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Jerusalem: 10 things to see in the Old City for a cultural journey

by Elisa Flitter Fever
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Jerusalem is probably one of the most well-known cities of the world. Everybody knows it from the news and perhaps the bible, but how is Jerusalem for real? Jerusalem’s Old City has a long and fascinating history of more than four centuries, many wars have been fought over the holy ground. To me, Jerusalem forms a big contrast with modern Tel Aviv, both visually and in terms of atmosphere. In this article I will share the 10 things I would highly recommend to see in Jerusalemā€™s Old City.

Dome of the Rock is a sightseeing highlight of Jerusalem
Dome of the Rock is a sightseeing highlight of Jerusalem

Jerusalem may not be on everybodyā€™s bucket list, but for those interested in religion, history and culture, to see for real how the lives of local Jews and Muslims intertwine, I would say: do not be scared and go visit Jerusalem yourself, you will not regret it.

Jaffa Gate

Jaffa Gate is one of the most important gates that provide access to Jerusalem’s Old City wall. The centuriesā€™ old gate forms a great starting point to explore the Old City, many walking tours start from here. Jaffa Gate is named after Jaffa Port, an ancient port just south of Tel Aviv.

Jerusalemā€™s Old City is divided into five areas: Christian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, Muslim Quarter, Armenian Quarter and Temple Mount. There are eight gates of which seven are open to provide access to the Old City: New Gate, Damascus Gate, Herod’s Gate, Lion’s Gate, Golden Gate (closed), Dung Gate, Zion Gate and Jaffa Gate.

Jaffa Gate Jerusalem
Jaffa Gate wall
13-year-old boy celebrates his Bar Mitzvah at Dung Gate towards the Western Wall in Jerusalem
13-year-old boy celebrates his Bar Mitzvah at Dung Gate

Tower of David

Right next to Jaffa Gate is the Tower of David, also known as the Jerusalem Citadel. The medieval citadel is an archeological site which nowadays serves as a museum that tells the story of Jerusalemā€™s history of over 4000 years. The Phasael Tower Observatory offers a panoramic 360-degree view over Jerusalemā€™s Old City and its surroundings. Four times a week at 20:00h there is a so-called Night Experience light show at the Tower of David. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.

  • Museum admission: 40 NIS
  • Night Experience: 65 NIS
  • Two-in-one combination ticket: 80 NIS
  • Open: Sat-Thu 09:00h ā€“ 16:00h (Aug till 17:00h), Fri till 14:00h

Jerusalem Old City view from the Tower of David panoramic deck
Jerusalem Old City view from Tower of David panoramic deck
The Tower of David Jerusalem
The Tower of David

Old City Bazar

When you exit the Tower of David, go left and then right into David Street, where the real Old City starts with Arab shops selling all kinds of souvenirs, fresh juices, etc. to the bypassing tourists and locals. When I walked in here for the first time around 07:30h it was still very peaceful as all shops were still closed ā€“ silence before the storm! Once the shops open up, it is full of activity here, even on Shabbat until at least 21:00h. You can get here for example ceramics, leather sandals, belts and bags, camel cuddly toys, kippah or yarmulke, mezuzah, jewelry, etc. Donā€™t forget to bargain!!

Ceramics shop in Jerusalem Old City Bazar
Ceramics shop in Jerusalem Old City Bazar
Jerusalem souvenirs for sale at Jerusalem Old City Bazar
Souvenirs for sale at Jerusalem Old City Bazar

Western Wall

The Western Wall is what remains of the Second Jewish Temple that was there from 516 BCE until Roman legions under Titus retook and destroyed it in August 70 CE. Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque nowadays stand on the ground where the Second Jewish Temple once stood, the Temple Mount. The Jews would love to see those mosques replaced by a Third Jewish Temple one day. The Western Wall, also known as Wailing Wall or Kotel, is a holy site where religious Jewish men and women come to pray in different sections, especially on Friday evening when Shabbat starts. Impressive to see.

Jewish men must pray at least three times a day, women 1 or 2 per day, depending on the source. Orthodox Jews add a 4th prayer on holidays and Shabbat, and a 5th prayer on Yom Kippur. Their prayers are either spoken, sang or written down and placed in the cracks of the wall. While praying, Jews tend to sway back and forth, which is known as shuckling, like flame of a candle, when Jews try to connect their souls with the Torah, the first 5 out of 24 books of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible).

