Location: Jerusalem
Top Things to do in Jerusalem
Things to do in Jerusalem, Jerusalem District: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Religious pilgrims have been traveling to Jerusalem for centuries, yet you don’t have to share their zeal in order to appreciate this city’s profound cultural and historical significance. Plan on seeing the major sights, but also leave plenty of time to walk through the streets and simply immerse yourself in the daily life of such an ancient and revered place.
Restaurants in Jerusalem
1. Gornenskiy Monastery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By bfindysz - Jerusalem District, Israel
On a stunning, late winter Saturday morning we went to see this little jewelry box of a Russian Orthodox church, which was begun in 1905 by the Czar's sister-in-law, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, but left without a roof by the Communist Revolution and only completed in 2005, after the fall of Communism. Once called Moskovia by Arab locals, today 5 golden onion domes, one of which is a bell tower, beckon visitors to explore this off-the-beaten- track convent compound. Closed Sundays and holidays, best to go by car on Saturdays because there is no traffic nor charge for parking in Hadassah Hospital complex, which you have to enter to get to the church. Taking public transportation would require a very long hike through hospital med school residences just to get to the gate of the convent. Hours 10;00-13:00 and 15:30-18:00. Leave time to stroll around the quiet grounds as well as go into the church.
2. Underground Jerusalem
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By armandoz899 - Dubrovnik, Croatia
We were extremely satisfied with our tour guide Jano Gleizer from Ben Harim tours, they have been supportive and accommodating. Jano's knowledge of the city is beyond what I expected and it resembled a cultural-history class more than just a tour. We were certainly lucky to have him as we had ample time and opportunity to discuss Biblical history with actual facts. Fast paced with accurate information. My wife and I both gave him 5 stars for this particular tour. Bein Harim should be proud to have him on board.
3. Western Wall Observation Deck
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 53 reviews
Awarded "One of the Top Ten Panoramic Views in the World" ..the Lookout Observation Deck on top of the Aish HaTorah World Center in the Jewish Quarter. The 360 degree view of the most important sites in the Holy Land -The Western Wall Plaza, the Temple Mount with its Golden Dome, Mount of Olives, City of David, Jordananian Hills, Judean Desert all atop an architectural/historical monument.
4. Western Wall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,159 reviews
The remains of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and a place of prayer sacred to the Jewish people.
Reviewed By PeterWJr46 - Poughkeepsie, United States
It was hard to believe that part of the temple that existed when Our Lord walked the earth, is still there. The West Wall is sacred to the Jewish faith and a testament to the life of Our Savior and His teaching in this very temple. The wall, itself, is divided by a separation for men and for women. It was interesting to see how this divide is so prevalent in this religious atmosphere. Security was ever present around the entrances and within the courtyard leading to the West Wall. It is a holy site and should be treated as such.
5. The Way of the Cross - Via Dolorosa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,661 reviews
Starting at St. Stephen's (Lions') Gate in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, this is the route Jesus is said to have followed as he carried the Cross to his crucifixion.
Reviewed By florentinadriang - Arad, Romania
Starting from Fortress Antonia, near the Lions Gate, in the Muslim quarter, the pilgrimage goes up to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, located in the Christian district. According to traditions from the 4th century, this place houses the two most holy places of Christianity: the one where Jesus was crucified, known as Golgotha, and the place where Jesus was buried, and then Resurrected. . The route has 14 stations related to the Passions experienced by Jesus, within the basilica itself being the last five stations on Via Dolorosa, which represent the final episodes of the Passions. The area around the basilica preserves the location, shape and a few columns of the Church of the Resurrection built by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, on the place of the tomb of Christ.
6. Jaffa Gate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,010 reviews
The main entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City faces the west toward the old port of Jaffa, and is located next to one of the city’s best-known sites, the Tower of David or Citadel. There are seven gates open: New Gate, Zion, Dung, Jaffa, Lions’ (St. Stephen's), Herod’s, and Damascus (Shechem).
