How many days · Jerusalem · Israel
How many days do you need in Jerusalem?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ludvig14, CC BY-SA 4.0
.JPG){kind=link}
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Jerusalem, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the Old City's main holy sites, the Ramparts Walk and the Mount of Olives. Four days adds the Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, Mahane Yehuda and Ein Karem, and a fifth allows a day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea or to Bethlehem.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 10.1 h (Dec) to 14.2 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock and Via Dolorosa |
| 2 days | Good | Via Dolorosa, Israel Museum and Mahane Yehuda Market |
| 3 days | Good | Western Wall Tunnels, Old City walls and Ramparts Walk and Tower of David Museum |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Bethlehem |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Bethlehem and Masada |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Jerusalem add up to roughly 17–22 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Israel Museum (3–4 hours), Mahane Yehuda Market (1–2 hours) and Old City walls and Ramparts Walk (1–2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Western Wall | 45 minutes | Old City |
| Church of the Holy Sepulchre | 1–1.5 hours | Christian Quarter |
| Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock | 1 hour | Old City |
| Via Dolorosa | 1 hour | Muslim Quarter |
| Israel Museum | 3–4 hours | Givat Ram |
| Mahane Yehuda Market | 1–2 hours | Nachlaot and Mahane Yehuda |
| Western Wall Tunnels | 75 minutes | Old City |
| Old City walls and Ramparts Walk | 1–2 hours | Old City |
| Tower of David Museum | 2 hours | Jaffa Gate |
| Jewish Quarter, Cardo and Hurva Synagogue | 2 hours | Jewish Quarter |
| Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter souq | 1–2 hours | Muslim Quarter |
| Mount of Olives | 2 hours | Mount of Olives |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Western Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Old City walls and Ramparts Walk |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Bethlehem and Masada |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.1 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.2 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Jerusalem with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Jerusalem?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the Old City's main holy sites, the Ramparts Walk and the Mount of Olives. Four days adds the Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, Mahane Yehuda and Ein Karem, and a fifth allows a day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea or to Bethlehem.
+Is a week too long in Jerusalem?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Bethlehem and Masada.