Google Street View of Jerusalem
4. Ar-Ram
7. Baka
19. French Hill
36. Al-Issawiya
37. Jabel Mukaber
38. Har Hazeitim
39. Katamon (Old Katamon)
40. Kerem Avraham
41. Kiryat Belz
42. Kiryat Hayovel
43. Kiryat Mattersdorf
44. Kiryat Menachem
45. Kiryat Moshe
46. Kiryat Sanz
47. Kiryat Shmuel
48. Machane Yehuda
49. Machane Yisrael
50. Malha
51. Mamilla
52. Mazkeret Moshe
53. Meah Shearim
54. Mekor Baruch
55. Mekor Chaim
56. Mishkenot Sha'ananim
57. Motza
58. Mount Scopus
59. Mount of Olives
60. Mount Zion
61. Musrara
62. Nachlaot
63. Nahalat Shiva
64. Neve Granot
65. Neve Sha'anan
66. Neve Yaakov
67. Nayot
68. Old City
69. Armenian Quarter
70. Christian Quarter
71. The Muristan
72. Jewish Quarter
73. The Cardo
74. Moroccan Quarter
75. Muslim Quarter
76. Pat
77. Pisgat Ze'ev
78. Ramat Denya
79. Ramat Sharett
80. Ramat Shlomo
81. Ramot
82. Ramot Polin
83. Ramot Eshkol
84. Rassco
85. Rehavia
86. Romema
87. Russian Compound
88. San Simon
89. Sanhedria
90. Sanhedria Murchevet
91. Sheikh Jarrah
92. Shmuel HaNavi
93. Shuafat
94. Silwan
95. Sur Baher
96. Talbiya
97. Talpiot
98. Tel Arza
99. Umm Tuba
100. Unsdorf
101. Wadi al-Joz
102. Yefeh Nof
103. Yemin Moshe
104. Zichron Moshe
105. Zichron Yosef
Jerusalem
Jerusalem (Hebrew: ירושלים Yerushalayim, Arabic: القدس al-Quds) is the capital
city of Israel. It is also claimed by the Palestinian people as the capital of
their possible future state. It is the largest city in Israel. A holy city to
three religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), Jerusalem is one of the
oldest cities in the world. The City of Gold, as it has come to be known in
Hebrew, is a fascinatingly unique place where the first century rubs shoulders
with the twenty-first century, each jostling for legitimacy and space, and
where picturesque "old" neighborhoods nestle against glistening
office towers and high-rise apartments. It is one of those places which has to
be seen to be believed.
Districts of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a big place and can be divided
up into districts:
The
Old City and its Walls form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tiny ancient
city is home to holy sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and is truly breathtaking.
West Jerusalem is the indisputably
Jewish-Israeli part of Jerusalem, also known as New Jerusalem; it is the modern
commercial heart of the city, having become the focus for development in the
capital from the time of the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 until the
Six Day War in 1967.
East Jerusalem is, roughly, the Eastern
side of Jerusalem, and is made of territory taken by Israel from Jordan during
the Six Day war of 1967. It is now home to nearly 200,000 Jews while most of
Jerusalem's Muslim and Christian populations of approximately 250,000 have long
lived here.
Me'a Shearim is the area of Jerusalem
inhabited largely by ultra-Orthodox Jewish people, a place where modest dress
is required. The area looks like an old Polish town from 1800.
The German Colony is a West Jerusalem
neighborhood southeast of the city center. It's a wonderful place to drink
coffee and to eat in restaurants. You may hear more "Anglos" speaking
English than Hebrew on these streets.
Ein Kerem is a (relatively) secluded
neighborhood in West Jerusalem that maintains a village atmosphere. It is
surrounded by picturesque hills dotted with olive and cypress trees, home to
artists and sculptors who have opened numerous galleries. Several churches are
built on the site believed to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. Before
1948, the site was an Arab village called 'Ayn Karim and before that, the
Jewish village of Beit HaKerem.
Religion of Jerusalem
In
addition to many secular Israelis and foreigners, Jerusalem is considered home
by large numbers of adherents to three of the four Middle Eastern monotheistic
faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Adherents of these faiths have tended
historically to congregate in various neighborhoods of the city, with
considerable overlap.
Language of Jerusalem
The
main languages spoken in Jerusalem are Hebrew in West Jerusalem and Arabic in
East Jerusalem. Most people throughout the city speak sufficient English for
communication. In particular, English is widely spoken in areas most visited by
tourists, especially the Old City. Typically, even if you do not find an
English speaker on first attempt, one will be nearby. Both Palestinians and
Israelis are always ready to help out tourists with the language as with other
needs.
Additionally,
many Charedi (strictly Orthodox) Jews speak Yiddish, and there is a significant
number of French-speaking Jews. Smaller groups of Jews speak Dutch and Spanish.
There is a large number of Russian immigrants of Jewish background, so it is
not uncommon to see signs in Russian or hear Russian language radio.
Climate of Jerusalem
Since
it is not very far from the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, Jerusalem
has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Winters
are very wet, with nearly all of Jerusalem's annual 590 mm (23 in) of
precipitation occurring between October and April. The coldest month is
January, with an average high of 12°C (53°F) and an average low of 4°C (39°F).
