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Jerusalem

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Jerusalem

If you are planning to explore the tourist places in Jerusalem, then this is certainly not a bad idea indeed. This holy city which is located in Judean Mountains is the place from where three major religions in the world namely Judaism, Islam, and Christianity originated.One may feel that this is a religious place and hence as a tourist, you may not have that much of things to explore in this part of the world. Well, this is just not the correct perception. There are adventurous activities like hiking and camping which could simply be the moment for you.

You can refresh yourself at the awesome luxury resorts, pubs, and clubs of the metropolis. The experience of peace and tranquility which you will have here will surely be never like before.Another key aspect which you must be thinking is the eateries. As this is a multicultural city, you can get the opportunity to taste any sort of Mediterranean, European, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern foods and more.

Amazing sightseeing is something which one expects during any tour. In this destination, you not only come across some wonderful monuments with fine architecture but also wonderful parks, garden, monastery and more. You will surely find places for brilliant photography here.As a traveler, key things which one will look for are proper accommodation, delicious eateries, amazing sightseeing, some adventure or fun to collect wonderful memories, and remarkable shopping experience.

All these things are available in this city. Thus, the perception that the place is only meant for religious pilgrims is not a correct one when we speak about the tourist places in Jerusalem. This multicultural place is open for everyone and is an amazing tourist spot. If you are looking to spend time amidst some harmony and serenity then do not hesitate to book flights to Jerusalem.

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Jerusalem FAQ's

Travel Advice

·         Jerusalem is the most religious place in the world and hence, the first thing you need to keep in mind while travelling here is that you should not offend any religion or people following it in any way by your words or actions.

·         Maintain decorum when you visit religious sites and dress up appropriately, especially while visiting mosques. If you are a woman traveler, wear full loose fitting clothes which are not transparent and carry a scarf to cover your head.

·         Do not consume alcoholic drinks around religious shrines.

·         Do not roam out alone at night, as some places might tend to get lonely and unsafe.

·         The crime rates against tourists are very low in Jerusalem, but you should still take care and avoid carrying a lot of cash and wearing expensive jewelry.

Drinking Law

The minimum legal age to consume alcohol in Jerusalem is 18 years of age. However, there are some places like areas around Mosques and religious places where you cannot consume alcohol. So, take care of the same.

Our Recommendations: What you can’t afford to miss

Haram Al-Sharif

Haram-Al-Sharif is one of the holiest places on earth, for different religions like Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. There are many stories associated with this place and hence, it is considered as one of the purest places for the given religions. It is a beautiful and positive place to visit. The wide plaza, which is located above the city has the sparkling Dome of the Rock, which is the most iconic landmark in Jerusalem which is both holy and beautiful.


Wailing Wall

The Wailing Wall is one of the surviving walls of the first temple of Jerusalem. It is the holiest site in Judaism and is a place of great religious importance. A major highlight of this place is the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, where you will get to see many ruins of the rich ancient past which this holy city has. Some part of the Old city here was destroyed during the Arab-Israel war, but the remnants are indeed fascinating.


Church of Holy Sepulchre

The Church of Holy Sepulchre is one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem for Christian pilgrims. This site is built on the place where Christ was crucified and hence, thousands of pilgrims head to this site all over the year. The original church here was destroyed in 1009, and the one which you see here was built in the 11th century. The interiors of this church are a beautiful example of stunning religious architecture.


The Citadel

Also known as the Tower of David, this was constructed by King Herod in order to protect his palace. The towers at Citadel are named after the king’s brother Phasael, wife Mariamne and friend Hippicus. The towers were reconstructed in the 14th century as the older ones were destructed. This palace is a calm and picturesque spot for tourists to visit.


Armenian Quarter

The Armenian Quarter is home to St. James Cathedral and St. Mark’s Chapel, which is one of the lesser visited monuments in Jerusalem, compared to other landmarks but it is equally beautiful and charming. This place has seen some of the most gruesome massacres which took place over here and oozes out with classic Armenian culture, which is an important aspect of Jerusalem’s cultural heritage.


Muslim Quarter

This is one of the most bustling, lively and energy filled areas of this city. There are plenty of shopping options like traditional products, scents, carpets and other souvenirs. The 14th century built Khan Al-Sultan is a place where you can climb up and get an amazing view of the area. Wandering around this area will show you some of the beautiful remnants of ancient monuments.


Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives is dolled up with many sacred churches and is one of the most interesting places for pilgrims to travel. This holy hill is believed to be the place where God will be raising the dead, on their day of Judgement. For Christians, this place is believed to be the one from where Jesus Christ ascended to heaven after the crucifixion. There are many Churches and religious shrines on this hill and hence, it is an enriching place to visit to experience positive vibes and tranquility.


Mount Zion

Mount Zion is a home to a lot of Jew and Muslim shrines and also many Churches. This place is believed to be where Christ ate the Last Supper and where Virgin Mary spent the last years of her life. For Jews, this place is of importance for housing King David’s Tomb. There are many other important religious events associated with this place and hence, this is a very interesting sight-seeing destination as well as a pilgrimage place.

What you will like there?

Exquisite Monuments

Jerusalem, being the most religious place in the world, is a home to some of the best ancient monuments and religious shrines. Many of the monuments here are ruined due to time, but there are many structures which still have their beauty intact. The monuments here are constructed in different eras and hence, every structure reflects a different style and architecture.


