10 Top Things to Do in Jerusalem

There are plenty of great things to do in Jerusalem for both business and leisure travelers. Picking from this city’s extensive selection of cultural and historical sights, museums, and other attractions can be tough, especially if your time in the city is short. For many people, there’s simply too much to do here to select a few choice things without plenty of planning. Make sure you optimize your time spent in this great Israeli city with these 10 top things to do in Jerusalem.

Religious History

Jerusalem is known far and wide for its significance in history and religion. Some of the world’s biggest religions have sacred sites here, which are absolutely worth visiting. The Western Wall, more commonly known as the Wailing Wall, is a holy location in Judaism. People come from all over the world to pray here and to touch its stone. If you want to get a closer look at it and learn about its history, join a tour of the Western Wall’s tunnels, which actually have only been open to the public for a relatively short period of time. Make sure to book your tour well in advance, as these tours are very popular. Another popular religious locale is the Garden Tomb, which Christians believe could be the resting place of Jesus Christ. Admission is free, and the Tomb is a very tranquil, peaceful place to take a break.

Museums

Jerusalem’s museums are spectacular. The Israel Museum is one of the top archaeology and art museums in the world, and it features exhibits covering an enormous number of subjects in Judaic history and culture. The museum is home to more than 500,000 objects, including ancient holy documents like the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Rockefeller Archaeological Museum is also worthy of a visit, as it is home to one of the world’s best collections of Israeli artifacts and antiquities uncovered by the British during the first half of the 20th century. Another interesting museum is the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Memorial. Its Hall of Names is a memorial to the Jewish people killed during the Holocaust, and the museum houses thousands of artifacts and millions of pages of personal testimonies. The significance and impact of this museum are enormous, and your visit will be sobering, but interesting and enlightening as well.

Old City

Old City is a must-visit historical place; it combines religious sightseeing and shopping. While here, browse through the many vendor stalls at the Arab souk, which has remained in roughly the same location since Ottoman rule. If shopping is what you’re interested in, then you can’t miss Machane Yehuda, a local market that famously sells just about everything, including delicious street food.

Neighborhoods

Finally, spend at least a good portion of a day exploring Jerusalem’s neighborhoods. You’ll get a great idea of the history here, and you might even stumble upon your new favorite restaurant.

There’s a lot to do here, but, no matter what you decide on, make sure these 10 top things to do in Jerusalem are on your list and you can feel confident that you’ll see the best the city has to offer.

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