Free things to do · Jerusalem · Israel
12 free things to do in Jerusalem
Jerusalem without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ludvig14, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Jerusalem without paying an entry fee: Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock and Via Dolorosa are all free. The Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa, the Mount of Olives and Yad Vashem are all free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 12
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Old City
1.Western Wall
Visit on a Friday around sunset to see Shabbat being welcomed with song, but do not take photos at the plaza once Shabbat has begun.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
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Religious site · Christian Quarter
2.Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Arrive early in the morning to see the Aedicule with a short queue, and dress with shoulders and knees covered.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Religious site · Old City
3.Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock
Visiting hours are short and can change or be cancelled at short notice, so check locally the day before and arrive early; dress modestly and leave religious items behind.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Street · Muslim Quarter
4.Via Dolorosa
Walk it early in the morning, before shops open and the lanes fill with tour groups.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Iconic
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Market · Nachlaot and Mahane Yehuda
5.Mahane Yehuda Market
Visit twice: on Friday morning for the pre-Shabbat rush, and on a weekday evening for the bars.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Food
- Free
- After dark
- Shopping
Market · Muslim Quarter
6.Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter souq
Stop for warm knafeh at a sweet shop off Souq Khan al-Zeit; it is best mid-morning.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- History
Viewpoint · Mount of Olives
7.Mount of Olives
Take a taxi to the top in the morning, when the sun is behind you, and walk down past the churches to Gethsemane.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Mount of Olives
8.Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations
Combine it with the walk down from the Mount of Olives and enter the Old City through Lions' Gate.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Religious site · Mount Zion
9.Mount Zion and the Dormition Abbey
Visit after the Jewish Quarter, leaving through Zion Gate.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Museum · Mount Herzl
10.Yad Vashem
Allow at least three hours and plan something quiet afterwards; the light rail stops at Mount Herzl, a short walk away.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Religious site · Armenian Quarter
11.Armenian Quarter and St James Cathedral
The cathedral opens to visitors mainly for afternoon services; arrive a little early and stay quietly at the back.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- History
- Art
Neighbourhood · Ein Karem
12.Ein Karem
Go in the late afternoon and stay for dinner on a garden terrace.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Couples
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old City | Western Wall and Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock | 45 minutes + 1 hour |
| Christian Quarter | Church of the Holy Sepulchre | 1–1.5 hours |
| Muslim Quarter | Via Dolorosa and Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter souq | 1 hour + 1–2 hours |
| Nachlaot and Mahane Yehuda | Mahane Yehuda Market | 1–2 hours |
| Mount of Olives | Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations | 2 hours + 45 minutes |
| Mount Zion | Mount Zion and the Dormition Abbey | 1 hour |
| Mount Herzl | Yad Vashem | 3 hours |
| Armenian Quarter | Armenian Quarter and St James Cathedral | 1 hour |
| Ein Karem | Ein Karem | Half a day |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · Old City
Western Wall Tunnels
Tours are not suitable for anyone uncomfortable in narrow passages; wear shoes with grip.
- Time needed
- 75 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Historic site · Old City
Old City walls and Ramparts Walk
Start at Jaffa Gate and take the northern section towards Damascus Gate for the best views into the Christian and Muslim quarters.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
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Neighbourhood · Jewish Quarter
Jewish Quarter, Cardo and Hurva Synagogue
Climb to the Hurva's balcony for one of the best views across to the Mount of Olives.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Viewpoint · Muslim Quarter
Austrian Hospice rooftop
Ring the bell at the gate; the rooftop costs a small fee and the garden is a calm break from the souq.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- Couples
- Food
More ways to save
- The Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa, the Mount of Olives and Yad Vashem are all free.
- Pilgrim hospices and guesthouses in the Old City are often better value than hotels outside the walls.
- Eat a big hummus or falafel lunch and shop for picnic supplies at Mahane Yehuda.
- Avoid Easter, Passover and Sukkot if you want lower room rates; prices peak then.
- Use the light rail and walk rather than taking taxis between central sights.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Jerusalem expensive to visit?
Jerusalem is expensive for most visitors, but 12 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Jerusalem?
Western Wall: Visit on a Friday around sunset to see Shabbat being welcomed with song, but do not take photos at the plaza once Shabbat has begun.