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SherryStay
Jerusalem travel guide

SherryStay Destination Guide

Jerusalem

Three faiths, 4,000 years — Old City alleys, Machane Yehuda nights, golden stone at sunset.

Israel

About Jerusalem

Few cities carry as much as Jerusalem — three faiths and four thousand years, all pressing in on a single square kilometre of golden stone. Inside the walls of the Old City its four quarters fold into one another: the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the gilded Dome of the Rock, the incense and spice of the covered markets. But this is a living city, not a museum, and the modern half surprises — the pedestrian mall and light rail of the City Center, the leafy cafés of the German Colony, and Machane Yehuda, a produce market by day that turns into the city’s liveliest bar scene after dark. Base yourself near Mamilla or the centre and you can walk to Jaffa Gate and still find a normal dinner. Time it for a weekday: from Friday afternoon to Saturday night the city all but stops for Shabbat. Come for the holy sites; stay for the layered, contradictory, deeply human city around them.

Sherry's Take

Stay near Mamilla or the City Center for walking access to the Old City AND a normal dinner scene at night. Remember Shabbat: from Friday afternoon to Saturday night most of the city closes — plan the Old City and Machane Yehuda for weekdays.

Best For

History buffsCultureFoodiesCouplesPilgrimage
Go in
MarchAprilMayOctoberNovember
Avoid if possible
JulyAugust

Where to Stay

Mamilla / City Center

Pedestrian mall, walking distance to Jaffa Gate, restaurants and light rail

Old City

Four quarters, holy sites, markets — atmospheric but quiet at night

German Colony (Emek Refaim)

Leafy boutique street, cafés, local feel away from tourist crush

Machane Yehuda

Market by day, bar scene by night, foodie central

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1The shuk (Machane Yehuda) lunch counters run ₪25–45 — half the price of hotel-district restaurants.
  • 2The light rail is ₪5.50 a ride with a Rav-Kav card and covers Center ↔ Damascus Gate ↔ Yad Vashem.
  • 3Most major holy sites (Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre) are free — skip "skip-the-line" resellers.

Getting Around

  • 1TLV airport → Jerusalem: direct fast train to Yitzhak Navon station, ₪18, ~25 min, runs around the clock except Shabbat.
  • 2Light rail Red Line connects the Central Bus Station, Machane Yehuda, City Center and Damascus Gate — easier than driving.
  • 3Friday afternoon to Saturday night: no public transit (Shabbat). Pre-book a taxi or use the shared sherut vans.

Most Common Mistake

Booking "Jerusalem" hotels that are actually in far-out neighborhoods or settlements — check the map; you want to be within ~2 km of the Old City or on the light rail line.

Ideal Stay

2–4 nights

Combine with
  • • Dead Sea (40 min)
  • • Tel Aviv (1h by train)
  • • Masada (1.5h)
  • • Bethlehem (30 min)

Useful Local Hotel Phrases

Hebrew
  • Helloשלוםsha-LOM
  • Thank youתודהto-DA
  • Pleaseבבקשהbe-va-ka-SHA
  • Check-inקבלת חדרka-ba-LAT KHE-der
  • Check-outעזיבת חדרa-zi-VAT KHE-der
  • Hotelמלוןma-LON
  • Receptionקבלהka-ba-LA
  • Breakfastארוחת בוקרa-ru-KHAT BO-ker
  • Wi-Fiוויי-פייwai-fai
  • Taxiמוניתmo-NIT
  • Airportשדה תעופהs'deh te-u-FA
  • Train stationתחנת רכבתta-kha-NAT ra-KE-vet
  • Helpהצילוha-tsi-LU
  • How much?כמה זה עולה?KA-ma ze o-LE
  • Where is...?איפה?EY-fo

Jerusalem at a glance

  • Jerusalem is in Israel.
  • The nearest airport to Jerusalem is Ben Gurion (TLV), ~45–60 min.
  • Getting in from the airport takes ~45 min from TLV.
  • The best way in is Fast train to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon, then light rail; or sherut/taxi.
  • A day in Jerusalem costs roughly $60–110 per person on a budget, $150–300 mid-range and $500+ at the luxury end.
  • Sherry suggests 2–4 nights in Jerusalem.
  • February is usually the cheapest month to visit Jerusalem, April is the busiest, and November offers the best value.

Common questions

Where should I stay in Jerusalem?
Near the Old City (Mamilla/Jaffa Gate) for sights, the German Colony for charm, the city centre near Mahane Yehuda for food and nightlife.
Do I need a car?
No — the Old City is walking-only and the light rail/buses cover the centre. Note transit stops for Shabbat.
How many days?
2–3 days for the Old City, the markets, Yad Vashem and the Mount of Olives.
What happens on Shabbat?
From Friday evening to Saturday evening, public transit stops and many places close; the Old City sites and some areas remain active.
What should I wear at holy sites?
Modest dress — covered shoulders/knees; men cover heads at the Western Wall; modesty rules apply on the Temple Mount.

Where to stay in Jerusalem

Looking for hotels in Jerusalem? It helps to decide on an area first — our guide to where to stay in Jerusalem sets out which neighbourhoods suit which kind of trip.

Around Mamilla the options include Mamilla Design Apartments, Spectacular 375 SQM at Mamilla Mall - 4 bedroom, Mamilla Hotel and Jerusalem Studio Front Mamilla Mall.

Around David the options include Boutique & Comfort in David's Village by FeelHome, Jacuzzi & Secret Garden in David's Village by FeelHome, David Village with Pool & Patio and David Village 3 Bedroom - The beautiful one.

Around with the options include Renovated 2 BR with 2 BTH front Mamilla Mall, 2 BR next to Old City with Patio by FeelHome and Stunning 6BR with terrace.

Elsewhere in the city you will also find Jaffa 17 - urban loft, Lihi brand new studio, Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, The modern house in the best location!, Koresh Hotel, Rental Israel-Mamila Residences 16, New Imperial Hotel, Mamilla's Penthouse, New Imperial Hotel, New Imperial Hotel, De Cardo and Gorgeous 2BR at David's Village.

From the magazine