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Jan
10
Jerusalem Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Israel
A trip to Jerusalem
The holiest city on the planet has also been one of the most troubled in the past few decades, but that shouldn’t put visitors off from this once-in-a-lifetime destination. The main airport outside of the city also serves nearby Tel Aviv making it extremely convenient; not least because flights come into here from across the region and the world. Security is tight around the airport and the city but that shouldn’t spoil your enjoyment of sights such as the Wailing Wall and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Flights to Jerusalem
Ben Gurion Airport, the main air hub for Jerusalem and the rest of Israel, has recently seen a new terminal built. Terminal 3 has become the main terminal for international flights. National carrier El Al runs flights to over 40 overseas destinations such as New York, Moscow and Hong Kong. The airport also receives a huge number of other carriers which reach every corner of the globe. Some European budget airlines also run flights to Ben Gurion Airport such as XL Airways and Thomson Fly. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Jerusalem try Thomas Cook. Getting to the airport requires passing through numerous security checkpoints which can take time but transport links are good. Trains, buses, shared and private taxis reach the city in between 40 minutes and one hour.
Around the city many people travel by bus, but there are also private taxis readily available. A light railway network will be completed in 2008. Many people decide to walk around the city as there is a lot to see and many of the distances involved are short.
Jerusalem
Sightseeing in Jerusalem
Depending on your religion, you will probably choose a very particular set of sights to visit. The most important Jewish monuments are the Wailing Wall and Temple Mount while Muslims consider the Al-Aqsa Mosque as the most important building in Jerusalem. For Christians, it’s the Church of the Holy Sepulchre supposedly the place where Jesus died and was buried.
Many of the sites are not directly related to religion. Old Jerusalem boasts some of the most impressive structures such as the Ottoman era city walls. Interesting museums such as the Israel Museum, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Yad Vashem, are other must-sees.
Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Jerusalem’s restaurants typically feature the full complement of Middle Eastern fare such as falafel, humus and plenty of mezze. You can also find American fast food joints along with Italian restaurants. Religious sensibilities means pork is off the menu so don’t try to order bacon – it’s not kosher in these parts.
For a devotedly religious city, Jerusalem has a throbbing night scene that generally involves bars or drinking in restaurants or at home until around midnight before hitting a night club until the sun comes up. The Ben Yehuda Street area has an abundance of night venues to explore.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Jerusalem boasts a good number of markets and bazaars that sell a range of goods particularly t-shirts that specialise in Jewish humour. The Old City is the place to head for a good selection of street stalls and small shops. Ben Yehuda Street features a pedestrian shopping area with plenty of boutiques and up-market shops selling everything from clothes to DVDs.
Daytrips
A number of fascinating attractions that are suitable for daytrips lie close to Jerusalem, including the must-see pilgrimage site of Bethlehem. Revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews alike, the town is home to the imposing Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe that Jesus was born.
Just west of the city is the Arab Christian village of Abu Gosh, home to the Notre Dame d’Arche d’Alliance, where allegedly once stood the Ark of the Covenant. City dwellers descend upon the village each Sabbath for a feast of tasty stuffed vegetables, grilled meat and baklava pastries.
Head to the stunning Ein Hemed National Park for picnics surrounded by natural beauty. Visitors can explore the farmhouse built during the Crusades, between the 11th and 13th centuries, and view remains of an old oil press in the courtyard.
Must-see attractions
The Via Dolorosa or Road of Sorrow is one of Jerusalem’s must-see attractions, especially for Christians. Jesus is believed to have taken this path to his crucifixion and every Friday a procession is led by priests and pilgrims.
From the 1st century BC Citadel, visitors can enjoy incredible views of the Old City and downstairs at the Museum of the History of Jerusalem can learn about the past 4,000 years in the world’s holiest city. For a quicker history of Jerusalem, head to the Time Elevator, where visitors can enjoy a thirty minute semi virtual reality tour through the ages.
The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens are a wonderful place for the family to enjoy. Set on the outskirts of the city surrounded by countryside, the zoo is home to many of the animals mentioned in the Bible. Visitors can enjoy camel rides and picnicking in the beautiful surroundings.
Best time to go
Winters in Jerusalem are usually cold and wet so most tourists choose to visit in the summer months, when the weather is hot and dry. Temperatures peak at around 30°C in the summer, but it rarely feels too hot because of the low humidity. Starting on Palm Sunday each year, Holy Week is the one event which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all faiths and this is a wonderful time to visit if you can.
Rainy day suggestions
If you’re visiting in winter, you’ll definitely want to plan a few indoor attractions into your itinerary for rainy days. The Yad Vashem Museum is a memorial to the millions of Jews who died during the Holocaust and contains the most thorough collection of WWII memorabilia in the world, while the excellent Bible Lands Museum houses a collection of beautiful artefacts of religious, social or economic importance. Other interesting attractions include the LA Mayer Memorial Museum of Islamic Art and the Underground Prisoners Museum.
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