Men and boys praying at the Western Wall Jerusalem
Men and boys praying at the Western Wall
Young boy reading the Torah at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem
Young boy reading the Torah at the Wailing Wall

Shabbat = Social

Next to praying, Shabbat is also an important social event for Jews. It certainly means family time but also time to show off and strengthen your social status at the Western Wall. The wealth is obvious with those wearing fur hats for example, group of men standing together talking, rushing through the streets of the Old City.

Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest, which starts at sunset Friday evening and ends at sunset on Saturday evening. During Shabbat, Jews do not work, not have sex, not use their cell phones or laptops, etc. Even Jewish websites are put offline during Shabbat.

The Western Wall is open 24 hours and heavily secured. There is even a live cam which enables people to see the wall from all over the world. Especially on Friday evening when Shabbat starts, Jews rush to the Western Wall, men alone, in groups and families. On Jewish Sabbath and holidays, you are requested not to use any electronic devices, amplification systems and taking pictures at this site.

Access the Western Wall from either Dung Gate or the Western Wall Plaza (walk through the Old City Bazar via David St and Sha’ar ha-Shalshelet St). There is a 3rd access point at the entrance of the Western Wall Tunnels, where you can take a guided underground tour (35 NIS), open Sun-Thu 07:20h until late at night, Fri 07:20h – 12:00h.

Jewish Orthodox men walking inside Damascus Gate on their way to Western Wall for Shabbat prayers
Jewish Orthodox men walk at the Damascus Gate dressed up
Jewish men on their way to Western Wall with Shabbat
Jewish men on their way to Western Wall with Shabbat

Dome of the Rock @ Temple Mount

When you face the Western Wall, there is a wooden bridge at your right hand side. This wooden bridge leads to the Morocco Gate, into the Temple Mount. This is the only way non-Muslims can access the Dome of the Rock! Dome of the Rock, also known as Qubbat al-Sakhrah, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the two mosques on the Temple Mount, just behind the Western Wall.

Women must make sure to cover shoulders and legs, meaning pants, skirts and dresses should be ankle length, otherwise the security may send you away. No tripods or Jewish religious signs are allowed either. Non-Muslims are excluded from going inside the Dome of the Rock. A controversial place yet pretty to see. The way out is via Ablution Gate, close to Morocco Gate. Opening hours Temple Mount:

  • Winter (27.10.2019 – 27.03.2020): Sun-Thu 07:00h-10:30h and 12:30h-13:30h
  • Summer (28.03.2020 ā€“ 26.10.2020): Sun-Thu 08:30h-11:30h and 13:30h-14:30h
  • Closed on Fridays, Saturdays and national holidays, sometimes also on other days/times
Dome of the Rock Jerusalem and me
Dome of the Rock Jerusalem and me
Jerusalem Old City Dome of the Rock
Jerusalem Old City Dome of the Rock

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This church is known for Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection, and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Christianity since the 4th Century. Once you enter the church, you can feel the intense atmosphere hanging around here. People kneeling, wiping and crying over the Stone of Unction, on which Christ’s body was said to be laid and anointed after his crucifixion. People standing in a circle while lighting candles.

A funnel of crowds at the so-called Rotunda underneath the impressive Angelā€™s Chapel, trying to get into the Holy Sepulchre Tomb with Jesusā€™ empty tomb. Monks and nuns singing their prayers in front of the altar. Gorgeous frescos and chandeliers at the Chapel of St. Helena. Probably the most intense church I have ever seen, at places very crowded but sometimes not at all, definitely worth a visit but would not advise with small children. Open Oct-Mar 04:00h-19:00h and Apr-Sep 5:00h-21:00h.

People lighting candles at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem
People lighting candles at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Frescos at the Chapel of St Helena in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem
Frescos at the Chapel of St Helena, Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Via Dolorosa

Via Dolorosa, also known as The Way of the Cross, is a famous processional route in Jerusalemā€™s Old City, the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. The Via Dolorosa is no more than half a mile, less than 1 kilometer. The last five out of fourteen stations are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre mentioned above.

Some pilgrims take their experience of Jesus suffering a step further by carrying a wooden cross along the Via Dolorosa by themselves. The route is established by tradition and religion rather than archaeological evidence.

