Jerusalem
Israel · Jerusalem District · 754 m
Description
Jerusalem (ירושלים) is the most visited place in the country and holds sites central to Judaism, Christianity and Islam inside one square kilometre of walled old city, divided into Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian quarters that share the same lanes. The Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount, which Muslims call the Haram al-Sharif, are within a few minutes of each other. Israel administers the whole city and treats it as its capital, while East Jerusalem including the Old City is regarded under international law as occupied territory, and UNESCO has listed the Old City as endangered since 1982.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 6 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: March – May or October – November
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Western Wall and its plaza
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Old City of Jerusalem and its walls (UNESCO World Heritage in Danger)
- Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock from the outer courts
- Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum
- Mahane Yehuda market and its evening bars
- Via Dolorosa and the stations of the cross
- Mount of Olives viewpoint over the old city
- Israel Museum and the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Old City souks of the four quarters
- City of David and the Hezekiah water tunnel
- Tower of David museum and the ramparts walk
- Church of All Nations at Gethsemane
- Shabbat in the Jewish quarter (every Friday)
- Mount Zion, the Cenacle and the tomb of David
- Machane Yehuda street art shutters after closing
- Mea Shearim and the ultra-orthodox quarter
- Hummus and Levantine kitchens of the old city
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon