General facts: Jerusalem Travel Tips
The old city of Jerusalem is surrounded by ramparts. Its size is about 0.9 km². The old city is home of many monuments such as Temple Mount and the western wall for the Jews, the church of the holy Sepulchre for the Christian and the Dome of rock for the Muslims.
Jerusalem has 4 quarters
The old city of Jerusalem is unequally divided in 4 quarters:
- Muslim quarter
- Christian quarter
- Armenian quarter
- Jewish quarter
Meaning that as you go through the city you will switch from quarter to quarter and discover various traditions and see how different religions coexist altogether.
Shabbat
While in Jerusalem, you want to be ready for Shabbat which is the seventh day of the week for the Jews and as such the resting day. During this time most of the city will shut down. Attractions, restaurants, shops, markets are mostly closed. As well tram and public transportation are not running.
If you had planned to visit something during this day, do check if they are open and if you can reach it walking.
Coming to food, a few restaurants are working and open. But you will need to find them. And we would strongly recommend to reserve before going. We had chance and found a table in a restaurant because we were earlier but could only keep the table for 1h30.
Shabbat starts at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. In our case (May 2019) Shabbat started at 6pm on Friday but starting from 2pm places would start closing. And it ended Saturday at 8:00pm.
Basically, Shabbat could be best compared as our Sunday.
People Praying
If you see people in the street balancing front to rear and opposite, it doesn’t mean they escaped from a mad house. It only means that there are praying. Jewish people do so to make stronger their prayer. They are kinda pushing them harder.
Kippah
The kippah is the little hat that Jews are wearing on the rear of their head (only men). The kippah is wore according to Jewish law of having the head covered while praying. But nowadays people argue that the kippah should be wear at all time to honour god and also to distinguish the Jews from the non-Jews.
Tefillin
If you encounter people wearing a small box on their forehead it is most probably a Tefillin. The box is made of leather and a leather rope connect it to the arm of its wearer. It is intended to fulfil the Tora’s instruction to a keep a sign and remember the exodus. In Jewish custom it is only wear by men. Inside the small box scrolls with texts from the Tora can be found.
Where to Stay
Jerusalem has lots of great accommodation, more or less close from the old city center:
- Unique Stay (further): Above The Spring
- Apartment: Overlooks the Kotel
- Hotel: Old City Hotel
- Hostel: Abraham Hostel Jerusalem
“Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions.” — Peter Hoeg
