Is Jerusalem family-friendly?

Yes! If your kids don’t fancy the idea of walking around historical sites, don’t worry. There's plenty for families to enjoy in Jerusalem. There’s a large zoo that houses animals from the bible, and the Israel Aquarium is a good place to learn about local marine life and the importance of keeping the oceans clean. And don’t forget the Mediterranean beaches that are just one hour away. Metzitzim Beach is wonderful for families. It has shallow waters that are good for kids wanting to have a splash.

How long should I stay in Jerusalem?

If you’re just planning to stay in Jerusalem itself, allow around a week to see all the sights, enjoy the nightlife, and do some shopping without feeling rushed off your feet. But there are lots of day trips you can take. With a car, you could be in Bethlehem in 30 minutes, the Mediterranean beaches of Tel Aviv in one hour, the Dead Sea in around an hour and a half and Nazareth in two hours. If possible, try to spend at least two weeks in Jerusalem if you want to explore more of Israel.

What should I not miss in Jerusalem?

A visit to the Dead Sea. The salt level of the water is just over 34 percent, so swimming here feels more like floating. It’s a little under two hours’ drive to Ein Bokek Beach from Jerusalem. Although there are closer places to catch a glimpse of the Dead Sea, Ein Bokek’s public beach is probably the easiest and most enjoyable place to take a swim. The beach is well maintained, lifeguards are often on duty, and there’s changing rooms, showers, toilets, and shade shelters. And it’s free!

What’s the nightlife like in Jerusalem?

The nightlife in Jerusalem is probably a lot livelier than you’d think given the very historic and cultural scene here. As a place of prayer, The Old City of Jerusalem is bar-free but, outside the walls, there’s a very energetic feel after dark. It’s not too wild. It’s best to head to Tel Aviv for more of a party atmosphere. But it has its fair share of pubs and bars. Jerusalem has a very active music scene, so you’ll find many of the bars with live music and entertainments through the evenings.

What is the hottest month in Jerusalem?

June, July, August, and September are the hottest months in Jerusalem, averaging about 23°C. At this time of year, daytime can reach the high 20s or even low 30s. There’s also little, if any, rain as Jerusalem has very dry summers. It’s slightly cooler in April, May, and October. But these can still be nice times to visit. And it may be cheaper to travel. Temperatures drop to around 8°C in January, but there are often blue skies.

How long does it take to get to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem?

It takes around an hour by car to travel from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv on Israel's Mediterranean coast. There’s also a bus if you don’t fancy hiring a car. It’s worth a day out. Tel Aviv shows off a very modern side to Israel. There are contemporary street markets, modern art museums, boutique stores, cool theme parks, and plenty of beaches. Although there’s tons to choose from, Gordon Beach, Frishman Beach, and Bograshov Beach are some of the most popular, with plenty of amenities and facilities.

Jerusalem Holidays 2023 / 2024

Find your perfect holiday

History and hedonism combined

It’s home to the lowest place on earth, several of the world’s most holy places and some of the finest food you’ll ever taste. Israel holidays are like nothing else. There are wonderful beaches and energetic cities, not to mention the globally significant fortresses, mosques, churches and synagogues where you can witness a legacy that echoes into the present. Yet many aspects of holidays to Israel are firmly contemporary.

Tel Aviv has great stretches of beach, plus superb music and contemporary art scenes. Falafel, shawarma and hummus are packed into pittas at lip-smacking food stalls, while restaurants offer cutting-edge global food, and drinkers can head to cocktail and dive bars or find rooftop venues for that perfect Mediterranean sunset. Southeast of here, Jerusalem straddles the divide between Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

Pilgrims and tourists come in their thousands to the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock. But a visit is also about a unique mix of faiths, and a fusion of old and new that takes in buzzing old-town streets, ancient markets and ultra-modern coffee shops. Past Jerusalem, the Dead Sea is breathtakingly surreal. You really do float here, in a salt lake 431m below sea level, the still blue waters set against desert canyons and sophisticated spa centres. Further afield, you can take a cable car to the legendary siege site of Masada, walk the walled Crusader City of Acre or explore Roman ruins in Caesarea. Fans of modern cities can visit dynamic Nazareth and Ramallah. And adventurers can dive in the Red Sea, cycle by the Sea of Galilee or hike the mountains and the desert, where place names bear the weight of thousands of years of faith and history.

All resorts in Jerusalem

Jerusalem

Three tips for a top trip

Ride the City Pass

Jerusalem’s light rail runs through the heart of the city to the bus station, the market and the gates of the Old City.

Try the cuisine

Delicious simple, Jerusalem cuisine includes falafel, grilled kebabs and schnitzels, usually accompanied by hummus and freshly-baked pitta.

Daytrip to Tel Aviv

Israel’s party capital is all modern hotels and rooftop cocktail bars. It’s less than an hour-and-a-half from Jerusalem, so daytrips are easy to fit in.

BEST ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN JERUSALEM

Food & Drink Nightlife Places To Visit Shopping

The food and drink in Jerusalem is an interesting combo of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines. Popular dishes here include falafel, hummus, locally-grown olives, veggie salads, spiced meats, and fresh fish from the nearby Jordan River. All are washed down with glasses of freshly squeezed juices. Desserts here are sweet and sticky; ideal if you have a sweet tooth. Think alternate layers of honey and filo pastry. Or try halvah, a type of fudge made with nuts and sesame seed paste.
There’s a big street food scene in Jerusalem that can be fun to experience. The quality is much better than you might expect. In fact, some of the best foods are found at street carts or tiny hole-in-the-wall eateries. But don’t overlook the city’s restaurants, either. Here, you can sample the local wines. Jerusalem is part of the Judean Hills wine region that produces Burgundies and Chardonnays.

YOUR JERUSALEM QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

How should I dress?

Given that this is one of the world’s most important religious places, be sure to dress respectfully and show as little skin as possible.

Local dish to try?

Hummus and falafel are staples, as are Israeli stuffed vine leaves, which are packed with everything from mushroom to ground beef.

Best time to visit?

This is a year-round destination, but between April and May and October and November expect cooler temperatures and lesser crowds.