Jerusalem

ירושלים

The ancient capital and spiritual heart of both Judaism and Christianity, home to the Western Wall, Temple Mount, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Old City's winding stone streets. A visit to Jerusalem is essential for understanding the region's profound religious and historical significance.

Things to do

• Western Wall — The holiest site in Judaism, this retaining wall of the Second Temple Mount allows visitors to pray at its base, with separate sections for men and women.
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre — Christianity's most sacred church, believed to contain Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus, featuring ornate chapels and pilgrims from across Christendom.
• Temple Mount — Islam's third-holiest site crowned by the golden Dome of the Rock, with stunning views over Jerusalem and access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque (modest dress required; non-Muslims have limited visiting hours).
• Old City ramparts walk — A 4.5-kilometer stone pathway circling the Old City walls offering panoramic views of the Kidron Valley, Mount of Olives, and historic gates.
• Mount of Olives viewpoint — Overlook the entire Old City and Temple Mount from this ancient burial ground, especially stunning at sunset, accessible by foot or cable car.
• Israel Museum — World-class institution housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, biblical artifacts, and modern Israeli art in a sprawling garden campus.
• Arab bazaar (Souk) — Labyrinthine marketplace within the Old City where vendors sell spices, textiles, ceramics, and souvenirs amid vibrant chaos and narrow stone alleys.
• Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial — Moving museum and memorial dedicated to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, with personal testimonies and historical documentation.

Food to try

• Hummus — Creamy chickpea paste blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic, served with olive oil and warm pita bread, a staple found at every corner.
• Falafel — Deep-fried balls of ground chickpeas and spices served in pita with tahini sauce and fresh vegetables, Jerusalem's quintessential street food.
• Shakshuka — Eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce, traditionally served in a cast-iron skillet with bread for dipping, popular for breakfast throughout the city.
• Mansaf — Tender lamb cooked in a yogurt-based sauce flavored with sumac and served over rice, a Palestinian dish beloved in Jerusalem's Arab quarters.
• Za'atar bread — Flatbread topped with the herbaceous za'atar spice blend (thyme, sumac, sesame) and olive oil, warm from neighborhood ovens.
• Jerusalem bagel (Kaak) — Crispy sesame-seed-coated bread ring sold by street vendors, eaten plain or stuffed with cheese or za'atar, a local favorite since Ottoman times.

Local customs & good to know

• Shabbat observance — From Friday evening to Saturday night, much of the Jewish city shuts down for the Sabbath; plan activities accordingly and respect closures of restaurants and shops in observant neighborhoods.
• Modest dress for religious sites — Visitors should cover shoulders and knees when entering mosques, churches, and the Western Wall area; women may need to cover their hair in certain sections.
• Language and greetings — Hebrew and Arabic are both spoken; learning basic greetings like 'Shalom' (Hebrew) and 'Salaam' (Arabic) shows respect and opens doors with locals.
• Photography restrictions — Some religious sites prohibit photography, particularly inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and during prayers; always ask before photographing people or in sensitive areas.