Taybeh & getting here
A hilltop village east of Ramallah, looking out over the wilderness towards the Jordan Valley — and a quiet base between Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jericho and Nablus.
The village
Taybeh sits on a hilltop about 850 metres above sea level, looking east over the wilderness to the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Dead Sea. For a small place, it holds a lot of history.
- Biblical Ephraim and Ophrah
- Taybeh is identified with Ophrah of the Book of Joshua (18:23) and with Ephraim, the town where, the Gospel of John says, Jesus withdrew with his disciples after raising Lazarus (John 11:54).
- A village named for its kindness
- Tradition holds that Saladin gave the village its name — Taybeh, “good and kind” — around 1187, to thank its people for their welcome.
- A small Christian village
- Taybeh is one of the few Christian villages left in Palestine. About 1,300 people live here (2017 census), with two schools and Greek Orthodox, Latin (Roman Catholic) and Greek Catholic (Melkite) parishes.
- St George Church ruins (al-Khader)
- On the eastern edge of the village stand the ruins of a Byzantine church, rebuilt by the Crusaders in the 12th century. You can still make out the nave, two side chapels and a cross-shaped baptistery with its font.
- Churches of the village
- Each community has its own church: the Latin Church of the Holy Redeemer, the Greek Orthodox church — where an early Byzantine mosaic of birds and flowers is protected in a small chapel — and the Greek Catholic church.
- The Parables House
- A village house a few centuries old, kept as it was, that shows how families once lived on one level with their animals below — a setting that helps explain many of the Gospel parables.
- Brewery, winery and Oktoberfest
- Taybeh is known for the Taybeh Brewery, founded in 1995, and its autumn Oktoberfest, as well as the Taybeh Winery and the Barakat distillery — all a short walk or drive from the guest house.
- Olive oil and peace lamps
- Olive groves surround the village, and its oil is pressed and sold locally. Taybeh is also known for its ceramic “peace lamps”, shaped like a dove.
Day trips
Distances as stated by the guest house. We can arrange transport and plan the day with you.
Ramallah15 km
The lively cultural and commercial centre of the West Bank, with cafés, galleries and markets.
Jericho25 km
One of the oldest cities in the world, set in the warm Jordan Valley below sea level.
Jerusalem30 km
The Old City and its holy sites.
Nablus45 km
An old city of stone souks, famous for its olive-oil soap and its kanafeh.
- Ramallah15 km
- Jericho25 km
- Jerusalem30 km
- Nablus45 km
Getting here
The map is pinned on the house. Tap “Drive here” to open Google Maps with turn-by-turn directions from wherever you are. Coming by taxi or need help with transport? Message us and we will arrange it.