Is it possible to visit Jerusalem in 24 hours? We did that, and it is totally doable. We share our exact itinerary, including visiting Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock, the best places to visit, safety and budget tips for accommodation. Most people travel to Jerusalem for two to three days. However, we found it perfectly doable in just one day. You only need to be prepared before you come to avoid unwanted hassle.
Jerusalem was our first stop after we crossed the overland Taba border between Egypt and Israel, and straight away, we took a bus to Jerusalem. We arrived late in the evening, and the next day we dedicated to exploring Jerusalem. Read how we managed to visit all the top sights in one day.
WARNING! October 2023: The ongoing war between Israel and the Gaza Strip is currently taking place, and before you travel to Jerusalem, it is necessary to seek the most updated information.
IMPORTANT TIPS
- Get a RavKav card: It is a transportation card you will need to get around Israel. We bought our card immediately as we crossed to Eilat from Egypt at a central bus station in Eilat. You can buy this card at any bus station. It costs only 5 ILS ($1.35), and you top it up with credit for rides.
- Get the Moovit app: To know the exact bus timetable and exact bus stop location, download the Moovit app. You also see how much the ride costs.
- Get RavKav Online app: This app is perfect for finding out how much credit you have left on the card, and you can also top it up online. Another option to top up your card is in certain kiosks, bus stations and terminals by the bus stops (not at every bus stop).
- Get a local sim card: As soon as you arrive, get the sim card. Pelephone has the best prices and coverage. We bought it and used it both in Israel and Palestine.
- Stay in the Abraham Hostel: A healthy local breakfast is included, which fills you for a long time. It is clean and centrally located, and if you pay in advance, you will get a coupon for a free beer at their bar. They also give you a 10% discount for a stay in their other Abraham Hostels in Tel Aviv or Nazareth; we stayed in all of them.
Visiting Palestine? Read our ultimate travel guide for Palestine with an 11-day itinerary.
MAP of jerusalem – Top Places to Visit
TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN JERUSALEM
Jerusalem is an important place for Jews, Muslims and Christians. Even if you’re not religious, this place will swallow you with such spiritual energy. Most major sights are located within the Old City, making it very friendly for exploring by walking.
- There are four gates to enter the Old City: Jaffa, Damascus, Dung and Lion’s Gate.
Temple Mount/ Al Haram Ash Sharif
The biggest landmark in Jerusalem, especially the Dome of the Rock, is the most holy and famous site. There are nine gates for Muslims to enter; however, as a non-muslim, you can only enter through the Gate of Moors (Bab Al Maghariba). It is recommended to line up early, as many tours are coming and you should expect huge queues. When we visited in January, there was, however, a small queue, and it took just 10 minutes to get inside. You will go through the security check and follow the wooden bridge that gives you a perfect view of the Western Wall.
The Dome of the Rock is a place where you find the foundation stone that Jews believe is the centre of the earth. For Muslims, it is a place where Mohammed made his ascent. Non-Muslims can’t enter the Dome of the Rock or Al Aqsa Mosque. We had a great time wandering around its plaza and admiring the architecture, which is simply stunning.
- Sites inside Temple Mount areal: Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Chain, Sabil of Qaitbay, Scales of Souls, Bab Al Qattanin
- Opening hours for Temple Mount for non-muslims: 7 – 10:30am and 12:30 – 1:30pm in winter and 7 – 11am and 1:30 – 2:30pm in summer. Fridays and Saturdays are closed.
- Entrance fee: Free
- Security: They take security seriously in Temple Mount and will thoroughly search your bag while entering by the Gate of Moors. The military presence here is huge.
Western Wall
Western Wall is the holiest site in the world where Jews pray by the wall. As we already mentioned above, you get a perfect view of the Western Wall from above when walking on the wooden bridge when visiting the Temple Mount. Stop there for a few minutes and just watch how Jews pray here. Western Wall is open 24 hours a day, but it makes the most sense if you come here after visiting the Temple Mount as it is very close.
