8 attractions in Jerusalem - the Holy City

There are several really interesting sights in Jerusalem. We came to the city during our road trip from Eilat in southern Israel and spent a night in this magical city. We haven't seen everything, but we can still suggest a few things that you should definitely see and experience if you come here. For us, it feels like a milestone to have been here. As if this is a place you really should visit once in a lifetime!

To Jerusalem by car

We came to Jerusalem by rental car, during our road trip from Eilat in southern Israel - a distance of about 30 miles and 4 -4.5 hours of driving. It was far from a boring trip, and further down in the post we link to all the exciting stops along the way. At the same time, we were most excited to see Jerusalem!

The first thing we noticed was a sign at the entrance to a Palestinian village just before Jerusalem informing, in large letters, that it was "dangerous" for Israelis to enter this road. The next thing we noticed (given all the black hats) was that we were probably driving through a Jewish neighbourhood.

Driving in big cities is always hard, but it was no worse in Jerusalem than anywhere else. We used our mobile phone (with an Israeli sim card) as a GPS.

We found a car park within walking distance of our hotel, but unfortunately we were unable to pay with the recommended apps (not only because they were in Hebrew, but also because they seemed to require Israeli ID numbers). Check with the rental company or tourist office if you plan to come by car!

Attractions in Jerusalem

There are many interesting sights in Jerusalem, and during our two days we made sure to see as much as possible. Here are eight places in the city that we think you shouldn't miss.

1. old town

The city and old town of Jerusalem must be one of the most intensely historical and religious, as well as political, places to visit in our part of the world. Here, the three Western religions live closely intertwined, perhaps in conflict but nevertheless indistinguishable.

Behind every bend is another mighty mosque, historic church or holy wall. You soon get used to both the guards with submachine guns and the black-clad Jewish men hurrying down the street in hats. Or rather, you get used to almost in any case.

Then mix this with the narrow alleys, where it is absolutely impossible to find, and with all the stalls selling spices, religious artefacts and Arab-style clothing. Can it be a Palestine bracelet or a T-shirt saying "America don't worry, Israel is behind you"? Welcome to the Old City of Jerusalem!

2. the Tower of David

The Citadel of David or Tower of David, located right next to the entrance to the Old Town called Jaffa Gate, dates back to the Ottoman period.

Although the tower is called the Tower of David, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with King David, who was the second king of Israel and a very important person in Israel's history. However, here you should be able to get a really good view of the city and there should also be an interesting museum. However, we were so early that the place, which opens at 10:00, had not yet opened ...

3. Western Wall

The Western Wall, formerly known as the Wailing Wall, is part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount. The site is sacred to both Jews and Muslims, and people from all over the world come here to pray. The wall is divided into a male section and a female section. It's no exaggeration to say that the male section was larger and the female section was narrower.

4. Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the most sacred places in Christianity. The church is located on Golgotha, the site of Jesus' crucifixion, and inside the church is the tomb where Jesus is said to have risen from the dead.

The church is huge and everywhere you go you feel like there is another room or another floor. We were really impressed by this church, partly because of the size and splendour, but also because of all the history that can be felt in the walls!

5. Via Dolorosa

The Via Dolorosa is the path that Jesus walked with the cross up to Golgotha, where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located and where the crucifixion took place. It's quite special to be in the place where Jesus lived, preached and was crucified! While walking here, we saw the sale of wreaths and crosses, while another vendor was happy to give us the Koran for free...

6. The Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock is considered the third holiest site in Islam after the Kaba in Mecca and the Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina. The Dome of the Rock is the oldest existing Muslim building in the world, but above all it is brilliantly beautiful where it sits on the Temple Mount (Haram al Sharif).

On the same hill is the al-Aqsa Mosque, which was built by the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab in 638 after Jerusalem was conquered by the Muslim Arabs.

7. Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives, located east of ancient Jerusalem, is mentioned in several places in the Bible. According to the New Testament, it was at the foot of this mountain, in the Garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus spent his last hours before being taken prisoner for his crucifixion.

You should also have a nice view of Jerusalem from here. Since we were here on a bad weather day (the blue sky in the picture turned grey), we decided to check out the Mount of Olives from a distance.

8. Mahane Yehuda Market

Mahane Yehuda Market is a bustling market where you'll find everything from dates, fresh fruits, spices and flowers to freshly baked bread, exotic pastries, fruit drinks and falafel. The narrow market streets run in all directions and never seem to end. It's really interesting to come here to check out the markets and local delicacies!

