Jerusalem walking tour & city guide

The Old City

The Western Wall is the holiest place where Jews can pray. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the Christian Quarter, is built over the site where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried. The Dome of the Rock, with its golden dome, stands on the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif.

The Via Dolorosa winds through the lanes, and the covered souks sell spices, ceramics and sweets. Walking on the ramparts gives a view over the rooftops.

Beyond the walls

The Mount of Olives offers the classic view over the Old City. The Israel Museum houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Yad Vashem is the moving national Holocaust memorial. The Mahane Yehuda market is lively day and night.

A day in Jerusalem

Enter the Old City through the Jaffa Gate and walk the ramparts for a view over its four quarters. Visit the Western Wall, then follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and see the golden Dome of the Rock from the plaza when it is open to visitors. The narrow souq lanes, filled with spices, ceramics and fresh bread, connect it all.

In the afternoon, climb the Mount of Olives for the classic view of the city, or visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial, and the Israel Museum, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls. End the evening at Mahane Yehuda market, which turns into a lively bar scene after dark.

Good to know

Jerusalem is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, so dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered at religious sites. On Shabbat, from Friday evening to Saturday evening, most Jewish-run shops and public transport close, while the Muslim Quarter and Christian sites stay open.

Check current travel advice before planning a trip, as the security situation in the region can change. Spring and autumn have the most pleasant weather; winters can be cold and occasionally snowy.