The Old City of al Dahriya is one of the best kept secrets in Palestine; an exquisitely renovated maze of old buildings, with steps up to various rooftops where the views will leave you speechless, and a charming coffee shop to relax in and enjoy the atmospheric setting some more. The Old mosque, various houses, an old bakery and other buildings can be explored, as well as the winding narrow streets and domed rooftops.
This is a true, hidden gem, so far off the beaten path it is not even visible. There are no signs pointing to the Old City and no tour groups. The café owner will be pleased to receive visitors, explain the history of the Old City and even dig out some photos of what it looks like when it has been snowing (truly magical). Plus there is a large, comfy indoor seating area.
The area is beautifully lit in the evenings, and there is also an elegant water fountain. There is nowhere better to watch the sun setting over the mountains and the rooftops. RIWAQ (the Palestinian organisation behind a series of Old City regenerations) undertook the renovations of the area – known as al Qas – from 2011 to 2013.