Yad Vashem

This solemn memorial is Israel's tribute to the millions of Jewish victims of the Shoah, and an intense, thought-provoking experience for visitors. The conceptual design conveys a striking feeling of how enormous the disaster was. The exhibits mix historical displays with personal testimonies and remains. Yad Vashem also hosts an important research …

The most popular street market in Jerusalem, this busy place feels authentic: locals come to grocery shop and vendors are loud. Catch the opportunity to try out some reasonably priced specialities from the food stands. Lately, the place has also become a vibrant nightlife hangout, with restaurants and live music. Mahane Yehuda is also …

This museum boasts a rich and informative series of exhibits, and it's very helpful in understanding the past and present of Jerusalem. The collection of Dead Sea Scrolls, hundreds of manuscript copies of the Bible found in Qumran, is astonishing. Moreover, you'll view the biggest exhibition of biblical archaeology in the world, a selection …

At the City of David, you can explore the remains of the oldest part of Jerusalem and walk through the meanders of a subterranean stream. The archaeological site spans two levels: an aboveground area and underground excavations. It is much older than Jerusalem's Old City, with the ancient Canaanites building it near the waters …

The Jerusalem Season of Culture is a rich and fascinating festival that takes place every summer and lasts for an entire month. With its complexity and long history, Jerusalem becomes a vibrant, bustling stage for a wide range of events that gather musicians, DJs, visual artists, chefs, and many more. One of the main …

The Bible Lands museum focuses on the history of various cultures listed in the Bible, mixing archaeological findings, information from sacred texts and historical research. You will see religious representations and funerary art as well as jewellery, secular artwork and everyday items. The collection is so extensive it can easily become overwhelming: it's best …

The Hebrew Music museum is a different and lesser-known experience: its display of original ancient musical instruments is impressive, and it's accompanied by interactive content and fascinating historical information on Jewish diasporas. You can get to know the Jewish people's history through their musical tradition, which is quite an interesting perspective. It is also …

The Museum for Islamic Art is a hub for beliefs, traditions and artwork of the Islamic civilisation. Nine different exhibitions display a limited but highly informative ensemble. One of the most interesting features is their rare collection of clocks, which counts more than 200 …

A visit to this museum is a good way to learn more about Jerusalem's culture and complexity. The exhibitions keep a memory of important personalities and dramatic events in the Palestinian community; they also preserve the people's material culture, such as traditional pottery, weaving and working tools, dresses, and jewellery. Ultimately, the museum is …

The past of Jerusalem is hugely fascinating, but the present is at least equally as important. Located on the very border between West and East Jeursalem, the Museum on the Seam provides great food for thought on contemporary social issues in the land. It has hosted exhibitions from some of the most important artists …

Lesser known by tourists, Ades Synagogue boasts typical, well-kept interiors, with chandeliers and a walnut ark inlaid with mother-of-pearl. If you're visiting in winter and you're interested in Jewish religious culture, come early on Saturday (Shabbat) morning and listen to bakashot, songs based on Kabbalistic …

According to the Bible and the Gospels, this is one of the holiest places in Jerusalem. The hill offers a beautiful view over the city and the Dome of the Rock — especially beautiful in the morning, with the sun on visitors' backs. The backstory is rough — allegedly, Jesus prayed here the night …

The Church of St Peter of Gallicantu, a Byzantine-style Catholic church located on Mount Zion, offers stunning views of the City of David and the village of Silwan, a Palestinian community. The current building, which has some interesting decorations such as stained glass windows, was completed in the 1930s on the site of earlier …

St Anne's Church was built by crusaders in the 12th century in a Romanesque style. Many pilgrims take advantage of the perfect acoustics inside and sing religious hymns. Hidden in the courtyard you'll find some remains of a Roman pagan temple. The church was a Muslim school for some time under the Saladin, and …

The Dormition Church and Monastery is an imposing, elegant complex just outside the Old City, near the Sion Gate. It belongs to Benedictine monks, and showcases beautiful decorations and Romanesque revival architecture. The luxuriously decorated crypt celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to have happened …

An Eastern Orthodox Monastery, this Georgian-style building is said to be located where the head of the biblical ancestor Adam was buried. The origins of the foundation are mysterious, possibly dating back to the 4th century and emperor Constantine's mother. Inside the church you'll find colourful ceremonial art, Georgian frescoes and manuscripts, remains from …

The Herodian Quarter Museum is a small but surprisingly well preserved mansion from two thousand years ago. The house of a wealthy Jewish family until Titus's destruction in 70 AD, it gives a taste of what life of the richest was like in Jerusalem at the time. Tours and audio guides are …

The Jerusalem Archaeological Park & Davidson Centre comprises remains from the Second Temple era, 2,000 years ago. You'll admire columns, gates, streets, and the typical Jewish baths (mikve'ot). Audio guides and educational videos will help you understand the site's …

If you feel in need of a break from cultural sightseeing, find some natural beauty and light-hearted entertainment in this 62-acre-big zoo. Children will enjoy exploring the zoo and seeing the animals up close. The facility hosts a variety of endangered species. The zoo's main theme is peculiar: it focuses on animals mentioned in …

The Herodyon National Park, not to be confused with the Herodian Quarter, is located on the top of a hill, and showcases what remains of Herod the Great's megalomania for palaces. It is the best place to combine a relaxing nature hike, some archaeological sightseeing, and a stunning natural environment: on sunny days, the …

For an off-the-beaten-path, adventurous, and possibly spiritual hiking trip, head to the Monastery of Saint George in the West Bank. Hidden in the rocky landscape and hanging solitary in the deep gorge of Wadi Quelt, it is a breathtaking destination. Hermits founded it in the 5th century, and it spreads over three floors, boasting …