Silwad

Silwad is a Palestinian town in the Ramallah Governorate, located 12 km northeast of Ramallah. With a population of about 12,000, it is one of the larger towns in the governorate. Silwad is known for its olive groves, white stone houses, and its historic role in the Palestinian struggle. The town sits on a hill with views of the Jordan Valley. The climate is Mediterranean: hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Spring is best.

By Plane

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is 55 km southwest.

By Car / Road

Silwad is 12 km northeast of Ramallah, about 20 minutes by car. Shared taxis from Ramallah run frequently.

The town centre is walkable.

• Silwad Mosque — The main mosque.

• Silwad viewpoint — Views of the Jordan Valley and the mountains of Jordan.

• Olive groves — Extensive terraced olive trees surround the town.

• Silwad archaeological remains — Ancient tombs and cisterns on the outskirts.

• Olive harvest (October–November) — The main agricultural activity.

• Walking in the olive groves — The terraced landscape is good for walks.

• Visit the viewpoint — Sunrise and sunset views are spectacular.

• Silwad Restaurant — A local restaurant serving Palestinian cooking. Mains ₪25–45.
• Silwad Sweets — A bakery. ₪5–12.

Bottled water (₪2). Fresh juices seasonally.

Silwad has no tourist accommodation. The nearest hotels are in Ramallah (20 min southwest).

Olive oil (₪35–50/litre) from Silwad's famous groves.

• Ramallah (12 km, 20 min southwest) — The cultural and political centre.
• Taybeh (5 km, 10 min south) — A Christian village with a brewery.
• Turmus Ayya (5 km, 12 min north) — A village with a historic mosque.
• Sinjil (8 km, 15 min north) — A village dating to the Crusader period.
• Birzeit (8 km, 12 min west) — The university town with a restored old quarter.