Best time to visit · Jerusalem · Israel
The best time to visit Jerusalem
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Berthold Werner, Public domain
Quick answer
The best times to visit Jerusalem are April to June and September to November, when days are warm and dry and evenings are pleasant. Easter and Passover are the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year, while winter is cool and rainy but quiet. Check the dates of Jewish holidays and Ramadan, which affect opening and transport.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–November
- Shoulder season
- March, July–August and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 29°C (84°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 12°C (54°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~9 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Jerusalem has a Mediterranean hill climate: hot, dry summers that cool down in the evenings, and cool, wet winters with occasional frost and, in some years, a brief snowfall.
March–May
Spring
Wildflowers, comfortable temperatures and the peak pilgrim season around Easter and Passover, when rooms are scarce.
June–August
Summer
Hot, sunny days and cool evenings at altitude; festivals and long evenings, but midday heat in the Old City.
September–November
Autumn
Warm and dry into October, with the Jewish High Holy Days and Sukkot; rain returns in November.
December–February
Winter
Cool, wet and sometimes cold, with occasional snow; few crowds and Christmas celebrations in the Christian Quarter.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°C | 6°C | 9 | 10.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 13°C | 6°C | 9 | 11 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 16°C | 8°C | 6 | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 21°C | 11°C | 3 | 12.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| May | 25°C | 14°C | 1 | 13.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 28°C | 17°C | 0 | 14.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 29°C | 19°C | 0 | 14 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 29°C | 19°C | 0 | 13.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 28°C | 18°C | 0 | 12.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 25°C | 16°C | 2 | 11.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 19°C | 11°C | 5 | 10.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 14°C | 8°C | 8 | 10.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | Purim (February or March, date varies) |
| March | Jerusalem Marathon (usually March) |
| April | Easter and Holy Week processions (March or April); Passover (March or April); Holy Fire ceremony at the Holy Sepulchre (Orthodox Holy Saturday) |
| June | Jerusalem Light Festival in the Old City (usually early summer) |
| July | Jerusalem Film Festival (usually July) |
| September | Rosh Hashanah (September or October); Yom Kippur — the city shuts down (September or October) |
| October | Sukkot (September or October) |
| December | Hanukkah (usually December); Christmas celebrations (25 December; Orthodox Christmas on 7 January) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Jerusalem?
The best times to visit Jerusalem are April to June and September to November, when days are warm and dry and evenings are pleasant. Easter and Passover are the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year, while winter is cool and rainy but quiet. Check the dates of Jewish holidays and Ramadan, which affect opening and transport.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Jerusalem?
Usually in January–February. The coldest month, with rain, wind and chilly stone interiors; snow falls in some years. Sights are quiet.
+What is the rainiest month in Jerusalem?
January, with about 9 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Jerusalem get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 29°C (84°F) and lows of 19°C (66°F).