Jerusalem is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, and is the epicenter of importance for the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic religions.
That fact has led to strife and conflict for much of the city’s history, and over its lifespan the city has been captured, recaptured, destroyed, and rebuilt countless times.
The city is often referred to as the City of David, and according to historians was originally settled in the 4th millennium BCE.
With its vibrant and varied cultures, amazing architecture, and unparalleled history, it’s a place full of things to see and do for tourists from around the world.
1. Jerusalem Three Religions Holy City Walking Tour with Guide
Source: viator.comAs the spiritual heart of 3 of the world’s great religions, Jerusalem is a city that’s revered by Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike.
The guided 4-hour walking tour will help visitors get a grasp of the city’s struggles and conflicts that have been going on for nearly 4,000 years.
Stops include Jerusalem’s Old City and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher which sits on a hill in Calvary that was the supposed crucifixion and burial site of Jesus Christ.
Your local guide will give guests an insightful narration along the way, and the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque are on the itinerary as well.
2. West Bank Full-Day Tour from Jerusalem
Source: getyourguide.comThis all-inclusive, full-day tour of the West Bank includes a stop at the site that most Christians believe was the place where Jesus was baptized.
The ancient city of Jericho is another popular stop and includes a visit to the Mount of Temptation on a hill overlooking the city.
In many ways the West Bank is full of contrasts, with its ancient sites surrounded by relatively modern buildings and a chaotic commercial area.
It’s also the final resting place of Yasser Arafat, a hero and martyr to the Palestinian people.
The tour includes entry to all the sites and lunch, but bring some extra money for drinks and snacks.
3. Full-Day Trip to Jerusalem and Bethlehem from Tel Aviv
Source: Rostislav Ageev / shutterstockFor those staying in Tel Aviv but interested in experiencing the history and culture of Jerusalem, this full-day tour is a great option.
Hotel pickup in Tel Aviv is included, and from there guests will be driven by air-conditioned bus to Jerusalem accompanied by a private and professional guide.
Tour highlights include Mount Scopus, Temple Mount Esplanade, and the Garden of Gethsemane.
It’ll be like stepping back in time as the tour stops in the Armenian Quarter and at the Wailing Wall, which is a particularly dramatic and poignant place.
Everything is included but food, drinks and gratuities for you guide.
4. Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Tour from Jerusalem
Source: Aleksandar Todorovic / shutterstockThis 9-hour tour will allow travelers to experience the country’s majestic mountains, vast deserts, and shimmering seas all in one value-packed day.
One of the tour’s most popular activities is riding the cable car to the mountain top fortress known as Masada, which was the site of an important historical event in centuries past.
From the high-altitude vantage point guests will enjoy unobstructed views of the Ein Gedi desert oasis far below.
Guests will also enjoy a trip to the Dead Sea where they’ll have the opportunity to take a dip and rub some of its therapeutic mud on their skin.
5. Jerusalem Old and New City Tour from Tel Aviv
This Jerusalem Old and New Cities tour from Tel Aviv gives history-minded travelers an 11-hour look into the city’s biblical history, with stops at the Mount of Olives, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Mount Zion, and the Holocaust Museum.
You’ll mingle with visitors from many nations and faiths on this tour, and it’s one of the best ways to get an in-depth understanding of all the forces at work in the area.
Tel Aviv hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as are the entry fees to all the sites you’ll visit on the tour. Bring some extra money for food and drinks.
6. Full-day Jerusalem, Dead Sea and Bethlehem Tour from Tel Aviv
Source: Alexander Gatsenko / shutterstockThe drive from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem takes less than an hour, so it’s a convenient way to see the historic city without dealing with another change of hotels.
This tour starts early and begins with the Old City and includes stops at the Via Dolorosa, Church of the Sepulcher, and some amazingly exotic and bustling local markets.
Perhaps the tour’s gem though is a visit to the Church of the Nativity, a place where many believe that Jesus Christ was born.
In the afternoon the tour will visit the biblically famous Inn of the Good Samaritan, after which guests will have a chance to float in the Dead Sea.
7. Relaxing Dead Sea Day Trip from Jerusalem
Source: vvvita / shutterstockAfter a few days of being bombarded with so much ancient history, religion and conflict, perhaps a relaxing day away from all that would be a great way to recharge those diminishing batteries.
If that sounds like a good idea, consider this Dead Sea ‘chill out’ tour.
You’ll get to float in the mineral and salt rich water, and rub some thick and gooey Dead Sea mud onto your skin as well.
Rumor has it that it works wonders opening pores and rejuvenating skin, especially skin that’s been exposed to too much harsh desert sun.
The afternoon tour lasts about 4 hours and will have guests back in town in time for dinner and an evening adventure.
