Jerusalem is One of the most fascinating cities on the planet. It is considered the holiest city for three billion people all over the world. Jerusalem is multi-layered. It contains archaeological layers that date back thousands of years. there are infinite secrets to discover while walking the ancient paths. Jerusalem is also centrally located at the heart of Israel. there are many fascinating sites to find a short drive away. The following article will give you an idea of possible tours in and out of Jerusalem.
First, is there a dress code in Jerusalem?
Israel is very informal. However, certain Holy sites require long pants and shoulders covered: The Temple mount and the Church of Holy Sepulcher and the Western wall. Men can wear shorts while visiting the Western Wall. It is also recommended to wear very comfortable shoes for walking.
What if we are not such good walkers?
It is possible to rent a golf cart to tour the old city of Jerusalem with its fascinating ancient archaeology at an extra cost.
Here are some examples of day tours in Jerusalem or tours leaving from Jerusalem:
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Christian tour of Jerusalem.
Following the footsteps of Jesus in Jerusalem is a moving experience. Starting with a viewpoint from the Mount of Olives you will have a beautiful panoramic of the old city. The Mount of Olives also contains the oldest Jewish cemetery on the planet. As mentioned in the book of Zechariah, the Mount of Olives is where the Messiah crosses before entering the old city and the Temple Mount:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)
The Garden of Gethsemane is located at the bottom of the Mount of Olives. This is where Jesus feels in agony, foreseeing the destruction of the Jewish temple in the year 70. In the year 1924, The Church of all Nations was resurrected in the garden over the ancient Byzantine relics of the original church.
After visiting the Garden of Gethsemane you will enter The Old City through the Lions Gate. Inside the city, you will find the pools of Bethesda. This is where Jesus healed the paralytic. Continue walking on the final path of Jesus starting at the location where Pilot tried Jesus. At the end of the path, you will find the church of Holy Sepulcher which contains Jesus’s tomb. Outside the Zion gate of the old city, you will be able to visit the upper room and the tomb of King David. There are many more sites to visit in The Old City. Please keep in mind this depends on the amount of time you have.
2. Jewish Jerusalem.
A tour of Jewish Jerusalem starts with visiting the city of David. The 3000-year-old ruins have been dug for over 150 years. This is where you can find the foundation of the Palace of King David. You can also walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel. This tunnel allowed to bring water into the city 2700 years ago, while it was under siege. Good walkers can also visit the valley of Kings with its 3000-year-old Jewish Graves. The Western Wall Plaza contains an exposed portion of the original retaining wall built by King Herod 2000 years ago. It is the only original structure that remains after the Roman destruction of the Temple. Most of the retaining wall is inaccessible. For many centuries structures were built adjacent to the retaining wall. Exploring the foundations of the Temple Mount is possible while touring the Western Wall tunnels. This is a 1-hour long tour. It is highly recommended For people who wish to understand the 2000-year-old layout of the Jewish temple. The Jewish quarter of Jerusalem was rebuilt after 1967. This was the year Israel captured the old city in the Six-Day War. The cardo inside the Jewish quarter has beautiful art and jewelry stores. Be sure to explore all four quarters of The Old City including the colorful markets. Exiting through the Zion gate will allow you to visit King David’s tomb.
3. General Old City highlights.
This tour does not focus on any specific religion. Rather, it shows places of general interest to everyone. These include the Western Wall, the Holy Church of Sepulchre, the City Markets, and the Jewish quarter. A beautiful viewpoint from the Mount of Olives or mount Scopus is also highly recommended.
4. New Jerusalem.
There is a lot more to Jerusalem than the old city. Capitol Hill, the colorful machneyuda food market, and world-famous museums. Yad Vashem is Israel’s main Holocaust Museum and Memorial. It is one of the most famous museums in Israel and for some, a life-changing experience. Israel Museum is one of the best museums in the world. It contains world-class artifacts found in Israel, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Tel Dan inscription, and many more.
5. Masada and the Dead Sea.
Drive down to the lowest place on earth: the Dead Sea Valley. It only takes half an hour. You can explore the baptismal site where John the Baptist met Jesus. Qumran is an ancient Jewish town where most of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Masada is one of the world’s most famous fortresses. It was built by King Herod in the desert to escape from his assassins. In the year 73, the Jews were put under siege in Masada by the Roman Empire. They fought them to the bitter end. End the day by floating in the Dead Sea with its healing minerals. The qualities of the Dead Sea minerals are known all over the world. These minerals are used for cosmetic products that are manufactured off the shores of the Dead Sea. You can even stop in the factory store.
6. Geopolitical tour of the Westbank.
This tour explores the settlements outside Jerusalem, the separation barrier, and the checkpoints. It is intended for those who wish to have a deeper understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Read more about the West Bank here.
7. Judean Hills.
There are more than a few biblical sites to explore when driving through the Judean Hills. The Ella Valley where David fought Goliath is a great place to start. You can also visit biblical archaeological sites where Jews lived three thousand years ago. In modern-day Israel, all these sites are right off the wine route of the Judean Hills. it is worthwhile to stop in one or two wineries to explore this fascinating modern industry. The wineries on this route are top-notch and internationally acclaimed.
