Jerusalem is the center of three world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Each of them has its own holy places. In the incredible variety of monuments, relics, cultural values – the uniqueness of the city. And also in religious tolerance, which is so necessary now in many places of our planet: the bell ringing here calmly echoes the singing call of the muezzin to prayer. About what is a holiday in Jerusalem: attractions, holy places, entertainment, prices will be described in this material.
Interesting facts
One of the oldest cities in the world, founded more than 3000 years ago, is located on the plateau of the Judean Mountains, 60 km from the Mediterranean Sea and 35 km from the Dead.
Over the centuries-old history, Jerusalem has been subjected to numerous attacks, sieges, twice was destroyed and restored. Today, the capital of Israel is represented by two cities – the historical Old and the modern New.
The center of world religions is annually visited by millions of pilgrims and tourists from different countries. But the city lives not only at the expense of tourism, the infrastructure of which is at the highest level here. Modern high-tech enterprises are a new facet of the development of Jerusalem.
The unique city amazes not only with an abundance of attractions, the number of which cannot be counted, but also with a peculiar atmosphere, rhythm, traditions and customs. Religion affects the life of the capital: during religious holidays, many institutions do not work, there is an abundance of kosher restaurants.
Climate
The city is located in the zone of the Mediterranean climate. It has hot summers with occasional rains and cool, humid winters. Snow is rare.
Jerusalem is beautiful at any time of the year. During religious holidays, pilgrims rush here. Tourists try to visit it from April to October, when warm weather is established, favorable for exploring the sights.
Tours to Jerusalem
Going to visit Jerusalem, you can choose an excursion or pilgrimage tour, a large selection of them is offered by travel agencies for any time of the year. The highest cost of 7-day tours (prices in rubles for 2021) in March – from 200,000; cheap tours in January, February, July, August and September – within 50 000; in November and December, prices are higher – from 70 000.
The cost of the tour includes flight, hotel accommodation, meals, insurance, transfer.
How to get there
The nearest airport is Ben Gurion Airport, 50 km from the city. From Moscow, you can fly to Israel in 4 hours, using a direct flight, or from 6 to 18 hours – on connecting flights with a transfer in Istanbul, Athens, Belgrade. The minimum cost of tickets in 2021 is about 5,000 rubles one way.
From airport to Jerusalem
There are five ways to get from the airport to the city: by train, bus, minibus, taxi, transfers or car service.
Train
Depart from Terminal 3. Travel time – 2 hours, ticket price – 20 shekels.
Bus
There is no direct bus from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem. From terminal No. 3 you need to take bus number 5, get to the stop “El Al Junction” (18 minutes, 5 shekels), change to bus number 947 or number 423 and get to the central bus station (2 hours, 22 shekels).
Shuttle
Depart from terminal No. 3 only after the cabin is fully filled with passengers. The convenience of this type of transport – the driver will deliver to the right address, the disadvantage is waiting for departure from the airport and a long delivery to the addresses, which increases the duration of the trip: 1 hour from the airport and the same can take a trip around the city to the right place. The cost is from 64 shekels.
Taxi
Will take you from the airport in 50 minutes. The cost of the trip on ordinary days – from 250 shekels, on Shabbat – from 300 shekels.
Transfer
Convenient movement from the airport, however, the order must be made in advance with prepayment. The cost is from 340 shekels, the road will take 50 minutes.
Transport
The city has a well-developed and convenient public transport system, which allows you to easily get to any point.
Note: with a multi-day stay in the country, it is profitable to use the Rav-Kav card, which allows you to save up to 25% and is applicable in any public transport.
Bus
The most popular public transport, traffic on the routes – from 6.00 to 24.00 (with the exception of Shabbat). Electronic scoreboards with timetable and intervals are installed at the stops. Ticket – within 7 shekels.
Note: the ticket is valid for an hour and a half, including when changing to a bus of another route.
To explore the main attractions of the city, you can use the bus number 99. The route includes 29 stops, the cost of a daily ticket is 100 shekels (for children and pensioners – 80 shekels). You can get off at any stop, explore memorable places, change to the next bus and travel around Jerusalem.
Taxis
This type of transport duplicates bus routes, but works without a break on Shabbat and stop at the request of passengers. The fare is the same as in the bus – within 7 shekels.
Light rail
This is the youngest and fastest form of public transport, its routes are laid through the whole city and have more than 20 stops, and the fare is within 7 shekels.
Cost effective Taxi
Taxis can be safely caught on the street or ordered by car service phone, or use the mobile application. The average cost of a trip around the city is 40 shekels. The fare increases at night, weekends and holidays.
Where to Stay?
The peculiarity of Jerusalem: expensive hotels are located in the New City, and budget hotels are located in the Old City, surrounded by attractions. The safest are the Armenian, Christian and Jewish quarters, where there are many boarding houses, small hotels, mini-hotels, hostels. The cheapest accommodation can be found in the Muslim Quarter and in Christian boarding houses. During religious holidays, prices for accommodation sometimes double.