Reviewed By Ivisitedtheplace - Israel, null
So after I took my tour group of one to survey around the Old City of Jerusalem (read my review and see my photos from yesterday ), and after observing the 1,950 year old relics of the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (see my review and photos from tomorrow), and after late afternoon prayer at the Western Wall, we traversed the Old City and Armenian Quarter (see my two artistic photos), walked past the Tower of David (see my eight photos posted yesterday), and finally exited through this Jaffa Gate, towards our final destination of Mamilla Mall and Cafe Rimon ( did you guess? Yes- read my reviews of them in the coming days). This Jaffa Gare is with entry at jagged perpendicular entry- for the security and protection of the residents. The deep 20 centimeter thick and 6 meter high doors are quite impressive. Yes/ most people just rush through them as if it’s no big deal.... well it is. And here’s my tour guide tip that I told my tourist and I’ll tell you- as soon as you enter and look at the left, you see two Arabic gravestones- who has the great honor of perpetuity by being buried there? So Suleiman the Magnificent, supreme ruler of the Turkish Ottoman Empire commissioned the two greatest architects in the world of that time to build in 1538 this Old City wall that you see. And after its completion, the emperor wanted to ensure that these master builders would never build anything more that could compare in majesty and grandeur to these Jerusalem Old City walls. .... so here are buried those two architects and builders. To which my one tour person replied, “Nice guy- life in the 1500s.” No photos this time- we were rushing to eat after the 25 hour complete fast of food and water. But believe me - “I visited this place”... yesterday.
7. Eglise du Saint-Sepulcre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,791 reviews
Built in the fourth century over the site of a Roman Pagan temple, this is considered one of the world’s holiest shrines to Christians, preserving the most important moments of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Reviewed By BillPNo1 - Friendswood, United States
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the most Holy and Sacred places in Jerusalem, or actually in all of Christendom! The Church of the Holy Sepulchre may be the most sacred places for anyone to visit in Jerusalem; although at times the lines of Pilgrims and crowds of reverent worshippers may be somewhat distracting, one cannot be in awe of what occurred there and what Our Lord suffered there. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre may be the single most important reason to visit the Holy Land and a visit there is certain to leave anyone with a hushed and powerful feeling for the sanctity of the place. I have been blessed to have been able to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on two occasions: each tome I was filled with inspiration and the feeling of awe for the sanctity of the Church. I hope I will be able to visit again, sometime, but feel that my life was changed by even my first two visits!
8. Ben Yehuda Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 924 reviews
Named after Eliezer Ben Yehuda who revived Hebrew as a modern language, this busy street is filled with cafes, shops and street vendors. Visit ben-yehudah-streetDOTcom to see shops and businesses on Ben Yehuda Street
Reviewed By chocolatandante - Jerusalem District, Israel
Very interesting shops, street musicians, good eateries. No cars on the street, so easy to walk around.
9. Damascus Gate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 565 reviews
Built by Suleiman the Great in 1537, this is considered Jerusalem’s most grand and ornate gate. There are seven gates open: New Gate, Zion, Dung, Jaffa, Lions’ (St. Stephen's), Herod’s, and Damascus (Shechem).
Reviewed By Mary-Li-Yuan - Athens, Greece
Sheruts (shared minivans) from Tel Aviv will leave you there, at Damascus Gate. The gate is the most well preserved of all the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem (only 7 are open now) with a great architecture. I learned a lot about its history from Emperor Hadrian's time to Suleiman the Magnificent until nowdays, but I didn't take enough information about its role in the Gospels and its history in the era of Jesus. The gate nowdays is the most convinient way to get inside the city. Just a little before the entrance you'll find a lot of local restaurants and cafes (chhoose that from 1952) and a few minutes after you get in it's the most reasonable exchange office with the best rate in Jerusalem.
10. Jewish Quarter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,834 reviews
Following two devastating wars and 20 years of enemy occupation, the Jewish Quarter of Old Jerusalem was reconstructed with great attention to harmonious architectural detail. The highlight of the quarter is the excavation of the Cardo, the ancient Roman market street.
Reviewed By Cuatrodivas - Tucson, United States
We took a tour that took us around the whole place. It is amazing that with a turn you are in the Jewish Quarters, or in the Muslim, the Christian or the Armenina. Very distinct clothing and shops give you the clues, unless your guide lets you know. But it is very clear when you see the clothing of the people change and their products for sale too. It was a colorful visit to the Old City and walk through all the Quarters. You can see the Menorah in a glass container, you can see the one muslim Temple in the middle of the Jewish Quarter, and also some of the historical sites that are preserved for people to see. Really nice walk. Enjoy it!
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