You cannot hope to see Jerusalem in depth in less than three to four days…. Or maybe a lifetime! There is much to see and to explore. Below are just a few “Musts”, but be sure to leave yourselves time to wander around the various neighborhoods, to sample both the Israeli food and the shopping, and to chat with the residents. Most speak English these days, and are only too happy to talk, explain, discuss politics, and to advise! Jerusalemites are friendly and helpful.
Jerusalem Shopping
Ben Yehuda Street, in the centre of town is a great shopping area, here you will find souvenirs, Judiaca, loads of coffee shops and fast food restaurants. Emek Refaim in the German Colony is another area for shopping and great for “people watching”. It has become the trendy area of Jerusalem, again with great souvenir shops, jewellery stores and a variety of restaurants. There is a relatively new open air mall near the Old City Walls called the Alrov Mall. Here you will find branches of all the well known brands, both Israeli and foreign.
There is a large, air-conditioned shopping mall, in the Malha area. This is the largest Mall in the city, and includes a cinema complex.
Jerusalem Attractions
Machane Yehuda Market is an authentic market. The variety of fruit, vegetables, spices, fish, cheese, meat is amazing. It is colorful, exotic, and an absolute must for any tourist. Recently a few coffee shops and restaurants have opened in the market. Serving, as you would imagine, the freshest salads in the world!
Bus Tours - There is a comfortable, double-decker (London style) bus with an audio guide that runs around the City several times a day. This could be a fun way to start to get an idea of Jerusalem.
http://www.city-tour.co.il/
The Western Wall always has people praying, and putting notes into the crevices. Wishes, requests, dreams and prayers. add your own; this is affectionately called God’s Post Office.
To the side of the Western wall are the Western Wall tunnels. This visit has to be planned in advance, but it is certainly one of the highlights of the area.
Walk through the Old city, and visit the Arab market… You are expected to haggle over prices, and the vendors will be disappointed if you do not!
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is just off the main thoroughfare of the Old City. The Church reputedly stands on the site of Calvary, where Jesus was crucified, and the Tomb where he was buried. It remains, since the 4th Century, the holiest Christian site in the world.
Yad Vashem, Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Museum is Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust where six million Jews perished at the hands of the Nazis. This Museum needs at least three hours to visit and absorb, and be sure to go the Children’s Memorial Pavilion. Children under the age of 10 are not allowed.
Opening hours,
Sunday – Thursday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Friday 9.00am – 2.00pm.
Buses: 13,17,18,20,21,23,24,26,27,39,99
Tel No. 972-2- 644 3400
http://www.yadvashem.org.il/
The Israel Museum. The Museum is undergoing major reconstruction, but nevertheless some wings are still open to the public. The pavilion housing the Dead Sea Scrolls is open, as is the Children’s Wing. The Sculpture garden is open and the Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period.
Opening hours:
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 10.00am-5.00pm
Tuesday 4.00pm – 9.00pm.
Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm.
Tel No. 02 6708811
Buses: 9,17,24,24a,31 & 32
info@imj.org.il
The Tower of David Museum
This museum is situated just inside the Jaffa Gate, in the restored ancient Citadel which was constructed by Herod the Great 2,000 years ago. It shows Jerusalem’s history through displays and exhibits. Canaanites, Jews, Greeks and Romans, Crusaders, Muslims, Turks, British and Israelis are brilliantly presented and will give the visitor a short, but comprehensive history of this fascinating city.
Opening hours: Sunday through Thursday 10.00am – 4.00pm
Friday closed. Saturday 10.00am – 2.00pm.
Tel. No. 972-2- 626 5333
http://www.towerofdavid.org.il/
Chagall Windows at the synagogue in the Hadassah Medical Centre. Marc Chagall was present at the dedication of the windows, which took two years to make. Each window represents one of the twelve tribes of Israel. At the opening ceremony in 1962 he said “This is my modest gift to the Jewish people who have always dreamt of biblical love, friendship and peace among all peoples”. The windows were created with the Bible as Chagall’s inspiration, and each window is a specific color and contains a quotation from Jacob’s blessing on his twelve sons.
Opening hours:
Sunday – Thursday 8.00am – 1.15pm, 2.00pm – 3.45.pm
Buses, 12, 19 & 27.
http://www.hadassah.org.il/
Ein Kerem a small picturesque village, reputed to be the birthplace of St. John the Baptist. This is one of Jerusalem’s most beautiful neighborhoods. It is situated in a forest with charming stone houses and churches. It is a pilgrimage site for many Christian visitors, and it is here, according to tradition that Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother met Mary the mother of Jesus, who was also pregnant, and where Mary drank the cool water of the well. Now called Mary’s Well. The village is charming, with great walks and a few pleasant restaurants with the great view of the Jerusalem hills.
Jerusalem Getaway
If you get tired of being a tourist, and would like “time out” why not try a swimming pool for a few hours? All the five star hotels in the city have pools, and they are spotless and very pleasant. It’s not cheap, but it does make a break. Also there is a pool in the Ramat Rachel Kibbutz, and a Municipal pool in the German Colony, these are slightly cheaper. There is a great indoor pool in YMCA, opposite the King David Hotel.
There is also the option of a massage; again, most five star hotels have health clubs and spas with varied massages and other beauty treatments. They accept bookings from non-hotel residents.
There is a way of “segwaying” around part of the city, and these Segways can be rented from: The City of David, which Also books the tours for the Western Wall Tunnels.
Tel: 972-2- 626 2341
Jeep tours can be booked for trips into the desert. Ten minutes outside Jerusalem and “oops” you are off road, and within another ten minutes you are seemingly miles away from civilization! A great experience!
And if you are in shape, bicycles can be rented to ride around the Jerusalem hills. Both of these fun things can be booked through : http://www.matzok.co.il/
Moshav Aminadav 1
Harei Yehuda 90855
Mobile: 972-52-3865612
Phone: 972-2-6431342
More of Jerusalem
Jerusalem Restaurants
Jerusalem for Kids
Jerusalem Festivals
Jerusalem Weather
Jerusalem Synagogues
Jerusalem Museums
Jerusalem WI-FI
Jerusalem Hotels