Sub-freezing temperatures are not an everyday occurrence, but do happen, and
the city will get occasional snowfall during the winter, though it usually only
lasts a matter of hours rather than days. However, every once in a while the
city will experience significant accumulating snow.
Summers
are hot and dry as a bone with virtually no rainfall between the months of May
and September. Temperatures will generally approach around 30°C (88°F) during
the day and cool to around 15°C (59°F) at night. Being near the desert, there
is often a big difference between the day and night temperatures, and even the
hottest days can turn into chilly nights. Spring and fall are mild, with
minimal rainfall and pleasant temperatures.
By plane to Jerusalem
Israel's
main entry point for the international traveller, the newly built Terminal 3 at
Ben Gurion International Airport (IATA: TLV), named after Israel's first Prime
Minister, is situated near Lod and next to the highway linking Tel Aviv and
Jerusalem (highway no. 1).
The
airport, referred to by locals as Natbag - its initials in Hebrew - comprises
all the usual amenities expected from a first class airport and contains one of
the world's largest duty-free shopping malls for an airport of its size. Ben
Gurion Airport acts as the base for El Al, Israel's national airline, and is
also served by over 50 international air carriers. Travel from the airport to
the centre of Jerusalem takes 40-50 min and depending on traffic conditions
often more. It is advisable to budget at least an additional 2 hours on top of
your pre-flight check-in time to ensure timely arrival and completion of time
consuming and exhaustive security procedures.
Security
is extremely stringent at Ben-Gurion Airport, and is especially suspicious of
travelers with Muslim names or visas from Islamic countries in their passports.
Expect to be stopped and questioned for several hours if this is the case, both
on the way in and on the way out. It would be wise to have some phone numbers
of local contacts for security officials to call to verify your reasons for
visiting. The airport prides itself in being one of the most secure in the
world. It achieves this through a number of means. The most evident for
travelers will be the pre-check-in security check. (Optional, should you go
through it, you will be escorted to skip regular security check). On joining
the queue for this security check, a security official will ask you several
questions. Based on these (and what appears to be racial profiling) and a brief
inspection of your passport, you will be assigned a number from 1 to 6. 1
signifies the lowest security concern and 6 the highest. Foreigners will
typically get between a 3 and a 6. Age, appearance, stamps from Arab countries,
evidence of visits to the Palestinian territory and other vague factors will be
taken into account. Depending on the number you get (stuck on your passport and
luggage), the security check is more or less thorough. Travelers who have
visited the Palestinian territory will almost certainly receive a 5 or 6 (but
this is not exclusive to this cohort; you can get 5 if you have never been to
Israel before, and are of European descent). With a 5 or a 6, you can expect
every single item of luggage to be taken from your bag and inspected in detail.
Security officials have been known to check individual bank-notes. With a 6
(but sometimes even 5 if they have time), you can also expect to be taken to a
cubicle and asked to remove your belt, shoes and have a personal inspection. If
your clothes contain any metal that would set off a detector (such as studs in
your jeans or a zip) even if plainly visible on the outside, you will be asked
to remove the item of clothing. Travelers are regularly prevented from taking
mobile phones, laptops and even shoes in their hand-luggage, although there is
no consistency, with reports of one policy one week and another the next week.
Arguing about such invasive checks is almost always fruitless and security
reasons are the only ones that are ever cited. Though encouraging tourism,
Israeli authorities would answer to criticism by irate travelers that Israel is
not a usual destination, and that people who are looking for sun with no
security checks should rather head to Canary Islands.
Many
people choose to enter Jerusalem by flying to Queen Alia Airport in Amman, Jordan
and entering at the Israeli-controlled Allenby Border Crossing in the West
Bank. It takes approximately an hour to reach Allenby Crossing from Amman, and
a half hour to reach Jerusalem from Allenby Crossing. There are frequent shared
taxis parked outside the Allenby crossing that drive to Jerusalem.
Getting
to and from Jerusalem. The 'Nesher' shared taxi service (☎ 972 2 623-1231 - Hebrew and English) is a 14-seater minibus
that runs approximately hourly services to the airport - ₪61.80
one way per person. You must reserve your seat in advance by phone and you will
be picked up from your hotel or a chosen location (they have been known to
refuse to pick up from some East Jerusalem neighborhoods, so check with your
hotel or take a taxi to the Jerusalem hotel where they normally pick up without
a problem). Be on time - they don't wait. You will be dropped at Terminal 3 in
the airport. For the journey to Jerusalem, you will find them waiting outside
the arrivals hall (they are signed from inside). Tell the driver where you want
to be dropped. Again they should drop you at your hotel, but have been known to
avoid parts of East Jerusalem. The rate is fixed, but it is worth
double-checking as it has recently increased.
A
private taxi to/from Jerusalem will cost around ₪150-200 (tourist map in Jerusalem
quotes official flat price ₪197, however this is hard to reach, we
was asked for about ₪300 to get the airport, and finally
paid ₪250. Expect to go through Israeli
check-point on the way (via Ramallah).
