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City in the Southern Levant
Photo: askii, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Jerusalem (Hebrew: ירושלים Yerushalayim, Arabic: القدس al-Quds) is the largest city of Israel. Israel claims it as its capital and a few countries including the United States recognize that claim, but most other countries and the United Nations do not.
Surrounded by walls, this history-packed square kilometer is home to holy sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and is truly breathtaking. It was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Old City is by far the most important destination for travelers, although they usually sleep in hotels elsewhere in the city.
The part of Jerusalem controlled by Jordan from 1948 to 1967. It includes the entire east of the city, but also some suburban neighborhoods in the northwest and southwest. East Jerusalem is home to 250,000 Muslims and Christians, as well as nearly 200,000 Jews who live in neighborhoods constructed since 1967. The areas adjacent to the Old City are full of religious and historical attractions. (The Old City itself is politically part of East Jerusalem, but is described in a separate article.)
The Jewish-Israeli part of Jerusalem, also known as New Jerusalem, which has been part of Israel since 1948. It is the modern commercial heart of the city, having been the focus for development in the capital between 1948 and 1967.
This area is overwhelmingly inhabited by Haredi ("ultra-Orthodox") Jews, who give this area a distinctive feel compared to the rest of Jerusalem. Most of these neighborhoods are in West Jerusalem, but since 1967 some new neighborhoods have been built across the Green Line, in the northwest corner of East Jerusalem.
An ancient village which has been absorbed by Jerusalem's growth. Contains art galleries and churches.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This 3-5 hour guided tour covers most of Jerusalem's historical neighborhoods, including many places that most visitors never get to see. The tour includes The Knesset, The Valley of the Cross, Rehavia and Talbia, The German Colony, Mishkanit Shananim, Jaffa Gate the Russian Compound and Nachlaot. The ride goes through side streets, short cuts and alleys. Despite the hills around Jerusalem, the ride in the city is not as hard as people tend to think, and the ride can be modified to suit families and inexperienced riders. The Jerusalem Night ride includes a ride through the empty streets of the Old City.
Today a branch of the Israel museum, Rockefeller museum was opened in 1938. The museum is dedicated to archaeological finds in the Holy Land.
Ride a Segway around Jerusalem's historic sites while receiving a guided tour of the city's history. No Segway experience necessary.
For people interested in the environment this tour offers visitors to Israel the opportunity to head off the beaten-path and to experience a side of Israel rarely seen by visitors and students. They expose groups first-hand to Israel’s natural beauty, as well as its living, breathing culture of innovation. Despite its challenges, Israel is a global leader in green solutions to environmental problems. Eco Israel Tours provides an interactive, dynamic experience of this exciting world within Israel by exploring contemporary challenges and solution such as water and energy. For more information or to sign up for a tour, contact Yonatan Neril, Eco Israel Tours director.
Tours are provided every week by the Al-Quds University Center for Jerusalem Studies. Including tours of the Old City settlements, Ramparts and the tunnels. Tour guides are academics and historians who focus on the Palestinian perspective.
While the Old City walls always look dramatic, they look even more spectacular for one week each June, when artists from around the world come and illuminate the Old City with their creations. Every year this festival is more popular, and involves more of the Old City, than the year before.
A large fair featuring hundreds of artists and artisans displaying and selling their works, as well as performances, concerts, and other events. Held for two weeks each August, in the Sultan's Pool just west of the Old City.
Takes place during Sukkot each year, when thousands of marchers from around the world come to express their love for Jerusalem.
By train
In general, see rail.co.il for fares and timetables.
By bus
From Jerusalem there are buses from all over Israel. Since the high-speed train was launched, arriving by bus to the city is not recommended from Tel Aviv as its travel time is double.
By shared taxi
On the Sabbath, and very late at night, your only option other than a private taxi is a sherut (shared taxi).
By taxi
Cabs are plentiful in the city of gold. You can probably flag one down quickly by walking to the nearest busy street.
By car
Driving a car in Jerusalem is not recommended.
By light rail
The Jerusalem Light Rail line opened in 2011.
By bus
Buses are the main form of public transportation in areas not served by the light rail.
On foot
While Jerusalem is built in a mountainous area, the central areas of the city are rather flat and very walkable.
By bike
Jerusalem has bike paths, but the rights of cyclists are not always respected: you will frequently find bike paths blocked, and drivers will expect cyclists to give right of way, though they will not…
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Articles and travel topics about Jerusalem and Israel.
ItinerariesThe Jerusalem Trail (Hebrew שביל ירושלים) is a 38-km walking trail through Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Hills. It starts near Ein Handek, passes through Ein Kerem, Yad Vashem, the Old City area, Mount Scopus and Lifta,…
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsBuses are the most common form of public transportation in Israel for Israelis and foreigners alike. They are generally frequent and modern, but often slow.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Israel National Trail (Hebrew שביל ישראל, Shvil Yisrael) is Israel’s best-known long-distance hiking trail. It runs for about 1,000 km from the northern edge of the country near Kibbutz Dan to Eilat on the Red Sea,…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyJudaism is one of the monotheistic religions, sharing a common origin with the world's two most prolific religions, Christianity and Islam.
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