Jerusalem is an ancient city that balances its fascinating past with its inspiring present . Due to the large number of historical and cultural attractions within a very compact area, it is best explored on foot.
Things you can’t miss in Jerusalem
Walk through ancient ruins , explore some of the holiest places in the Abrahamic religions, and experience the fun Middle Eastern nightlife in Jerusalem. With rock concerts that last all night and an annual marathon that draws people from all over the world, Jerusalem offers much more than old-fashioned tourism.
Enjoy a panoramic view of the Old City from the Paseo de las Murallas
Jerusalem is the most populous city in Israel and remains sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The high walls of the Old City date back more than 3,000 years, and the current walls are mainly made up of sections restored by the Turkish governor Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. The Walk of the Walls is the path that used to serve as military fortifications and is now considered the best way to see the four neighborhoods of the Old City: Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian .
There are two different routes you can do: a section of this walk leads from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate and ends at the Dung Gate and the entrance to the square, which is where the Wailing Wall is located, the place holiest in which Jews can pray. This area offers rooftop views over the Jewish and Armenian neighborhoods and the hills that surround the city.
The other section of this walk leads from the Damascus Gate to the Lion’s Gate, with views of the Muslim and Christian quarter. At the end of each section there are stairs that lead to the cafes and restaurants of the Old City. Alternatively, you can head to the shuk (market) of the Muslim Quarter to enjoy traditional Arab delicacies from any of the many food shops and cafes.
Explore the Christian Quarter of the Old City on the famous Via Dolorosa route
Although the Via Dolorosa has attracted Christian pilgrims since the 4th century, this stone walking route remains one of the best ways to visit the Old City’s churches and chapels . You can follow the route with a tour, or walking alone on the Via Dolorosa, to understand the important role that Jerusalem plays in the Christian faith. Among the mandatory stops that you should make along the route are: the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Convent of the Sisters of Sion, a Roman Catholic convent near the Via Dolorosa and the Ecce Homo Arch , which some believe to be the site where Jesus, condemned to be crucified, was presented to the crowds by Pontius Pilate.
Leave a note in the crevices of the Western Wall and visit one of the holiest sites in the world
One of the most popular attractions in Jerusalem is the Western Wall Square in the Old City, which is filled with people of all religions praying, meditating or simply visiting this wonderful place at any time of the day. Many write a wish or a prayer on a piece of paper and leave it in one of the cracks in the wall. This is a spiritual and cathartic experience that can help you refocus on what is important in your life.
After passing through the Wailing Wall, stop by the Muslim Quarter for tea and a hookah at the Arabic shuk . This open-air bazaar is also a great place to shop for souvenirs, from perfectly embellished shawls to handmade leather sandals. From the Muslim Quarter or the Jewish Quarter, return to the Christian Quarter to visit the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, or to the Armenian Quarter to see the Chapel of San Marcos and the Cathedral of San Jaime, among many other religious sites.
Enjoy Thursday night at the Machane Yehuda Open Air Market
The working week in Israel runs from Sunday to Thursday , so the Friday night party that is enjoyed in the rest of the world takes place on Thursday night in the Holy City. The central open-air market, the Machane Yehuda shuk , is one of the best places to enjoy Jerusalem’s nightlife.
Shuk became a nighttime destination in 2011 after event producer Kobi Frig hosted an impromptu party, which spurred the idea of the weekly ” Balabasta ” festival in the market during the summer months. In this festival you can enjoy live music, street shows and parties until the wee hours of the morning. The Balabasta spirit remains alive on Thursday nights with DJs playing outside the Freddy Lemon bar.
Enjoy a special night at the Jerusalem Light Festival
Over the years, the city has introduced new ways to experience classic Jerusalem attractions, including the Jerusalem Light Festival held in July. This event is organized based on lighting installations throughout the Old City and attracts tens of thousands of visitors who stroll through the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian neighborhoods to see art projections on the ancient stone structures. Some of the facilities are three-dimensional, others include sound and music equipment. The 2018 festival featured the work of the famous Chinese artist Feng Jiacheng and Antonin Fourneau’s “water light graffiti” using large LED screens that lit up when touched. In 2019, the festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Put on some running shoes for a marathon on the most scenic road in the Middle East
The Jerusalem Marathon, an annual event held in March, is one of the city’s most exciting celebrations where you can run the full 42 kilometers, jog in a fun 5-kilometer run, or cheer on the participants. The best runners from around the world, amateurs and locals take part in this marathon, who line the streets to cheer on the participants. The streets that make up this route are closed to cars, which provides a great opportunity to stroll through the Muslim and Jewish neighborhoods in a more relaxed way.
Rock out in an ancient basin in the shadow of Mount Sion
Although the Sultan’s Pool was used in ancient times as a reservoir to carry water to the old city of Jerusalem, its dry bed is now the site of rock concerts and musical raves during the summer months. The views from the Sultan’s Pool are incredible, especially at sunset, with the stone walls of the Old City on one side and the lush Hinnom Valley on the other. W hen night falls, the concerts are filled with rock music and light shows impressive.
