St Nicolas is the patron saint of Beit Jala, and as a result Saint Nicolas Church is one of the most important in the city. Underneath the church is a cave in which St. Nicolas is believed to have lived in during the 5th century AD in order to worship close to the site of Jesus’ birth. The cave currently houses an icon of St. Nicolas and an eternal flame that remains lit in honor of him. An ancient monastery was built on the site as early as 200 AD, and was destroyed and rebuilt many times. The last monastery was built during the Ottoman period by Karj monks from Russia. In 1921 the old church building was torn down and the current building erected by the local populace, finished in 1925. The church shows off much of the work of Beit Jala’s famous stone masons, including a magnificent Iconostas, considered a masterpiece of stone iconography.

The Cremisan Monastery and Winery

Telephone: 2742605

The Cremisan Monastery and Convent is a monastery run by the order of the Salesians of Don Bosco which was built in 1885 over the ruins of a 7th century Byzantine monastery. The beautiful terraced grounds provide a great place for picnics overlooking Beit Jala and Bethlehem and walks in the shade of olive trees. The monastery also houses a winery, Cremisan Cellars, which uses local Palestinian grapes and is the only winery in all of Palestine. Be sure to visit their wine cellar, filled with aging casks of wine and brandy, and the adjoining shop to sample some the product. Opening hours vary, so it is a good idea to call ahead to check.

Beir Una

AL-Makhrour

Restaurant 1890
Telephone: 02-2778779, 0525136122
Address: Beit Jala, St. Nicholas St.
Email: restaurant.1890@gmail.com

Barbara Restaurant
Address: Beit Jala, Al - Ras Str. near Arab Rehabilitation Society
Telephone: 02-2740130

Arab Orthodox Club Restaurant
Address: Beit Jala - Al Nuzha Str.
Telephone: 0-598925800

Pyramids Restaurant
Address: Al-Makhaniq Street, Beit Jala.
Telephone: 02-2767765

Taboo Restaurant & Café
Telephone: 02-2740711, 0522747996
Fax: 02-2741862
Email: taboo-pub@hotmail.com
Address: Beit Jala, Main Road

Limoncello
Address: Beit Jala, Sahel Str.
Telephone: 02-2758844

Al- Beit Betak Restaurant
Address: Beit Jala, Al- Seder Str.
Telephone: 02-2765393

Dejavu Restaurant & Bowling
Arras Str. Beit Jala
Tel: 2755585
Website: www.dejavu.ps

Vezantinos Restaurant
Telephone: 02-2747583
Address: Beit Jala, Sahel Str.

Laiali Zaman Restaurant
Telephone: 02-2742373
Address: Beit Jala - Al Sahel Str.

Falafel Al Shatleh
Telephone: 0-522672360
Address: Beit Jala - Old City

Qa'bar's Restaurant
Address: Beit Jala - Old City

King George (Tai Food, Ice Cream & Cocktails)
Telephone: 0599254710, 0598931902
Address: Beit Jala - Bab Al-Ziqaq

Night Clubs

Layal Lounge 
Disco Cosmos

Recreation

Beit Jala Park “De Gaulle Swimming Pool” 
Telephone: 02-276-7765
Address: Al-Makhaniq Street, Beit Jala
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool, barbeque area

Al-Zaitouna Tourist Village
Telephone: 02 276-4660
Address: Al Amayer Street, Beit Jala
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool

Al-Salam (Peace) Park( Beit Jala Public Park)
Public Park
Amenities: Playground, Picnic Tables

Abraham’s Herberge
General Manager: Rev. Jadallah Shehadeh
Telephone: 02-2742613
Fax: 02-2744966
Email: reception@luthchurch.com
Website: www.abrahams-herberge.com

Everest Hotel and Restaurant
General Manager: Mr. Makram 'Arja
Telephone: 02-2742604
Fax: 02-9934946
Address: Al Ras - Beit Jala, PO Box 802, Jerusalem

Nativity Hotel
General Manager: Khalil At-Tareh
Telephone: 02-2770650/1/2
Fax: 02-2744083
E-mail: reservations@nativityhotel.com
Website: http://www.nativity-hotel.com/
Address: PO Box 1069, Beit Jala
Accommodations: 120 Rooms, Business Facilities, Conference Facilities, Meeting Rooms, Restaurant

Angel Hotel
General Manager: Mariana Al-Arja
Telephone: 02-2766880
Fax: 02-276884
E-mail: info@angelhotel.ps
Website: http://www.angelhotel.ps/
Address: PO Box 1069, Beit Jala
Accommodations: 100 Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Restaurant

Olive Tree Tourist Village
Director: Wael Zaidan
Telephone: 02-2764660
Mobile: 0522-352612
Fax: 02-2750090
Address: Al Sahel, PO Box 313, Beit Jala
Accommodations: 8 Suites, Restaurant

St. Nicholas Hotel
General Manager: Basem Najar
Telephone: 02-2743040-2
Fax: 02-2743043
Address: PO Box 832, Bethlehem
Cremisan Street, Beit Jala
Accommodations: 32 Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Restaurant

Talitha Kumi Guest House
General Manager: Tamer Samara
Telephone: 02-2741247
Fax: 02-2741847
Address: PO Box 7, Beit Jala
Accommodations: 22 Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Restaurant

If traveling to another city (i.e. Hebron, Rammalah, Jenin, etc.) its best to take a service, which is large van that can fit 7-8 people. Services leave from the Bethlehem Bus Depot to nearly all major destinations in the West Bank. Services usually do not leave until they have filled all of their seats, so be prepared for a short wait.