Alternatively,
nearby Damascus Gate, there are shared taxis that run from Jerusalem to the
Allenby Bridge Crossing relatively close to Amman, Jordan. Note: Jordanian
tourist visas aren't given at Allenby Bridge. Jordanian authorities require one
to have a valid tourist visa before entering Jordan via Allenby Crossing (This
is only applicable for Allenby Crossing because it is located in the
Palestinian Territories, which used to be under Jordanian jurisdiction). If
your previously obtained one-month tourist visa to Jordan has already expired,
or you started your trip in Israel first, you can get a Jordanian visa at the
Jordanian Embassies in Ramat Gan or Ramallah, otherwise, you can get a
Jordanian tourist visa at the other border crossings located nearby in Beit Shean
and Eilat).
Always
check what terminal your flight goes from! T1 is for domestic flights to Eilat
(all carriers) and low-cost flights. T3 is for all other international flights.
Check it before you take the cab (cab driver will be no help in this). There is
a free shuttle going between T1 and T3 several times an hour.
Expect
your taxi to be stopped on the way to the airport - have your passports,
tickets, and answers for some questions (how long have you been to Israel,
where are you going...) ready.
The
Egged bus service does not go directly from Jerusalem to the Terminal. You
should take bus #947 to Airport City (Kiryat Sde Hateufa) and take a shuttle
bus to the terminal (free in conjunction with a bus ticket).
The
train does not run from Jerusalem to the airport.
By Train to Jerusalem
Jerusalem
is connected to Israel Railway network, but the service, which follows the
route of the 1892 Jaffa-Jerusalem line, is noted for its scenery rather than
speed.
From
Tel Aviv, you should take the train to Jerusalem, with stops en-route at Lod
(where you can make connections to Beer Sheva, Ashkelon and Rishon LeZion),
Ramla (currently the Ramla station is under construction, and the trains don't
stop there), Bet Shemesh, and arrive at Jerusalem's Malkha train station, which
is inconveniently located at the south of the city. The old train station in
the city center is currently out of service. A few trains also stop at the
Biblical Zoo station, but it is within walking distance from Malkha station.
Journey
time from Tel Aviv Merkaz/Savidor station to Malkha station is about 1.30 hour.
There's one train per hour from 5.54 to 19.54 on weekdays, 5.25 to 14.25 (15.25
in summer) on Friday, 20.10 (22.10 in summer) on Saturday. Trains from Malkha
depart on weekdays from 5.44 to 21.41 (the last one only as far as Lod), on
Friday from 6.00 to 13.56 (14.56 in summer), on Saturday at 19.47 (21.47 in
summer).
From
the train station there are several buses to destinations in and around
Jerusalem. To downtown take bus #4 or #18, and ask for "MerKaz Ha-ir"
or for "Kikar Tzion" (Zion Square). To the central bus station, #5 is
the fastest, though the #6 and #32 are alternatives. Taxis are also available.
A
high-speed rail link connecting Jerusalem to Tel Aviv in half an hour and Ben
Gurion Airport in 20 minutes is under construction and is scheduled to open in
2017. Its terminus will be an underground station (80m below surface) near the
central bus station and Binyaney Ha'uma (convention center). Until then, use
the train if you have plenty of time and want to see nice mountain scenery, but
not if you are in a hurry.
By Bus to Jerusalem
At
the moment, this is the fastest and most efficient way to travel to and from
Jerusalem
Bus
services to Jerusalem from Ben Gurion International Airport and most Israeli
cities are frequent, cheap, and efficient. Egged is almost the only operator of
intercity buses to/from Jerusalem, as well as the entire urban network. To
check on these services look at its website [1] or dial *2800 from any phone.
Most
intercity buses arrive at the Central Bus Station (CBS) (in Hebrew: Tahana
Merkazit) located at the western edge of Jaffa street, at the main entrance to
Jerusalem. The new Jerusalem Light Rail line has a station just outside the CBS
that can link you to many other parts of the city (see Light Rail elsewhere in
this article).
There
are two direct buses to/from Tel Aviv, which the ride takes about one hour.
They both cost NIS 18 each way, and a back and forth ticket (Halokh Vashov)
will cost NIS 30.60. (Oct 2012) 405- Jerusalem CBS - Tel Aviv CBS - Runs
between ~6AM - ~11:50PM. This line is suitable for southern Tel Aviv and the
neighboring cities in the south. 480- Jerusalem CBS - Tel Aviv Arlozorov
Terminal- Runs between ~5:50AM- ~11:50 PM. This line is suitable for Central
Tel Aviv, and the terminal is adjacent to the Tel Aviv Savidor Train Station.
From
the Central Bus Station it is a long but enjoyable walk (or short ride on the
light rail) along Jaffa Road to the Shuk (the market) (~15 min) > city centre
(~ 25 min) > Old City (~45 min).
Inter-city
buses arrive and depart inside the station building, while City buses and the
light rail stations are right in front of the CBS. When exiting the CBS, turn
left to walk towards the city, or cross the street to find the city buses and
the light rail. Finding your way when you leave the CBS for the first time can
be a confusing experience, since there are almost no city maps around. There is
a city map on the large square opposite the CBS, on the right side, towards
Sederot Shazar.
NOTICE-
Public transport does not run on the Jewish Sabbath and holidays - from half
hour before sunset on Friday (or the day before the holiday) till Saturday
night. Hours vary by the time of year - In December (winter solstice) Shabbat
starts as early as 3.55PM and ends at 5.15, while in June (summer solstice)
Shabbat starts as late as 7.10 and ends on 8.30. Do not take chances on Friday-
If you need to get somewhere on time, give yourself at least a two hour
clearence before shabbat.