Worshipers recite the scriptures here and touch the 2000-year-old stone wall. It is separated into women and men sections. The atmosphere in such a holy place is surreal. Jakub and I visited our sections and watched Jews pray, watching how they walked away from the wall. They never turn their back to the wall; they always face it, even when leaving the premises.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
After seeing the holiest site for Jews, it’s time to move to the Christian Quarter, where the main pilgrimage site for Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is to be found. Christians come and pray here by the empty tomb of Jesus. It is the place where Jesus was crucified. You find here the Stone of Unction, which is apparently where Jesus’ body was laid and prepared for burial.
The inside of the Church has a magnificent design, and expect to spend at least an hour here.
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre’s opening hours are 5am – 8pm from April to September and 5am to 7pm from October to March.
- Entrance fee: Free
Via Dolorosa
Via Dolorosa is the holy walk through the Jerusalems’ most sacred sites. It takes roughly one hour to walk this 600 m path, that is the one believed that Jesus took carrying the cross. We took a whole walk and did not expect such a spiritual experience. Having a map from Lonely Planet and reading the description of places as you go is worth it. The walk starts at St. Stephen’s (Lion’s) Gate and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Mount of Olives
To end the day and watch the sunset with an unbeatable view over Jerusalem, head to the top of the Mount of Olives in this location. We decided to walk from the old city, but you can also take bus number #83, which runs between Jaffa Gate and the top of the Mount of Olives. The viewpoint lies over the slopes of the cemetery where more than 150,000 Jews are buried. It is likely the world’s oldest continuously used cemetery. It is worth coming here for epic views of Jerusalem with the shining golden Dome of the Rock in the distance.
On the way down, stop in one of many churches along the way, and if you have time, you can visit some. We visited Dominus Flevit Church and Gethsemane. We also wanted to visit the Church of Mary Magdalene, but it was already closed.
Jewish quarter
The Jewish quarter was totally rebuilt after 1967 because years before, it was almost all destroyed by Arabs and later by Jordanians. There are many archaeological founds, synagogues and a beautiful Hurva square with many eateries and cafes around. Try falafel in a popular eatery opposite the Hurva Synagogue.
Mahane Yehuda Market
Opening hours for Mahane Yehuda Market: 8am – 7pm and 9am – 3pm on Fridays. We enjoyed strolling through this vibrant market after sunset. You can expect lots of halva, bakeries, cool food stalls and eateries. If you want to buy some locally grown products such as dates, oils and much more, this is the place to be. This market stood since the Ottoman period and is located on Yehuda St., it is an open market, for veggies and butchers go on Etz Chayim St., where all the eateries, bakeries and halva makers are. We ended our day in Jerusalem here.
We managed to visit all the mentioned sites in Jerusalem during a 1-day visit. We started exploring early in the morning and had plenty of time to see most places. However, you can easily spend more days here as there are many historical and religious sites to visit.
When to visit Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a bustling city, that attracts hundreds of travellers for its spiritual journey. Summer is sweltering and also a peak season, in our opinion, try to avoid that. Prices are high, and crowds are big. Try to come in the shoulder season, which is in spring and fall; the weather is perfect. We visited Jerusalem in January, which is off-season, and loved it! The weather was quite nice, a bit chilly with temperatures around 18°C but sunny. We avoided all crowds and had a peaceful day in Jerusalem.
Travelling during Shabbat
Shabbat is a Jewish day of the rest that starts with the sunset on Friday and ends with the sunset on Saturday. Most shops are closed, and public transport is limited. Try planning your itinerary so you don’t need to travel much during Shabbat. Even though the options for things to do are limited, it is not impossible to enjoy the day as there are always some options for sightseeing, transport or restaurants that are open.
INTERNET & SIM CARD
The Internet in Israel is very good. In every accommodation we stayed wifi was very fast and reliable. We bought our Sim card in Jerusalem from Pelephone. It is not the cheapest, but it worked well in most places, even in Palestine. We paid 100 ILS ($28) for a SIM card with 100 GB, unlimited use of apps such as Instagram and Facebook, and they provide 5G coverage. Don’t buy a sim card at the airport; they are overpriced.
To access some sites, you will need a VPN. We recommend NordVPN as they have amazing customer service, and sometimes you can get up to 65% discount if you purchase a 2-year plan. We never travel without our NordVPN; it helps you access certain sites and ensure your data safety.
Check the best offers for NordVPN here.
