Travel Guide Jérusalem
Welcome to the spiritual center of the world! The tomb of Christ and the place of the Messiah's return for Judaism, at the same time as the third holy city for Muslims, Jerusalem embodies the crossroads of the three great monotheistic religions. If the ancestral city, perched at an altitude of 850 metres in the heart of the arid Judean mountains, is only an hour's drive from the Israeli coast and the Red Sea, daily life takes place at a completely different pace from the rest of the country. Not far from one million city dwellers mixed with the many tourists and pilgrims evolve here to the sound of the carillon of churches and muezzins calling for prayer, sailing between the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Wailing Wall... If theology is an essential element in understanding both the history and the functioning of the city, the religious fervour felt everywhere does not prevent people from walking the streets quietly, sailing from the cafés on Yafo Street - which serve excellent Judean wines - to Mahane Yedufa's souk to do business, from the Shoah memorial to the shores of the Dead Sea, outside the city. The Jerusalem tourist guide offers to explore both its old city and its new one: West Jerusalem is a modern metropolis, the unrecognized capital of Israel; East Jerusalem is a Palestinian Arab city, annexed in 1967 following the Israeli reconquest of Jordan. A trip to Jerusalem has no equivalent.
Welcome to Jerusalem!
What to visit Jérusalem?
Suggested addresses Jérusalem
When to go to Jérusalem?
If you're wondering when to go to Jerusalem, it's best to avoid the Jewish holiday periods, when most businesses are closed, public transportation is more than limited and hotel prices are higher. Otherwise, Israel can be visited all year round. The best times to visit Jerusalem are in the spring or fall, when temperatures are not yet too high. It is also during these months that the light is the most beautiful, whereas the summer skies are often cloudy. In winter, the south of the country is more pleasant than the rainy north, while if you go to Jerusalem in summer, the city may seem too hot. As for the Christmas period, it is better not to fear the crowd, especially if you wish to attend the midnight mass in the holy city... So when to go to Jerusalem? Preferably from March to June and from September to November.
Weather at the moment
Jerusalem's weather depends directly on its Mediterranean climate, characterized by high heat and aridity in summer. Located at 809 m above sea level, however, its climate is drier than that of Tel Aviv. Winter is incredibly cool, with temperatures around 10°C, rain and occasional snowfall in Jerusalem. Spring and autumn are mild and often sunny.
In Israel, the currency unit is the new shekel. The cost of living is quite high in Jewish lands, especially in Jerusalem. However, it is still possible for the budget traveler to get by on a budget. It all depends, of course, on the lifestyle you intend to lead there. Count on a little more than 50 € per day, tightening your belt: youth hostel for accommodation (there are many in Jerusalem), kebab and falafel for food.
To travel to Jerusalem, all you need is a valid passport. French, Belgian, Swiss and Quebec citizens will receive a free 3-month visa upon arrival in Israel. Upon departure from France, Israeli security agencies will ask you different questions concerning your trip (purpose of the trip, profession, possible acquaintances on site, family, content of your luggage, etc.). Be patient, this is the procedure. The same goes for leaving Jerusalem.
Beware : the Israeli stamp on the passport will prohibit you from subsequently traveling to Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran, Libya, Yemen and Saudi Arabia (and if the stamp of one of these countries is present in your passport you will not be allowed to enter Israel). If you do not want to have a stamp, you can ask the Israeli immigration authorities to put the stamp on a separate sheet of paper and not on the passport.
A stay in Jerusalem does not require any formalities other than an update of the vaccinations listed in the French vaccination calendar. The main source of inconvenience could be the sun, which is very strong in summer. Sunscreen and regular hydration are therefore essential. Moreover, as far as drinking water is concerned, we prefer bottled water. Finally, if you go to Jerusalem in winter, remember to bring warm clothes.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Jérusalem? Our advice & tips
As a major religious and tourist destination, Jerusalem has no shortage of professionals able to organize your trip to the Promised Land. Most offers combine flights, accommodation and access to the various major tourist sites, but it is also possible to elaborate, together with your interlocutors, a thematic and/or customized tour.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationIf you are thinking of visiting Jerusalem as part of a larger trip to the Middle East, keep in mind that the borders with Syria and Lebanon are closed, so you cannot enter Israel from either country. However, you can enter through Jordan or Egypt. Also, solo travelers should be careful when visiting the Old City, the Holy Places and East Jerusalem.
Jerusalem's main sites of interest are easily visited on foot, but you can also rent a bicycle to cover larger distances. Buses operate very well, and sherut (shared cabs) are a great way to get around: their prices are almost identical to those of buses, and they are much more comfortable (many of them run on Shabbat). Cabs are more expensive, but rarely essential.