By shared taxi to Jerusalem
There
are regular shared taxis running from the Allenby Bridge Crossing, situated
nearby Jericho, that drive to Jerusalem. There are also private taxis outside
of the terminal.
Public
buses do not run during Shabbat (between sunset on Friday and sunset on
Saturday, roughly speaking), during which your only option is a sherut (shared
taxi). These depart from Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station and Ben Gurion Airport,
and charge a small surcharge on top of the normal bus fare. As of mid-2012 a
sherut costs ₪23 (₪28 at night, ₪33
at Shabbat) and drops you off downtown, not far from Zion Square. A sherut from
the airport to anywhere in the city of Jerusalem costs about ₪62.
The company offering the sherut service is called "Nesher".
Shared
taxis are also the best option if travelling from Jerusalem to Palestinian
cities, especially Ramallah and Bethlehem. The main bus station (On Sultan
Suleiman street, next to the Rockfeler Museum) serves the surrounding
Palestinian towns and villages, including Abu-Dis (Line 36), and Bethlehem
(Line 124), those buses are colored mostly in blue strips . Another bus
terminal, on Nablus road (Straight on from the Damascus gate) serves Ramallah,
other main Palestinian cities. There is a shared taxi direct to/from the
Allenby bridge (The border crossing with Jordan), for ₪38
plus ₪4 (Dec 2011) per luggage (picking up
from Al-Souq Al-Tijaree "The commercial souq" not far away from the
main bus station).
All
Palestinian shared taxis are very cheap, ₪5 for the surrounding villages, ₪5.50
for Abu-Dis and ₪6.50 for Ramallah.
There
are no Israeli sherut lines within Jerusalem (unlike most Israeli cities). But
there are sherut lines to Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh as well as the airport.
The
bus operator in the eastern Jerusalem is called Al-Safariat Al-Mowahadda
"The united traveling service". Note that the taxi is called
"Moneet" in Hebrew, and called taxi in the Palestinian side. Both
differ from the shared taxi, which runs fixed routes for many people like a
bus. Moneet or Taxi is a private taxi.
Get around by taxi in Jerusalem
Cabs
are plentiful in the city of gold, but be warned as the drivers may try to rip
you off by "taking the scenic route" or charging a fixed price
instead of on the meter. Insist that the driver turns on the meter (Mo-neh) and
you should have no problems.
Get around by bus in Jerusalem
NB:
The description here refers solely to West Jerusalem (the jewish part). The
Arab system of buses is based on two bus stations near Damascus Gate.
The
most effective public transportation option is currently in the form of buses.
Take into consideration that the intercity bus system is quite confusing,
especially for a tourist. Even people living in Jerusalem their whole lives
won't be able to help you, if they aren't familiar with the bus route you're
interested in using. This is caused by the lack of any official bus route maps,
and to the fact that bus routes and numbers tend to change rapidly. Buses are
run by "Egged" Company. Most buses are dark green, but you might see
the older red and white buses too.
To
use the bus, you pay the driver as you board the bus. All bus rides are at a
fixed price of NIS 6.60 (Oct 2012), no matter how many stops you stay on for.
You may pay in change or bills. Entrance to the bus is from the front door
only, and exit is usually from the back door(s).
Once
you pay the driver, a ticket will come out of the gray calculator next to the
driver. You must take and keep the ticket, for proof to the conductor, which
tends to come and check.
Many
bus drivers have a very limited knowledge in English, so try to find someone
else to help you when needed.
Notice
The ticket you receive can be used for 90 minutes from the moment it's
produced. You may transfer with it to any intercity bus and the light rail as
many times as you want, as long as you board the bus before the 90th minute,
which is printed on the ticket.
The
Jerusalem City Tour [2] (Bus #99), intended for tourists, does a loop of pretty
much the whole city and costs ₪45 adults and ₪36
children for a one-day pass.
Below
is a summarized overview of which bus to take to get from certain places to
other places. Printing this list, and the map, will be very helpful.