Safety in Jerusalem
Overall, Jerusalem is a safe city to visit in terms of pickpocketing and crimes. You can freely walk after sunset without being afraid. Be prepared for military presence, especially the heavily guarded old town, Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. Military training is mandatory for everyone, even girls in Israel, so it is common to see young people with guns walking around Jerusalem.
East Jerusalem is a sensitive area inhabited by Muslims but under the control of Israel. It very often experiences a high tension between Israelis and Palestinians. Governmental websites claim the terrorist risk is medium to high, but every local will tell you Jerusalem is safe. And we felt very safe, but you have to remember that Israel, in general, and Palestine are very sensitive areas.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Have proper travel insurance for Israel and Palestine covering various activities such as IATI Insurance does. They have fantastic customer service and provide different kinds of insurance packages. As a reader of Broken Navigation, you get an exclusive 5% discount.
Get your exclusive 5% discount for your travel insurance with IATI here.
HOW TO GET TO JERUSALEM
The easiest way to get to Israel is to fly with low-cost airlines into Tel Aviv. And then take a train or bus to Jerusalem. You can see a detailed bus/train schedule on the Moovit app.
The cheapest tickets to Tel Aviv from Europe have Wizz Air, and you can find flight tickets as cheap as €30.
Check cheap flights to Tel Aviv here.
HOW TO GET AROUND JERUSALEM
Use RavKav Card and travel by public transport all around Jerusalem (and the whole of Israel). You can find the correct timetables and prices in MoovitApp. If you base yourself in the old town or close, you can basically visit all the places by walking. However, public transport in Jerusalem is a convenient way to save time and energy. It runs often, and one ride costs around 5.5 ILS ($1.5).
WHERE TO STAY IN JERUSALEM
Budget I Abraham Hostel – we highly recommend you stay here, as Jerusalem is pretty expensive, but staying in Abraham Hostel gives you a lot of advantages. They serve a huge, healthy local breakfast buffet that will make you full for most of the day. And if you pay for your stay in advance, you also get a free ticket for a beer in their bar. It is also located close to the centre with a tram station right in front of it. They have dorms and private rooms. It is one of the best hostels we have ever stayed in.
Budget I Stay Inn Hotel Jerusalem – if Abraham is full, another popular option is Stay Inn Hotel Jerusalem, close to Abraham. They have beautiful rooms and also dorms.
OUR EXACT ITINERARY FOR JERUSALEM
- 7am: Wake up early and have an amazing breakfast at Abraham Hostel at 7am. Actually, at 7am, it was already bustling with people, so they opened a bit earlier than 7am.
- 8am: If you still need to get your sim card, go to Jaffa Street, 50 m from the nearest bus stop there is a phone store where we bought our Pelephone sim card.
- 8:30am: Start exploring. We took a tram to the centre of Old City.
- 8:45am – 2:30pm: exploring the Jewish quarter, Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Chain, Sabil of Qaitbay, Scales of Souls, Bab Al Qattanin), Western Wall. After Visiting the area of Temple Mount, we started walking the famous Via Dolorosa, which took roughly one hour. The end of the Via Dolorosa is in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, we actually visited it first, and then we walked through the rest of the Via Dolorosa. Exploring the Church takes at least 45 minutes, especially because of the crowds. Then, we walked around the Armenian and Jewish quarters. We have been done with all of these sights by 2:30pm.
- 2:45pm: Time for a food break: grab a falafel sandwich from one of many stalls in the Old City.
- 3:30pm: Mount Olives viewpoint – we decided to walk to the top of Mount Olives viewpoint, which took roughly half an hour, and we reached the top at 3:30pm. It is approximately 2 km from somewhere around Temple Mount, and be aware that it’s uphill either along the road or you climb the series of stairs.
- 4:00pm: We again walked back to the base of Mountain of Olives. This time, we went along the road and visited some churches along the way, Dominus Flevit Church and Gethsemane.
- 4:45pm: We took a bus #83 from the bus stop opposite the Mount of Olives Information Centre. We got out of the bus near Tzahal Square. From there, it is roughly 15 minutes walk back to the Abraham Hostel.
