Sights Jericho’s most popular sights, Hisham’s Palace and ancient Jericho, lie on the outskirts of town. Since a cluster of restaurants and a cooling spring near the ancient city provide a pleasant rest stop, visit Hishaffl’s Palace first.

To reach the ruins of Hisham’s Palace (tel. 92 25 22), follow the signs along Qasr Hisham St., which heads north from the eastern side of Jericho’s main square. The palace is 3km north on paved roads. Coming from ancient Jericho, head north on the main road leading through the Ern as-Sultan refugee camp. After 1.5km, turn right on the road back to Jericho town; the turn-off to Hisham’s Palace will be almost immediately to your left.

The extensive ruins of Hisham’s Palace offer a jaw-dropping example of early Islamic architecture. Known as Khirbet al-Mafjar in Arabic, the palace was designed for the Umayyad Caliph Hisham as a winter retreat from Damascus. The palace was begun in 724 AD and completed in 743, only to be leveled four years later by an earthquake. The window in the courtyard is in the shape of the six-pointed Umayyad star and is the site’s most renowned feature. (Open daily, 8am-3pm. u. Admission NIS7.50, students NIS5.) ;

To travel the 2km from Hisham’s Palace to ancient Jericho, turn right onto the road that runs past Hisham’s Palace and then take a left at the end of the road. Fol- [ low the “Tel Jericho” signs; about 1.5km past the 5th- to 6th-century synagogue ‘ (you might stop in to admire the mosaic floor), the Ein as-Sultan spring is on your left. Follow the street around the corner to the right to the entrance. If all else fails, use the map provided by the GTIO.