With its many spiritual, historic and cultural sites, Jerusalem offers the millions of tourists who visit it every year, many opportunities for visits and discoveries. In order to benefit fully from your visit and to see a maximum, it’s important to organise your tour before your arrival.
To do this, here in Travel to Israel, we have chosen 5 things to do in Jerusalem to enjoy your stay. These are what our guides recommend for you:
Jerusalem’s Old City and its 4 quarters
The main religious sites in Jerusalem are concentrated here. Witness to several centuries of history and struggles between the different religious groups for control of the Holy Land, the Old City of Jerusalem contains, within under 1km (0.86km to be precise) a multitude of highly symbolic sites for the three main monotheistic religions. Surrounded by the walls of Jerusalem, its 4 quarters are the first port of call for Christian, Jewish and Muslin pilgrims from around the world.
In the Christian quarter, the Way of the Cross and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher allow one to relive Christ’s passion up to his tomb. Muslim faithful can admire on the Esplanade of the Mosques ,two major architectural and spiritual masterpieces : The Rock of the Dome and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Your visit to the “Three times Holy City” can continue in the Armenian quarter to discover the Tower of David before you arrive in the Jewish quarter in front of the Western / Wailing wall.
The Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum
Situated in the Jerusalem forest at more than 800 metres altitude on the western side of mount Herzl, the Yad Vashem memorial pays tribute to the victims of the Jewish genocide perpetrated by the Nazis during the Second World War. It’s a site full of emotion made up of several buildings and exterior gardens.
On entry one is struck by the monumental gate that reminds one of the people who were at the entrance to the concentration camps. Inside, among the must see buildings are the impressive Hall of Names and the “Building of the righteous among the Nations”.
Bethlehem, birth place of Jesus Christ
Bethlehem, a little town situated about ten kilometres south of Jerusalem is also one of Israel’s main religious centres. Birthplace of Jesus Christ according to Christian tradition, it’s also here that King David was born and crowned.
The Tomb of Rachel, the wife of Isaac, Abraham’s son is also situated in the town. There is also in the town, the Mosque of Omar,a very important Muslim building. With one of our guides, you can visit these different sites which are part of the 5 things to do in Jerusalem.
The Mahane Yehuda Market
Situated in the historic quarter of the same name, the Mahane Yehuda market has existed since the end of the 19th century. Open every day, it’s the ideal place to buy fresh local produce (fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese etc) along with handmade items. Several restaurants have attracted a younger clientele to this place that’s full of life. Famous chefs come to taste the local cuisine influenced by several cultures (Maroccan, Yemeni, Tunisian, Polish etc). Mix with the crowd of tourists and locals and have an authentic experience.
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