- 5:30pm: We relaxed a bit in the room and then went to visit the Mahane Yehuda Market, where we tasted various snacks from local bakeries, halva, honey and much more.
- 7pm: Zion Square: it is a bustling place for locals, with many eateries and a lively atmosphere. Restaurants have outside seating, and the place has a nice vibe. We had an amazing falafel sandwich here.
- 9pm: Have a free beer on the Bar in Abraham Hostel. You can get it if you pay for your stay in advance rather than on the spot. That’s one of many advantages you get when staying in Abraham Hostels around Israel. It is a perfect way to end the day in Jerusalem.
Originally, we didn’t have ambitions to visit all those places in one day in Jerusalem; however, in the end, we found it easy to get around. We visited all the mentioned places without rush and at a relaxed pace, and I think one day was enough for us personally. However, Jerusalem has a friendly vibe, making it easy to imagine staying longer.
Base yourself in Jerusalem
Many people base themselves in Jerusalem and take day trips or tours to places in the area. Jerusalem has a strategic location; you can visit most places in Israel and Palestine on a day trip. You can go to the Dead Sea, take a city tour or visit Masada. Check the most popular trips below.
TRAVEL TO PALESTINE
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL IN PALESTINE
Jerusalem was our gate to travelling into Palestine. We spent 11 days travelling independently around Palestine. Crossing Checkpoint 300 to get inside Bethlehem, then visited the most troubled city, Hebron, where Jewish settlements are right in front of the old town. We explored the rock-carved monasteries in Jericho and tasted ice cream in Ramallah’s most popular ice cream store. Then, we continued north to our favourite place in Palestine, Nablus. Then to Jenin and crossed back to Israel to Nazareth. We wrote the most detailed travel guide you can find; read it on the link below.
To get to Bethlehem from Jerusalem you can take a bus from HaNevi’im Terminal from Damascus Gate. Read more in our ultimate guide to Palestine.
Essential reading: Palestine: Comprehensive travel guide & 11 day itinerary.
TOURS TO PALESTINE
Most people visiting Palestine travel from Jerusalem on a day tour. It is very easy to organise online; you travel with a knowledgeable guide and get a small insight into what Palestine is like. Check below the tours that we think are the best for visiting Palestine from Jerusalem.
WHERE TO GO NEXT?
Palestine
The ultimate guide to visiting Palestine & 11 days itinerary
Staying in refugee camps in Palestine: Everything you need to know
Is it safe to visit Palestine? (Coming soon)
Israel
Visiting Israel on budget & Tips and X days itinerary (Coming soon)
How to cross the Taba border from Egypt to Israel.
MORE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST
Lebanon
How to travel to Lebanon & Ultimate 11 days itinerary
The best things to do in Beirut, Lebanon
Is it safe to travel to Lebanon? Our experience
Syria
How to travel to Syria & Is it safe to visit?
Cyprus
How to travel to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Travel off the beaten path in Cyprus
jordan
Epic road trip: The King’s Highway in Jordan
Wadi Rum: Overnight in the desert & Know before you go
How to travel to Aqaba, Jordan & Ultimate beach guide
How to visit Petra and Little Petra in Jordan
SAVE IT!
It’s time to plan your trip!
Find our travel resources below that help you plan your next trip. Good luck and safe travels.
Book your flight
Skyscanner is our favourite tool for searching for the cheapest flights and flight combinations. Multi-city or Explore Everywhere helps us to find real bargains.
Rent a car
The best platform to rent a car and compare the prices for your next road trip anywhere in the world is Discovercars.com. The booking process is hassle-free.
Find your acommodation
On Booking.com we always find the best deals for accommodation. Another great option for cheap accommodation is Hostelworld.
Travel insurance
We always recommend IATI Travel Insurance which offers excellent plans. As a reader of Broken Navigation, get an exclusive 5% discount.
For Europeans Truetraveller offers perfect travel insurance for the best price.
Explore more with Tours
Some places are better off explored with a knowledgeable guide. Or, if you simply want to save time and hassle, we recommend GetYourGuide. Another great option that also has an amazing range of activities is Viator.
protect yourself online by VPN
We always use NordVPN everywhere we travel for safe internet browsing and access to specific sites that might be blocked.
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