Via Dolorosa Fifth Station where Simon helped Jesus to carry the cross
Via Dolorosa 5thStation – Simon helps Jesus to carry the cross
Jewish men in Old City alley near Western Wall Jerusalem
Jewish men in Old City alley near Western Wall

Austrian Pilgrim Hospice

This guesthouse for pilgrims was founded by the Archbishop of Vienna in 1854, to whom the institution still belongs today. With its address Via Dolorosa 37, the Austrian Hospice is located right in the heart of the vibrant Old City of Jerusalem. Delicious chocolate cake available at its Viennese coffee shop inside.

The panoramic Schwester Bernadette Terrasse rooftop makes this place worth a visit for ordinary travelers like me, especially at sunset. Make sure you get there at least 35-40 min before the scheduled sunset of Jerusalem, as the sun will set behind the nearby buildings a bit earlier. Admission fee rooftop: 5 NIS.

At the Schwester Bernadette Terrasse rooftop of the Austrian Hospice in Jerusalem
The Schwester Bernadette Terrasse rooftop, Austrian Hospice
Sunset at Jerusalem seen from Austrian Hospice
Sunset above Jerusalem Old City seen from Austrian Hospice

Mount of Olives

Officially not located inside the Old City of Jerusalem, but right next to it so if you are visiting anyway, it would make sense to visit the Mount of Olives as well, or at least have a look from the ground on the east side of the Temple Mount walls. Mount is actually a big word here; the Mount of Olives is rather a hill with a huge Jewish Cemetery and Zecharias’ Tomb than a mountain.

At the foot of the Mount of Olives you can visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus gathered with his disciples before guards captured him for crucifixion. If you are brave enough and have the time to walk up the Mount of Olives, you will be rewarded with a nice view of Jerusalemā€™s Old City, also at sunset.

Church of All Saints and Gethsemane Jerusalem
Church of All Saints and Gethsemane
Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives just behind the City Wall
Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives just behind the City Wall

Church of All Nations & Church of Mary Magdalene

On the Mount of Olives there are two churches that stand out:

  • Church of All Nations
  • Church of Mary Magdalene

The Church of All Nations, which is also known as the Church or Basilica of the Agony, is a Roman Catholic Church, with its remarkable faƧade of mosaic, statues, columns and arches. It is right behind the Garden of Gethsemane. The Church of Mary Magdalene is a hard to miss blue/white Russian Orthodox Church with golden roof domes, which was built in 1886 to honor the mother of Tsar Alexander III.

Best places for sunset view in Jerusalem are: Israel Museum, Austrian Hospice, Tower of David and the Mount of Olives.

Beyond Jerusalem Old City

Jerusalem and its surroundings have a lot more to offer, such as holocaust museum Yad Vashem and Bethlehem in Palestina, where I will write about in separate articles.

Make hummus not walls
Make hummus not walls

Where to stay in Jerusalem

I would highly recommend to stay in Jerusalem within walking distance from the Old City, in the north of Jerusalemā€™s City Center. In or near the triangle of Ben Youda St, King George St and Jaffa St is great because its proximity of Jaffa Gate (15 min walk), lots of shops and restaurants around, and with tram line 1 to Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon (Central Station) and Yad Vashem. Moreover when staying in Jerusalem during Shabbat, when no public transport is available.

My recommendation would be to stay at Ibis Styles Jerusalem City Center at Ben Youda St, open since November 2018. Comfortable rooms with air-conditioning, bar with happy hour, breakfast, bicycle rental, luggage storage, etc. Basically all you need plus some nice styling and great location.

Ibis Styles Jerusalem City Center room bike
Ibis Styles Jerusalem City Center (photo credits booking.com)
Ibis Styles Jerusalem City Center room
Ibis Styles Jerusalem City Center (photo credits booking.com)

Should you be a backpacker and/or be on a tight budget, then your place to be is Abraham Hostel Jerusalem, who also organize lots of great tours and activities such as Hummus Cooking Class and Shabbat Dinner.

How to get there & around

Most likely you will fly to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), or otherwise Eilat J. Hozman International Airport (ETH) in the southeast of Israel. To find suitable flights, check availability and prices, use Skyscanner. We flew direct from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) with Transavia in just over 4 hours. Time to watch your favorite TV series!

Travel hack watch your favorite TV series in airplane with smartphone
Travel hack: watch your favorite TV seres during a flight
Transavia
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Airport security

Outbound security at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport (AMS) was as usual, as if we were traveling to Seville or Prague instead of Tel Aviv. Because we flew early in the morning, there were fortunately no lines at security and customs at Schiphol. No questioning from Israeli security staff either, which I somehow expected based on other stories, but no need to be there three hours before departure, at least not when flying with Transavia from Schiphol. Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, everything went pretty smoothly with security. Just make sure you know where you are going and what is your travel plan?

