Jerusalem itinerary
7 days, hour by hour · IsraelOctober–May
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 34
- Per day
- ≈ 386 ILS
- First stop
- 07:30
Short answer
The TripWalkers Jerusalem itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 34 stops, hour by hour, for October–May. The first three days:
- Day 1 Old City: Jewish and Christian quarters
- Day 2 Mount of Olives and City of David
- Day 3 Yad Vashem and the Israel Museum
Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 4 and 5 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 386 ILS a day (excluding accommodation and flights).
Day 1 · 09:00–14:45
Old City: Jewish and Christian quarters
Culture
Western Wall
Enter through Jaffa Gate. The Western Wall is open 24 hours, with separate men's and women's sections. Heads must be covered (kippahs are provided), and on Friday evening there is a Shabbat welcome.
FreeCulture
Temple Mount Dome of the Rock
Non-Muslims can visit Sunday to Thursday 07:30-11:00 and 13:30-14:30 (via the Mughrabi Bridge). You see the Dome of the Rock from the outside only. Dress modestly; closed Friday and Saturday.
FreeLandmark
Via Dolorosa
The 14 Stations of the Cross run from the Lions' Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. On Fridays at 15:00 there is a Franciscan procession.
FreeCulture
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The site of Jesus's crucifixion and tomb. Climb the steps to Golgotha, expect a queue for the Edicule, and note that the church is shared by 6 denominations.
FreeFood
Abu Shukri Via Dolorosa
The Old City's legendary hummus, plus ful (fava bean stew) and falafel.
≈ 50 ILS per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Lina Restaurant Old CityHummus in the Christian Quarter, a rival to Abu Shukri.
- Tower of David MuseumA citadel museum with panoramic views from the ramparts. An alternative to the Via Dolorosa.
Day 2 · 07:30–16:30
Mount of Olives and City of David
Nature
Mount of Olives Viewpoint
Take a taxi up. The Old City and golden dome look best in morning light. Pass the Jewish cemetery, then walk back down.
FreeCulture
Church of All Nations Gethsemane
The Garden of Gethsemane has 2,000-year-old olive trees. The Dominus Flevit (Tear-Shaped) church is on the way.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
City of David
Excavations of King David's original city. Choose Hezekiah's Tunnel (knee-deep water, bring a torch) or the dry Canaanite Tunnel.
≈ 70 ILS per person- 45 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Ja'far Sweets
Try knafeh (cheese pastry). Pass through the Damascus Gate market in the Muslim Quarter.
≈ 25 ILS per person- 45 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Ramparts Walk
Walk along the city walls from Jaffa Gate to Lions' Gate for views over rooftops and domes.
≈ 25 ILS per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Azzahra Restaurant East JerusalemPalestinian cuisine in East Jerusalem; try the maqluba (upside-down rice dish).
- Garden TombThe Protestant alternative to the Holy Sepulchre: a peaceful garden outside Damascus Gate.
Day 3 · 09:00–19:00
Yad Vashem and the Israel Museum
Culture
Yad Vashem
The Holocaust memorial museum, in Safdie's prism-shaped building, with the Children's Memorial. Free, but book online. Children under 10 are not admitted; closed Saturday.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Israel Museum
See the Dead Sea Scrolls (Shrine of the Book), a model of Second Temple-era Jerusalem and the archaeology galleries. Lunch at the cafeteria.
≈ 60 ILS per personFood
Israel Museum Modern Kafe
The museum restaurant, with a garden overlooking the Dead Sea.
≈ 60 ILS per personLandmark
Knesset
See the parliament from the outside, along with the Menorah sculpture. Tours run on Sundays and Thursdays.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Mahane Yehuda Market
The shuk is a market by day and a bar street by night. Try the marzipan rugelach, Azura's kubbeh (stuffed semolina dumplings) and the Hachapuria.
≈ 80 ILS per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Machneyuda RestaurantA chef's restaurant next to the market. Book weeks ahead.
- Bible Lands MuseumNext door to the Israel Museum, covering the ancient Near East.
Day 4 · 07:30–16:30Day trip
Dead Sea and Masada
Landmark
Masada National Park
Take bus 486 or a tour (1.5 hours). Herod's rock fortress and the Roman siege ramp await. Climb the Snake Path for sunrise (in summer climbing is banned after 08:00; cable car 28 ILS).
≈ 31 ILS per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
An oasis with David's Waterfall and ibex. Your shoes will get wet.
≈ 29 ILS per personFood
Ein Gedi Kibbutz Restaurant
The kibbutz dining hall or a beach cafe.
≈ 70 ILS per personNature
Ein Bokek Dead Sea Beach
The lowest point on Earth (-430 m). You float rather than swim. Try the mud, and protect your eyes. Free public beach with showers.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Qumran National ParkThe caves where the scrolls were found. An alternative to Ein Gedi.
