Experience Jerusalem

Overview

The sanctified city of Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is the Holy City for three primary Western religions including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Home to some of the most sacred sites for each religion including Temple Mount, The Dome of the Rock, and the Western Wall. Also known as the ‘City of Gold’, Jerusalem is a fascinating city with a spectacular mixture of old and new with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, world-class shopping, superb dining, and the Old City which is one of the most interesting square miles in the world. There is something so exquisite about Jerusalem and its Almighty presence, that it's hard to be a non-believer when visiting the city.

The charming Old City is embellished with a winding narrow maze of streets and alleyways where the alluring sounds of the Muslim call to prayer can be heard. On the other side of these historic walls, there is a bustling metropolis where trendy bars and restaurants are scattered around the city streets, alongside interesting museums and religious sites. Jerusalem offers visitors a unique blend of culture, history, and spirituality in a city filled with thousands of years' worth of history, it is a must-visit destination for all. 

Things to see and do

Explore the winding maze of ancient streets in the Old City. Entering through the dramatic Damascus Gate which is the main entrance, the Old City is home to several of the greatest religious sites in the world. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Exploring the narrow streets will lead you to the famous four quarters found inside the city walls; the Muslim, Christian, Armenian, and Jewish Quarters. The Old City is the most interesting square mile in the entire world beaming with history.

Head to the City of David, a large archaeological site that dates back over 6,000 years when King David founded the capital and built his palace here. This city is one of the most significant historical sites in Jerusalem. A large portion of it lies underground with ancient tunnels and paths that can be explored. The Herodian Channel is a section of the tunnels that is about a mile long and brings you out at the 1massive foundation stones of the Western Wall.

See the magnificent Western Wall, the most religious Jewish site in the world, according to Jewish tradition all of creation began in Jerusalem and King Herod built the wall back in 20 BCE. The massive wall made from blocks of stone measuring up to 45 ft long and weighing almost 600 tons each supports Temple Mount. Thousands of visitors come to the wall every year where they can recite prayers; the prayers are either spoken or written down and then placed in cracks in the wall.

Head to the Dome of the Rock or Qubbat Al-Sakhra (Arabic), the shrine on Temple Mount which dominates the city`s skyline. This large golden dome decorated with dazzling blue mosaic walls sits opposite the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the most recognized landmarks in Jerusalem and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been labeled the most amazing Islamic building in the world and a very sacred religious site for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people. There are about 100 structures found within Temple Mount covering 35 acres featuring prayer spots, domes, gardens, and fountains. 

Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre established in the 4th Century and according to tradition is the site where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. Inside the fascinating church, which is one of the holiest Christian sites in the world is the location of the tomb of Jesus Christ.

Make your way to Mount of Olives, an extremely peaceful area and one of three mountainous peaks that run for over 2 miles in the Kidron Valley. The area holds spiritual significance, as it's said to be where mankind will be resurrected on Judgment Day. Most of the sites found on Mount Olive are connected to Christianity and Jesus` last days on earth, where the room of the Last Supper and the Ascension Chapel are both located. 

Check out the vibrant, bustling market stalls at ‘The Shuk` Mahane Yehuda Market, the most famous market in the heart of Jerusalem. This wonderful marketplace is bursting with people and over 250 vendors selling fresh produce, meat and fish, nuts, cheese, spices, and freshly baked goods. 

Visit the magnificent Israel Museum, the largest cultural institution and museum in Israel. Established in 1965 the museum is ranked amongst the world`s leading art and archaeology museums. It's packed with famous finds like its prized possession the infamous Dead Sea Scrolls,housed in the unique Shrine of the Book building! The museum holds an extensive (over 500,000) collection of Holy Land, Judaica art, and artifacts that date back over 5,000 years.

Check out the Yad Vashem Museum, the largest Holocaust memorial site in the city. A somber site dedicated to preserving the memories of the dead. This fascinating museum opened in 2005 and boasts nine exhibits leading visitors on a journey through history. The Hall of Names contains over 3 million names of the Holocaust victims, The Hall of Remembrance where the ashes of the dead are buried and the eternal flame burns, and the Yad Layeled Hall commemorates the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished during the Holocaust. This place gives you a real perspective on history and life in general.