If traveling to Jerusalem, bus 21 leaves from Bab Zqaq Intersection and goes the Damascus Gate bus station in Jerusalem. Tickets cost 7 shekels. It's also possible to take a bus from the checkpoint (300) to Jerusalem (tickets cost 5 shekels) or a 45 shekels taxi ride to the old city.

Taxi

Al Ithad Taxi Station
Telephone: 02-2743140

Beit Jala Taxi
Telephone: 02-2744771

Al-Jadawel Taxi
Telephone: 02-2760456

Ben Gurion Airport
Telephone: 03-9723344

Border Crossings
Allenby Bridge: 02-5482600
Sheikh Hussein: 04-6093410
Nitzana: 08-6564666, 08-6555867
Karni: 08-6748444

While in Beit Jala be sure to pick up a bottle of local olive oil; the city’s presses are considered to produce the best in Palestine. If you are planning to visit the Cremisan monastery be sure to pick up a few bottles of the monks’ wine, or if not you can find some in most supermarkets and liquor stores.

Most souvenir shops are located around manger square in Bethlehem, but charge steeper prices. Those staying in Beit Jala will probably find better prices closer to their hotel than up in Bethlehem.

Currency

There are two official currencies in Palestine: The New Israeli Shekel and the Jordanian Denair. Denairs, however, are rarely used and will prove inconvenient to carry as prices are universally given in Shekels. Shops that cater specifically to tourists will also often accept dollars and euros.

ATMs/Money Changers/Money Transfer
ATMs that dispense Israeli Shekels, Jordanian Denairs, and a few that dispense American Dollars, are located around the city and most will accept cards from major foreign banks. There are several money changers in Beit Jala which can change almost any currency, as well as a Western Union if you have to make any money transfers.

Haggling
Foreign travelers to Beit Jala will notice that hardly any items available for sale have price tags; this is because the price of nearly everything can be haggled over. Many businesses, however, such as supermarkets, restaurants, and some tourist shops charge fixed prices even if it is not marked. Packaged or mass-produced items that a store would sell routinely, such as cigarettes or packaged food, will usually be fixed price. Indoor produce markets will often sell a fixed price based on weight. A rule of thumb is that if it is being sold on the street or if it isn’t packaged, expect to haggle, starting with at about of the requested price.

Taxi Fares
Taxis in Palestine do not have meters; those traveling by taxi must negotiate a price with the driver. Generally, one can get to anywhere in the Bethlehem area for 25 shekels or less, and anywhere within Beit Jala for less than 15.

Local Customs

Dress

Palestinians generally dress more conservatively than in most Western countries, and those who wish to avoid labeling themselves as tourists should take note. Revealing clothing such as shorts are rarely worn, particularly by women. Short skirts and low-cut tops are never worn. T shirts, however, are fairly common. Those wishing to visit a religious site, either Christian or Muslim will usually be asked to dress more conservatively. Women wishing to visit a mosque should wear a headscarf.

Climate
High up in the Judean Hills, with an average elevation of 780 meters and its highest point just over 900 meters above sea level, Beit Jala is the highest point in the Bethlehem region. Each year, the city receives just under 700mm of rain, almost all coming during a short winter, from late November too early March. During these months temperatures can become fairly chilly and rainy, with rare flurries of snow and freezing temperatures. Because of this, those visiting Beit Jala during the winter are advised to bring warmer sets of clothes for the evenings, and something to keep them dry. The summer, in contrast, is long, hot, and dry, receiving virtually no rain, with temperatures as high as 39 degrees Celsius during midday. Summer evenings, however, are pleasantly cool and breezy and might sometimes require a light sweater. During the months of April, May and June the region is affected by the hot, dry, and dusty Khamaseen winds which blow in from the Arabian Desert. Average temperatures range from 9-18° C in winter to 26- 30° C in summer. Night dew occurs and average of 180 nights out of the year.

