Jerusalem is one of the world’s oldest cities. It is considered holy by the three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
It is a must-visit destination for both citizens and tourists. Jerusalem has many attractions, and I will share the most popular ones with you on this page.
Map of Jerusalem
Interactive map of the area:
Attractions Inside and Near the Old City
- We will start with the jewel in the crown: The Old City. On its premises, you can find “The Big Three,” which are the Western Wall, Church Of The Holy Sepulchre, and Dome Of The Rock & Al-Aqsa Mosque. We will also visit additional points of interest like the Church of the Redeemer, Davidson Center, Zedekiah’s Cave, and the Roman Plaza. Another place I did not mention in that post is the City of David (not the same as the Tower of David). The City of David is the place where it all began. It offers several different routes. If you love archeology and walking underground, then definitely check it out.
- If you explored the Old City for several days and feel there is nothing more to see, do not worry. Around the Old City, you can find many places to visit. On Mount Zion, there is The Cenacle – Room of the Last Supper, King David’s Tomb, and Dormition Abbey. And on the Mount of Olives, you can find many churches.
- Join us for a tour of the Tower of David.
- At the Ramparts Walk in Jerusalem, we will cover the Southern and Northern routes. Ramparts Walk offers a different view of the old city. While walking on top of the old city’s massive walls, you can see both inside/outside from a high viewpoint, which makes it an exciting experience. Moreover, this is something your kids will most likely enjoy. But there are downsides as well.
- Join us for a Weekend in Jerusalem. During the weekend, among other attractions, we will visit the Hebrew Music Museum and YMCA, take the Machane Yehuda Market Tour, and go for Kabbalat Shabbat at the Western Wall.
- Have you ever wondered what attractions there are for children? If so, then check out Jerusalem With Kids.
If you are wondering where the best viewpoints are in the city, see 14 Best Views of Jerusalem.
Note: if you are looking for lodging, see Best Hotels in Jerusalem.
Further Away Attractions
- At Tzurim Valley National Park, you can join the sifting project and enjoy a unique and genuine archeological experience.
- Our visit to the Rehaviya neighborhood will include Ratisbonne Monastery, Bezalel Street, and Monastery of the Cross.
- Ein Kerem, in literal translation: “Spring of the Vineyard,” was an ancient village of the Jerusalem District and now a neighborhood in southwest Jerusalem. This picturesque neighborhood features numerous churches and art galleries, making it an ideal spot to spend half a day.
- Biblical Zoo is probably my favorite zoo in Israel for several reasons. The linked post provides more about those.
- Israel Aquarium is situated in a newly constructed building near the zoo. Thus, it has advantages. For example, you can visit it regardless of the weather.
- Machane Yehuda Market is the most famous market in Jerusalem. In recent years, it has also become a popular tourist attraction with plenty of tours and workshops.
- The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens at Givat Ram house more than 7,000 species of plants from around the world.
- A day trip along HaNeviim Street includes less popular points of interest, such as Holy Trinity Cathedral, Italian Hospital, and Ethiopian Church. We will also be visiting Nachlaot and Mahane Yehuda Market.
Tours
- Selichot are Jewish poems and prayers of repentance, recited during the period preceding the High Holidays in preparation for the Days of Awe, from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur. Join us for the Selichot Tour in the Old City.
- During Hanukkah, you can find many tours. We visited several of those Hanukkah Tours. In the first one, we went through the Jewish Quarter, Four Sephardic Synagogues, and of course, the Western Wall. And the second one was a tour of the Western Wall Tunnels.
- Knesset – The Parliament Tours will take you through a brief history of Israel and the Knesset building.
- The National Library of Israel relocated to a stunning new building in 2023. You can explore it on your own or join a guided tour.
Museums in Jerusalem
- The Israel Museum is Israel’s most significant cultural institution. Founded in 1965, the Museum has many wings, including Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Jewish Art Wings. It also features the most extensive holdings of biblical and Holy Land archaeology worldwide.
- Bloomfield Science Museum is a great attraction for kids and adults who love hands-on science. And it is open on Saturdays.
- The Hebrew Music Museum in Jerusalem exhibits antique musical instruments from various periods and geographical places.
- The Friends of Zion Museum showcases the Jewish people’s dream of returning to their homeland and the courageous non-Jews who supported them.
- The Museum of Islamic Art, despite its modest size, boasts many exciting discoveries, including a stunning watch collection.
