Jerusalem event weekends: what to do between sessions

The Old City's four quarters, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock.

Events we cover in Jerusalem

Arriving

Ben Gurion airport (TLV) is 40 minutes by train to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon station.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Abraham Hostel Jerusalem
• Mid-range: Harmony Hotel
• Splurge: King David Hotel

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• Mahane Yehuda market Food stalls and bars
• Azura Slow-cooked Iraqi-Kurdish dishes
• Abu Shukri Hummus in the Old City

With kids

• Biblical Zoo.
• Bloomfield Science Museum.

Rainy-day backups

• Israel Museum.
• Yad Vashem.

Free things to do

• Mount of Olives view.
• Western Wall.

Getting around

• Light rail and buses; Shabbat stops most public transport from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.
• Check current travel advisories before booking.