Jerusalem Travel Blog

You don’t have to drive too far out of Jerusalem to get a completely different view of Israel.  Many Israelis view Jerusalem as a separate entity from the rest of the country, so it’s worth descending from the hilltop city to get a different perspective. One of the most dramatic directions...

While Jerusalem may not be thought of as the most romantic city in the world, there’s no denying that it’s one of the most historic and meaningful places on the planet, so why not plan on making one of the most meaningful declarations of your life and propose there? There are some astoundingly...

There’s a lot to take in in Jerusalem, and whether you’re a casual traveler who’s come to see the sights; a pilgrim focused on experiencing the city where two of the world’s major religions were born or someone who wants to understand more about this city that’s always in...

Jerusalem is not exactly lacking in famous buildings.  From the ancient to the ultra-modern, Israel’s capital is one of the most fascinating cities in the world for structures of every kind. Two of the iconic buildings in the Old City that appear on every official photo and in every tourist’s...

Al-Aksa Mosque, in the foreground, is the less flashy but more holy Moslem site on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  A few hundred yards to the north is the Dome of the Rock that gets way more photo attention thanks to its beautiful gold dome. Al Aksa is the third holiest site in the world for Moslems...

Jerusalem can be an intense experience.  When you feel the urge to get away for a day or two, consider taking a road trip to some of the fascinating and scenic places that are accessible on all sides of the holy city. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the scenery changes as you drive down off the...

It’s hard to avoid archaeology in Jerusalem–after all, you’re visiting a city that’s more than 3,000 years old that has been under the rule of some of the world’s most powerful empires, each of which has left its mark on the city. So how do you prioritize what to see in...

The Kotel Hakatan or small western wall made it into my list of top 10 interesting synagogues–today I found out that the Israel Antiquities Authority has started renovation work on the site to make it easier to find and more pleasant to pray at once you get there… Here’s the new sign–not...

More than 8 million people visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem every year.  Almost everyone who comes to Israel makes a pilgrimage to the Wall that is a remnant of the perimeter wall of the Second Temple built by King Herod.  The rest of the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, but the retaining...

This year’s Blog Action Day topic is water–a topic that’s been on the agenda for Jerusalem since the city was founded by King David more than 3,000 years ago. Despite its strategic location as a city on the ridge that divides the Judean hills from the desert, Jerusalem has only one...