Central Bus Station
Buses
towards the city leaving directly in front of the CBS (going left / east)
1 to
Kotel HaMa'aravi: CBS - Sarei Yisrael - Malchei Yisrael (Geulah) - Meah Shearim
- Shaar Shechem (Damascus Gate) - Kotel HaMa'aravi (Western Wall)
Buses
away from the city leaving directly in front of the CBS (going right / west)
7 to
Har Chotzvim: Kiryat Mattersdorf - Sorotzkin - Kiryat Tzanz - Ezrat Torah - Har
Chotzvim
Buses
towards the city leaving from Sederot Shazar (the main road across from the
CBS; cross under the road through the tunnel) (going left / east)
11
to Ramat Shlomo: CBS - Machaneh Yehudah - HaNevi'im (Bikur Cholim hospital) -
Strauss (Geulah) - Yechezkel - Shmuel HaNavi - Golda Meir - Ramat Shlomo
15
circle bus: CBS - Sarei Yisrael - Malchei Yisrael (Geulah) - Meah Shearim -
Shaar Shechem (Damascus Gate) - Yaffo (municipality offices, central post
office) - Kikar Tzion - Strauss (Bikur Cholim hospital) - Malchei Yisrael
(Geulah) - Sarei Yisrael - CBS - Givat Shaul - Har Nof
35
to Ramot: CBS - Machaneh Yehudah - HaNevi'im (Bikur Cholim hospital) - Strauss
(Geulah) - Yechezkel - Shmuel HaNavi - Golda Meir - Ramot
Other
Routes
1:
CBS - Sarei Yisrael - Malchei Yisrael (Geulah) - Meah Shearim - Shaar Shechem
(Damascus Gate) - Kotel HaMa'aravi (Western Wall)
2:
Har Nof - Givat Shaul North - Hamag - Kiryat Mattersdorf - Sorotzkin - Kiryat
Tzanz - Ezrat Torah - Golda Meir - Shmuel HaNavi - Shaar Shechem (Damascus
Gate) - Kotel HaMa'aravi (Western Wall)
7:
Kiryat Mattersdorf - Sorotzkin - Kiryat Tzanz - Ezrat Torah - Har Chotzvim
11:
Har Nof - Givat Shaul North - CBS (Shazar) - Machaneh Yehudah - HaNevi'im
(Bikur Cholim hospital) - Strauss (Geulah) - Yechezkel - Shmuel HaNavi - Golda
Meir - Har Chotzvim - Ramat Shlomo
15
circle bus: Har Nof - Givat Shaul North - CBS (Shazar) - Sarei Yisrael -
Malchei Yisrael (Geulah) - Meah Shearim - Shaar Shechem (Damascus Gate) - Yaffo
(municipality offices, central post office) - Kikar Tzion - Strauss (Bikur
Cholim hospital) - Malchei Yisrael (Geulah) - Sarei Yisrael - CBS (Shazar) -
Givat Shaul North - Har Nof
16:
Bayit VeGan - Yefeh Nof - Kiryat Moshe - Givat Shaul North - Hamag - Kiryat
Mattersdorf - Sorotzkin - Kiryat Tzanz - Hannah - Bar Ilan - Sanhedria - Golda
Meir - Har Chotzvim - Ramot
18:
CBS-Yaffo-David HaMelech-Derech Beit Lechem-Emek Refaim-Yochanan Ben
Zakkai-Yossi Ben Yoezer-Kanei HaGalil-Yehudah HaNasi-Yaakov Pat-Kenyon Malcha
21:
replaces the 14 into Talpiot
29:
Har HaMenuchot - Givat Shaul Commercial Area - Givat Shaul North - CBS (Shazar)
35:
Har Nof - Givat Shaul South - CBS (Shazar) - Machaneh Yehudah - HaNevi'im
(Bikur Cholim hospital) - Strauss (Geulah) - Yechezkel - Shmuel HaNavi - Golda
Meir - Ramot
38:
Jewish Quarter Parking lot - Yafo Street - Davidka Square - Yafo Street -
Jewish Quarter Parking lot.
"Fast
Lines" These are new and modern buses which cut though the city
vertically.
71,
72: Gilo- Derekh Hevron- King George- Straus- Ramot.
74,
75: Har Homa- Derekh Hevron- King George- The Shuk- CBS- Har nof
Note
Buses in Jerusalem (Egged) do not run on Shabbat (30 minutes before sunset on
Friday until at least 30 minutes after sunset on Saturday), nor on other
religious holidays. That doesn't apply for Al-Safariiat Al-Moahaddih. This list
is incomplete
Get around by light rail in Jerusalem
The
Jerusalem Light Rail line opened on 19 August 2011. It links the north-eastern
neighborhoods to the south-western neighborhoods, runs along the western side
of the Old City, and passes through the city center. Additional lines are
planned to be constructed later.
The
light rail runs past many areas of interest to tourists: Damascus Gate station
close to the Old City gate of that name; City Hall station (Saffra square)
which is close to the Jaffa Gate of the Old City; King George V station which
is close to Ben Yehuda street; the light rail station just outside the
Jerusalem Central Bus Station; the Mahane Yehuda station at the main markets
which are the largest in Israel, and there are also numerous food stalls
offering local cuisine. The tram line runs along Yaffo Street (also referred to
as Jaffa Street) which has many interesting cafes and shops in the portion of
Yaffo/Jaffa Street that lies between City Hall station and King George V
station. At the southern end of the light rail line, at the Mount Herzl
station, are Yad Vashem holocaust museum as well as Mount Hertsel national
cemetry where famous citizens, prime ministers and Israeli soldiers have been
buried.
As
of 1 December 2011, the ticket price is ₪6.60 with a 90 minute transfer that it
is valid for the light rail and the bus system.
The
light rail service ceases a few hours before Shabbat on Friday afternoon, and
starts up a few hours after the end of Shabbat on Saturday night. The regular
travel times on other days of the week can be found at the light rail website
(citypass.co.il) which can be found at the official website of the Jerusalem
Light Rail.
The
roads on which the tram line runs are half taken up by the tram lines, so cars
must travel in single lanes in the remaining half of the road. This means that
travel by car along these roads, shared by the tram, can be quite congested -
in particular, Yaffo street (or Jaffa Street), which has parts that are
exclusively used by the light railway.
