Jerusalem
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At a glance
- Country
- Israel
- Region
- Jerusalem District
- Population
- 990,000
- Best time to go
- March to May, September to November
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Tel Aviv Ben Gurion (TLV)
- Coordinates
- 31.77°N, 35.21°E
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Overview
Few places carry as much history per square metre as Jerusalem. The walled Old City, divided into Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters, holds sites sacred to three faiths within a short walk of one another.
Outside the walls is a modern city of stone-clad neighbourhoods, good museums and a lively food scene. It is a place of strong feelings and deep divisions, so dress modestly at religious sites, read the news before you go and take your time.
Things to see
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Photo: Golasso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Western Wall
The last remnant of the Second Temple's retaining wall, where people come to pray at all hours and slip notes between the stones.
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Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 Church of the Holy Sepulchre
A dim, candlelit warren of chapels shared by several Christian denominations, built over the traditional site of the crucifixion.
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Photo: Ludvig14, CC BY-SA 4.0 Dome of the Rock
The golden dome above the Temple Mount is the city's defining image; non-Muslim visiting hours on the plaza are limited.
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Photo: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0 Yad Vashem
Israel's Holocaust memorial and museum, a long and moving visit set on a wooded hillside in the west of the city.
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Photo: Original uploader was אסף.צ at he.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Israel Museum
Home to the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book, plus a huge scale model of the city in Second Temple times.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Emilio García from Parla, Spain, CC BY-SA 2.0 Mahane Yehuda Market
Graze on halva and rugelach by day, then stay as the stalls turn into bars after dark.
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Photo: אורי אלוני, CC BY-SA 4.0 Tower of David Museum
The citadel by Jaffa Gate tells the city's story and hosts an evening sound-and-light show on its ancient walls.
Find tours -
Photo: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea
Climb or ride the cable car up Herod's desert fortress, then float in the salty water at the lowest point on land.
Find tours
Where to stay
City Centre
Around Jaffa Road, with the light rail, the market and restaurants on the doorstep.
Hotels in City CentreMamilla and Jaffa Gate
Smart hotels a few minutes' walk from the Old City, ideal for a short first visit.
Hotels in Mamilla and Jaffa GateGerman Colony
Leafy and quieter, with cafés along Emek Refaim and a residential feel.
Hotels in German Colony
Getting around
The Old City is only walkable, and the light rail runs through the centre; load a Rav-Kav card for buses and trams. Public transport largely stops from Friday evening to Saturday evening for Shabbat.
A direct train from Ben Gurion Airport reaches Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon station in about half an hour.
When to go
Spring and autumn are warm and dry, ideal for walking. Summers are hot, winters can be cold and wet, and major religious holidays bring crowds and closures.
Plan your trip to Jerusalem
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.