for caravans traveling around southern Palestine, Sinai, Eastern Jordan, and the north of the Arabian Peninsula.
Also, the subsequent Ottoman Period (1517-1917) heralded an extension of the town to the surrounding areas and brought numerous architectural additions, particularly the raising of the roof level of houses to provide more upper stories.
The overall Mamluk morphology of the town is seen to have persisted with its hierarchy of areas, quarters based on ethnic, religious or professional groupings, and houses with groups of rooms organized according to a tree-shaped system.
What can you visit in Al-khalil ?
What To Do
Walkthrough the gates and experience this distinct example of a divided city.
Walking across the Old Town/Market (Souq) on the Palestinian side.
See Hebron transforming into a ghost town on Friday afternoon, when it is a public holiday.
Hostel offers a political and cultural tour of Hebron for ₪50 per person.
A great idea is to hire one of many young folks around (mostly men) to give you a tour.
Where To Eat
You have to eat some tabun (large, soft, round) bread and pick up a container of hummus nearby and you are set.
Falafel is one of the most popular “snacks” in Palestine in general. Hebron has many famous falafel restaurants that are always crowded because of the tasty falafel. Grab your sandwich for ₪3 and enjoy.
Hebron is famous for its traditional dish called Al-Qidrah (Al-Khaliliyah).
What to buy
buying items in the ancient City district of the city (near the Ibrahimi Mosque) Hebron’s Old City is a great place to get your Holy Land souvenir shopping done.
If you want to spend the night in Bethlehem, there is no possibility you will wind up in an inn’s stable. There are several sizable hotels accessible, all of which are often less expensive than Jerusalem, as well as more charming smaller lodgings.
Weather and Climate in Al-Khalil
The height of Al-khalil affects its moderate climate, which has pleasant, sunny summers and mild, dry winters (with chilly nights) (during which thunderstorms often break out). The ideal seasons to travel are spring and fall, when temperatures hover around 23°C (74°F). The height of Ein Karem affects its moderate climate, which has pleasant, sunny summers and mild, dry winters (with chilly nights) (during which thunderstorms often break out).
Summers are long, lasting from May to September, with July and August being the hottest months. Temperatures range between 23-36° C (75-96° F) and you can expect 50-90% humidity. The good news is that there is air-conditioning almost everywhere you go, from buses and taxis to malls and hotels. However, it is really important to prepare for these temperatures, especially when spending time outdoors. Buy good sun protection, wear long but cool clothes and make sure to drink plenty of water.
Autumn is, for the most part, a continuation of the summer weather. It does get a little cooler and the humidity drops, so it is more comfortable. The season starts in September and at the end of November it starts getting cooler and we might see a little rain, but not too much. September is usually as warm as summer, but the temperatures in autumn are similar to those of spring and range between 16-24° C (60-75° F).
Depending where you come from you might not even consider the city weather “real winter weather”. This is the wettest time of the year and temperatures range between 6-15° C (42-60° F). Israeli schools have a winter break for Channukah during December, this usually doesn’t affect accommodation but activities tend to get crowded. Also, tourists from nearby countries use their winter breaks to enjoy the warmer temperatures in this city.
Spring is between March and May and this is the ideal time to visit this city. You usually won’t see much rain and the temperatures are mild, ranging between 16-24° C (60-75° F), although the nights might still be chilly. Passover falls in April so if you are planning on visiting during this time keep in mind that prices of flights and accommodation will rise and tend to get booked early.