8. Israeli Cooking Class
Source: viator.comWith so many international influences and exotic ingredients, it’s no wonder that Israeli food is tasty and healthy.
One of the country’s most traditional dishes is shakshouka, that’s made with eggs, onions and tomatoes and is roasted in an oven.
It includes other locally-sourced ingredients as well, and has its roots in North African cultures.
The cooking class is a great way to meet fellow travelers, have a great time and enjoy the tasty fruits of your labor.
The class takes place in the Abraham Hostel in Tel Aviv, and all the ingredients, equipment, and training you’ll need are provided.
9. Shabbat Walking Tour
Source: Bill Perry / shutterstockThis Shabbat, or Sabbath walking tour in Jerusalem’s Jewish quarter lasts 2 hours and is a great way to experience local customs and culture while watching the sun set over the city’s ancient walls.
It’s a fascinating look into the practices of Orthodox Jews who end their work days early and go home to welcome the end of the week with friends and family.
On the Sabbath, Jews congregate in masses at sites like the Western Wall, and the migration is one to behold.
The ritual is celebrated uniquely at different sites, and they’re all amazing glimpses into such an ancient religion.
10. Mount of Olives Tour
Source: Renata Sedmakova / shutterstockThe Mount of Olives is one of the best vantage points from which to get unobstructed views of the sprawling and picturesque city of Jerusalem.
It’s also a historically important place, and bears the influences of centuries of conquerors and occupiers.
Pilgrims flock to the Mount because it’s considered by many to be the place that Jesus spent some of his last days alive, and it’s also thought to be the place where the End of Days will begin to unravel.
Hopefully that prophecy won’t come true while you’re there, and you’ll also see the Garden of Gethsemane and Mary’s Tomb.
11. Nazareth, Tiberias, and Sea of Galilee Day Tour from Jerusalem
Source: eFesenko / shutterstockNearly every corner of Jerusalem is filled with sites that are considered sacred by either Christians, Jews, or Muslims, and trying to see them on your own without the assistance of a guide can be stressful and overwhelming.
On this tour your guide will lead you to the city’s most significant sites in a way that will give you a unique sense of their history, and an idea of how the city is laid out as well.
Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee and the Church of the Multiplication are a few of the tour’s key stops, and between sites you’ll be able to relax in a roomy and air-conditioned coach.
12. Mahane Yehuda Market Tasting Tour
Source: eFesenko / shutterstockNo matter where in the world you find yourself, touring local markets is one of the best and least expensive ways to get a street-level insight into the local people, their culture and their food.
This Yehuda Market guided-tour and tasting will lead guests through the winding passageways between stalls from which vendors sell lots of interesting things.
Ingredients, clothes and local made arts and crafts are everywhere, and the market is known as a local hotspot for local and visiting foodies.
The tour lasts about 3 hours and will be a pleasant change from the historical sites that have probably occupied most of your time.
13. Vegan Food Tour of Tel Aviv
Source: viator.comTel Aviv is an easy 30-minute drive from Jerusalem, and if you’re a vegan foodie in search of some history and local sustenance, this vegan food tour would be a great way to get your fill of both.
The tour is conducted on foot, and guests will visit 4 local vegan eateries that are especially known for their amazing fare.
Samples will be provided along the way, and you’ll get to meet and rub elbows with some likeminded locals and tourists as well.
It’s a great way to take a much-needed break from Jerusalem and all its intensely cerebral sites.
14. Jeep Tour from Jerusalem to Mar Saba Monastery, Wadi Qelt
Source: Alexey Smolyanyy / shutterstockDeserts and Jeeps go together like ham and cheese, and if you’re up for some 4-wheel-drive antics in the Judean desert, this excursion is for you.
It’s an all-day affair and will include stops at the Mar Saba Monastery and Wadi Qelt, which are a few of Israel’s most revered sites and are on the periphery of one of the world’s great deserts.
The tour will also swing by the legendary Tomb of Moses, a cliff-side monastery and a nature preserve before stopping for an afternoon coffee and heading back into town.
This tour is a great mix of adventure and culture that shouldn’t be missed by lovers of both.
15. Private Christian Tour of Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Source: gary yim / shutterstockEven for those with just a basic knowledge of the Bible, it’s pretty obvious that Bethlehem and Jerusalem are a few of the most historically significant cities in the region.
This private Christian tour includes a local guide and includes pickup from your hotel and return transportation when the tour is over.
Your guide will lead you and your companions to some of the city’s most important sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Church of the Nativity, and the Chapel of Saint Helena.
It’s a value-packed, two city tour that’s a super way for Christian believers to get up close and personal with the origins of their faith.