Rafat is a small village near Samu’a, the southernmost town in the West Bank, and it is a a part of the Hebron governorate. The village consists of an intriguing collection of old and new houses, interspersed with clusters of olive trees.
For most facilities, such as a clinic, villagers head to the nearby town of Samu’a. But it is also just 12km away from the city of Hebron. There is also another Rafat near to Ramallah.
Population: 1,861 (2007)
There are some caves in the side of the rock face below the village which can be explored, while a walk through the village itself will take visitors on an architectural journey through historic Palestine.
Otherwise, head to Samu’a for a perfect example of a beautiful, laid-back Palestinian town, a complete contrast to what many outside of the Middle East picture Palestine as.
Hebron is also just 12km away, and this ancient city – hurting from ongoing conflict and political struggle – is well worth visiting.
There are various typical Palestinian restaurants in nearby Samu’a serving up the usual shawerma, chicken and falafel. Otherwise, head to Ras al Jora, a neighbourhood of Hebron which is famous for its dining scene.
There are four hotels in Hebron, but there is a much greater variety in the more tourist-savvy areas of Bethlehem, Ramallah and of course Jerusalem.