Safety
In contrast to the impression of the West Bank that many receive from the media, it has an extremely low rate of violent crime. Beit Jala and the Bethlehem area are far safer than almost any American or European city even in the latest hours of the night. Even so, it may be useful to remember these phone numbers:

Police: 
Beit Jala: 02-2770626
All Areas: 100

Ambulance:
All Areas: 101

Fire:
Beit Jala: 02-2741123/2 
All Areas: 102

Emergency
Police: 
Beit Jala: 02-2770626
All Areas: 100
Ambulance: 
Beit Jala: 02-2744222
All Areas: 101
Fire:
Beit Jala: 02-2741123/2 
All Areas: 102

Taxi
Al Ithad Taxi Station
Telephone: 02-2743140
Beit Jala Taxi
Telephone: 02-2744771
Al-Jadawel Taxi
Telephone: 02-2760456

Ben Gurion Airport
Telephone: 03-9723344

Border Crossings
Allenby Bridge: 02-5482600
Sheikh Hussein: 04-6093410

District Coordination Offices:

Beit El: 
Int'nal Org. Tel 02-9977744/7869
Public Inquiries Tel. 02-9977001

Bethlehem:
Tel. 02-9703877

International Country Codes (00+):
Argentina: 54
Australia: 61
Austria: 43
Belgium: 32
Brazil: 55
Cyprus: 357
Czech Republic: 420
Denmark: 45
Finland: 358
France: 33
Germany: 49
Greece: 30
India: 91
Ireland: 353
Italy: 39
Japan: 81
Luxembourg: 352
Malta: 356
The Netherlands: 31
New Zealand: 64
Norway: 47
Portugal: 351
Romania: 40
Russia: 7
South Africa: 27
Spain: 34
Sweden: 46
Switzerland: 41
Turkey: 90
UK: 44
USA/Canada: 1

Local Contact Info for Airlines
Air Canada
Telephone: 03-6072111
Fax: 03-6091221
Address: Azri Elly Center, 132 Menahem Begin Rd., Tel Aviv 67011

Air France KLM
GSA-Gemm Travel
Director: Wisam Touma
Telephone: 02-6282535/6
Fax: 02-6276703
Email: sales@gemmtravel.com
Address: 1 Ali Ben Abi Taleb St, Jerusalem
PO Box 19250, Jerusalem

Air Sinai-Egypt Air
Jerusalem:
Telephone: 02-6272725/62101-2
Fax: 02-6289873
Email: zaatarah@palnet.com
Address: 12 Salah Eddin St., Jerusalem
PO Box 20124, Jerusalem
Gaza:
Telephone: 08-2821530

Belgium (Brussels Airlines)
(c/o Atlas Aviation Services) 
Telephone and Fax: 02-2952180
Email: atlasavia@palnet.com
Address: 13 Jaffa St., Ramallah
PO Box 1605, Ramallah

British Airways
Jerusalem:
Telephone: 02-6288654
Telephone and Fax: 02-6283602
Email: stibaj@jrol.com
Address: An-Nuzha Bldg., 2 Abu Obeida St., Jerusalem
PO Box 20433, Jerusalem
Tel Aviv:
Telephone: 03-6061555
Fax: 03-6955375
Address: Azrieli Bldg., 20th Fl., 132 Menachem Begin Rd., Tel Aviv 670111

Cyprus Airways
Telephone: 02-2424894-5
Fax: 02-2424897
Email: mhnabil@trust-pal.com
Address: Trust Bldg., Jerusalem-Ramallah Rd.
PO Box 1860, Al-Bireh

Emirates Airlines
Telephone: 02-2961780-1
Fax: 02-2961782
Address: above HSBC Bank, 2nd fl., Ramallah
PO Box 898, Ramallah

Hungarian Airlines (Malev)
(c/o Atlas Aviation Services)
Telephone and Fax: 02-2967250
Email: atlasavia@palnet.com
Address: 13 Jaffa St., Ramallah
PO Box 1605, Ramallah

Iberia (Daher Travel)
General Manager: Wasef Daher
Telephone: 02-6283235/7238
Fax: 02-6271574
Email: dahert@netvision.net.il
Address: 14 Zahara St., Jerusalem
PO Box 19055, Jerusalem

Lufthansa
Telephone: 09-2382065/3065
Fax: 09-2375598
Email: Ihnablus@palnet.com
Address: Ya’ish Bldg., 1st fl., Safian St.,
PO Box 251, Nablus

Qatar Airways
Telephone: 02-2424895
Fax: 02-2424897
Email: mhnabil@trust-pal.com
Address: Trust Bldg., Jerusalem-Ramallah Rd.
PO Box 1860, Ramallah

Royal Dutch Airlines-KLM
Director: Wisam Touma
Telephone: 02-6282535
Fax: 02-6276703
Email: sales@gemmtravel.com
Address: 1 Ali Ben Abi Taleb St, Jerusalem
PO Box 19250, Jerusalem

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Daher Travel)
General Manager: Wasef Daher
Telephone: 02-6283235/7238
Fax: 02-6271574
Email: dahert@netvision.net.il
Address: 14 Zahara St., Jerusalem
PO Box 19055, Jerusalem

Swiss International Airlines
(c/o Atlas Aviation Services)
Telephone and Fax: 02-2952180
Email: atlasavia@palnet.com
Address: 13 Jaffa St., Ramallah
PO Box 1605, Ramallah

Turkish Airlines (Joy International Tours) Palestine
Manager: Ibrahim Elias
Telephone: 02-2770130/3/0569-770130
Fax: 02-2770134
Email: genmgr@joy-int.com
Address: Manger Street., Bethlehem
PO Box 630, Bethlehem