- Ein Bokek Beach CafeA beachfront cafe serving salads and lemonade.
Day 5 · 09:00–17:30Day trip
Bethlehem and Ein Karem
Culture
Church of the Nativity Bethlehem
Take bus 231 or a taxi (Palestinian Authority territory: bring your passport, and Israeli-plated vehicles cannot cross). Visit the cave where Jesus was born; the queue can reach 2 hours.
FreeLandmark
Banksy Walled Off Hotel & Separation Wall
Graffiti along the wall, plus Banksy's hotel and museum. Go by taxi.
FreeFood
Afteem Restaurant Bethlehem
Falafel since 1948 on Manger Square.
≈ 30 ILS per person- 2 h · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Ein Karem
The village of John the Baptist, with the Church of the Visitation, Mary's Well and art galleries. It lies in western Jerusalem.
FreeFood
Karma Ein Karem
A terrace cafe overlooking the village, best in the evening.
≈ 80 ILS per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Shepherds' Field Beit SahourThe Shepherds' Field church. An alternative to the wall.
- Sweet N KaremAn ice cream shop in Ein Karem.
Day 6 · 09:30–19:00
West Jerusalem and Shabbat
Landmark
Yemin Moshe & Montefiore Windmill
The first neighbourhood built outside the walls, with a windmill and views of the Old City.
FreeFood
First Station Jerusalem
The old Ottoman railway station, now with cafes, a market and a children's area.
≈ 50 ILS per person- 1 h 15 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Azura Mahane Yehuda
Kurdish-Iraqi dishes: kubbeh and aubergine. Expect crowds before Shabbat.
≈ 70 ILS per personCulture
Mea Shearim
An ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood. Dress modestly and do not take photos. Friday brings a pre-Shabbat rush.
Free- 2 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Western Wall Shabbat Welcome
Friday at sunset: singing and dancing (no photos). On other days there is evening prayer.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Anna Italian Café Ticho HouseA garden restaurant in the historic Ticho House.
- Hebrew University Mount ScopusA botanical garden with desert views. An alternative to Mea Shearim.
Day 7 · 09:00–13:15
Armenian Quarter and a gentle farewell
Landmark
Armenian Quarter
St James Cathedral (service at 15:00) and ceramic workshops.
FreeLandmark
Cardo Jewish Quarter
The remains of the Byzantine main street. At the Hurva Synagogue, the dome view costs 20 ILS.
FreeNature
Rooftop Promenade Old City
Walk the rooftops above the bazaar, where the 4 quarters meet. Free.
FreeFood
Hummus Ben Sira
West Jerusalem hummus for a farewell meal.
≈ 50 ILS per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Jerusalem Navon Station
The fast train reaches Ben Gurion in 25 minutes (not running on Shabbat). Time to say goodbye.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Jerusalem Armenian CeramicsHand-painted tiles, good for souvenirs.
- Tmol ShilshomA bookshop cafe serving shakshuka.
Good to know: 6 things that make a Jerusalem trip easier
- Get a Rav-Kav card and use the light rail (Jaffa Street). On Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday night) public transport and most shops are closed, but Arab East Jerusalem stays open. The fast train to Ben Gurion takes 25 minutes.
- Winter temperatures are 5-12°C with rain and occasional snow. The Dead Sea is ideal in winter (25°C). The weeks of Passover and Sukkot are crowded, as is Bethlehem at Christmas in December.
- SAFETY: The situation in the region can change, so check official travel advice before you go. The Temple Mount may close. Go to Bethlehem by taxi or bus (Israeli rental cars cannot enter).
- Dress code at holy sites: cover shoulders and knees, and men cover their heads at the Wall. The Temple Mount is closed Friday and Saturday; Yad Vashem is closed Saturday.
- Hummus costs 40-60 ILS, falafel 20, a restaurant meal 100-150. Tip 12%. Cards are accepted everywhere; bring cash for East Jerusalem.
- Tap water is safe to drink. Mahane Yehuda is liveliest on Friday afternoon.
Spending: ≈ 2,700 ILS per person for 7 days
- Food1,500 ILS
- Entry and tours500 ILS
- Local transport400 ILS
- Other300 ILS
Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.
We did the planning. You just pick the dates.
TripWalkers rebuilds this route around your number of days, budget and pace — on a map, day by day, in your pocket.
Download on the App StoreFor iPhone · English and Turkish · Free to download
Your next trip
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Jerusalem?
This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 4 and 5; skip it on a short stay.
How much does a day in Jerusalem cost?
In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 386 ILS per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.
What time should you start the day in Jerusalem?
The first stop is at 07:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.
Which season is this itinerary for?
This page covers October–May. There is a separate plan for June–September: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.