Palestine: Where It Is, Is It a Country, and Visiting

Palestine is a territory in the Middle East, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The State of Palestine, declared by the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1988, claims the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The West Bank lies between Israel and Jordan, and Gaza sits on the Mediterranean coast between Israel and Egypt. Together they cover about 6,020 square kilometres and have a population of more than five million. Whether Palestine is a country is a question on which governments disagree, and this guide explains both the facts and the debate. It also covers the main places travellers hear about and how to plan a trip with care.

Table of Contents

1. Where is Palestine on the map?
2. Is Palestine a country?
3. Palestine, Palestina and other names
4. Quick facts
5. Which places do visitors know best?
6. Can you visit Palestine?
7. When should you go, and how should you behave?
8. How to plan a trip, step by step
9. FAQ

Where Is Palestine on the Map?

Palestine is located in the Levant, at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. The claimed territory has two separate parts:

• The West Bank: Land west of the Jordan River, bordered by Israel and Jordan. It includes East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus and Jericho.
• The Gaza Strip: A narrow coastal area on the Mediterranean, bordered by Israel to the north and east and by Egypt to the south.

The two areas do not touch each other, and Israel has controlled access to the West Bank and its borders for decades. That separation matters for travel, because moving between places often involves checkpoints and permits rather than a simple road trip.

In short, where Palestine is on a map depends on whether you mean the claimed state or the places people actually travel to, and for most visitors that means the West Bank.

Is Palestine a Country?

Palestine is recognised as a state by most United Nations member states, but it is not a full UN member, and governments disagree on its status. As of September 2025, 157 of the 193 UN member states recognised the State of Palestine, which is just over 81 percent. In 2012, the UN General Assembly granted Palestine non-member observer state status through Resolution 67/19, by a vote of 138 to 9, with 41 abstentions.

Several steps shaped that picture:

• 1988: The PLO declared independence on 15 November.
• 2012: The UN General Assembly upgraded Palestine to non-member observer state.
• May 2024: Ireland, Norway and Spain recognised Palestine together.
• 2025: Canada, France and the United Kingdom recognised Palestine, which Wikipedia describes as the first time G7 states had done so.

Positions differ among major governments. According to Wikipedia, the United States, Germany and South Korea did not recognise Palestine as of September 2025, while Italy and Japan had not yet recognised it but had signalled they might. These positions change, so check current information before quoting them.

People who support recognition point to the number of states that recognise Palestine and to its UN observer status. People who oppose it, or who say recognition is premature, typically argue that statehood should come through negotiation with Israel, or point to the lack of a single government with full control of the claimed territory. Israel also disputes key parts of the Palestinian position, including the status of Jerusalem, which both sides claim as a capital.

For travel purposes, the practical point is simple: Gaza International Airport has been unusable since 2002, so most visitors arrive through Israel or Jordan.

Palestine, Palestina and Other Names: What Do the Terms Mean?

“Palestine” can mean the State of Palestine, the Palestinian territories or the wider historical region, so the term depends on context. The table below sorts the common uses.

Term	What it usually means
Palestine	The State of Palestine, or the West Bank and Gaza in everyday use
State of Palestine	The official name used by the Palestinian leadership and the UN observer state
Palestinian territories	The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip
Palestina	The spelling of “Palestine” in Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Indonesian and several other languages

Arabic is the official language of Palestine. If you search in other languages, you may see Palestina, Palestine or local spellings for the same place.

Palestine at a Glance: Quick Facts

Fact	Detail
Official name	State of Palestine
Declared independence	15 November 1988
Claimed territory	West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza Strip
Area	About 6,020 square kilometres
Population	More than five million
Proclaimed capital	Jerusalem (status disputed)
Seat of administration	Ramallah
UN status	Non-member observer state (since 2012)
Official language	Arabic
Recognition	157 of 193 UN member states (September 2025)

Which Places Do Visitors Know Best?

The best-known places in Palestine are Jerusalem’s Old City, Bethlehem, Jericho, Hebron, Nablus and Ramallah. Most are in the West Bank, and each has a different character.