- The medieval citadel, Tower of David, is a historical museum that tells the story of Jerusalem and holds light shows.
- The Herzl Museum in Jerusalem tells the story of Theodor Herzl and his contributions to the establishment of the state of Israel.
- National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel offers different tours.
- Ticho House is a lovely and refreshing stop amidst the bustling city. This historic building houses an art exhibition and a restaurant.
For additional info about museums, see 15 Best Museums in Jerusalem.
Festivals
- The Knights Festival is an annual event held at various locations in Jerusalem since 2009. You can see many medieval activities at the Knight Festival beyond the Knight fights.
- The Festival of Light is a free annual event that has taken place since 2008. It is usually held for a week in June in the Old City. Each year, new light installations are presented, and I recommend visiting.
Planning a Trip to Jerusalem
If this is your first time in Israel, I recommend visiting Jerusalem. Moreover, for a short trip of a week or less, you can see only Jerusalem, as you will find enough things to do in Jerusalem and its surroundings. If you plan a trip to Israel that includes other areas, check out the Israel Trip Planner.
The end route depends on your interests, preferences, and limitations. Here, I will only suggest a possible itinerary for the day.
Old City (1-2 days)
Old City includes the Western Wall, Church Of The Holy Sepulchre, and Dome Of The Rock. Besides “The Big Three,” there are plenty of points of interest. You can explore the ancient parts of the Old City at the Davidson Center. Enjoy stunning views from the bell tower at the Church of the Redeemer. Hike on the walls using the Ramparts Walk. Go underground to Western Wall Tunnels. And enjoy the Night Spectacular at the Tower of David.
Furthermore, you will wander around the Old City and the market between all those attractions. And these are not all the attractions. So you can easily spend more than one day in the Old City.
I should mention that many people want to learn and save time. Therefore, they join one of the tours. There are many tours in Jerusalem, and the most popular route is the “Jerusalem of three religions.”
Around The Old City (1 day)
You can spend another day Around The Old City. A popular place to visit is the City of David. Little further ahead, on Mount Zion, there is The Cenacle – Room of the Last Supper, King’s David Tomb, and Dormition Abbey. Mount of Olives offers excellent views and houses historical places like the Garden of Gethsemane, Church of All Nations, Tomb of the Virgin, Church of Mary Magdalene, and others. On the other side of the Old City, you can enjoy a stroll in the picturesque Mishkenot Sha’ananim neighborhood.
Exploring The Modern City (2-3 days)
You can hike along HaNeviim Street till you reach Machane Yehuda Market. You can also spend a nice half-day at Ein Kerem. And then visit nearby Yad Vashem. It is among the top 10 most popular sites in Israel. Moreover, you can enjoy the museums mentioned above (like the Israel Museum).
To see how we spent a weekend in the city, visit ‘Weekend in Jerusalem’.
Near Jerusalem (1-3 days)
The most popular one-day getaway from Jerusalem includes a visit to Masada National Park and the Dead Sea. Besides floating in the Dead Sea, you can visit Ein Gedi and Qumran Caves National Parks. If you prefer not to rent a car or would like to have a guide, you can join a tour.
Bet Guvrin National Park and Avshalom Cave Nature Reserve are located not far from Jerusalem (and each other). And visiting both will be an exciting experience.
Another one-day tour option involves visiting several cities on the West Bank, like Nablus. This has become more prevalent recently, but I would not recommend doing it yourself. If you are interested, look for a tour.
Jordan (1-3 days)
Some people combine a visit to Jerusalem with a visit to Jordan. You can book a 1-3 day tour to Jordan that includes Petra and other notable sites.
Common Questions
What To Do in Jerusalem With Kids?
Jerusalem offers numerous attractions for children. Here are several examples: Bloomfield Science Museum, Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Israel Aquarium, Hebrew Music Museum, Jerusalem Knights Festival, and more. For an entire post on this topic, check out Jerusalem With Kids.
What Do You Do On Saturday In Jerusalem?
Although there is no public transportation and many attractions are closed on Saturdays, there are still plenty of options. First of all, you should keep in mind that not all Christian places are affected. Thus, you can easily visit them in the Old City (including the Western Wall). Another option would be to visit museums like the Israel Museum and the Bloomfield Science Museum. You can also visit the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo and the Israel Aquarium and explore Ein Kerem. Moreover, you could always travel to nearby attractions (as mentioned in the Near Jerusalem section above).
What are your favorite Things To Do in Jerusalem? Let us know in the comments below.
