A trip to Israel would not be complete without visiting Jerusalem; it’s definitely a must especially for first timers. Jerusalem the golden is like no other city on earth. Sacred to the world's three major monotheistic religions, and was fought over for three millennia by a variety of peoples and nations. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and some may say the centre of the world.

The landmarks within the ancient walls of Jerusalem’s are very much alive today. In fact, you can barely move without wandering into another beautiful building or fascinating ruin. See the foundations the Western Wall which is all that remains of the temple of Solomon that was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC. Here you’ll see Jews from Africa, Asia, Europe and America representing every facet of the religion. Experience the Jewish rituals of praying here every day, leaving their messages to God scribbled on pieces of paper and hiding them in between the stones of the wall. Here, there are elderly Jewish men dressed in traditionally sober Hasidic costumes and young teenage girls tottering up to the female section of the wall. You could even get the chance to stumble across one of the many Bar Mitzvah celebrations.

A visit to The Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where Jesus is said to have been executed and buried, reminds you just how many different varieties of Christianity there are. Pause for a few seconds in one of the 30 chapels built on this site and you’ll soon find Catholic, Greek, Russian, Armenian, Coptic and Ethiopian priests bustling past you. The beautiful golden Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount dominates any view of Jerusalem and is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The rock is believed by all three of the world’s main religions to be the place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son to God in the founding act of monotheism.

Whatever your views on religion, almost every step that you take through the streets of this most holy of cities reminds you that this is a place that has had a huge effect on the history of the world and is surely destined to have a pivotal role in its future. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, the network of streets through which Jesus dragged his cross before his crucifixion, and you’ll hear Muslim calls for prayer intermingled with Christian chanting and the shouts of market traders selling their spices. You’ll certainly see Jews and Muslims trading with one another and eating humus together in the market cafes. Take a moment to join them and watch the inhabitants of this city wander past you.

www.jerusalem.muni.il

Things to See & Do

Culture
Travel through thousands of years of history at the Citadel Museum (Tel: 972-2-6265333) which serves as a constant reminder of how many times Jerusalem has been conquered and re-conquered over the centuries.

Marvel at the Dead Sea Scrolls, walk through beautiful ancient synagogues and discover the huge art and antiquities collection at the Israel museum Ruppin Blvd (Tel: 972-26708811).

Uncover the true horror of the holocaust at Yad Vashem, a memorial and exceptionally moving new museum.

Gaze at some of the most ancient artifacts in the world at the Bible Lands Museum Row 25 Granot Street (Tel: 927-2561106).

For an extensive museum list check www.museum.co.il

Mini Israel – see it all in small, based in Latrun, a 20-minute drive from Jerusalem – a perfect stop before your departure back home.

Shopping

Markets
Damascus Gate
Crowded gate with market leading into Arab Quarter
Ha-Zanhanim Street Jerusalem

Mahane Yehuda Market
Bustling outdoor food and goods market
Agripas Street and Jaffa Street Jerusalem

Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Street for Judaica, arts, crafts and souvenirs, from July to September watch out for the colourful fairs filled with jewellery, food and art stalls.

Nachalat Shiva is a trendy pedestrian precinct just off Kikar Zion with lots of sidewalk restaurants, cafes, pubs, small boutiques and arts/crafts shops.

Malha Mall
180 stores under one roof
Malha Jerusalem 96950
T: +972-2-678 8448

Transport

From Jerusalem to...
Tel Aviv - 59 km
Arad - 104 km
Be’er Sheva - 84km
Haifa - 159 km
Nazareth - 157 km
Netanya - 93km
Tiberias - 157