Guide to Jerusalem: what to see in one day

Old City

The Old City is home to most of Jerusalem's main attractions. According to statistics, the most visited sites are the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Via Dolorosa. Here is more information about the must-see tourist attractions.

The Western Wall (Wailing Wall)

Part of the massive stone wall surrounding the Temple Mount, on which the main shrine of Judaism, the Second Temple, stood 2,000 years ago. When it was destroyed, only the western part of the wall survived, hence the name. Interestingly, in both Hebrew and English, this place is called the Western Wall. Arabs began to call it the Wailing Wall when they saw Jews coming here to cry and pray.

The entire preserved section of the wall stretches for almost 500 meters, but the main place of pilgrimage is the large square onto which the open section of the structure opens. This square is called the open-air synagogue. Mass prayers are held here, Jewish holidays are celebrated, and Israeli army recruits take their oaths. And for 300 years, the main tourist tradition has been to place a note in the gap between the huge boulders (the largest of which is 13 meters long).

Although it is now possible to write a note online from anywhere in the world, millions of people—from pilgrims to popes and presidents—prefer to touch the wall themselves and make a wish. It is not difficult to do this: everyone is allowed in, and there are separate areas for men and women. According to the official version, the accumulated notes are collected twice a year and buried in the ground on the Mount of Olives.

Temple Mount

This place, sacred to Jews and Muslims, now belongs to Jordan. Once upon a time, the First and Second Jerusalem Temples stood here, and now it is one of the main Muslim shrines. Not everyone can get to the square above the Wailing Wall: entry for tourists is limited, they are not allowed in every day and only at strictly designated times. Access to the shrines is open only to Muslims.

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The two main attractions of Temple Mount are the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, and the Dome of the Rock, inside which is the Cornerstone. Jews associate it with the creation of the world, while Muslims associate it with one of the key events in Islam, the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad. The Dome of the Rock is considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture. Tourists can only appreciate its exterior: the facade with a golden dome, rich mosaic ornamentation, patterned marble, and gilding.

Via Dolorosa

While historians argue about whether Christ was really led to Golgotha along this route, millions of people continue to tread the centuries-old stones of the Via Dolorosa ("Way of Sorrows"). With or without crosses, with guides or on their own, skeptical or enthusiastic, tourists make their way along the narrow, winding street between crowds of pilgrims and souvenir sellers.

Unfortunately, in recent years, this picturesque street has turned into a large bazaar: churches and monasteries are interspersed with numerous cafes and souvenir shops.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Resurrection of Christ)

The main Christian shrine — the place where, according to legend, Jesus Christ was crucified and then resurrected — has been rebuilt many times over the centuries and has survived destruction and fire. Today, it is a complex of buildings that includes several churches and chapels and is divided between the Armenian, Syrian, Orthodox, Catholic, Coptic, and Ethiopian churches.

Inside are Golgotha, the Holy Sepulchre, the Stone of Anointing, and other Christian relics, strictly divided between different denominations. To avoid conflict, the keys to the church are kept by an Arab family.

Four quarters

The Old City is divided into four quarters: Jewish, Armenian, Christian, and Muslim. It is worth wandering through the narrow streets of each of them to feel their character and atmosphere. The most densely populated quarter is the Muslim quarter, the smallest is the Armenian quarter, and the newest is the Jewish quarter. It was almost completely destroyed during the Arab-Israeli War of 1948 and has been carefully restored according to old drawings.

Viewing platforms

From above, Jerusalem reveals new facets, demonstrating the difference between the Jewish and Arab quarters and offering spectacular panoramic views. Choose one of the observation decks.

Fortress walls

These massive walls were built back in the 16th century. Nowadays, tourists can walk along a four-kilometer route, checking out different parts of the Old Town, peeking into courtyards, and seeing how impressive the city gates are.

The bell tower of the Redeemer Church

The German Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer (Redeemer) is located near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After climbing 178 steps to the bell tower, you will see the entire Old City at a glance. You will also be able to appreciate the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as a whole structure, which is impossible to do from below.

Mount of Olives

The highest mountain in Jerusalem is associated with many biblical events, on the sites of which churches and chapels have been built. Here you will find the tomb of the Virgin Mary and the Garden of Gethsemane (where Christ is believed to have prayed on the night before his arrest) with thousand-year-old olive trees, which gave the mountain its name.

The top of the Mount of Olives offers one of the most magnificent panoramas in Jerusalem, with the Old City to the west and the Judean Desert to the east. Many people come here to watch the sunset and photograph the lights of Jerusalem at night.

Shopping

As in any tourist destination, souvenir prices in the center of Jerusalem are greatly inflated. Particularly adventurous tourists haggle to the last in the best traditions of Eastern bazaars. Others simply enjoy the local flavor and hunt for good shots for Instagram.

Mahane Yehuda Market

Once a typical Jerusalem market, it has now become a tourist attraction—on par with Boqueria in Barcelona or Camden in London. Mahane Yehuda offers the classic combination of "bread and circuses":

• Experience the rhythm of life in an Eastern bazaar with its colors, smells, sounds, and tastes. The atmosphere is especially colorful on Thursdays and Fridays, when locals shop for Shabbat.
• Buy souvenirs, especially edible ones: spices, dates, olives, halva, wine, or hummus.
• Eat at one of the dozens of cafes. Falafel or shawarma, pasta or burgers, salads or sushi — no one will leave hungry. And foodies can book a tour of the market with tastings.
• Have fun. In recent years, the market has become one of the centers of nightlife. After the vegetable stalls close in the evening, bars with live music, pubs, and restaurants open. Holidays are celebrated and parties are held here — sometimes the fun doesn't stop until morning.

Ben Yehuda Street

A pedestrian street with many shops and restaurants. Here you can buy everything from magnets to leather shoes and Dead Sea cosmetics. You can also grab a bite to eat and listen to street musicians.

Arab Market

A classic oriental market, part of which runs along Via Dolorosa. In the noisy, colorful rows, you can buy religious souvenirs, colorful scarves, jewelry, spices, ceramics, and oriental sweets.