Note
that if asking locals where is the nearest station of the Jerusalem Light Rail,
note that some people refer to it as the "train station" or
"tram station".
Get around by foot in Jerusalem
Much
of Jerusalem is walkable (check before going) and is pleasant to walk. The
humidity level of Jerusalem is much lower than most cities in Israel, but you
must remember the city is built on mountains- and you might have to climb some
steep ascents. Some of the neighborhoods are a bit distant, so make sure to
check on Google Maps the distance before you go. The Old City has to be toured
by foot, not only because it is more impressive this way, but also because many
of the lanes and alleyways are inaccessible to cars.
Get around by bike in Jerusalem
Bike
rentals are available at the abraham-hostel 67 Hanevi'im street, Davidka
square, as well as at Bilu Bikes, 7 Bilu Street ([3]) for a guided Bike tour
WWW.BIKEJERUSALEM.COM Cycling in Jerusalem is probably the best way to see the
city, recommended by many past travelers, Lonely Planet and Tripadvisor ; this is a way to see the real Jerusalem.
This 3-5 hour tour covers most of Jerusalem's historical neighborhoods,
including many places that most visitors never get to see. The tour includes,
The Israeli Parliament, The valley of the Cross, "Rehavia" and
"Talbia", The German Colony, "Mishkanit Shananim", Jaffa
Gate the Russian Compound and "Nachlaot", to name only a few. The
ride goes through side streets, short cuts and allies, known by few other than
our expert guides. Despite the hills around Jerusalem, the ride in the city is
not as hard as people tend to think, and the ride can be modified to suite
families and inexperienced riders.
The
Jerusalem Night ride includes an unforgettable ride through the empty streets
of the 3000 year Old City.
See in Jerusalem
Jerusalem
has an amazing array of attractions for the traveler to see. The following are
some of the must-sees. For more attractions see individual district articles.
Old city attractions (such as Way of the Cross)and suggested tour routes can be
found on the Interactive Jerusalem Map [4]
The Israel Museum [5] is the largest
museum in Israel. The Museum contains the "shrine of the book" where
the dead sea scrolls are kept. It also has a large scale model of Jerusalem in
ancient times. It has large archeology and art sections that were renovationed
and reopened in 2010. Entrance fee is ₪45.
Yad Vashem [6] is Israel's Holocaust
museum. There is no fee to enter but tours can cost about ₪30.
Children under ten are not allowed to enter the museum proper but they go to
other areas.
The Garden Tomb [7] on Nablus Road,
East Jerusalem marks what many believe is the location of Calvary and the tomb
of Jesus. The tomb is located in a lush big garden which is a good break away
from the hustle and bustle of East Jerusalem. Must do, but only open in the
afternoons.
The
Biblical Zoo is one of Israel's most popular tourist sites, in West Jerusalem
Visit
the Belzer Rebbe's tish on Friday night in Charedi Jerusalem (men only!) or
just wander around Ultra Orthodox neibourhood of Mea Shearim in decent attires
Yemin
Moshe the first modern neighbourhood outside the Old Town, a beautiful cluster
of small cobbled streets
Old City — the atmospheric historical
core of Jerusalem surrounded by Ottoman period walls, filled with sites of
massive religious signficance and a bustling approach to life. (Please note
that sites are often specific to one religion, being used by adherents of a
particular religion for worship or exhibits, and some sites, particularly
Islamic ones, may bar nonmembers from entry or praying on the grounds.)
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
(Christian) [8] is the end of the Via Dolorosa (Way of the sorrows) in the
Christian quarter of the Old City. It is the most holy Christian spot in the
world. The first church on the site was built by Queen Helena, mother of the
emperor Constantine, the Holy Sepulchre is Jerusalem's number 1 site for
Christian pilgrims and is consequently horribly crowded. Expect to queue for an
hour or more to enter the tiny tomb chamber.
The Temple Mount (Jewish/Muslim) is in
the Old City of Jerusalem, and it is important to both Jews and Muslims, to the
extent that ferocious international disputes have arisen over it. The Temple
Mount is the third most important site in Islam (and the most important in
Judaism), and it is a showcase for Islamic architecture and design from the
Umayyad to Ottoman times. (Jewish construction dating from Roman times and
before can also be found at the site and in the vicinity.) Jews often pray at
the Western Wall (Hakotel Hamaaravi) in the Old City on the side of the Temple
Mount, which is part of the outer retaining wall of the Temple, built 2000
years ago. The Temple Mount also continues as an important religious and
educational centre for Muslims to the present. It is crowned by the magnificent
Dome of the Rock, which stands on or near the site of the ancient Jewish
Temples. It is accessible at only specific times which you should find out in
advance. Encompassing over 35 acres of fountains, gardens, buildings and domes,
the Temple Mount houses the following Islamic landmarks:
Al-Aqsa Mosque (The Far Mosque) is the
point from where the prophet of Islam, Mohammad, is believed to have ascended to
heaven.
Qubbat Al-Sakhra (Dome of the Rock)
located in the middle of the sanctuary opposite of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, is
probably the most known landmark of Jerusalem with its golden dome and
octagonal blue walls that are adorned with Arabic calligraphy of Koranic
verses. The interior of both the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque are
closed to non-Muslims, however, the plaza that they are situated in is open to
the public. The Dome of the Rock is also labelled the most amazing Islamic
building in the world.
