One day in Jerusalem

Day by day

1. Day 1: Western Wall and Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock

   Western Wall, Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock, Western Wall Tunnels and Old City walls and Ramparts Walk, then Mahane Yehuda Market in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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. Allow 45 minutes.

   2. Late morning

      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. Allow 1 hour.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Hummus

      Counters in the Muslim and Christian quarters around Al-Wad Street, and near Mahane Yehuda.

   4. Afternoon

      Western Wall Tunnels

      Tours are not suitable for anyone uncomfortable in narrow passages; wear shoes with grip. Allow 75 minutes.

   5. Late afternoon

      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. Allow 1–2 hours.

   6. Evening

      Mahane Yehuda Market

      Visit twice: on Friday morning for the pre-Shabbat rush, and on a weekday evening for the bars.

Before you go

• Western Wall Tunnels: Entry is by guided tour only and slots fill days ahead; reserve through the official Western Wall Heritage Foundation site.

If it rains

• Swap in Tower of David Museum (Jaffa Gate): Climb Phasael Tower at the start of your stay to get your bearings over the four quarters.
• Swap in Israel Museum (Givat Ram): Start with the Shrine of the Book and the city model before the galleries fill, then pick one wing.
• Swap in Yad Vashem (Mount Herzl): Allow at least three hours and plan something quiet afterwards; the light rail stops at Mount Herzl, a short walk away.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 5–7 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.1 hours in December to 14.2 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Walking. Inside the walls everything is on foot, over steps and polished limestone; from Jaffa Gate to the Western Wall takes about 10 minutes.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Jerusalem
• 3 days in Jerusalem
• 5 days in Jerusalem

Questions travellers ask