East

Sacred to Christians and Muslims, this medieval chapel—now part of a mosque—is on the supposed site of Christ's ascension. The chapel was built around 380 AD around a venerated imprint, now set in stone, of Christ's right foot. The chapel became a Muslim shrine after Saladin's conquest in 1187. If given a "tour" by the pushy guard, he will expect a gratuity for his services. Seems just to be a tourist nap, especially for Russians. Just remind him that you already paid ₪5 and walk away. Otherwise just skip this whole site.

Built over Constantine-era ruins, this church sits atop a grotto where Christ is believed to have taught the Paternoster (meaning "Our Father"), or Lord's Prayer. The church is famous for its tiled panels inscribed with the Lord's Prayer in more than 130 languages. The Seven Arches Hotel is a short walk from the church.

Near the Seven Arches hotel, definitely the best view of the Old City of Jerusalem. Come here to take panoramic pictures and be stunned by the beauty of the city.

At the top of the Jewish Cemetery, which spans the southwestern slope of the Mount of Olives, lies a large catacomb complex containing oven-shaped graves (kokhim). The Palestinian family which discovered the catacomb claims that the tombs belonged to the 5th century BCE prophets Haggai, Malachi and Zechariah. In reality, the catacombs date from a much later period, the 1st century AD. Bring a flashlight or use your smartphone's light.

The most ancient and most important cemetery in Jerusalem. Burial on the Mount of Olives started some 3,000 years ago in the First Temple Period, and continues to this day. Famous figures in Jewish history are buried here, including Nachmanides, S. Y. Agnon and Menachem Begin. The cemetery covers a large part of the Mount of Olives.

Its name meaning "The Lord Wept", this chapel was identified by medieval pilgrims as the place where Jesus wept over the fate of Jerusalem. The chapel's west window frames a breathtaking view of the Old City. A small collection of stone artifacts from nearby excavations are on display.

This Russian Orthodox Church, with its gilded onion domes, was built by Tsar Alexander III in 1885 in memory of his mother, Maria Alexandrovna, whose patron saint was Mary Magdalene. Tsar Alexander III's sister-in-law, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, was buried here after her murder during the Russian Revolution in 1920.

Also known as the Church of Agony because it is built over the rock where Jesus agonized about his death, this 4th-century church has been rebuilt many times, the most recent structure being the result of financial contributions from 12 nations. To commemorate the benefactors, the church was designed with 12 domes adorned with each country's coat of arms. The rock in the center of the nave is the remnant of the ruined Byzantine church. The plan of the Byzantine church is outlined on the floor in black marble. Next to the church is the surviving part of the Garden of Gethsemane with its centuries-old olive trees.

Directly across from the Church of All Nations, the Tomb of the Virgin is believed to be where the Disciples entombed Mary, the mother of Jesus. Forty-seven steps lead past side niches and down to crypt, which contains the burial place of Queen Melisande of Jerusalem, St. Anne and St. Joachim (Mary's parents) and the Virgin Mary. Outside, to the right of the entrance, is the Cave of Gethsemane, also known as the Cave of Betrayal, the traditional place of Judas's betrayal of Jesus.

The Rockefeller Museum was made possible by a substantial contribution by American oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller. The museum houses an impressive collection of antiquities, including a number of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Disputed to be an alternative to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the location of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the Garden Tomb is located a block north of the Damascus Gate. British general, Charles Gordon, popularized the view that the skull shaped hill just north of the city was the Golgotha referred to in the New Testament. Excavations have revealed an ancient tomb along with ruins of a cistern system and winepress—evidences that the site was once the location of a garden. Regardless of its authenticity, the lovely garden is worth a visit.

An impressive mosaic floor designed by Armenian Christian artists in about the 6th century. Call the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem (+972 2 628 2331) to arrange a visit.

The burial site of Queen Helena of Adiabene, a 1st-century Jewish monarch. The site is owned by the State of France, and unfortunately cannot be visited except on rare occasions.

An ancient cave tomb, traditionally the burial site of Simeon the Just, a Jewish leader and high priest in the 3rd or 4th century BCE. If you cannot get to Meron for the annual Lag BaOmer festivities, there is also a celebration here.

An ancient underground tomb with 23 niches, matching the 23 members of the "Minor Sanhedrin" (an ancient Jewish court).

Anglican cathedral built in 1899.

Museum dedicated to Palestinian folkloric heritage.

This was the main Jordanian fortification in East Jerusalem. Israel overran it in a bloody battle in 1967, leading to the capture of all of Jerusalem. Now the Israel Defense Force runs a museum here commemorating the battle.

The humanities faculties of Hebrew University, Israel's top-ranked university, are located here. The campus is quiet and leafy, but confusing to navigate. There are impressive lookouts on the Old City to the south west and the Judaean Desert to the east.

This Christian site is in Al Eizariya village, an eastern suburb of Jerusalem in the West Bank. Take bus 36, 63 or 263 from one of the Arab bus stations.

This is the place in which Jesus sent his disciples to find a donkey and a colt, upon which he would ride into Jerusalem. There is an annual Palm Sunday reenactment of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem which begins here.

Archaeological digs have shown that this hill is the Biblical city of Gibeah, which was King Saul's capital before David came to the throne. The ancient ruins are not visible, but you can see a large ruined modern building. King Hussein of Jordan started building a palace here in the 1960s, but the 1967 war interrupted this and the palace was never finished. Be careful around the palace ruins, as they are not in good repair. There is a good view from here of the surroundings.

An ancient Orthodox Christian monastery built over the ruins of a Byzantine church, surrounded by beautiful scenery.

One of the nicest nature sites in Jerusalem, particularly in February-March when the blue lupines are blooming. It has a great view of the Old City and also (on clear days) all the way east to Jordan. A good site for a picnic.

Outdoor sculpture dedicated to promoting peace and tolerance in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Ruins of a 5th-century Byzantine church, one of the earliest churches known to have been dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Participate in salvaging antiquities from debris that was dumped out of the Temple Mount during construction by Muslim authorities there. The basic program is two hours long. At the beginning, you get instructions on how to sift through the archaeological debris. At the end, the guide explains the significance of the artifacts that each of the participants have found. (Since April 2017, the debris is from the City of David, not from the Temple Mount, but this might change in the future.)

Free tours of the campus, and free evening concerts.

Overlooking Bethlehem, this hill is a popular destination for hiking. There are remains ruins scattered around the hill, including parts of the old Roman aqueduct that brought water to Jerusalem.