Jerusalem: Old City, Museums and Nature

Jerusalem brings together an Old City of great religious significance, museums, a viewpoint and natural sites. Its highlights range from the historic city center to landscapes in the surrounding area. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth considering which of these perspectives you want to shape your stay.

Old City and sacred history

The Old City of Jerusalem and its walls are of great symbolic significance as a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Together, they encompass 220 historic monuments. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem’s Old City was built in the 7th century. Religious significance, historic monuments and a structure that can be dated to a specific period thus offer different ways of approaching the Old City’s history.

Museums and viewpoints

At the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, the new permanent exhibition spans ten galleries. It combines innovative technology and interactive presentations with archaeological finds and ancient artifacts. The ten galleries thus bring together different forms of interpretation and historical objects in one exhibition.

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem presents rare artifacts from the ancient Near East. Its offerings include special exhibitions, educational programs, cultural events, guided tours and lectures. Unlike the ten-gallery permanent exhibition, its program also includes educational activities, guided tours and events. As the program changes over time, check in advance which events are taking place on your travel dates.

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, was founded in 1965. At the viewpoint on Phasael Tower, the viewing point is 777 meters above sea level and offers a 360-degree view of Jerusalem’s Old City and New City. The museums and viewpoint thus provide different cultural and spatial perspectives within the city.

Nature in the city and surrounding area

Jerusalem Walls National Park is located in central Jerusalem and encompasses historic, archaeological and religious sites. It was designated to preserve historic, archaeological, traditional, architectural and landscape values for public benefit. Alongside its various sites, the park therefore has a clearly defined conservation purpose.

The Jerusalem Botanical Garden encompasses 150 dunams of nature in the heart of the city. This explicitly nature-focused destination complements the historic and archaeological themes of the urban area.

In the area surrounding Jerusalem, at the entrance to the city, lies the Lifta Nature Reserve. It preserves a spring cave, agricultural terraces and orchards. Lifta Spring is also in the surrounding area: the spring cave is 60 meters long and feeds a collection pool; its water then flows into irrigation channels. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between natural sites in the city center and a protected area in the surrounding area.

Trails and historic traces

The Jerusalem Trail connects Jerusalem with the Israel Trail and passes through Jerusalem Walls National Park, along the Kidron Stream and through the Hinnom Valley. Trail conditions can change, so check them before planning a specific hike.

On the Pilgrims’ Road in the City of David, visitors can walk on original paving stones once used by the city’s residents and pilgrims on their way to the Temple. Check current access conditions before visiting.

Plan your hotel stay around your interests

If you are looking for a hotel in Jerusalem, start by considering what you want to focus on during your stay: the Old City and its monuments, museums and exhibitions, viewpoints or nature.

Discover more destinations: Jerusalem, Tsafririm, Yad Hashmona, Harel, Ma'ale Hahamisha, Agur, Abu Gosch, Li On, Giv'at Ye'arim, Aderet, Bar Giora, Mesilat Zion, Tal Shahar.

View the full travel overview: Israel.