Entrance
into the mosques on the Temple Mount is granted if a Muslim man/woman asks the
guard of the mosques for entrance (they usually ask you to recite a well known
Quranic verse to prove you are a Muslim). For others (such as journalists, ect)
who wish to enter the Muslim sites for media purposes, ect write to the
Director of the Islamic Waqf via the following address:
Director
of the Islamic Waqf
Islamic
Waqf Council
P.O.
Box 19004
Jerusalem,
Israel
In
the request, make sure to include your nationality, some information about
yourself (ex. your occupation), and the reason why you want to enter the Dome
of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosqe. Do not refer to the Temple Mount by its English
name; refer to it as "Haram-el-Sharif".
The
Jewish quarter in the Old City was completely re-built in 1969 after the 1967
Arab-Israeli War. It still holds many ancient masterpieces such as the Cardo
(700 BC), Burnt House (70 AD), and Western Wailing Wall (50 BC). All of which
are among the most holy Jewish sites in the world. Definitely worth a visit,
especially the western wall. The Jewish Quarter also includes The Western Wall
Tunnel and the archaeological park at Davidson Centre (the Ophel). Also
interesting are The Hurba Synagogue and The Herodian Quarter.
Via Dolorosa [9] - passing through
Bethesda (crusader church and Roman excavations), Franciscan Archaeological
Museum and Les Seurs de Sion Monastery with its underground Roman Street.
Damascus
Gate is the most elaborate one. The vegetable market borders it. It is also
near Jaafar - Jerusalem most renowned sweets store.
Just
outside Damascus Gate you can visit Hezekiah's Tunnel and Rockefeller
Archaeological Museum as well as The Garden Tomb and The Tomb of the Kings
Lady Tunshuq Palace and Tomb
The
Indian Hospice, The Austrian Hospice, The Armenian Hospice
Syriac
Church, Maronite Church
The
Armenian Cathedral and Museum
The
Tower of David (Citadel) at Jaffa Gate, the museum of town history
Murestan
Square with the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
Mount
of Olives with numerous monuments including: Kidron Valley Monuments, Maria's
Tomb, The Ascension Chapel, Domini Flevit Church, Church of All Nations, Tombs
of the Prophets, Jewish Cemetery, Pater Noster Church, The Muscoviya, The Tomb
of Lazarus (in Al Eizariya village at the south-eastern slope of the Mount of
Olives)
Hass
Promenade -- Amazing view of the old city and environs, especially at sunset
Zion
Mountain with several monuments including: Hagia Maria Sion Abbey (Dormision
Church), Schindler's Tomb, Chamber of the Holocaust (Martef HaShoah), David's
Tomb and Room of the Last Supper
Abu
Dis is a Palestinian neighborhood and home to the Al-Quds (Jerusalem)
University Campus. The neighborhood is cut in two by the 6-9m high concrete
separation barrier. You can visit the site of a mosque and a church with the
mosque on the West Bank side and the church on the Jerusalem side.
The
Mamilla Cemetary is worth visiting with its ancient pools and graves of famous
Muslim leaders. It is also the subject of controversy as part of the Museum of
Tolerance is expected to be constructed on a section of the cemetery.
Excellent
tours are provided every week by the Al-Quds University Center for Jerusalem
Studies [10]. Including tours of the Old City settlements, Ramparts and the
tunnels. Tour guides are academics and historians who focus on the Palestinian
perspective.
Do in Jerusalem
Most
hotels will provide tours. Bus # 99 provides an orientation to the whole city
and can provide a perspective of the city. It cost ₪60
for a 2 hour tour and ₪80 for all day tour. It starts at the
Egged Central Bus Station. You can get on and off all day and is run and looks
like the double-decker tour buses in London.
The
Western Wailing Wall/underground is a tour that is well worth your time. The
female guide there was well versed in the history of the wall and the
explanation of the first two temples and the subsequent construction of the
Dome of the Rock will create a great picture of the conflict between relevant
cultures. A reservation should be made through your hotel. But individual
walk-ins can sometimes be squeezed in.
The
City of David water tunnels tour is interesting. It is located down the road
from the Dung Gate (near the Western Wall), follow the signs. The tour lasts around
2 hours and starts with a description of the City of David. It culminates in a
25 minute walk through the water channel cut to bring fresh water into
Jerusalem from a nearby spring. Sandals and a torch are required! The water is
ankle deep for most of the tour.
Jerusalem
is an amazing city for kids and kids events. Each museum runs special kids
programs during the summer including Recycle workshops at the Israel Museum,
Costumed tours of the Bible Lands Museum and the Museum of the Underground
Prisoner. The Jerusalem Theater has a full schedule of kids theater and even
opera. For a full list of kids events and attractions see
www.funinjerusalem.com
For
teens there is mini golf, segway tours, bowling, go karting, extreme sports,
carpentry workshop and Kad V'Chomer (paint your own ceramics). Fun In Jerusalem
also has a full list of swimming pools open to the public which come in handy
during the hot summer months.
Temple
Mount Sifting Project, Tzurim Valley National Park (Enter from Derech
E-Tur Shmuel Ben Adaya), ☎ 972-2-6280342, [11]. 9-17.
