Overview to Jerusalem: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
It’s no exaggeration to say that, for many travelers, Jerusalem is the most important destination they’re ever likely to visit. One of the oldest (and most delicately balanced) cities in the world, there’s a spiritual resonance to its sights that can't be matched.
Access to the fabulous Old City is gained through one of seven ancient gates that pierce the sturdy walls surrounding it. Once inside, the Old City is a marvelously evocative collection of lanes and alleyways that wind their way through a series of crucial historical and religious sites.
One such site – significant to all three major monotheistic religions – is the Temple Mount. Here, the Western Wall (also known as the ‘Wailing Wall’) is a massive 2000 year-old remnant of the Second Temple, and the very holiest site according to Jewish Law.
The Temple Mount also houses the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, two sites of great importance to the Muslim faith. The magnificent Church of the Holy Sepulcher, meanwhile, holds a similarly place in Christianity.
But Jerusalem is not all about religion and history. The bustling market of Machaneh Yehuda is a sight in and of itself: a dizzying kaleidoscope of activity, the sheer variety of items on sale is bewildering and the noise of stall owners bartering with potential customers can be deafening.
Although not as well-known for its nightlife as neighboring Tel-Aviv, there is also a fair bit of activity in Jerusalem after dark. Most of the action is centered on Ben-Yehuda and nearby Hillel Street, where a delicious ‘shawarma’ from one of the fast-food stalls can be a more than satisfactory conclusion to a long night.
Jerusalem will, however, inevitably be a spiritual city first and foremost. The range and relevance of its sacred sites and the beauty of its temples, churches and synagogues, make it the very center of the world for many travelers.
