I’m planning to visit/see all of the obvious and well known sites (the old city, historic churches, the Dome of the Rock/Temple Mount, Israel Museum). But I’d be interested in any suggestions for lesser known things to see and do.
I don’t know if you are planning to leave Jerusalem at all but I found Masada fascinating (it’s about two hours drive I think).
I don’t know what the story is on getting to Bethlehem at the moment but I enjoyed it. I’m not religious at all (iirc you are) so the site itself wasn’t interesting to me as the birthplace of a god as such, but it’s still monumentally interesting as a study in other people’s religious fervour.
I’m planning a few day trips out of Jerusalem, and Masada will be one of them.
Yes, I’ll be going to the standard Christian pilgrimage sites. I will arrive on Ash Wednesday morning next week, so one of the first tasks will be to find somewhere to go to mass.
I suppose I’m really just after any ideas or suggestions for things to see in and around Jerusalem that aren’t on the “top 10” list: quirky museums; second tier historical buildings etc.
The Dead Sea is a lot of fun and very interesting. It might be too cold for a swim if you are traveling soon, though. Beware that it is surprisingly foul. One drop is enough to induce major discomfort and perhaps retching. Don’t even think about getting ANY in your eyes.
Don’t ride in on a donkey. Last person who tried that didn’t survive the week.
This. You may, intellectually, know that the Dead Sea is nine times saltier than the ocean, but it won’t really sink in until you catch a mouthful of it and barely manage not to throw up. If you have any time in Tel Aviv, the old city of Jaffa is worth a visit.
By all means go to Masada- if you’re not afraid of heights.
I have no idea what possessed me to go up there twice, but I still don’t think I’ve quite gotten over that tiny wooden walkway between the gondala and the mountain itself.
Have fun.
Do you plan to hang out with tax collectors and sinners?
Are you the kind of guy who visits Jerusalem and doesn’t want to see the Sexateria?
So this post gets responses, but mine about Tel Aviv doesn’t get any? 
Linnk? I must have missed it.
Anyway, I don’t know Jerusalem that well - it’s not really my scene. Still, I can make a few recommendations:
- Do the walk along the Old City walls, ending at the Tower of David museum.
- Also in the Old City is the Cardo, an excavated Roman-era marketplace.
- On the subject of marketplaces, don’t miss the Mahneh Yehudah market in the new city. Gigantic Middle-Eastern style market.
- If you’re leaving the city, about half an hour away on Route 1 (the freeway to Tel Aviv) is the Latrun Armored Corps museun, featuring an excellent collection of tanks and armored vehicles - everything ever fielded by, or captured by Israel.
- Let me know what you like to eat. I’ll get you a list of restaurants.
One thing: the city shuts down completely from Friday afternoon to Saturday night. And I mean completely. Bear that in mind.
Thanks for those suggestions Alessan.
Yes, I’m aware of the shabbat closure. It will be interesting to experience.
Agree with Alessan - the Ramparts walk is fantastic. And there’s nothing like Mahane Yehuda - but don’t go on a Friday unless you’re willing to fight your way through it.
Go to Eucalyptus. It’s in the ‘Hutzot Hayotzer’ (Artists’ Courtyard) near the Jaffa Gate. Delicious and very interesting, but expensive.
I’ve heard that Darna is very good too but I’ve only ever seen it.
I’m sure you’re going to Ein Kerem. It’s a beautiful neighborhood and a great place for a picnic.
The Biblical Zoo is the best zoo I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to many zoos).
You can take a walk around Nahlat Shiva and have lunch at Mitmol Shilshom. It’s a cute little bookstore with amazing soup. Very Bohemian.
Emek Refaim and Rechavia are nice neighborhoods to walk around and have lunch. There’s a quirky Natural History Museum in Emek. I’ll try to think of more but that’s plenty to chew on.
The Cardo is cool but it’s filled with touristy art shops.
Thanks Anchuldigs. Those all sound interesting.
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned it, but Yad Hashem is a great experience, if rather intense.
Don’t miss the archeological dig beneath the Western Wall, it’s a fantastic sight to see how deep the wall actually goes and the system of arches which the Old City rests on. Getting on a tour can be difficult, so my recommendation is to stop by and ask for an English speaking tour in the morning and trying to get on one in the afternoon. The entrance is on the north side of the Western Wall plaza.
If you have access to a car, the “Scrolls of Fire” sculpture is worth a visit, both for the actual sculpture and for the landscape around it.
Tel Aviv’s my favorite spot in Israel though =)
I think you mean Yad Vashem. That one-letter difference is pretty important.
Uhm, yup. Shouldn’t be posting pre-coffee.
Don’t see much too though, or you might get Jerusalem Syndrome!