Shopping

The city of Jerusalem offers visitors an interesting variety of shopping destinations, including massive modern shopping malls, famous `Souks`, bazaars, and streets lined with high-end boutiques. There are plenty of distinctive, unique gifts to look for while shopping in the ‘Gold City’ where a wide range of traditional jewelry and of course, precious gold can be purchased, along with traditional arts and crafts and plenty of religious items.

Here are a few of the popular locations to fulfill your shopping needs in the city.

Mamilla Mall - The outdoor mall stretches from the 5-star Mamilla Hotel to the Jaffa Gate in the Old City where shoppers will find high-end designer labels in a stunning architectural setting with cafes, restaurants, shops, and bars. Top labels here include Zara, Gap, Castro,, and more.

Machane-Yehuda Market - The famous shuk is a must-see in the city and boasts over 250 vendors selling fresh produce, fresh meat, and fish, fresh baked goods, and souvenirs. The market is open daily (closed for Shabbat) and Fridays are the busiest day with locals picking up their essentials for Shabbat dinner. There are restaurants and bars surrounding the market.

Yafo Road - The longest and oldest street in the city which starts at the Machane-Yehuda Market and runs east to the Old City. The street is filled with shops, restaurants, and bars.

The First Station - This outdoor mall sits on the site of the old train station in the city and is open 7 days a week. There are a number of shops, restaurants, and children`s activities offered in the area.

Emek Refrain Street - This chic upscale neighborhood is home to the city`s most exclusive boutiques, trendy cafes, stylish restaurants, and breathtaking architecture.

Malha Mall - The largest mall in the city with world-renowned brand names, department stores, local and international fashion labels, toys, makeup, and jewelry.

Cuisine

The city of Jerusalem caters to many palettes, religions, and religious holy days such as Shabbat. The Holy City offers a substantial variety of restaurants whether you're looking for Kosher restaurants, Italian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Arabic, and European. There's also a great number of fast food restaurants, lunch counters, dairy bars, snack shops, cafes, delicatessens, and street food choices available in Jerusalem. The City of Gold is rapidly expanding into one of the top food destinations in the world with a thriving restaurant scene. Food lovers can dine at upscale restaurants, authentic, ethnic family-run restaurants, hotel buffets, trendy cafes, bustling markets, and falafel stands. There is an abundance of places to eat on every corner, the city offers a little bit of everything. 

The cuisine in Jerusalem is fresh and packed with incredible flavors, it is a multicultural city with a variety of other culinary flavors from different cultures. Diners can be pleased by countless culinary experiences with talented, innovative chefs. Local favorites include hummus, falafel, halvah, shakshouka, tahini, fresh chopped vegetable salads, fresh fish, freshly baked bread, and other goods along with honey bourekas. As for where to eat these items, there are plenty of choices, falafel stands, bustling markets, local and family-run restaurants, hotel buffets, trendy cafes, and bakeries. There are plenty of coffee shops and sidewalk cafes in the city to start your day. Breakfast is a staple in life for the locals, and sitting down for coffee and breakfast is a way of bringing people together. You can enjoy any kind of coffee; the most popular are Turkish and Black along with freshly baked bread, croissants, and pastries.

Nightlife

The nightlife scene in the city of Jerusalem is surprisingly lively and upbeat! A city of big contrasts offering many great bars, nightclubs, and a unique alternative nightlife scene. There are many cultural festivals held in the city throughout the year including the Light Festival in the spring and the Knights Festival in autumn. The majority of nightlife can be found around the city center off Jaffa Street, explore the narrow streets around Zion Square and the Machane Yehuda Market which all offer a unique nightlife setting with old stone buildings and stunning backdrops.

In the evening times in Jerusalem be sure to head over to The Tower of David where the popular Night Spectacular Sound and Light Show takes place twice in the evening. The show lasts for 45 minutes and illuminates the ancient city walls through a celebration of light and sound where the story of Jerusalem unfolds.