More sights in Jerusalem

Apart from what we managed to see during our trip, there is of course more to do and see in Jerusalem. Here are a few more tips:

• Yad Vashem is a Holocaust memorial centre. It houses several museums and exhibitions.
• The Israel Museum showcases archaeology and art, among other things. It contains over 500,000 artefacts, including the famous Dead Sea Scrolls.
• Sion hill is home to Jewish and Muslim shrines, as well as a number of churches. This is the site of the Last Supper, according to the Bible.

Also check out Peter's film, which gives some insight into life in Israel and the sights of Jerusalem.

Eating and shopping in Jerusalem

We chose to eat at small "holes in the wall" during our days in Jerusalem. There are plenty of simple eateries of this type, and they are often reasonably priced. Above all, we can recommend eating falafel in Jerusalem, it almost always tastes fantastic.

We didn't do much shopping, but it's fun to look around the stalls in the Old Town, where you can find everything from crafts and jewellery to spices and religious items.

Where to stay in Jerusalem?

So where to stay in Jerusalem? There are of course plenty of places to stay and we've only tried one. If you want to stay a little more basic, but still nice, this is a good option. Abraham Hostel has a lively but relaxed atmosphere and the staff are very service-minded. The rooms are not luxurious but ok and a simple breakfast is included in the price. The location is excellent by the way, a short walk from the Old Town.

See more of Israel

You'll need at least two days to look around Jerusalem, and if you have time to spare, there are plenty more things to do and see in Israel. For example, you can head to the dynamic coastal city of Tel Aviv in the west or to the holiday city of... Eilat in the south. On the road between Jerusalem and Eilat there are many interesting stops:

• Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found
• Dead Sea with its special environment and salty water
• Masada - the desert fortress with its dramatic history
• Avdat, which was once an important stop on the Smoke Road.
• Red Canyon with its red steep rocky crevices

Facts about Jerusalem

• Country: Israel
• District: Jerusalem
• Population: 874 000 (2016)
• Language: Hebrew (Arabic has "special status")
• Currency: New Shekel (ILS)

Attractions in Jerusalem: locations

• Tower of David, Old Town at Jaffa Gate
• Western Wall, adjacent to the Temple Mount
• Via Dolorosa, the road to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Mount of Olives, east of Old Jerusalem
• Mahane Yehuda Market, Agripas St 90
• Hill of Zion, 0.55 kilometres from West Jerusalem

Attractions in Jerusalem: Churches

• Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Old Town
• Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu, Sion Hill
• Dormition Abbey, Sion Hill
• Church of Mary Magdalene, Mount of Olives
• Church of All Nations, Mount of Olives

Attractions in Jerusalem: Mosques

• Dome of the Rock, Temple Mount
• Al Aqsa Mosque, Temple Mount
• Al-Buraq Mosque, Temple Mount

Attractions in Jerusalem: Synagogues

• Great Synagogue Jerusalem, King George St 56
• Hurva synagogue, Ha-Yehudim street

Attractions in Jerusalem: Museums

• Yad Vashem, Har Hazikaron
• The Israel Museum, Derech Ruppin 11
• Bloomfield Science Museum, Museum Boulevard

Restaurants in Jerusalem

• Restaurant Machneyuda, with an open kitchen where 3 chefs work to put together new dishes every day, using fresh produce directly from the market. Address: Beit Ya'akov St 10.
• The Eucalyptus is a kosher restaurant with a modern twist in the Artist Quarter. Chef Moshe Basson's speciality is the tasting menu; book a table in advance. Address: Khativat Yerushalayim 14
• Restaurant Anna is located in Jerusalem's city centre triangle in the 1860 Ticho House. A mid-priced vegetarian kosher restaurant. Address: 10 HaRav Agan Street.
• Chakra at Independense park in the city centre with veteran chef Eran Peretz serving the best in meat. They also have tasting menus and a must book a table in advance. Address: 41 King George Street
• Kosher restaurant Rooftop Mamilla Hotel on the roof with outstanding views of the city. Fish, vegan and vegetarian, they are known for their cocktails, wine list and grandiose dishes. Booking a table is a must! Address: 11 Sholmo ha-Melekh Street
• Adom, located in Jerusalem's old railway station, serves vegan and vegetarian dishes. Medium price range. Address: David Remez St 4
• Restaurant Mona, reputed to be one of the best in Jerusalem, with charmingly dark walls and fireplaces. Address: Shmu'el ha-Nagid St 12
• Azura which you can find in the Mahane Yehuda market belongs to "street food". It has the best hummus. Address: Mahane Yehuda Market