Jerusalem

Jerusalem has been the holiest city in Judaism and the ancestral and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people since the 10th century BCE. During classical antiquity, Jerusalem was considered the centre of the world, where God resided. The city of Jerusalem is given special status in Jewish religious law.

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Jerusalem can be divided into three sections: the Old City, West Jerusalem, and East Jerusalem. Ancient stone walls encase the Old City. You can access the grounds via seven different gateways. Within these walls, you'll find the city's most prominent attractions, including the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Outside of the Old City, you'll discover Jerusalem's thriving yet laid-back metropolis. West Jerusalem buzzes with life, with much of the action centered on Jaffa Road and Ben-Yehuda Street. Here, you'll find a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars. East Jerusalem is the hub of the city's Arab community. Not as modern as West Jerusalem, the East—especially the areas right outside the Old City's Damascus and Herod's Gates—brims with lively markets.