Positivity of Religion

Being the most religious place in the world for three major religions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, you are ought to experience positivity and spirit of holiness at this place. You will love the kind of positivity which exists in the air of this city.


Peace and Tranquility

You will experience a different kind of peace and tranquility at this holy place. With many religious shrines and holy places around you, the atmosphere will make you sink in relaxation and rejuvenation of tranquil environment.


Co-existence of Religions

Jerusalem is a place important for different religions and people think that clashes at such places are common. But as a tourist, you will realize that all the major religious over here co-exist in a lot of harmony and positivity.

Recommended reads for destination (govt. websites, travel forum articles)?

Books

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Jerusalem, Israel, Petra & Sinai

When is the best time to visit Jerusalem?

As a general rule, the best time to visit the destination is:

  • April through May
  • October through November

The reason why the above months are recommended is that during this time, the weather stays mild and the crowd is also thin.

But at the same time, you shall take in account things like major Jewish celebrations like Sukkot, Passover, High Holy Days and more. If your travel date clashes with these occasions, then you will face difficulties like price surge in everything.

How to reach Jerusalem?

  • By Plane: For an international traveler the entry point to reach this place is Ben Gurion International Airport which is located near Lod and very next to Highway no one which links Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
  • By Train: From Tel Aviv, you will find the train to Jerusalem. But if you are really interested to catch some train and reach Jerusalem you must try Jaffa-Jerusalem line which is known its scenery.
  • By Bus: Currently, this mode of transportation is the fast and very efficient way to travel to and fro from the metropolis. You will get connectivity easily from Ben Gurion International Airport to reach your destination.

What are the things to do in Jerusalem?

The best thing to do in Jerusalem is to enjoy different sightseeing and enjoy some adventure tours as mentioned above. But at the same time, there are different tours which are very interesting. Let’s take a look at them:

  • The tour from Bus no. 99 offers the orientation of the full metropolis and its perspective. They charge ?60 for a two-hour tour and ?80 for a full day tour.
  • Underground/Western Wailing Wall tour is something which you should opt for. The time you will spend here is of true worth. A female guide there will help you out with all history and other aspects
  • There is no reason for anyone for not to try City of David water tunnel tour. The tour lasts for two hours which will give you very interesting time.

Likewise, there are many other activities in the form of mini-golf, go-karting, Segway tours, extreme sports and more which as a tourist will give you a different sort of experience.

What is the local food of Jerusalem? What are the best places to taste this food?

If you are a foodie, then your trip to Jerusalem is bound to be an interesting one. Here you will find a creative conglomeration of so many cuisines. This is because of the countless immigrants who have migrated to this place. Some of such interesting dish is as follows:

  • Bountiful Brekkies
  • Hummus hole in the wall
  • Falafels
  • Burekas

Let’s not go into the insight of the items but let’s discuss on where you can find such fine eatables. Places like Mahaneh Yehuda Market, Marzipan Bakery, Manou ba Shouk, Machneyuda and more serves some lip-smacking dishes to satiate your appetite. The list is endless but as a foodie, you will find everything eventually for sure.

What is the best public transport to commute around Jerusalem?

There are many options for you to commute around the city. Following are the key modes of transport available:

  • By Taxi
  • By Bus
  • By Light Rail
  • By Foot
  • By Bike

Above were the best means of public transports amongst which you can choose the best as per your suitability. For instance, if you are a lone traveler you may prefer a bike rental service instead of a cab.

What is the local language of Jerusalem and which are the most commonly used greetings?

Hebrew is the language which is mostly spoken in the western Jerusalem while in eastern Jerusalem Arabic is mostly used. But people all over the city speak English enough to someone like a traveler. Despite it if you want to learn a few of local languages then following are some of the greetings:

  • Hello is spoken as Sha-lom in Hebrew and Ah-lan was ah-lan in Arabic
  • How are you is spoken as Mah Sh'lom-kha/ekh in Hebrew and Keyf hehlak? In Arabic
  • Thank You is spoken as To-dah in Hebrew and Shuk-ran in Arabic
  • Yes is spoken as Ken in Hebrew and Ay-wa in Arabic

What are the best shopping places in Jerusalem and what are they famous for?

The best place for shopping here is definitely the Old City. You can find all sort of unique and beautiful gifts in this part of the world in the form of bed covers, jewelry, statues, spices, Judaica and much more. Varieties are like endless and a shopaholic will truly love the destination. Apart from this one may also try for pedestrian mall at Ben Yehuda, Malcha mall and more,

Which are the famous pilgrimage destinations in Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is known as a holy city and thus there are numbers of pilgrimage destination to visit here. Some of such popular destinations are:

  • Dome of the Rock
  • The Western (wailing) Wall
  • Temple Mount Complex
  • Al –Aqsa Mosque
  • Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The names of the above places themselves define the multicultural aspect of the city.

Why should I visit the Dead Sea? What’s so special about it?

Below are the reasons which shall give the answer to this precisely.

  • This sea is almost eight times saltier than any other ocean, thus making it best for a person to lay back and use the water to make his body more buoyant.
  • The black mud found in the Dead Sea is simply great and useful for the skins of human beings. This is the method of enjoying a natural spa.
  • You visit the place during any part of the year irrespective of season, the beauty and charm of the sea will always remain the same
  • The natural beauty and rich history make the place more special. This reason triggers so many people all across the globe to visit and walk around the beauty of it.

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