For flights out of Tel Aviv back home I would suggest to arrive 2-3 hours before departure. Outbound airport security is thorough and time consuming at Ben Gurion airport. First you get questioning from Israeli customs, especially about passport stamps from Muslim countries (in my case Malaysia and Turkey); they want to know all about them. Then you have to stand in line with the airlineā€™s luggage check-in desk, as online check-in is often not available for outbound flights from Tel Aviv. After that comes security check and customs.

Rav Kav card

Public transport is cheap and pretty good in Israel, especially the train. Purchase a green/purple Rav Kav card at the Public Transport Information Desk in the arrivals hall on the Ground floor of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport. There is also a machine in case the desk is closed. You pay a deposit of 5 NIS for the card itself, plus the money you want to put on it. For 8 days I put 100 NIS on it, but for sure I did not use it all. You can use the Rav Kav card for public transportation such as train, tram in Jerusalem, bus, etc. The bus to Bethlehem should be paid cash.

Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon Train Station
Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon Train Station
RavKav card for public transport in Israel
RavKav card for public transport in Israel

Train from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

It is pretty easy to reach Jerusalem by train from Tel Aviv. The train ride from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon (Central Station) is direct, takes about 30 min and costs 23.50 NIS (Ā± EUR 6). Yitzhak Navon station has convenient blue luggage lockers for 20 or 30 NIS per day (depending on size).

From Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon (Central Station), named after the 5th President of Israel, you can easily take the tram line 1. After 3 or 4 stops you can get off at Yafo Center for Ibis Styles Jerusalem City Center or one stop earlier at Hadavidka for those who stay at Abraham Hostel Jerusalem, both are on close walking distance from the tram stop. And for both the tram and the train you use the Rav Kav card; simply swipe upon entry.

Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon (Central Station) is open Sunday-Thursday, 6:00 AM ā€“ 8:00 PM, closed on Fridays and Saturdays! If you have to travel between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on a Friday or Saturday, the cheapest way is to take the shared shuttle service called sherut by Nesher for 67 NIS per person. A taxi ride between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport and Jerusalem costs at least EUR 70 + night or Shabbat surcharge.

Jewish boys on tram line 1 Jerusalem
Jewish boys on tram line 1 Jerusalem
Train Station ticket gates Yitzhak Navon Central Train Station Jerusalem
Train Station ticket gates Yitzhak Navon Central Station

Lots of walking

Besides the tram you will mostly walk in Jerusalem, not rarely I walked more than 20 km a day. Make sure you bring proper walking shoes and/or sandals, depending on the season. If you go in November like me, or later in winter, for sure bring a light jacket, leggings for under skirts or dresses, long pants, socks, etc. because at night it gets pretty chilly in Jerusalem, also compared to Tel Aviv.

Tours

Due to the rich historical, cultural and religious history of Jerusalem, a guided tour can be really of added value as you will hear and see stuff you otherwise would not. To be honest I could not stand the (tone of) voice of a female guide I had of Sandemans New Europe Tours, but that was a first! There are also day tours available from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but personally I would find that too short.

Check out the following sites for tours and activities in Jerusalem but also multi-day group trips:

Rent a car

Another way to get around Israel is by renting a car, for example from Tel Aviv to visit Jerusalem and/or to visit the Dead Sea area for a couple of days. My cousin recently did so with a couple of friends and also a girl I met on the bus to Bethlehem did so and they all really liked the flexibility and freedom of it. Jerusalem has several garages around the Old City where you can park your car.

Personally, when it concerns renting a car, I would recommend Sunny Cars, an all-inclusive, worry free rental concept with affordable, fair prices, great service and no unpleasant surprises upon pick up or drop off. I am a big fan and use them all the time! In most countries the 2nd driver, free cancellation up to 4 hours in advance and all-risk insurance are standard included. Ideal, I use them all the time!

