One of the most famous cities in the world and the spiritual centre for three of the world’s major religions, Jerusalem is steeped in history and has sites that attract hordes of tourists and worshippers alike. I’m not religious, yet found it fascinating for its famous sites, but also just wandering through and seeing subtle changes as you move through the very different quarters. A real mega wow experience and very much lives up to the hype.
I’ve listed below the highlights, suggested itinerary for and tips for the experience, but I’ll start with two key tips:
Tip #1 – timings
We went on the sabbath – which in Israel means many things are closed. And in winter – which means the temperature was around 10-12 Celsius / 50-54 Fahrenheit in the day. So it was quite a bit quieter than normal and this made for a wonderful experience vs fighting through hordes of fellow tourists.
Tip #2 – how much time and what to prioritise
I’ve read in books like the Lonely Planet that you need four days to experience Jerusalem. I think that may be true if you are deeply religious or have a passion for the history of the area, but for those who just broadly want to check it out, and have the right level of energy, you can have a great experience with only one day.
So, if you only have one day, don’t stress and my suggestion would be:
- Firstly, start by focusing on the key sites of the old city – in particular the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple on the Mount.
- Secondly, then stop and just get lost wandering through Jerusalem’s narrow streets and off the tourist trail. You’ll notice subtle differences moving between quarters and stumble upon some of the lesser known sites. Far more enjoyable that following a guided tour, and less tiring.