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Jerusalem Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Jerusalem
The holiest city on the planet has also been one of the most troubled in the past few decades, but that shouldn’t put visitors off from this once-in-a-lifetime destination. The main airport outside of the city also serves nearby Tel Aviv making it extremely convenient; not least because flights come into here from across the region and the world. Security is tight around the airport and the city but that shouldn’t spoil your enjoyment of sights such as the Wailing Wall and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Flights to Jerusalem
Ben Gurion Airport, the main air hub for Jerusalem and the rest of Israel, has recently seen a new terminal built. Terminal 3 has become the main terminal for international flights. National carrier El Al runs flights to over 40 overseas destinations such as New York, Moscow and Hong Kong. The airport also receives a huge number of other carriers which reach every corner of the globe. Some European budget airlines also run flights to Ben Gurion Airport such as XL Airways and Thomson Fly. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Jerusalem try Thomas Cook. Getting to the airport requires passing through numerous security checkpoints which can take time but transport links are good. Trains, buses, shared and private taxis reach the city in between 40 minutes and one hour.

Around the city many people travel by bus, but there are also private taxis readily available. A light railway network will be completed in 2008. Many people decide to walk around the city as there is a lot to see and many of the distances involved are short.

Jerusalem


Sightseeing in Jerusalem
Depending on your religion, you will probably choose a very particular set of sights to visit. The most important Jewish monuments are the Wailing Wall and Temple Mount while Muslims consider the Al-Aqsa Mosque as the most important building in Jerusalem. For Christians, it’s the Church of the Holy Sepulchre supposedly the place where Jesus died and was buried.

Many of the sites are not directly related to religion. Old Jerusalem boasts some of the most impressive structures such as the Ottoman era city walls. Interesting museums such as the Israel Museum, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Yad Vashem, are other must-sees.

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Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Jerusalem’s restaurants typically feature the full complement of Middle Eastern fare such as falafel, humus and plenty of mezze. You can also find American fast food joints along with Italian restaurants. Religious sensibilities means pork is off the menu so don’t try to order bacon – it’s not kosher in these parts.

For a devotedly religious city, Jerusalem has a throbbing night scene that generally involves bars or drinking in restaurants or at home until around midnight before hitting a night club until the sun comes up. The Ben Yehuda Street area has an abundance of night venues to explore.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Jerusalem boasts a good number of markets and bazaars that sell a range of goods particularly t-shirts that specialise in Jewish humour. The Old City is the place to head for a good selection of street stalls and small shops. Ben Yehuda Street features a pedestrian shopping area with plenty of boutiques and up-market shops selling everything from clothes to DVDs.


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