If you decide to rent a car in Israel, you may want to get a newer one than this old ride
If you decide to rent a car in Israel, you may want to get a newer one than this old ride

Shabbat in Jerusalem

I would definitely not discourage being in Jerusalem during Shabbat, it is a unique experience. It was actually a lot more alive than I ever thought it could be. Even the shops at the Old City Bazar are open until 21:00h or something on Friday night as the shops are run by Arabs and apparently they are allowed to stay open. Sure, the regular shops and the market close early afternoon and most restaurants close for about 24 hours. However, Christian sights like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for example can still be visited Friday afternoon. The Tower of David opens up again Saturday morning at 09:00h already. There is still stuff to do and see, so do not be put off by that idea of being ā€˜stuck in Jerusalemā€™ during Shabbat. Some tips:

  • Make sure you have accommodation on walking distance of the Old City as public transportation will not be available during Shabbat.
  • Avoid having to leave the city on Friday or Saturday on your own by public transport. Plan for example that half-day trip to Bethlehem by bus on another day. Avoid travel between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Friday or Saturday, transport possibilities are limited and pricier.
  • Take a guided Shabbat Experience Tour or go to the Western Wall yourself around sunset to see what is going on there and to see how Jews start Shabbat with prayers at the wall.
  • Arrange Shabbat dinner at for example Abraham Hostel Jerusalem (50 NIS) or try to get a spot at a homebased Shabbat dinner with a local family via Eatwith (starting at EUR 64 per person).Very few restaurants are open during Shabbat and national holidays in Jerusalem, but you may want to check Primitivo Wine Bar at King George St (see map below).
  • The Saturday of the Sabbat is a perfect day to do a day trip out of the city, for example a Day Trip to Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea.

National holidays

Contrary, I would recommend to avoid traveling to Israel during national holidays. Those tend to last several days up to a week in Israel. Shabbat only lasts 24 hours or so, so that is doable, but if not much is possible for multiple days it becomes counter-productive, annoying and may involve higher costs as well. So better check those national holidays before planning your Israel trip.

Safety

Whether you like it or not, safety is always something to keep in mind when traveling to Israel. As a female traveling alone to/in/around Jerusalem, I never felt unsafe. However, you must always make sure to check and follow the official travel advice from your Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you ignore a negative travel advice and still decide to go, your travel insurance might not pay out anything or help in case something happens to you. Better safe than sorry!

Muslim ladies walking towards the Dome of the Rock jerusalem
Muslim ladies walking towards the Dome of the Rock
Yeusefiya Cemetery for Muslims right behind the temple Mount Wall Jerusalem
Yeusefiya Cemetery for Muslims right behind the wall

Living in The Netherlands? Woon je in Nederland?

For Dutch people I would recommend ā€“ next to a good travel insurance ā€“ also to book their trip via a trade association ANVR travel agent. The benefit is that you will be covered by the unique Dutch Calamity Fund and the Dutch Travel Refund Guarantee Fund (SGR). When the official travel advise changes to negative, or the safety situation is such that you no longer wish to go, a professional travel agent can quickly take care and arrange everything for you. I booked my Israel trip via Jennie Visser Travel Counsellor, phone +316-51075713, jennie.visser@travelcounsellors.nl. Everything is tailor-made, exactly how you want it, within your budget and with excellent service. Recommended!

Voor Nederlanders zou ik naast een goede reisverzekering zeker aanraden om hun reis naar Israƫl te boeken via een ANVR aangesloten reisbureau. Het voordeel is dat je dan gedekt door het unieke Calamiteitenfonds en SGR. Wanneer het officiƫle reisadvies voor Israƫl vanuit het Nederlandse Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken omslaat naar negatief, of de veiligheidssituatie dermate verandert waardoor je niet meer wilt gaan, kan een professioneel reisbureau snel schakelen en alles voor je regelen. Ik boekte mijn Israƫl reis via Jennie Visser Travel Counsellor, telefoon 06-51075713, jennie.visser@travelcounsellors.nl. Alles wordt op maat gemaakt, precies zoals jij het wilt, binnen jouw budget en met uitstekende service. Aanrader!

Jennie Visser Travel Counsellor

Map Jerusalem Old City

This map includes places and spots mentioned in this article (and more). This one is ‘smartphone friendly’; you can easily use it via the Google Maps app. Click the icon at the top left to open the menu and see the categories. To adapt the map to your own preferences and interests, (de)select a category. Via Google Drive you can copy the map to your own My Google Maps account.

Soon I plan to post more articles about Israel and Jerusalem. Keep an eye on my social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram and subcribe to my newsletter to stay up-to-date.

I hope this article was helpful for you. Have you ever been to Israel? What keeps you from visiting Jerusalem? Please feel free to leave a comment or question below.


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Last Updated on 04/05/2021 by Elisa Flitter Fever

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