On this page you can read tips about Jerusalem, especially for people that joined our Boutique Tour, so we know what you have seen already seen.
Disclaimer: We do our best to present all information as updated as possible, but we are not liable if the information below turns out to be incorrect.
If you have additional questions, you can pass them on to us via info@amazingjerusalem.com.
If you have any corrections or suggestions, we would also like to receive them so that we can share them via this page.
Pre Paid Sim Card In Israel
Be carefull using your own SIM for data and calls in Israel, it can be very expensive, Israel is not bound by EU roaming rules!
For $25 you can buy an Israeli phone number and 100GB data, send to your home or select 24/7 pick up at Ben Gurion Airport after your arrival. Click to order
Shabbath
In Jerusalem, almost everything Jewish closes from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening. Only a few restaurants are open in the evening.
Shops and restaurants will remain open in the Arab part of the city, around Damascus Gate and in the Old City.
City pass
If you are going to stay in Jerusalem for several days, a Jerusalem Pass is highly recommended and it will most likely save you money. You can buy the pass online upon arrival at the airport and have it activated at the SMILE desk. The pass includes transport by tram and bus in Jerusalem. A three-day pass costs about 40 euros and a seven-day pass 70 euros. The more expensive one includes transportation to and from the airport, but check before if the departure times suit you. There is no transport during Sabbath, there is no transport from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.
The card includes free entry to 2 of 3 attractions including City of David, Ramparts Walls Walk, Tower of David and the Israel Museum. You receive an average of 25% discount if you visit more attractions.
This SMILE counter is centrally located in the airport, so visit it before you go through customs. To buy and for more info visit itraveljerusalem.com/jlm-city-pass/
Visiting Bethlehem
Click here for the different options to get to Bethlehem.
Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum
It is possible to visit Yad Vashem after the boutique tour on Thursdays, but you will not have much time.
You have to get out of the Old City from the Jaffa Gate and then walk to the Municipality lightrail station. You take the lightrail on the right, it goes straight ahead. You have a plastic public transportation card (Ravkav) or you can buy a ticket with your credit card on the platform (not in the lightrail ). Get off at the final stop, Mt Herzl. You can walk from there, about 15 minutes, or take the free shuttle bus to Yad Vashem.
The museum is open until 2 p.m. on Fridays. You can then take the bus from Tel Aviv and from the bus station in Jerusalem the tram to Mt Herzl. On Sunday to Thursday you can also take the express train (arrival at Yitzhak Navonstation).
Entrance is free
Recommended duration: 3 hours
Access under the age of 10 is not permitted, including babies in a stroller or baby carrier.
If you come with more than 6 people, you must notify us in advance.
You can pay for parking under the museum.
A “must” is to walk through the Children’s Monument in addition to the museum.
www.yadvashem.org
Tunnels at the Western Wall / Western Wall
This is a one-hour tour with a guide that you must book and pay for in advance.
The entrance is from the Western Wall Plaza, next to the toilets.
You go deep underground, under the houses of the Muslim Quarter through tunnels and passing some huge stones inside the Western Wall, seeing street level of 2000 years ago.
You can decide to exit on the Via Dolorosa instead of coming back to the Western Wall.
Make your reservation in time.
You can do this via english.thekotel.org/western_wall_sites/
Tunnels at City of David / City of David
This is the real old Jerusalem with remains of Jewish palaces that are at least 2500 years old and possibly King David (3000 years ago).
You can choose from a wet and dry tunnel here. If you take the wet one, you will get wet up to 80cm, that is only a short distance, the rest of the more than 500 meter long tunnel is water up to your ankles. The dry tunnel is shorter.
At the end you reach the Pool of of Shiloam, known from the New Testament, from there an 850 meter long tunnel leads back into the Old City. You pass under the walls and come up at the Western Wall, near the part called the Wailing Wall.
www.cityofdavid.org.il/en
Mahaneh Yehuda Market
Easy to walk from the center or take the lightrail and get off at the Mahaneh Yehuda station.
This old traditional market is still well used, but is now also hip and hot.
The transformation takes place around 5 pm and the market stalls close and the pubs and restaurants open.
Mea Shearim, Ultra Orthodox neighboorhood
One of the oldest Jewish Neighborhoods outside of the Old City, build for Orthodox Jews which we now call Ultra Orthodox, aka Haredim.
They have a strict adherence to halakha (Jewish law) and traditions, as opposed to modern values and practices and do not mix with the rest of society.
Haredi men are dressed in a black suit and a white shirt with. To
Headgear includes black Homburg like hats, with black skull caps or a kippah under it. If not a Homburg, they wear a shtreimel, a huge fur hat.
Haredi families are usually much larger than non-Orthodox Jewish families.
Dress code to enter Mea Shearim:
Women: wear long skirts and cover your elbows and cleavage.
Men: wear long pants and cover your shoulders.
Visiting churches
A lot of biblical events happened in Jerusalem and many churches commemorate a person or event from the New Testament.
The friars of the Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church, who are the custodians of many holy places in the Holy Land, maintain a list with opening days and ours of these locations.
Interesting churches that are not visited during the Amazing Jerusalem Boutique Day Tour and usually not during a private tour are:
Christ Church & Museum, Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky(Judgement Gate), Church of Saint Anne & Pool of Bethesda, Garden Tomb, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer & Tower, Saint Peter in Gallicantu. You will find the opening days and hours of these and other Christian places on the website of the Christian Information Centre (C.I.C.). They are located in or directly around the Old City of Jerusalem.