Jerusalem Attractions

Jerusalem is a pilgrimage city for billions of people around the world--Christians, Jews and Moslems revere the place where so much of their history took place. As one of the most ancient cities in the world, you'll want to take in some of the major religious sites that continue to draw people from around the world like a magnet. The Old City, surrounded by its 16th century wall, contains enough holy places to fill days of touring, but don't forget to enjoy the shuk where you can bargain for Middle Eastern tchatchkes, inhale the aroma of oriental spices and notice the huge variety of people rubbing shoulders and chattering in dozens of languages as you wander through the different quarters.

Jerusalem is a layered city, with each of its conquerors building on the ruins of the empire that preceeded it, so be prepared for underground experiences that will reveal archaeological treasures from thousands of years ago.

As King David wrote in the Psalms: "Jerusalem, hills surround her.." Jerusalem is the dividing point between the Judean hills and the desert that slopes down to the Dead Sea.  Be sure to take in one or two of the magnificent vistas over the Temple Mount from either the Mount of Olives to the east or the Haas Promenade from the south. You'll be struck by the extraordinary light that brings everything into sharp focus and makes Jerusalem a photographer's dream.

The twentieth century brought about development of Jerusalem outside the walls of the Old City and today you'll find a thriving capital city replete with museums that celebrate every facet of Jewish, Islamic and Christian history, art and culture.

Jerusalem's neighborhoods are architecturally distinct, so you can tell when you leave Talbiyeh with its majestic Arab-style mansions that house consulates and foundation offices, and enter the German Colony that was established by German Christian Templars in the late 19th century and now boasts the city's best selection of cafes, restaurants and jewelery boutiques along its main street.

Downtown Jerusalem is going through a transitional phase as the Light Rail project becomes a reality (expected start date is April 2011) and merchants struggle to keep going through the construction mess.  But when the building workers go home, entertainment comes to life in the Helena HaMalka Street and Nahlat Shiva areas of downtown. A rival nightlife area is the old train compound south of the Old City at the beginning of Derekh Hebron.  Here you'll find everything from innovative restaurants and cozy bars to experimental music space and open-air concert venues where you can gaze up at the illuminated walls of the Old City.



Cathedral of Saint James

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Armenian Patriarchate Road

Cathedral seat of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarch...
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Basilica of the Agony of the Lord

Foot of the Mount of Olives

Roman Catholic church. Known as the Church of All Nations...
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Herodian

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King Herod's summer palace. Archeological site...
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Jerusalem Season of Culture

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Tower of David

Two months of summer cultural activities in Jerusalem...
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Rachel's Tomb

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Hebron Road

Tomb of Rachel, one of the matriarchs of the Jewish people...
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Temple Mount Sifting Project

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Shmuel Ben Adaya

Hands-on archaeology for all the family...
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Aish Building Rooftop

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One Western Wall Plaza,

Magnificent view over the Western Wall plaza and Mount of Olives...
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Genesis Land

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Yishuv Alon

In the heart of the Judean desert, experience life in Biblical Times...
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Bukharan Neighborhood

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Rechov HaBucharim

Neighborhood founded in the mid-late 1800s by wealthy Jews from Bukhara...
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The City of David Visitors Center

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Shiloach village

Site of King David's city--learn about the origins of Jerusalem...
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Machane Yehuda Market

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Agripas Street and Jaffa Street

Bustling outdoor food market...
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Ammunition Hill Memorial and Museum

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Mount Scopus
Ammunition Hill

Site of major Six Day War battle...
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Ramparts Walk

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Entrances by Jaffa Gate and Damascus Gate

Walk on top of the Old City walls...
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Hezekiah's Tunnels

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Hashiloah Road
from Gihon spring to pool of Silwan

Ancient tunnels that are part of the City of David...
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Ateret Cohanim Walking Tours

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Learn about the Jewish presence in all quarters of the Old City...
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Mamilla Alrov Mall

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Alrov Mamilla Ave

Avenue of boutiques, shops, cafes leading to Jaffa Gate...
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Jerusalem Bird Observatory

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Rothschild Blvd

Jerusalem's center for bird-watching...
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Free walking tours

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24 Jaffa Road

Free Saturday Walking Tours...
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Israel Museum

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Ruppin Blvd
Ruppin St

Israel's national museum reopened on July 26, 2010 after a 3-year face lift...
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Christian Quarter

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Christian Quarter Road

Christian Quarter, Old City...
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