Participate in salvaging antiquies in debris that was dumped out of the Temple
Mount ₪15.
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For
people interested in the environment there is Eco Israel Tours, which offers
visitors to Israel the opportunity to head off the beaten-path and to
experience a side of Israel rarely seen by visitors and students. They expose
groups first-hand to Israel’s natural beauty, as well as its
living, breathing culture of innovation. Despite its challenges, Israel is a
global leader in green solutions to environmental problems. Eco Israel Tours
provides an interactive, dynamic experience of this exciting world within
Israel by exploring contemporary challenges and solution such as water and
energy. For more information or to sign up for a tour, contact Yonatan Neril,
Eco Israel Tours director, at 973-433-3322 (US-line), 054-723-4973
(Israel-line), or by email at gemma@ecoisraeltours.com
The
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) offers alternative tours
that examine the complexities of life in East Jerusalem, Greater Jerusalem, and
the Jordan Valley, with the option of meeting Palestinian families adversely
affected by Israeli policies of separation and home demolitions. ICAHD's tours
prioritize first-hand learning and a wide perspective on the social, cultural,
political, and historical issues that underlie the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. Tours are provided in seven languages: English, Arabic, Hebrew,
German, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.
Learn in Jerusalem
Jerusalem
offers a wide range of educational programmes, which include:
The
Rothberg International School [13] — part of the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem.
Yad
Vashem [14] runs a number of educational courses treating the subject of the
Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
Al
Quds Univeristy [15] offers many different programs to foreign students, as
well as special summer courses to improve your Arabic skills.
All
Nations Cafe [16] organizes summer caravans where internationals can learn
about the social, political and cultural aspects of life in and around
Jerusalem.
AISH
Hatorah [17] Offers walk-in interactive discussions and lectures that cover
topics such as: Being Jewish in today's world, defining the major tenents in
Jewish thought from a rational perspective, and exploring major themes and
practices in Jewish spirituality.
Yeshiva
Machon Meir [18] Address: 2 Hameiri Ave., Kiryat Moshe, Jerusalem 91340,
Israel: Shiurim in weekly tora portion (parasha), religious rules (halacha),
Jewish ethics (mussar). Jewish outreach. Instruction languages: Hebrew,
English, Russian
Buy in Jerusalem
Jerusalem
is big on t-shirts of all shapes, colors and designs, often with good evidence
of Jewish humour being present! If shopping in the Old City's markets, where
almost anything can be found, be prepared to haggle. You will get all sorts of
beautiful and unique gifts here ranging from jewellary, bed covers, statues to
spices. Judaica is also a popular choice of purchase. The Old City's Jewish
Quarter is particularly good for this, as is Mea Shearim, however, dress
modestly. Outside the old city a very good shopping destination is the
pedestrian mall at the Ben Yehuda street, the Mamilla pedestrian mall outside
the old city and the Malcha mall. These malls are also good places to eat!
Eat in Jerusalem
Jerusalem,
being the multicultural city that it is, has food from all countries, cultures,
and tastes. Besides the ubiquitous falafel stands, there is European,
Ethiopian, Medditeranean, and Middle Eastern foods. There is also a large
ranges in prices from the ritzy and exotic Emek Refaim to falafel stands
centered around Machaneh Yehuda and the Central Bus Station. A good rule of
thumb is to look for restaurants filled with Hebrew or Arabic speaking locals.
If
you keep kosher Jerusalem will be a wonderful place to visit. In the Jewish
sections of the city almost everything is kosher. However you should still check
for the paper on the wall. The Jerusalem rabbinute issues Kashrut certificates
that are good for 3 months at a time, and color coded. If you don't see it
displayed do not hesitate to ask the staff. If they don't show you one its a
good sign to move along. The certificate should be stamped "Basari"
(meat) or "halavi" (Dairy) in Hebrew. The current certificates are
cream colored with red print for dairy and pinkish-red for meat restaurants.
These will be good until Sept 22 (Rosh Hashana) after that the rabbinute will
put up new certifications. Note it is not unusual for it to take a few days to
get the new certificate up. It is usually the policy of the Jerusalem rabbinute
to not certify a chain store as kosher unless all the branches in the city of
Jerusalem are kosher. For this reason McDonalds and some branches of Aroma in
Jerusalem are not certified kosher.
Drink in Jerusalem
There
is plenty of nightlife in Jerusalem. For clubs, the best way is to have a
"proteksya", or connection with someone. This way of knowing someone
who works at the door or a friend is the easiest and best way to have a great
time in Jerusalem. In the way of a more laid-back alternative bar scene, crawl
around the closely nestled joints centered around the corner of Heleni HaMaika
and Monobaz.
Hotel in Jerusalem
The
Old City has a diverse mix of small hotels, religious hospices and cheap
hostels that might appeal to the traveller.
West
Jerusalem has a blend of B&Bs, guesthouses, small hotels and large hotels -
all the way up to 5-star accommodation, including the famous King David Hotel.
Jerusalem
Gate Hotel, 43 Yirmiyahu St, ☎ +972-2-5008500, [28]. Hotel
located at the entrance to Jerusalem with bar, coffee shop and banquet halls.
The cuisine is international with Glatt Kosher LeMehadrin Rabbinate
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