It is the city considered as the crossroads of world history for over three millennia! It is the city that experienced the death of the Crusaders and the Saracens until the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The combination of various peoples, religions and historical events make up and shaped the world we live in today. Whenever you visit the city, you will be flooded with experiences, cultural and Istrian landscapes, sacred places and talk about a trip of a lifetime.
Currency: Israel New Shekel
Calling Code: +972
Nearest airports from city center: Tel Aviv Airport (52km), Haifa Airport (148km). Eilat Airport (303km).
TOP – 10 SIGHTSEEING
*** CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
It was opened in 335 AD and is in the Christian quarter of the old city. See Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus. It is the church that gathers millions of visitors every year.
*** WESTERN WALL
It is the holiest point for the Jews and it started to be built in 19 BC. The wall in the square of the Jewish quarter is 19 meters high and 57 meters wide. It is the place of prayer and shelter of the Jews.
*** THE ISRAEL MUSEUM (Derech Ruppin 11, Jerusalem)
Visit one of the world’s leading museums to enjoy works of art, archeology exhibits, Jewish art and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
*** GETHSEMANE
At the foot of the Olives you will find the garden known as the place where Jesus Christ was arrested and began his martyrdom, taking on his shoulders the sins of mankind.
*** TOMB OF THE VIRGIN
Visit the Christian Monument in the Valley of the Cedars at the foot of the Olives. Historians say that that spot was the burial place of Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.
*** TOWER OF DAVID
It is a meeting point of ancient and modern times, east and west and the new gate of Jerusalem. Archaeological excavations reveal the evolution of the city over 3,000 years. See Jerusalem’s Tower of David Museum which is in what was once a fortress and its unique mix of religions.
*** DOME OF THE ROCK and Al-AQSA MOSQUE
Dating from the late 7th century, the Dome is a Muslim shrine located in the old city. There you will also find the Al-Aqsa Mosque and religious buildings.
*** DORMITION ABBEY – HAGIA MARIA
It was opened in 1910 and is a Catholic abbey belonging to the Benedictine order. Historians say that the mother of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary died at that point.
*** YAD VASHEM
It opened in 1953 and is the museum dedicated to the Holocaust. There are the Holocaust History Museum, the Holocaust Art Museum, memorials and sculptures.
*** ST. ANNE’S CHURCH
It was opened in the middle of the 12th century and is a French Roman Catholic church. Historians say that at that point was the home of the Virgin Mary’ parents, Joachim and Anne.
ΤΗINGS TO DO
*** Tour the Old Town and discover every corner of it.
*** The Garden Tomb is another place worth visiting.
*** Temple Mount is a place of worship that is visited by many tourists.
*** Visit the Western Wall tunnel for an unforgettable experience.
*** Bloomfield Science Museum, Herzl Museum and Bible Lands Museum are three museums that deserve your attention.
*** Museum of Islamic Art is yet another museum that gathers a lot of tourist attention.
*** Menachem Begin Heritage Center, Rockefeller Archaeological Museum and Hebrew Music Museum are three other places we would recommend you to visit.
FOOD AND DRINK
Jerusalem is a city where you will taste food from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Europe, the Asia and the USA. Of course you should try the Jewish cuisine and the traditional foods of the city such as falafel, hummus, bagel, baba ghanoush, msabbaha, sabich, shawarma, maqluba, Me’orav Yerushalmi, saksuka, burekas and couscous. In Jerusalem you will also find great meat dishes like Musakhan and Maqlouba.We would also recommend you to try the local salad and the wonderful supers such as red kubbeh soup. Be sure to taste the wonderful sweets of the city, such as knafeh, baklava, halva, pancake jachnun.
WHERE TO STAY
In Jerusalem you can find hundreds of accommodation, apartments and hotels for all budgets. The closer to the center or the old town, the better to explore the city on foot.
FUN AND SHOPPING
*** Visit one of the most important markets in the world, Mahaneh Yehudah Market.
*** The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens is another place that tourists prefer.
*** Alrov Mamilla Avenue is a place ideal for your shopping.
*** Laline Mamilla Mall, Center 1 Shopping Mall, Hadar Mall and Malcha Shopping Mall are four other places we would recommend you visit for your shopping.
HOW TO GET AROUND
The most beautiful way to get around the city is on foot, by bus or by tram.
CITIES NEAR JERUSALEM
Major cities close to Jerusalem are Bethlehem (9km), Hebron (28km), Petah Tikva (63km), Ashod (63km), Tel Aviv (66km), Netanya (95km), Amman (106km), Beer Sheva (107km), Nazareth (146km), Haifa (150km).