Place	Known for
Jerusalem Old City	Holy sites for Christians, Muslims and Jews, divided into four quarters; UNESCO listed in 1981
Bethlehem	Church of the Nativity and Manger Square; UNESCO listed in 2012
Jericho	One of the world’s oldest cities, near the Dead Sea
Hebron	The Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, holy in Judaism and Islam
Nablus	The West Bank’s commercial centre, known for its old city
Ramallah	The administrative and cultural hub, known for its cafés

East Jerusalem’s status is disputed, so you will see it described differently depending on the source.

If you only have time for one or two stops, Bethlehem and Jerusalem’s Old City combine the most history in the smallest area.

Can You Visit Palestine?

Yes, foreign visitors can travel to parts of the West Bank, but access is controlled by Israel and conditions can change quickly. Most travellers need only a valid passport for entry to the area, and there is no separate Palestinian visa, since the rules follow Israel’s visa policy. Israel controls access to Jerusalem and the West Bank, while Gaza’s access is controlled by Israel and Egypt.

Key realities to understand before you book:

• Gaza is not a tourist destination. According to Wikipedia, Gaza has had essentially no tourist flow since 2005, and the war that began in 2023 has made the situation far more severe.
• Checkpoints are routine. Travel between cities, or between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, usually involves checkpoints, and waiting times vary.
• Conditions shift. Closures, protests and security incidents can change plans with little warning.
• Check official advice. Read your own government’s current travel advisory for the West Bank and Gaza before you plan, and confirm entry rules with the relevant authorities.
• Insurance matters. Check that your policy covers the places you plan to visit, because some policies exclude areas under government travel warnings.

We did not verify live government advisories while writing this guide, so treat it as background and rely on official sources for safety decisions.

When Should You Go, and How Should You Behave?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are generally the mildest seasons in the Levant, while summers can be very hot, especially around Jericho and the Dead Sea. Religious holidays and Ramadan can change opening hours and crowds, so check dates before you go.

A few habits help visitors travel respectfully:

• Dress modestly at religious sites, with covered shoulders and knees.
• Use local guides and businesses. Palestinian-owned guesthouses, restaurants and guides keep tourism income in local communities.
• Ask before photographing people, and be careful photographing checkpoints and security personnel.
• Keep your passport with you, since you may be asked for it at checkpoints.
• Stay flexible. A relaxed schedule absorbs delays better than a tight one.

How to Plan a Trip, Step by Step

Follow this sequence to keep the plan realistic:

1. Read official travel advice from your government for the West Bank and Gaza.
2. Confirm entry rules for your passport, and check how you will cross borders.
3. Choose your base. Jerusalem and Bethlehem suit first-time visitors, and Ramallah suits those interested in culture.
4. Book flights with flexibility. Most travellers fly into Israel or Jordan, so compare fares and fare rules on fligtour.com.
5. Arrange insurance that covers your route.
6. Hire local guides for sites with complex access or history.
7. Leave buffer days for delays and closures.

A good principle for this destination: decide how much uncertainty you can accept, then plan around it.

FAQ

What is Palestine?

Palestine usually means the State of Palestine, which claims the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. It also refers to the wider historical and cultural region.

Where is Palestine?

It is in the Middle East on the eastern Mediterranean. The West Bank lies between Israel and Jordan, and Gaza lies on the Mediterranean coast next to Israel and Egypt.

Is Palestine a country?

It is recognised as a state by 157 of 193 UN member states (as of September 2025) and is a UN non-member observer state. It is not a full UN member, and governments disagree on its status.

Why is Palestine not a full UN member?

Full UN membership needs a recommendation from the Security Council, and the United States has used its veto to block it, most recently in April 2024.

What does Palestina mean?

Palestina is the spelling of Palestine in Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Indonesian and several other languages. It refers to the same place.

What is the capital of Palestine?

Palestine proclaims Jerusalem as its capital, but Ramallah serves as the seat of administration. Israel also claims Jerusalem as its capital, so the status is disputed.

Can tourists visit Palestine?

Visitors can travel to parts of the West Bank, usually entering through Israel or Jordan. Gaza is not open to tourists. Check your government’s current travel advice first.

What are the main places to see in Palestine?

Bethlehem, Jerusalem’s Old City, Jericho, Hebron, Nablus and Ramallah are the best-known destinations.

Final Thoughts

Palestine is a place where geography, history and politics are tightly linked, and understanding that context makes any trip more meaningful. Read current official advice, plan with flexibility and choose local guides where you can. When you are ready to price flights to the region, start on fligtour.com and compare dates.